#GE2024 | 500 Words: Kamel Hawwash • Independent • Birmingham Selly Oak

26 June 2024

As part of our 2024 General Election coverage, we have contacted each candidate standing in Northfield, Bromsgrove, Edgbaston and Selly Oak constituencies asking them to contribute to this election’s ‘500 Words’ series. We have also asked the same of each candidate in the local council by-elections for Northfield and Kings Norton North wards.

Each candidate has been invited to describe themselves and their campaigns in their own words. Their submissions will be published without editing, in the order that they are received. Should they be longer than 500 words, they will be cropped.

Kamel Hawwash • Independent • Birmingham Selly Oak

Hi my name is Kamel Hawwash and I’m standing as your Independent Parliamentary candidate for Selly Oak. I’m a Professor in Civil Engineering at a local university, a parent and a human rights campaigner. I have lived in the area for 35 years. My children go to school in Selly Oak, I shop in Selly Oak and I work next to your constituency.

Under 14 years of Tory rule we are left with a worsening housing crisis, a cost of living crisis and an energy crisis. Our NHS is underfunded and our schools are struggling too. Working people’s wages do not cover rent, food and bills. They had millions of pounds for ineffective PPE during the Covid19 pandemic and to fund wars and genocide yet crippled our public services. Instead of providing a real opposition, the Labour Party has abandoned so many of its promises and cannot be trusted to support us. Back in October 2023, I made a principled decision and resigned from the Labour party because like so many others I felt betrayed by it.

As a Palestinian, I continue to be shocked and appalled that both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have justified war crimes against the people of Gaza. Steve McCabe, the former MP for Selly Oak and the Chair of Labour Friends of Israel, has gone as far as justifying the bombing of children, women and hospitals In Gaza. Soon after the election date announcement, he decided to stand down. In his place, the Labour party decided to parachute in a candidate with no connection to the area or any political experience.

We need a different kind of politics. We need politics that is representative and is based on principles, compassion and which we can all rely on. I will set up assemblies in each ward that will inform my work in parliament and to whom I will report regularly.

I care deeply about the issues affecting the people of Selly Oak and that’s why I’ve decided to stand as a Parliamentary Candidate for Selly Oak on the 4th July.

Commitments:

• Immediate recognition of Palestine – support the ICC and ICJ rulings for justice & peace.

• End homelessness – build more social rent homes to fix the housing crisis.

• Save our NHS from privatisation – pay staff what they deserve with better working conditions.

• Scrap university tuition fees and bring back student grants.

• Demand a ‘wealth tax’ to improve all our public services and welfare system.

• Save our planet – put energy back into public hands and invest more in sustainable energies.

• Everyone is treated fairly including people with disabilities, minorities, immigrants and refugees.

• Reinstate funding cut from all local services and libraries in our community.

The two-party system is broken, and we need real change. The major party will tell you a vote for an independent is a wasted vote. That is not true. As an independent candidate I am not bound by the aparty leader’s commands but by my promises to you. I promise to continue to listen, serve and represent the people of Selly Oak first and foremost. Vote for me on the 4th July.

Let’s stand together and win together!