Will Gaza cost Labour one of its safest seats? | The News Agents

We went to Birmingham Ladywood to meet Akhmed Yakoob - a TikTok star and defence lawyer - who's in a two-horse race with Labour to become the constituency’s independent MP. Mr. Yakoob has courted controversy for comments on Andrew Tate and domestic violence. We wanted to ask him if he's a fit and proper candidate for parliament...
#birmingham #labour #constituency #andrewtate #ukparliament #generalelection2024 #tiktok #israelpalestineonflict #gaza #News #Politics #NewsAgents #EmilyMaitlis #JonSopel #LewisGoodall
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Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall - three of the UK’s top journalists - host a brand-new daily news podcast: The News Agents.
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[@bernardcollier1226]

Farage in a t shirt.

[@RedSoloCuppppp]

What about this man leads anyone to believe he is ready for MP work? That he's aware of local and international issues? He's just a bag of talking points. Name recognition means nothing.

[@jonathanfell688]

It's all about him. Narcissist using Gaza as a vehicle for his own ends.

[@TejSingh-xj3ux]

Proper amateur and will get found out in the end.

[@juliewake4585]

Thank you to Lewis for covering this and his complete narcissism.

[@TedMaul-c5o]

This is not true, Yakoob has been working on cleaning and rebuilding the Ladywood Constituency alongside having international aims to support Gaza and the ceasefire.

[@juliewake4585]

@@TedMaul-c5o so all the arid he’s repeated as saying about women is not true?

[@kennyken4461]

Blah blah blah 🇵🇰 🇵🇰 🇵🇰 ❤❤❤

[@Anon72005]

Excellent work Lewis, keep your head up, appreciate your journalism ❤

[@jurgen6768]

Asian version of Farage.

[@raulraul3126]

Thats an insult to Farage. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tomalebine2778]

He wasted a lot of time instructing that boy on what things to pick up from the shop when it wouldve been quicker and easier for him to just grab it himself instead of pointing and talking. Its a small thing, but tells you a lot about him

[@raulraul3126]

Is this a gangster standing for Parliament ? Didn't Pablo Escobar do the same? It was like interviewing a 8 year old.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂

[@MkVenner1975]

He falsely accused a canvasser of racism, she got loads of abuse. It was proved wrong via a doorbell camera. Absolute lowlife.

[@WiseAli786]

Labour have done much worse accusing many parents of homophobia. They're more vile by your logic and that's why people in akhmed yaqoobs constituency will vote them out. That's what you need to see but you won't. This channel will never show the disillusionment of the people in his constituency because they have an agenda and want to create disinformation.

[@Umair1]

The ring camera WAS the proof.. the slur was said. Bring a clear recording of what you suggest was said

[@himRehmi]

He did accuse her of anything the the ring door was clear she used the word P*ki ... oh wait racism doesn't exist in the labour party does it ?

[@MrTrialandError]

@@Umair1they uploaded the real audio she didn’t say what she was accused of, look it up.

[@breazfreind402]

@@Umair1 astaghfirullah . how is this myth still perpetuating? that video had modified audio from forensic analyst (diff waveforms + way louder slur ) . عسى الله أن يغفر لك

[@Feministretribution]

Blimey. Parents, don’t make your kids kiss strange men no matter how desperate the state of the world seems.

[@Feministretribution]

Don’t make them kiss anyone.

[@chrisc9421]

I think Akhmed needs to start having his cornflakes. Seems like he's still high as a kite. You can be a toxic person, regardless of creed, colour or religion.

[@rahuldahoob]

I think my old mother is very toxic but I obsess about calling her once a week because I don't want her to sell the house lool

[@DavidH175]

Louis Theroux vibes on this one 😂

[@rahuldahoob]

Oh yes😂😂😂

[@kamahm717]

Labour have taken inner city B'ham voters for granted, just like when the red wall voted for Boris the same is happening in B'ham. Shabana didn't vocalise what her constituents were telling her and ignored them because she had a huge majority and didn't want to lose her future cabinet post.

[@hannahmaria6887]

Couldnt agree more. It creates such a vacuum for grifters like him and farage. They promise the earth and cosplay as a “working class” but they are always the most elite, morally bankrupt people going.

[@Kaplinskette]

"They haven't got calippo's" made me howl for some reason. Great, but terrifying work.

[@kennyken4461]

​@@skengdaddyBritish Empire = Pakistan 🇵🇰 ❤

[@kennyken4461]

😂😂😂 British Empire = Pakistan 🇵🇰 ❤

[@thintomify]

Those jeans are criminal Lewis..

[@albertbrammer9263]

His constituents? Not an MP the muppet.

[@ahmarkhan9981]

Media cant handle him being a gaza supporter 😂

[@solohussain8258]

Very biased and the reporter, Lewis Goodall has a very one-sided, sarcastic approach. Looking for negatives, things to criticise and overall just bullying tactics. I'm a landlord with tenants in the Ladywood constituency, they're all voting for Akhmed Yakoob.

[@BasiaofBrooklyn]

So Blossom wants all the trees down? Pillock. Lewis, you did a great job.

[@SimonDefra]

she wants the trees trimmed back because they are overhanging. Are you blind or just dumb

[@usmanrazaq6239]

I don't really know this person who is running, nor am I situated anywhere near Birmingham, however, after clicking on this random video that popped up in my feed, I can honestly say (in my opinion) this journalist comes across as a bit of a clown. What happened to impartial journalism? He started off with an ad hominim character attack on the person rather than discussing his policy agenda, and throughout his conversation made smirkish and demeaning remarks and silly faces to the camera. I think he needs to spend less time making himself appear "clever", and more time actually engaging in what he should be there to do...then again, I'm assuming that was his whole agenda from the beginning so a jester can't help but act like a jester for the court I suppose. As a disclaimer, I didn't watch the whole video as the presenter just isn't my personal cup of tea. Just saw the intro and his conversation with this candidate.

[@bigpaul4450]

Unsurprisingly when he's not sat in a room by himself blowing his own trumpet he's a poor communicator and when Lewis was questioning him at the end it was less than slick for a "defence lawyer" what a twit

[@PM-jl4zd]

Granted he's not that eloquent but you have to admire his tenacity to turn his life around and become a successful defence lawyer

[@Anon72005]

@@PM-jl4zd im always inspired by upward social mobility from the working class

[@Matt.Riley01]

⁠Good on you Lewis, for standing your ground and continuing to ask the difficult questions as you do to anyone on every side of the political spectrum 👏

[@sofajockeyUK]

It bemuses me why Labour is getting this level of stick from some over the dreadful situation in Israel/Palestine that Labour has zero impact over.

[@enemywithin1295]

A large section of the UK population feel a stronger loyalty to those outside of it.

[@sofajockeyUK]

@@enemywithin1295 I can understand rightful human empathy that people feel for other people in distress wherever they live. (just puzzled why Labour seem to me to be getting more stick that other parties)

[@nickrails]

​@@enemywithin1295 I'm white British born and bred and think the actions of the Israeli government are reprehensible. I have the ability to believe that without betraying any loyalty to the UK.

[@enemywithin1295]

@@nickrails I'm sure you do, as do many others, however I very much doubt that it's your raison d'etre.

[@RealDareel]

No one is saying Labour could change the situation but if you won’t even do the bare minimum of condemnation and saying you won’t allow more British bombs to fall on the heads of people then why on earth should anyone think they care about anyone. Women and children being killed and Labour say we will allow bombs to go from here or be transported through British territory(Cyprus). Would you sleep at night if you had any part in that?

[@jujutrini8412]

He looks like the worst kind of politicians that are out there ie he looks like he will only be looking out for number one if he is elected.He’s a hustler but people seem to like hustlers these days so he’ll probably win.

[@atlasgabriel5461]

This guy seems so arrogant and just because he’s popular within one community doesn’t mean he’ll sweep Birmingham. You couldn’t pay me to vote for him!

[@leeeeee286]

Thankfully the Muslim population is growing, and with it so will candidates speaking sense like Akhmed.

[@jujutrini8412]

@@leeeeee286 I doubt he will do anything worthwhile for this community as he comes off as a hustler and in it for himself but Labour deserve a punch on the nose so I am all for independent voters. Labour are taking far too many communities for granted without even considering doing anything for them.

[@vin00ify]

​@@leeeeee286 Let's see what Reform have to say about that.

[@SafarazAli]

Lewis is usually professional and unbiased, and I respect him for that. However, this time he had an agenda and didn't try to understand what the local people wanted. In my opinion it would have been better if he focused on talking to the public directly to get better insights. Instead, he looked down on the whole matter and relied only on his own preset views. This attitude lets him down, and he needs to be more open and thorough in his reporting, which he didn't do here. He is much better at interviews in the studio and debates and not as a community reporter is my view based on this video.

[@AeromaticXD]

Yakoob doesn’t actually care about Gaza tho, he makes it appear as such! With all that Labour have done, yes there should be rightful anger, but to vote in people who simply do not care for how politics functions is a dangerous game!

[@michaelwojcieszek6902]

Jesus christ

[@michaelstanley3961]

Nothing like a misogynist to help Gaza. The UK is broken vote to fix it. Then the new Government can look at international affairs and try to help the people of Gaza. Food banks, NHS, cost of living, public services etc etc etc.

[@uraharasshop3547]

Which government will that be then. Totally imaginary

[@stevenwilliamson6236]

I don't think Starmer will do that.

[@zacurrya9485]

Before that they could stop giving weapons to israel..

[@motivationhigh1303]

One of the worst journalists you could ever come across

[@ohdearism]

I bet you'd like to come across him.

[@Tomara710]

Shabana has taken her constituents for granted and deserved the lost votes. Akhmed is shaking things up and lacks media training.

[@rahuldahoob]

🤡

[@motivationhigh1303]

After this I will be definitely be voting for Ahmed yaqoob mainstream media doing g what they do picking on anyone other the a certain colour

[@hermitally419]

Atleast he gave you a huge time, Shabana gave you nothing.

[@helenahanley]

You have to go there and question him. Might I suggest you go to keir stammer constituency. I miss sangita.

[@hannahmaria6887]

A defence lawyer? Ahh the pinnacle of putting greed over morality. So very different from the last 14 years 🫠

[@Streetviewsuk]

Why does he sound like a hater ?

[@poneill65]

Me thinks that camera shy gentleman doth protest too much! Was he perhaps too close to a school zone and feared his probation officer might find out?

[@uraharasshop3547]

He’s a lawyer. That’s what they do. Interesting that you critique drug dealers but not the politicians who solicit them at their parties. Smells classist. Fyi I don’t support drug dealing but I do see a lack of consistency. He is doing his job at the end of the day.

[@qahmed25]

They criticise him for being a defense lawyer for defending criminals, where he simply exploiting loopholes in the legal system, yet they never critique defense lawyers of the rich and powerful, who get away with much larger crimes than the average layman (some of these defense lawyers are also MPs or influential in the political sphere). Reeks of hypocrisy.

[@rolandrothwell4840]

Sounds like this guy is deeply troubling

[@1212skrilla]

This was so bias, you went into this with an agenda. Terrible journalist

[@fr9340]

Ali g in da house 😂

[@idavo]

I'm cringing here. Toes are curling. Make it stop Lewis.

[@SimonDefra]

Lewis trying to paint a false narrative while the video shows something else.Its called grass roots campaigning

[@ardalire651]

The dude is eating ice cream and waving at cars.

[@SimonDefra]

Yes most people have ice cream 🙂

[@Lars-n5q]

Birmingham’s Saul Goodman 🙄

[@methanedirigible]

‘Refrained from doing anything for Gaza’? They’re in opposition 🤦‍♂️

[@hyderally8045]

They abstained, and sabotaged ceasefire vote in parliament

[@NurulHuda-xj8ob]

They refused to back the ceasefire. They voted against or abstained from calling a ceasefire. That's why Labour being hit.

[@Saimastreats]

The journalist was extremely intimidating. Awful journalism

[@marksimons8861]

If the area is 80% Muslim, how diverse is it? Does "diverse" have a different meaning in the West Midlands?

[@realnoahsimpson]

it’s not ‘80% Muslim’

[@marksimons8861]

@@realnoahsimpson I dare say you are right. I picked the figure up from the video.

[@realnoahsimpson]

@@marksimons8861 80% *Labour* in 2019 not Muslim 🙄

[@gsgd6322]

@marksimons8861 it's 39% muslim, not 80% so it is diverse.

[@ssssss9740]

I’m in Ladywood, I will not vote for this grifter. He doesn’t represent me or anyone else I know. Not even sure what this guy is standing for, an MP wage and expense account? If he wins I expect a by-election within a year.

[@MarekKruczynski]

Brilliant, and important journalism.

[@RealDareel]

Coverage of this gentleman says a lot. No coverage until there is something negative to report, if he was irrelevant why you covering him? If he isn’t irrelevant why were you pretending he didn’t exist before? The episode from Chingford with only a passing mention of Faiza Shaheen was even more ludicrous, quite how ludicrous we’ll see on July 4th

[@evanedwards2501]

At no point has this report implied he's irrelevant. It's demonstrating how he's pushing a one point agenda to the detriment of the constituents. He's a conman pulling a fast one for his personal benefit and exploiting others. His views are frankly disgusting and it saddens me that many of his voters can't see through him.

[@iman-alibeg3849]

The fact that this man had no dodgy funding says a lot! Kudos to him for even getting 42%

[@zombieapocalypse5595]

Contrast the feeble attempt at an interview with Mahmood and relentless persuit for a big boy pants interview with Yakoob it was overextending your time and energy for little gain.

[@jimjam5239]

What a horrible candidate and it is genuinely concerning how many people have been taken in by this nasty piece of work.

[@Sytree]

This interviewer tried to be troll yakub. He got trolled himself

[@MrAsgharbukhari]

So someone accused of something is guilty ????

[@arifranklin4664]

That’s a brown Tommy Robinson in the making.

[@lankyGigantic]

Now you just gotta get em in a room together. To either fight or make love.

[@m33ro.]

Oh care to explain why? Any facts pertaining to your statement or just a feeling you have?

[@MOHAMMEDB8]

Voting labour, only english peole can fix alum rock

[@davidf2281]

Flippin' 'eck.

[@RJ456-w6f]

Lewis chap, seems to me you’re looking down on Mr Yakoob.

[@biscuit4259]

Yeah but I don’t think you begin with any respect.

[@zoraf552]

Not Shaban a which rhyme with banana 😂😂😂👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 class

[@s8jjy]

Great questions put to the labour party lady.

[@sunseeker9581]

Terrible candidate but Starmer is pretty terrible too

[@jujutrini8412]

“You’d be happy to defend other people accused of crimes?” - the journalist asked the Defence Lawyer. Lewis Goodall literally said this as if it was a gotcha moment in an interview! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 He got lucky that this guy is not very quick off the mark (like someone like Galloway) otherwise this would have been a meme for the ages! 😂

[@USERNAMEfieldempty]

Whiff of a gangster about this fella.

[@Stupoider]

Poundland Andrew Tate

[@kennyken4461]

British Empire = Pakistan 🇵🇰 ❤

[@joyjoJ4ever]

Someone people hate cameras

[@abraryousuf6687]

The ending is a bit pathetic isn’t it

[@RishabhSharma20]

Totally narcissist.

[@wickedist]

Is this an impartial interview Lewis?

[@returner323617]

Policies anyone..?

[@MattMajcan]

this is hilarious, just some more british elitists freaking out at the idea of an outsider gaining some power

[@greghunt4843]

not enjoying a campaign thats itsn't run by ex-journalists? how often do journalists ask whether an incumbent is fit to be an MP? Do you really think that lawyers shouldn't defend people acccused of terrible things? You're just gatekeeping. Its clear you don't like him, and its clear you can't connect with an angry public who dont care about his background or terrible digital footprint, they care about their anger. You don't come off well here.

[@johnbolton-y5b]

Lewis really embarrassing himself here. Walking around like a spoilt child looking down his nose at everyone. I’m not sure i like the candidate either, but lewis reveals more about himself than yakob

[@RXM-ri9bv]

His click bait journalism is disgusting. Blatant skullduggery which clearly underpins his journalistic integrity. The funny thing is, he thinks we can't see through his leading questions style of interviewing, we always question Southern white reporters when they interview Northern South asian subjects.

[@VoiceSriLanka]

Lady at the end a typical politician, a liar 😂

[@SyedReacxts]

A branch of legacy media typical hit piece spiced up intentionally, never mind what starmer has said & done compared him him ya yakub is night and day difference

[@TheDrexelUK]

What has Starmer done?

[@topboyuk]

He is going to absolutely smash it out of the park. Just like Galloway the people have seen all the cracks and poverty and need an independent.

[@RR-sp3ey]

This guy is an absolute gift to Reform.

[@tomalebine2778]

I was just thinking the same thing. A gift in many different ways

[@vin00ify]

100% agree. Candidates like Akhmed Yakoob are the end results of 27 years of Labour and Tory immigration policies, and his sheer hubris at running to become an MP when he has no real substance or policies except appealing to the populist uneducated muslim population on the Gaza ticket have angered the native British population against Labour and the Conservatives so much, that they are now flocking into the arms of Nigel Farage and Reform.

[@nawaz8855]

Looks like the propoganda machine is working great well done lewis ps you getting a nice bonus i hope 💰🤝 you done well to get hold of jess philips she ignores most requests for interview but im guessing you both bat for the same team 😂

[@NoRiskNoRizq]

This is how Jeremy Corbyn canvasses as well. Why does he have to look like anyone else for you to accept him? What you’re seeing is a man who actually represents the people.

[@SyedReacxts]

They talk about honesty under Starmer , treat Muslim community like second class citizens , he backed water , food & electricity to be stopped , & they go on about what he said in a podcast compared to starmer , well his not got a leg to stand on

[@fatyo1290]

@newsagent you keep going on and on how much influence he has on social media. Is that the influence and followers you want? If you do conduct your interviews fairly and you will get support. Your tone is very mainstream media

[@Nova2Yung]

Im pretty some of the hosts are pundits for mainstream news channels too, so it explains why

[@hjm9586]

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[@justhannah3960]

I can hate both, tbh.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

thanks for posting

[@Nai-e7s]

🙏❤ The reporter has a small chip on his shoulder

[@tayabshafiq4425]

Matrix attack vote independent

[@PAKrh]

This news reporter sounds like a hater

[@m33ro.]

Can we not forget that the labour candidate voted against a ceasefire in Gaza. For voters this is an issue she has not explained effectively at all

[@ruhaluddin]

Another piece of biased and bigoted reporting. Wonder whether other candidates in the area were subjected to this?

[@ahmedhanif911]

Vote for akhmed yaqoob

[@mohammedishtiaq4822]

Why can't you mention the excellent vote he took in the mayoral election. He will win the ladywood seat In Sha Allah.

[@sofbash]

Sorry, but this looks like a hit job by Lewis. Mr Yakoob is an independent, or in other words, an amateur politician. That means he is not experienced in what candidates need to do; that's why Lewis says it feels bizarre. The problem with the Labour Party in general, and Shabana Mahmood in particular, is that they have lost the trust of her constituents. So the people of Ladywood are looking for someone else who can stand up for them and not just be a stooge of the Labour Party.

[@gsgd6322]

Lewis was extremely biased and honestly rude, horrible interview from your own end, this is why no one respects media anymore, journalists have become a joke!

[@TheDrexelUK]

could you give me some examples of his bias and rudeness?

[@Stupoider]

Asking uncomfortable questions = extremely biased these days. Look if your man can't handle the heat then get him out of the kitchen.

[@ahmedhanif911]

What is this left wing propaganda KZbin channel

[@abubakr2981]

He looks like Douglass Murray and has that same condescending look about him.

[@m33ro.]

Yes they are not organised like a well funded labour member, but he is going around and is challenging the two party narrative

[@azharhussain9264]

Vote for yakoob how much was the women paid at the end 😂😂😂😂

[@SaeedSulaiman-r7g]

What a joke media.

[@DM-up3ju]

These western reporters like to twist people words . Big up Andrew tate

[@85maleek]

This interviewer came with an agenda or turned up to be a joker.

[@AeromaticXD]

No, Akhmed Yakoob is a grifter using Gaza for votes!

[@TheDrexelUK]

The only joker is the grifter candidate and those easily connned into supporting him. The type that would buy MAGA hats - feel sorry for them.

[@nus5376]

Dafame him as much as you want. He will win and be our MP. AKHMED ALL THE WAY

[@TheDrexelUK]

Probably will - lovely salary fro him and nothing but noise for you.

[@MoAzam-v5u]

I can't wait until he becomes an mp