Muslim Councillor Enters Race for Green Party Deputy Leadership
Mothin Ali, renowned for his steadfast support of Palestine and his courageous response during the 2024 Leeds riots, is now contending for the deputy leadership of the Green Party of England and Wales. He joins other aspirants, including a former parliamentary candidate from Hackney North and Stoke Newington and a North Somerset councillor, in a competitive race for the position.
Giving Voice to Overlooked Communities
Ali, who has served as councillor for Gipton and Harehills since his 2024 election and works as an accountant, won his seat largely due to his vocal pro-Palestinian stance. In his victory speech, he dedicated his success to Gaza and expressed gratitude to his faith. He believes that communities traditionally taken for granted must now have the opportunity to influence the decisions that affect their lives. With growing concerns over far-right influences, he calls for greater involvement from both Muslim and working-class communities to ensure their perspectives are valued.
Courage Amid Unrest
In July 2024, unrest in Harehills, Leeds, thrust Ali into the spotlight once again. During violent clashes that erupted after a local social care dispute escalated—drawing in members of the Romani community—misinformed social media narratives emerged, falsely linking the riots to Muslims. Rather than standing aside, Ali rushed into the disturbance. He risked his safety to help confront the rioters, assist police efforts, and mitigate the turmoil. Although manipulated images later circulated online, misrepresenting his actions, mainstream reports recognized his brave intervention. This earned him the moniker “Hero of Harehills,” a distinction that now forms a core element of his campaign against hate and disinformation.
Advocating a Historic Pro-Palestinian Motion
At the Green Party’s annual conference in September 2024, members made history by being the first major British political party to officially characterize the actions in Gaza as genocide. Ali was instrumental in rallying support for the motion. In an impassioned address at the conference, he urged his colleagues to use precise language to confront and resolve the underlying issues, calling on everyone to stand with the people of Palestine.
Following the successful vote, Ali celebrated the decision publicly, affirming the party’s commitment to addressing the crisis and backing measures aimed at ending discriminatory practices. At that time, reports indicated that the death toll in Gaza had passed 41,272, with many more injured—figures that continue to fuel calls for accountability on the international stage.
Ali’s bid for deputy leadership reflects his dedication to challenging toxic political climates and ensuring that marginalized communities have a decisive role in shaping the future. His campaign is not only a pursuit of personal advancement but also an effort to foster a more inclusive and representative political landscape in Britain.
Embracing Faith, One Insight at a Time!
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