Group of Pro-Palestine independent MPs could form a political party

Pro-Palestine Independent MPs are weighing up whether to form an official political party, it has emerged.

Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed all beat incumbent Labour MPs in July’s general election amid unhappiness with Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on the conflict in Gaza.

Along with ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who sits as an independent MP, they formed the Independent Alliance in September to become Parliament’s fifth-biggest group, equal to Reform UK.

While not an official political party, the formation has allowed the MPs to release joint statements on common areas of interest, such as foreign policy and opposition to the two-child benefit cap.

It has now emerged that members are considering filing paperwork to register a political party in early 2025, ahead of next May’s local elections.

Mr Corbyn is understood to be against the idea of joining the party, however, and will likely continue to sit as an independent MP. 

They are hoping to take advantage of the anti-Labour sentiment that carried them into Parliament earlier this year amid the continuing destruction in Gaza.

Candidates are likely to run in urban seats on county councils where there are more voters recipient to their message. 

They will also be supported by canvassers disillusioned by the Labour Party.

Last night a senior aide suggested no concrete plans were in place.