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In a surprising upset during the recent local elections, Mahhen Kamran, an 18-year-old independent candidate of Pakistani ethnicity, has secured the Burnley Central East council seat. Kamran's campaign, which focused heavily on the conflict in Gaza and advocated for the segregation of men and women in public spaces, resonated with a significant portion of the local electorate.
Kamran garnered 38% of the vote, decisively defeating the Reform UK candidate who trailed behind by eight percentage points. The Labour party suffered a significant setback, securing a mere 14% of the votes in the constituency.
Speaking to Politics Home, the newly elected Councillor Kamran stated that the ongoing "genocide" in Gaza was the primary catalyst for her entry into politics. In addition to her strong stance on Palestine, a key pillar of her campaign was addressing the "free mixing" of Muslim men and women in public areas, a practice she described as a "major issue" for many Muslim voters in the area.
This victory for an independent candidate echoes a trend seen in the 2024 General Election, where several pro-Palestine independents successfully unseated Labour MPs. This shift in voting patterns underscores the growing discontent among Muslim voters regarding mainstream parties' positions on the Gaza conflict, raising concerns about the increasing influence of sectarianism within British politics.
Mahhen Kamran's victory in Burnley Central East highlights the complex interplay of local issues, national political events, and international affairs in shaping election outcomes. Her win signals a potential realignment of political loyalties within the community and presents a unique voice on Lancashire county council.
