Labour faces defeats in Muslim-populated constituencies over its Gaza stance

Britain's Labour Party emerged victorious with a substantial margin in the UK election; however, it faced unexpected setbacks in constituencies where over 10 per cent of the electorate identified as Muslim, due to its disappointing stance on Gaza.

Jonathan Ashworth, a prominent figure expected to hold a key position in Keir Starmer's Labour government, lost his seat to independent candidate Shockat Adam. Adam, along with several other pro-Gaza independents, clinched victories in constituencies like Leicester South, Blackburn, and Dewsbury & Batley, relegating Labour to second place in some areas.

The issue of Gaza loomed large over these elections. Many voters, particularly among the Muslim community, expressed frustration with Labour's handling of the conflict. While the party had expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself, it faced criticism for what some saw as a tepid approach to calling for a ceasefire. This stance alienated a significant portion of the 3.9 million Muslim voters in Britain, who make up 6.5 per cent of the population.

A recent Savanta poll underscored the importance of the Gaza conflict as an electoral issue. Forty-four per cent of Muslim voters listed it among their top concerns, with a striking 86 per cent indicating openness to supporting independent candidates who championed Palestinian rights. This sentiment propelled candidates from smaller parties like the Workers Party, which fielded over 150 candidates across various constituencies.

Labour's internal strife over Gaza was also evident. Several high-profile members of Keir Starmer's shadow cabinet resigned from their roles in protest against the party's stance. The discord reached its peak in constituencies like Rochdale, where the Workers Party's George Galloway won a by-election earlier this year, only to lose the seat back to Labour in the recent general elections.

Individual races highlighted the intensity of the backlash. Labour's health chief, Wes Streeting, narrowly retained his seat against a strong challenge from British-Palestinian candidate Leanne Mohamad in Ilford North. Elsewhere, Labour candidates faced tough battles against pro-Gaza contenders, struggling to maintain their traditional support bases amid vocal opposition.

The election results underscored broader shifts in voter behaviour, as the 'Muslim Vote' campaign, urging support for candidates aligned with pro-Palestinian sentiments, significantly impacted electoral outcomes in key constituencies.