Show Notes
Have you ever wondered how someone wins an election without the backing of a political party? What would happen if we elected individuals rather than parties? And who were the five independent MPs elected at the last general election? Iqbal Mohamed grew up in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, in a small council house opposite a cemetery, the eldest of six children. As a boy, he remembers sitting in his parents’ bedroom and praying to God that he might one day become either a Blue Peter presenter or Prime Minister. Decades later, when he was elected as an MP, he felt that prayer was finally being answered. Iqbal’s constituency had traditionally voted Labour, but anger grew locally over the party’s response to the war in Gaza. Members of the community decided to find a candidate of their own and they chose Iqbal. In this episode, Iqbal talks about growing up as an ethnic minority in a Yorkshire town, life at Durham University, meeting his wife in India, how an independent candidate can actually win an election, the future of party politics, and the importance of his Muslim faith. Follow 650 for more people, less politics. Connect with 650 Podcast: Website --> www.650podcast.com Instagram Facebook TikTok X Youtube
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