Labour fears election backlash from Muslims

Pro-palestine supporters angry over how long it took Starmer to call for ceasefire after Israel attack

‘It would have to be a marginal with a small Muslim community that makes a difference’

LABOUR MPS privately fear some colleagues could fail to get re-elected because of the backlash among Muslim votes to the party’s stance on the Israel-gaza conflict.

Supporters Palestine have expressed anger at how long it took Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, to call for a ceasefire as Israel struck Gaza after the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.

Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary and ex-tory prime minister, last week went further than Labour by saying the UK was looking at formally recognising the Palestinian state.

One Labour MP estimated that as many as four colleagues could lose out on re-election because Muslim voters in their constituency decide not to vote or end up backing someone else.

Labour MPS are among those who have been targeted by pro-palestine demonstrators who feel the party has not taken a tough enough stance calling out Israel during the conflict.

Some have seen protests take place outside of their homes - something the Labour leadership has criticised, given the families of politicians can feel intimidated.

Mike Freer, the justice minister and Conservative MP, last week announced that he was standing down at the next election amid concerns about his safety.

Mr Freer represents the constituency of Finchley and Golders Green, an area of London with a large Jewish population, and has spoken out in support of Israel since the Hamas attacks.

Labour politicians now face having pro-palestine candidates stand against them at the next election – something Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, is already facing. The Guardian reported last week that the Labour Party has commissioned research into how Muslim voters are viewing the Gaza conflict and the party’s stance on it.

Whether such dynamics result in some Labour MPS failing to win election will be shaped by how tight their individual majorities are and, perhaps, on how the conflict develops from now.

Prof John Curtice of the University of Strathclyde, the BBC’S elections analyst, told the Telegraph: “Most of the seats with large Muslim populations are pretty safe Labour seats and are going to be even more safe this election. So it would have to be a marginal with a small Muslim community that makes a difference in the vote.

“The second point to make is the obvious contrast with the Iraq War. So far the Liberal Democrats have not taken a markedly different position to Labour. If the Lib Dems were to come out and say ‘Israel’s approach was wrong’ that would potentially make life a bit difficult.”

Sir Keir voiced support for a ceasefire in December, saying there was a need “to get to a sustainable ceasefire as quickly as possible”.