On a sweltering day in Longsight, Manchester, as temperatures climbed into the 30s, a man stood on a street corner waving a Palestinian flag and carrying a donation bucket. He collects donations every Friday for families affected by the conflict in Gaza, a cause that resonates deeply with the local Muslim community. This sentiment has been reflected in recent election results, where dissatisfaction with Labour's initial response to the Gaza conflict has turned former Labour strongholds into fertile ground for Green and independent candidates.
Labour's Apology Met with Skepticism
Andy Burnham, poised to become Labour leader and Prime Minister on July 20, issued a video apology on July 9, acknowledging that his party 'didn't get it right' at the start of Israel's military action in Gaza. He stated, 'The response has too often not been good enough. We need to do better.' Burnham also condemned the increase in antisemitic attacks but insisted there was 'no contradiction' between a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism and holding the Netanyahu government to account.
However, residents in Longsight remain unconvinced. One man, 32, who declined to give his name, said, 'He's changed his opinion now he has a shot at power and wants to win people over. It won't be enough.' Another man in his 40s added, 'The votes for Greens and independent candidates in this area are protest votes. This is just Burnham saying what he thinks people want to hear.'
Local Reactions: From Disillusionment to Protest Votes
The man collecting donations, a 44-year-old from Chorlton who wished to remain anonymous, insisted he is 'not into politics' and focuses purely on humanitarian aid. 'I'm not here to protest, I just want to raise money to help the most unfortunate,' he said. Two other men with him expressed strong opinions: one believed the apology was 'too late' to change minds, while another called it a 'game' to win back votes.
At the local market, a 32-year-old from Longsight said, 'It's a game to them. They want to say certain things to get votes in certain communities.' He voted Green for the first time, citing Labour's handling of the conflict and perceived double standards compared to their stance on Ukraine. A 49-year-old woman dismissed the apology as a 'stunt' and said, 'It's not going to help. Labour took a big blow in Manchester – your seats are already lost.'
Burnham's Evolving Stance on Gaza
Burnham's position on Gaza has shifted over time. During his 2015 leadership campaign, he pledged his first overseas trip would be to Israel and joined Labour Friends of Israel. However, he broke ranks with Starmer in October 2023, publicly calling for a ceasefire just three weeks after the conflict began, while the party officially did so until February 2024. In his recent statement, Burnham noted 'evidence that war crimes appeared to have been committed' but deferred to international courts to determine if it was genocide.
Outgoing PM Sir Keir Starmer faced criticism for remarks made shortly after October 7, when he appeared to endorse Israel's right to cut off water and energy to Gaza, later clarifying he meant self-defence. The Longsight ward has lost two Labour councillors to Greens and independents since 2023, underscoring the local shift.
Community Sentiment: Distrust and Disengagement
One man in his 40s, who had a negative experience with a YouTuber, criticized media portrayals of Longsight, saying, 'The call to prayer being played in Ramadan – how is that dangerous? Anything like that, they pounce on it and put fear into it.' He agreed that marches were ineffective, stating, 'What this man is doing benefits people more than a march. You get arrested for protesting against a genocide nowadays.'
A woman walking from ASDA with her children expressed doubt that Burnham's apology would win back voters, noting her father had voted Labour since the 1960s but she now feels disheartened. She also criticized local Green candidates, saying, 'Their candidates don't have a clue about life around here. People voted for someone who can't speak English.' She added, 'I feel for the local Labour councillors as they do a lot of good work but it gets overlooked. People just want to get rid of Labour, I think the damage has been done.'
