NEW city MP Shockat Adam vowed to “speak truth to power” in his first speech in Parliament. Adam’s victory in Leicester south in the General Election was one of the biggest shocks of the night.
Running on a pro-Gaza platform, he defeated long-standing Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth by fewer than 1,000 votes. Ashworth had been expected to play a prominent role in Sir Keir Starmer’s new government.
Independent member Adam made his maiden speech in Parliament on Tuesday (23).
He said, “It’s important to remember that it’s the simplest things that people want and make the biggest difference to them in their lives. They want someone to speak up for them in these corridors of power.
“To speak about the injustices in the world, to give a voice to those who do not have one, a voice for those that have no might, that have no authority, or power. Whether it’s those that are forgotten in Yemen, the victims of conflict in Sudan or the ongoing devastation in Palestine, or regardless of where it is in the world.
“I will always endeavour to speak truth to power and demand this new Government takes action for the poor and the dispossessed and not just the powerful.”
Adam, who was born in Malawi, spoke about his experiences of racism growing up in Leicester. He said, “I remember embarking on my life journey with friends from all different creeds, colours, religions, no religions, and we made a life for ourselves in this amazing country.
“I remember also moments of racism, and one that comes to mind is one with my late mother, where we were in a park and we were set upon by a group of people who hurled abuse and foul things including language and objects in our direction. But these incidents were superseded by kindness, love and understanding by the great people of this country.”
The new MP also called for an end to division in his diverse constituency, saying: “My city is a united city.” Mr Adam said people of all religions have “lived in harmony for over half a century” in his area.
“However, in recent years, fractures have appeared, sown by those who wish to divide us, often by weaponising language,” he said.
“I understand that our isle does not have infinite resources. But we must always have infinite empathy, infinite sympathy and an infinite vocabulary that builds bridges and not destroys them.”
Adam did not elaborate on who or what he meant by “those who wish to divide us, often by weaponising language”.
His first speech came after he missed a key vote last week on the UK’s stance on the Israel/Gaza conflict which began on October 7 last year when Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist political and military organisation proscribed by the government, launched an attack on Israeli communities and events, including a music festival. Adam said he had been unable to attend due to a “potential death threat”.
In a post at the weekend on X, he thanked the Leicestershire and Cambridge police forces for dealing with the incident, adding: “Aggressive behaviour towards me and my family has become commonplace, but I can assure my constituents it will not deter me from my duties.”
(Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event