Adil Ray has weighed in on Labour’s bruising by-election defeat in Gorton and Denton, challenging claims that Muslim voters are motivated by “homophobic” or “antisemitic” views.
The actor and broadcaster posted a lengthy message on Instagram after the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer overturned Labour’s once-commanding majority in the Greater Manchester seat.
“Despite being continually accused of not integrating, Muslims voted against a party with a Muslim Home Sec whose immigration policies and actions regarding Gaza they strongly opposed,” Mr Ray wrote.
“Instead they found common value with a white British woman who spoke to them locally and beyond and despite being labelled anti semitic and homophobic they voted for a party led by a Jewish, Gay man.”
Adil Ray is a familiar face on ITV | PA
He added: “It would be good to see this take covered today? Wouldn’t it?”
Mr Ray’s intervention came after a dramatic night in which Zack Polanski’s Green Party secured 14,980 votes, with Ms Spencer narrowly defeating Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin.
Labour slumped to third place on 9,364 votes, almost half its 2024 total, in what has been described as a “catastrophic” result for Sir Keir Starmer.
The by-election was widely framed as a test of public confidence in the Prime Minister.
Zack Polanski’s party emerged victorious
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PAIt also unfolded against a backdrop of fierce debate over Gaza, immigration and accusations of “sectarian” campaigning.
Reform leader Nigel Farage branded the result “a victory for sectarian voting and cheating”, while Mr Goodwin claimed “sectarianism” had played a decisive role.
An election monitoring group also reported “unprecedented” levels of family voting at polling stations, though Reform chairman Dr David Bull said the party would not contest the result.
During her victory speech, Ms Spencer criticised politicians and “divisive figures who constantly scapegoat and blame our communities for all the problems in society”.
She told Muslim voters they had more in common with white working-class communities than many believed.
Mr Ray struck a similar tone, suggesting the result challenged simple narratives about how Muslim communities vote.
Supporters flooded his Instagram page with praise.
“I love this. Thank you,” one person wrote.
Another commented: “I’m a disabled white and now single mother. The only mother that ever spoke to me, stood with me, took our kids out together, was the muslim mother wearing a hijab. I have hope in my heart.”
A further supporter added: “Amazing Hannah has given us hope against those that divide us .. showing us it’s not about background but what is in our hearts our thoughts our morality for social justice that has been victorious.”
However, not everyone was impressed by Mr Ray’s remarks.
“Why?????” one user responded bluntly.
Zack Polanski with victorious Green candidate Hannah Spencer
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GETTY
Another critic posted on X: “I can’t stand to look or listen to Adil Ray.”
“The cheek of that,” wrote a third.
The Gorton and Denton result marked only the second time Labour has come third in a by-election in a seat it previously held, raising fresh questions about Sir Keir’s electoral coalition.
