David Vance SubstackRead More
At this point it seems more than a distinct possibility that the UK may have its first Pakistani heritage Muslim Prime Minister in the form of Shabana Mahmoud. This will happen when (not if) Starmer falls in the next 12 months. You see, she ticks three special boxes that elevate her above all the rest of those jostling to succeed him.
For starters, and this is genuinely to her credit, she speaks like normal people and without the studied Downing St media coached stiltedness. She sounds like us, even if she talks rhetorical gibberish. She has even used fruity language which does suggest her voice is at least authentic.
Secondly, she would provide Labour with an ethnic woman as Leader. This would be the first time in its history that Labour would have elevated a woman to the highest level and it matches the Conservative’s Kemi Badenoch.
Thirdly, and most importantly, she alone can bridge the gap between the Muslim wing of the party and the rest of it. The Muslim wing of Labour is currently very vulnerable to Zultana/Corbyn’s Your Party and Polanski’s Green Party. No other candidate can possibly do this so I think this is her ace.
Labour cannot afford to lose the Muslim wing and only Mahmoud could perhaps hold it together. Add in all the media praise sent her way this past week, her flawless media and Commons performances and you really do have a serious contender.
