Ladywood PPC Lee Dargue: Shabana is out of step

Shabana Mahmood MP abstained from the vote on a ceasefire back in November 2024; an unpopular call in Ladywood where many constituents would support a ceasefire in the Israel and Palestine conflict.

Now the most senior Muslim in the Labour party, Shabana's inaction has been criticised by the local PPC Lee Dargue, who is backing an immediate, bilateral ceasefire. 

In a speech where she described the feelings of hurt in the Muslim community, the MP went on to talk about measures that the party would take to improve law and order.  

Speaking on the comments made by Shabana Mahmood MP on Gaza, and prisons, Lib Dem candidate for Birmingham Ladywood in the upcoming General Election, Lee Dargue said:

"Birmingham Ladywood still has only an abstention on its official record in Parliament in regard to a ceasefire in Gaza, via the local MP. I support the Liberal Democrats who have consistently voted for an immediate, bilateral ceasefire, looking forward to a 2-state solution, securing peace for both sides. I plead for Labour to join this call.

"As Shadow Justice Secretary, Shabana and her Labour party have unfortunately joined the Conservatives in thinking that the answer to tackling crime through failed prisons, is to build even more of them.

"It's even more worrying that a Labour Government would seek to achieve this through putting undue pressure on planning applications which would squash local involvement.

“We need more investment in education, youth services, and community policing – these do not appear to be Labour priorities. Instead, building more prisons is yet another “tough on crime” approach that Labour will continue to fail on.”