The Ramadhan Foundation’s Mohammed Shafiq has left the Liberal Democrats and joined the Labour Party.
Shafiq, a presenter on the Ummah Channel and a well-known Muslim activist due to his frequent appearances on the mainstream media, broke the news on social media last night.
He said: “I’ve joined the @UKLabour for the battle ahead for working people. Supporting Andy Burnham for leader. Same agenda just different party.
“May not always agree with the Labour leadership but now is the time to campaign for the issues that interest me…
“It was the Lib Dems that give up on equality and diversity and give up on the struggle for social justice and democracy. Not me… The rightwingers have destroyed the Lib Dems. I’m a social democrat and believe in social justice. Always have and always will.
“I haven’t changed as a person. Still the same old Mohammed but recognise that Labour will be the voice of working people like me.”
At the recent general election the Liberal Democrats turned in a terrible performance, with only eight MPs elected, down from 57 in 2010. Its share of the popular vote fell from 23% in 2010 to only 7.9%.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
The party is thought to have paid the price for going into coalition with the right-wing Conservatives who have implemented harsh austerity measures at home and an aggressive foreign policy abroad.
Shafiq was also thought to be unhappy with the choice of Maajid Nawaz, a renowned Islamophobe and demoniser of the Muslim community, as Lib Dem candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn.
