In the United Kingdom’s local council elections held on May 7, a total of 574 candidates associated with pro-Islam and pro-Palestine agendas won seats. More than 100 independent Muslim candidates secured positions in England alone, according to an analysis by the Henry Jackson Society (HJS). Overall, 5,066 councillors were elected across the country.

The HJS report stated that more than one in ten elected candidates in England campaigned on a Muslim-related agenda. While not all of them were Muslim, their political programs were explicitly linked to Islamic issues. Among the winners were 132 independents, 350 from the Green Party, 84 from the Labour Party, and six from the Liberal Democrats. Notable winners included Mohammad Suleman from Newcastle and Saika Ali from Lambeth, both Green Party candidates.

According to census data cited in the report, Muslims make up about 6.5 percent of the UK population, with the highest concentration in England. The Muslim population has steadily increased from 2.7 percent in 2001 to 4.8 percent in 2011, reflecting a continuing demographic trend.