Terrorist One Day: Election Runner a Bit Later! By Richard Miller (London)
Ah, the latest chapter in Britain's grand experiment titled "Democracy: No Qualifications Required." Picture this: Birmingham — that throbbing multicultural heartland where curry houses outnumber complaints about the weather — is heading into local elections. And striding into the fray like a phoenix who hasn't quite shaken the soot from his feathers is Shahid Butt, a council candidate whose past, according to British press reports, includes a conviction by a Yemeni court in 1999 in connection with an alleged plot targeting the British consulate, an Anglican church, and a Swiss hotel.
Prosecutors at the time claimed Butt was part of an armed group allegedly dispatched by Abu Hamza — yes, the hook-handed preacher whose concept of outreach allegedly involved blowing up Western symbols before brunch. Butt reportedly served five years overseas before returning to Britain. Now, more than two decades later, he's declared himself the "ideal candidate" to represent Sparkhill ward on Birmingham City Council. His platform? Pro-Gaza independents, pushing back against the "far right," and uniting the community. Because nothing says unity like a CV that includes "alleged diplomatic arson."
Butt disputes the conviction, saying the charges were fabricated and extracted under torture — a claim not uncommon in cases arising from Yemeni courts of that era. Fair enough. Everyone deserves a second act. But the timing is exquisite. Communal tensions are high, Gaza protests have turned British streets into rolling megaphone symposiums, and along comes a candidate whose biography, however contested, includes international terrorism headlines. Now he's promising to redecorate council policy instead. Progress!
One has to admire the sheer brass neck. In many countries, a terrorism conviction — even an overseas one — might at least prompt a raised eyebrow from electoral authorities. In Britain 2026? Apparently it's just another colourful life experience that adds "authenticity." Imagine the leaflet: "From Aden bomb allegations to pothole repairs — Shahid Butt: He's seen worse messes than council budgets."
The backlash has been predictable. Right-leaning outlets cry "mockery of democracy." Terror victims' groups warn about normalising extremism. Sharon Osbourne has reportedly joked (or half-joked) about running against him. Meanwhile, supporters in Sparkhill — where demographics lean heavily Pakistani heritage — see him as a defiant voice against Islamophobia, foreign-policy grievances, and whatever else currently fits under the umbrella of "push back."
This is peak modern Britain, isn't it? Not because a man with a disputed extremist past wants a say — redemption arcs are theoretically fine — but because the system shrugs and says, "Convicted abroad in 1999? Ancient history, mate. Here's your nomination form." It's the political equivalent of hiring an ex-arson suspect as fire chief because "he's seen both sides of the flame."
If Butt wins, we'll get council debates on bin collections infused with earnest sermons about unity and justice. If he loses, we'll get another round of headlines about how Britain is either too tolerant or not tolerant enough. Either way, the punchline writes itself: in the land of second chances, even allegations of plotting to bomb your own country's diplomatic mission apparently count as nothing more than a youthful gap year gone wrong.
Welcome to modern Birmingham politics — where the only thing more explosive than the past is the present. Pass the popcorn; we are in free fall.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/29/shahid-butt-birmingham-council-election-yemen-criticism/
