Reform UK Candidate Under Scrutiny for Gaza Protest Chants
A candidate for Reform UK in the upcoming Leeds local elections is currently under investigation following the emergence of a video that captures him chanting contentious slogans at a protest related to Gaza in 2024, as reported by The Times (UK).
Details of the Controversial Incident
Professor Muhammad Sajjad Raja, who is described as a highly educated social and political figure, has been selected as Reform UK’s candidate for the Moortown ward in Leeds ahead of the local elections scheduled for 7 May. The controversy stems from a video recorded in June 2024, where Raja participated in a demonstration organized by the Workers Party of Britain.
In the footage, he is seen leading a segment of the march and vocalizing slogans such as “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, along with “end apartheid” and “Israel is a terrorist state”. Raja had shared a 23-minute video of this protest on his TikTok account, explicitly stating that he led the demonstration in Leeds “in solidarity with the people of Palestine”. During the event, he was also observed holding a Workers Party sign that read “For Britain, for Gaza”.
Reform UK’s Response and Political Context
Reform UK, a right-wing political party led by Nigel Farage, originated as the Brexit Party in 2018 before rebranding in 2021 after the UK’s departure from the European Union. In response to the video, Reform UK has announced that it is actively looking into the matter. The slogan chanted by Raja has sparked extensive debate within UK political circles.
Party leader Nigel Farage has characterized it as a “hate slogan” that advocates for “the abolition of the state of Israel”, while Reform’s economics spokesman, Robert Jenrick, has previously labeled it as “genocidal”. The investigation by Reform UK remains ongoing, and Raja has been approached for his comments on the situation.
Raja’s Political Background and Affiliations
Muhammad Sajjad Raja has a history of political activism that extends beyond this particular protest. He has previously campaigned with the Workers Party of Britain, a fringe left-wing group founded by former Labour MP George Galloway, which supports policies like wealth redistribution and opposes NATO.
His political journey includes multiple party affiliations:
- He stood as a Conservative candidate in the 2023 local elections in Leeds, where he finished in third place.
- He later aligned with Reform UK, expressing his support by stating: “I support Reform UK because I want to fix the broken Britain and I stand with Nigel Farage because he is the only man who can clear up the mess now.”
This investigation highlights the complexities of political alignments and the ongoing scrutiny of candidates’ past actions in the lead-up to elections.
