Why did Muslims in Birmingham leave the Labour Party and turn to independent candidates?

An obvious police presence, shouts of “shame on you” and threats of removal from members of the public.

This wasn’t a protest. It was supposed to be a standard general election statement – where the most eye-catching thing you can expect to see is a glimpse of a candidate dressed as a bin liner or wearing a baked bean balaclava.

But it was the rise of a different kind of alternative candidate that caught the eye in Birmingham.

On a night when Labour was cruising to national victory, large Labour majorities in the country’s second-largest city were being whittled away, and even overtaken, by independents.

There were complaints to the police and allegations of intimidation.

So what happened in Birmingham? Why did Labour struggle here while independent candidates thrived, and why is there so much anger?

In the run-up to the election, political commentators – myself included – were probably guilty of oversimplifying the issues in Birmingham, describing independents and Labour Party candidates in the city as campaigning on a “Gaza platform”.

This is true, but there are other important reasons for these candidates’ strong performance.

Ayoub Khan was the big independent winner of the night, overturning a 22,000-vote Labour majority and becoming the independent MP for Perry Barr.

Speaking outside the House of Commons this week, he acknowledged that Gaza was the “main factor” in his election.

But he also criticized what he believes is neglect in areas like Perry Barr.

He said: “There are many problems in the Perry Barr constituency, from homelessness to illegal evictions and anti-social behaviour.

“We have some of the highest levels of deprivation, cost of living. So I think all of those factors combined created a tsunami that resulted in my victory.”

And this is a message echoed by those living in ethnically diverse areas with large Muslim populations, overseen by Labour MPs and a Labour council. They feel taken for granted, ignored.

People here have lived under a Conservative government for 14 years, but some have had Labour MPs for decades – and a Labour-led council for 12 years. A council that recently increased council tax by 10% and cut services.

At Perry Barr there is a visual reminder of the board’s poor performance.

During my visit to the area, I spoke with Roshan Dass, Perry Barr’s postmaster.

He complains about antisocial behaviour in the area, his shop is regularly visited by thieves. What appears to be drug dealing in the area stops when we turn the camera on for an interview.

Asked why people had turned against the main parties in this election, he said: “They are frustrated – no jobs, benefits cut.”

He added: “Nothing has been done here, I have been here for 43 years and I have never seen this area as bad as it is now.”

And that feeling of underrepresentation is what seems to be at the heart of this electoral story: the rise of alternative candidates and the anger surrounding them.

Jody McIntyre narrowly lost to Jess Phillips in Birmingham Yardley but plans to continue being a voice for communities he says are underrepresented by the main parties.

He described the Conservatives and Labour as “two sides of the same coin” and added: “There is something really particular about Birmingham: both at a local and parliamentary level, Labour is really failing communities here.”

Speaking after remaining seated, Jess Phillips defended the Labour Party.

She said: “The fact is my constituents will be much better off under a Labour government… but we have to prove it.”

She also criticized the nature of the campaign: “It was one of the worst election campaigns I have ever been involved in.”

Both Jess Phillips and outgoing Labour MP for Perry Barr Khalid Mahmood made complaints to West Midlands Police during the campaign.

An activist’s tires being slashed and intimidation at polling stations are among the allegations, although no arrests or charges have been made.

A statement from the police force said: “Our officers are aware of a number of incidents leading up to the election where people reported criminal damage and harassment, and we are carrying out inquiries to identify those responsible.”

Both Ayoub Khan and Jody McIntyre denied that their activists had crossed any line and both condemned any criminal conduct.

Mr McIntyre also alleged he was the victim of online abuse that mocked his disability during the campaign.

Asked if the legacy of this election was division, Jody McIntrye said: “I believe we had a unifying campaign that engaged all sectors of the community and will continue to engage even more people.

“Political issues will cause division. Because people have different opinions. There is nothing wrong with division, as long as it does not lead to abuse or personal defamation.”

The next local council elections in Birmingham are just under two years away. But based on the general election, it looks like alternative candidates will have a significant influence on Birmingham politics for some time to come.