Iqbal Mohamed: Independent MP received in Dewsbury and Batley

An independent candidate won a general election seat in Yorkshire for the first time since 1907.

Iqbal Mohamed’s victory in the Dewsbury and Batley constituency was as resounding as it was historic.

He won 41% of the vote to take the West Yorkshire seat, garnering 15,641 votes compared to 8,707 to the second-placed’s 8,707.

Mr Mohamed said his win was due to “a combination of many things”, not just his stance on Gaza. The BBC took to the streets of Dewsbury on Friday morning to test their theory.

Between packing tomatoes on the fruit and veg stall she works on in the town square, Rachel Carter told us that independent candidates “understand a lot more about Dewsbury and what Dewsbury needs”.

“I think it’s going to be really good,” predicted the 35-year-old.

“Dewsbury has become quite run down in recent years. The Independents understand what Dewsbury was like and want it to be that way again.”

Mrs Carter admitted she was not familiar with Mr Mohamed or his policies and said she had not voted in the election but was “happy” to see him elected.

The appetite for change in this part of the world is not new.

Just two months ago, five independent candidates won seats on Kirklees Council in local elections, with the Labor Party losing overall control amid huge financial pressures and controversy over the national leadership’s stance on Gaza.

“People are fed up with Labour, especially the state of Kirklees Council,” explained civil servant Rehana Ismail on her way to a doctor’s appointment.

“People wanted a change. Between Labor and the Tories, there’s not much of a difference.”

The Gaza issue remained “massive for a lot of people in Dewsbury and Batley”, added the 45-year-old, who voted for Mr Mohamed.

Britain’s newest political party, Reform, finished third in Dewsbury and Batley, further underscoring the appetite for change.

The BBC spoke to one reform voter, a 63-year-old retired engineer who did not want to be named.

He was coy about his reasons for voting Reform, but wished the new incumbent here well.

“I don’t know anything about him, you’ve got to give somebody a chance,” he said.

Manzur Ahmed had two reasons to celebrate on Friday. It was his 62nd birthday and he also voted for Mr. Mohamed.

Despite the fact that the independent candidate is “a local person who helps a lot of businesses”, Ahmed said the “main reason” he was elected was his support for the people of Gaza.

“We’ve been Labor voters all our lives,” said the pizza restaurant worker as he stood in front of a Palestinian flag.

“I don’t know if he can make a difference (in the conflict) but he will be there representing us and we will at least have a voice at (Prime Minister’s Questions).”

Liyakatali Muller admitted that his vote for Mr Mohamed was partly out of protest against the major parties’ stance on Gaza.

The 59-year-old wasn’t sure how successful he would be, though.

“The major parties don’t listen to the individual,” he added. “I don’t hope so.”

The seat of Dewsbury and Batley was newly created for the 2024 election, combining the former Conservative-held constituency of Dewsbury with Labour-held Batley and Spen.

Stall owner Mohammed Rasab admitted he knew little about Mr Mohamed other than that he was “a local boy” and his campaign was “something to do with Palestine”.

“That’s why they voted for him,” the 56-year-old said.

“This was a safe place for Labour.”

Mr. Mohamed’s presence is felt locally. His campaign signs far outnumber those of his rivals in and around the city center and several people have claimed to know him or those close to him.

Others said they never heard from their previous MPs, who “never did owt”, Mr Rasab said.

He admitted he did not know whether the new incumbent would make a difference, but in his first interview since being elected, Mr Mohamed told the BBC he wanted everyone in the constituency to “know I’m there to work for them”.