UK Labour Party Faces Criticism Over Gaza Stance

Labour sources revealed that the party is aware of the critical role Muslim voters play, not only as staunch supporters but also in key target seats across the south and northwest of the country.

Staff Reporter

Feb 1, 2024, 08:30 AM2 min read

UK Labour Party Faces Criticism Over Gaza Stance

Labour’s position, set by Keir Starmer, has seen the party reject calls for a ceasefire and back opening of humanitarian aid channels into Gaza. (File/AFP)

The UK Labour Party is grappling with internal strife and concerns over potential loss of support, especially among its traditionally strong base of Muslim voters, due to its stance on the Gaza conflict. As the General Election looms, the party has initiated surveys and focus groups to assess the sentiments of British Muslim voters.

Labour sources revealed that the party is aware of the critical role Muslim voters play, not only as staunch supporters but also in key target seats across the south and northwest of the country. A senior Labour MP emphasized the geographical significance of Muslim voters and the necessity to pay attention to their concerns.

A frontbencher admitted, “We know we’ve lost the Muslim vote, and at the very least their trust. The Muslim community is no longer a safe voter base for us because of how we initially responded to the war. So we’re just focused on damage control; we all know it.”

The crisis within the party escalated after Labour leader Keir Starmer's interview in October, where he stated that Israel had the right to withhold power and water from Gaza. Starmer's subsequent refusal to support a ceasefire further intensified internal unrest, leading to 56 Labour MPs breaking party ranks to vote for a Scottish National Party ceasefire motion. This resulted in the resignation of eight shadow ministers.

Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East has become a central hub for organizing, alongside a WhatsApp group of approximately 30 MPs who share policy thoughts and security advice, given threats made to some Labour MPs, particularly in areas with substantial Muslim voters. Prominent figures like David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, and Sue Gray, Starmer’s chief of staff, maintain regular dialogue with this group.

Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary and a prominent Muslim figure in the party, has taken a leading role in discussions about the Gaza conflict and its impact on the party's support.

The Labour Party's challenges extend beyond potential loss of Muslim votes, with concerns about losing support in affluent, predominantly white regions like Bournemouth, Bristol, and Brighton, where sympathy for the Palestinian cause is strong. Some Labour MPs anticipate support shifting to the Greens, particularly from middle-class Labour supporters sympathetic to the Gaza crisis.

A party source acknowledged the discontent, stating, “The discontent is much wider than the leadership realizes. If we don’t get on top of this soon, we are going to have trouble later this year.”

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