A new ‘Party of Islam’ has been rejected by the Electoral Commission over concerns it did not comply with election law, among other reasons.
Days after Hamas’ attack on Israel at the start of October, the body responsible for monitoring political parties revealed that an application for a new “Party of Islam” had been submitted to them.
The application sparked concerns about growing political divides in the UK based on religion, after being spotted by the Express.
The Party of Islam, according to its application, promised to “to “help all of the minority in the land of Great Britain have a voice” and stated: “We will make sure that all problems which linger [sic] in the great country of Great Britain is defeated”.
GB News’ Patrick Christys said: “There are a sizeable number of seats – believed to be around 30 Labour seats – that are heavily reliant on the Muslim vote”.
“If they decide to go and vote for a Party of Islam, Labour could be in massive trouble in those seats… I think this poses a really interesting question about what may happen at the next general election.
“Plenty of seats in this country could be turned by a party of Islam and what would that mean for Britain going forward, do you think, if we had a religion-based party gaining seats in the House of Commons?”
Following the article, the Electoral Commission has now said it has rejected the party’s application.
In a statement to journalists, the commission outlined that “their proposed constitution did not satisfactorily set out the structure and organisation of the party”.
“Their proposed financial scheme did not meet the requirements set out in electoral law.
“Their application form was also non-compliant with electoral law.
“They have not been registered as a political party.”
The people behind the party’s application could, however, resubmit a complete application as the ruling did not comment on the legality of the party itself.
In 2018 an Islamic party in Belgium sparked controversy after calling for the creation of an Islamic State and gender segregation on public transport.
The Islam Party of Belgium managed to get two members elected in 2012, however lost them in 2018.
