Muslim group calls on Starmer to return lost votes over Gaza

Senior figures have admitted Labor supporters have jumped ship to support candidates with pro-Palestinian positions. Photo: Martin Pope/Getty Images

A Muslim pressure group has given Sir Keir Starmer a list of 18 demands, including ending military ties with Israel, to win back voters who abandoned Labor over Gaza.

Muslim Vote, a campaign to attract Muslim voters to support pro-Palestinian candidates, has told the Labor Party leader that he must commit to «real action» and deliver on the party's demands if he is «serious» about his promise to restore the trust of those outraged by his position on the conflict.

In addition to a commitment to end all military ties with Israel, the demands include recognition of Palestine as a state, a promise to ban travel on Israeli politicians involved in the war, and an apology for the Labor Party's initial delay in calling for an immediate ceasefire.

The group warned Sir Keir that if he failed to stick to «realpolitik», its supporters would vote for the Green Party or the Lib Dems.

According to Pat McFadden, campaign manager The Labor Party has admitted that Sir Keir's approach to the conflict cost the party votes in local elections.

Analysis by The Telegraph found Labour's support had fallen sharply in areas with high Muslim populations, including Oldham in Greater Manchester, where the party lost control of the council in a shock defeat.

In the West mayoral race -Midlands, where Labor's Richard Parker narrowly beat incumbent Andy Street, Ahmed Yacoub, an independent candidate backed by George Galloway, polled nearly 70,000 votes.

Mr McFadden told Ms Kuenssberg that if Labor won the next general election, Palestine would be a «very high foreign policy priority»; Photo: Geoff Overs/BBC

Sir Keir immediately addressed the issue after the results, stressing that he was determined to regain the trust of those who had disparaged his party over his approach to the Gaza war.

But he was repeatedly put under pressure. He made no commitments as to what specific promises he would make.

In a direct response to Sir Keir's call, Muslim Vote called on him to meet 18 demands, ranging from an apology for Labour's handling of the conflict to a commitment to act in government if the party wins the next election.

Other requests included includes a commitment to repeal Michael Gove's definition of extremism and guidance that Muslims are allowed to pray in schools.

Meanwhile on Sunday Mr McFadden admitted the Gaza row had damaged Labour. voted and accepted that Sir Keir needed to win back people's trust on this issue.

He told the BBC with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday: «I accept that in some parts of the country this has been the case and there will be people who, may have voted Labor in the past but did not vote in local elections because of this issue. and in this case we will work to win back people's support.»

«Serious consequences for the elections»

Ali Milani, chairman of the Labor Muslim Network, warned that Labour's position on Gaza «will have serious electoral consequences», adding: «If I were a Labor MP in Bradford, Birmingham, Leicester or parts of London or Manchester, I would be seriously concerned.”

Asked what he would tell people who disagree with Sir Keir's handling of the situation, Mr McFadden said: «I would tell them that the best life that people want for the Palestinian people is that shared by the Labor Party leadership. If we are lucky enough to be elected in a general election, this will be a very important foreign policy priority for the Labor Party.

“Throughout the entire journey since October 7, two things have guided us. The first is defending Israel's right to self-defense in the wake of this atrocity, and that remains part of our position, and the second is working to secure a better future for the Palestinian people.

Speaking in Birmingham after the West Midlands election results on Saturday night, in what has proven to be an extremely tight contest, Sir Keir addressed directly those who jumped ship over the Gaza row.

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He said: “I say directly to those who may have voted Labor in the past but feel they cannot do so on this occasion, that we in the West Midlands are a proud and diverse community: I heard you. I listened.

“And I am determined to address your concerns and regain your respect and trust in the future.”

Tweeting their demands in response, The Muslim Vote said. : “Our demands are complex, and we have reached a consensus around them.

“Your sad statements are no longer helping.

“We want real action and real policies.< /p>

“If you can’t make that commitment, that’s cool. I'm sure the [Green Party or Lib Dems] will be happy to get the votes.»