Labour MPs are warning of a growing threat from well-funded independent candidates opposed to Sir Keir Starmer’s position on the Israel-Gaza war, as a coordinated campaign intensifies ahead of the next general election. Several MPs report continued anger over the party’s handling of the Middle East conflict, with meetings held in recent days to identify, fund and promote a slate of independents to challenge those who failed to back an immediate ceasefire in a parliamentary vote last November.
Among the seats reportedly being targeted is Bethnal Green and Bow, held by shadow business minister Rushanara Ali. An independent candidate has already been selected to stand against shadow health secretary Wes Streeting in Ilford North, backed by a substantial fundraising campaign. One MP described the level of funding and organisation as “astonishing” and “unprecedented”, warning that the anger within communities is “off the scale”. Another MP who voted for a ceasefire noted that Liberal voters are also exercised about the issue, and while independent candidates may not win, they could take important votes away from Labour.
Labour MPs have been alerted to a new website, themuslimvote.co.uk, which directs Muslim voters towards a slate of locally approved candidates, explicitly excluding anyone who voted against or abstained on the ceasefire motion. The site lists backers including NGOs, community groups and Muslim-run businesses. Starmer initially refused to back a ceasefire and faced criticism for an interview in which he appeared to support Israel’s right to cut off power and water in Gaza, though he later clarified this was not his view. Labour now supports a “sustainable ceasefire”.
Despite Labour’s strong position in opinion polls, individual MPs remain nervous. Some have been barred from constituency events over demands for stronger support for Gaza. The first electoral test will come in the Rochdale byelection later this month, where former Labour MP George Galloway is running on a pro-Palestinian platform. Labour is widely expected to retain the seat, which has a significant Muslim population. Several Labour figures, including Jess Phillips, resigned from the frontbench to back a ceasefire, and the SNP is reportedly planning another vote on the issue soon.
Some MPs have shifted their position since the original vote. John Cryer, the Leyton and Wanstead MP and chair of the parliamentary Labour party, now says “we should be calling for a ceasefire”. Several shadow ministers recently met Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK. Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary and one of Labour’s most senior Muslim MPs, acknowledged this week that there has been a “loss of trust” with Muslim communities over the issue.
