Mohammed Akunjee is a parliamentary candidate for Bethnal Green & Stepney in the 2024 elections. Born and raised in London, his parents immigrated from Bangladesh in the 1970s.
Akunjee's deep connection to the Tower Hamlets area is personal and professional; he grew up witnessing his father's commitment to healthcare as a doctor at Whitechapel Hospital and later running his own GP practice. These experiences instilled in him a dedication to serving the vulnerable, guiding his career choice in law to advocate for his community.
Akunjee is running as an independent candidate to represent Bethnal Green and Stepney. He expresses strong discontent with the current political representation, particularly criticizing the incumbent MP, Rushanara Ali, for abstaining from voting for a ceasefire during what he describes as the "Gaza Genocide." His campaign is driven by a desire to challenge what he perceives as the self-serving nature of current politicians and to restore genuine representation for his community in Parliament.
Professionally, Akunjee has gained international recognition for his legal work, particularly in defending marginalized communities and challenging established figures. Notably, he represented Shamima Begum pro-bono and successfully sued and bankrupted Tommy Robinson of the English Defence League.
His legal career is marked by a commitment to protecting community mosques and individuals labeled as extremists.
Akunjee's campaign focuses on opposing what he views as the warmongering tendencies of the Labour Party and promoting independent pro-Palestine candidates. He calls for community support to overcome the challenges posed by established political forces.
Emphasizing the power of small contributions, he urges potential supporters to donate, even if minimally, to help achieve a significant change in parliamentary representation for Bethnal Green and Stepney.