A former Labour Party "stalwart" has been criticised for suggesting an organisation that encourages Muslims to vote collectively could be "racist".
Independent county councillor Damian Haywood, who represents the Iffley Fields & St Mary's division in Oxford, stood as a Labour councillor up to September last year when he resigned over a damning special educational needs report.
He has hit out at the Muslim Vote which was set up in December 2023 as a "pro-democracy" and "anti-genocide" group that aims to canvass Muslim voters to support candidates endorsed by the organisation in each constituency.
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Mr Haywood took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share his frustration at the Muslim Vote endorsement of a candidate for Oxford East.
He said: "At worst it is racist, at best incredibly patronising to suggest that 'the Muslim Vote' is one homologous bloc."
On election material I received this morning. At worst it is racist, at best incredibly patronising to suggest that "the Muslim Vote" is one homologous bloc. pic.twitter.com/OyRkm3cdIA
— Cllr Damian Haywood 💙 (@bigdamo) June 29, 2024
Responding to his comment, Oxford Community Independents city councillor Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini said: "Mr Haywood was described as a 'stalwart' of the Labour Party up until very recently holding a cabinet position.
"His understanding of what is structurally racist is as poor as that of the Labour Party which he supports.
"Muslims like any other group have the right to organise on the basis of shared values.
"Whilst the Muslim community is not homogeneous, we do share many political values as well as similar socio economic conditions.
"The Muslim Vote aims to work with local Muslim communities based on those values to attempt to unite us behind one candidate which is the independent Jabu Nala-Hartley in Oxford East."
Oxfordshire Labour county councillor Brad Baines says Mr Haywood is not a Labour politician and that he was last a cabinet member in 2021.
Former city councillor Shaista Aziz added: "I think for traditional parties like the Labour party in particular that has become so used to having the working class Muslim votes, this has come as a shock for them to see organising going on amongst the Muslim communities.
"Nobody ever did think the Muslim vote was homogenous - no one ever did think the Muslim vote was one bloc."
Oxford East Independent MP candidate Amir Steve Ali suggested the Muslim Vote was fine "as long as they (the organisation) are not saying all the Muslims should vote for Muslim candidates".
He added: "We need to look at the candidates individually whether you're white, black, Asian or Muslim.
"In my eyes everyone should be treated equally.
"My concerns are the public."
Liberal Democrat Headington councillor Mohammed Altaf-Khan said: "I fought eight elections myself in Oxford and I never worked on religion, colour or creed.
"I just worked on issue bases and I think people should look at the policies – at what the political parties are offering nationally to us.
"I don't think the Muslim Vote is going to be very successful."
But coordinator of the Muslim Vote, Abubakr Nanabawa, said: "The Labour Party has refused to call out war crimes, failed to present any plan to revitalise our NHS and our national infrastructure or tackle the cost of living crisis.
"The recent local election results show they have lost support of local Muslim communities across the country.
"They need to focus on how they can win that back before making comments on grassroots community campaigns.”
Oxford East Independent Oxford Alliance MP candidate David Henwood said: "Damian is wrong to stereotype the 'Muslim Vote' and should take the time to celebrate the individual."
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About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
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