Sources within Labour have expressed concern that Labour is facing the potential loss of the West Midlands mayoral election due to a surge of discontent among Muslim voters over its stance on Gaza. Insiders have indicated that a shift in support among the Muslim community in the city could jeopardize Labour’s chances of securing victory in the election.
According to sources, Muslim voters have strongly rallied behind an independent candidate supported by George Galloway, whose campaign has predominantly focused on the Gaza issue.
Failing to unseat Andy Street, the incumbent Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, would mark a setback for Sir Keir Starmer, especially following otherwise promising local election results for Labour.
UK Labour Party easily wins by-election (Credits: France 24)
The potential loss raises questions about how Labour’s position on Gaza, particularly its initial refusal to endorse a ceasefire, has impacted its standing among Muslims. While the election took place on Thursday, the results are not expected until Saturday, with the announcement scheduled for around 3 pm.
George Galloway Points to Labour’s Palestine Stance as Possible Cause for Electoral Decline
Pre-election surveys indicated a tight race, with Labour candidate Richard Parker trailing Mr. Street by just two points. However, it appears that Labour’s campaign has been disrupted by Akhmed Yakoob, an independent candidate endorsed by George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain.
Yakoob, a 36-year-old lawyer known for his presence on TikTok with over 184,000 followers, is now expected to secure third place in some areas of the West Midlands. This could divert enough votes from Labour to impact the outcome.
George Galloway commented, suggesting that Labour’s loss may be attributed to its stance on Palestine, reflecting the consequences of Sir Keir Starmer’s decisions.
In response to reports of a backlash, Labour distanced itself from an anonymous quote critical of Muslim voters, denouncing it as racist and unauthorized. Labour has invested huge resources in challenging Mr. Street’s mayoralty, but failure to secure victory would be another setback following losses in Oldham and Bolton.
Concerns have been raised about Labour’s support among Muslim voters, with some attributing this decline to the party’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
Labour hopeful of Blackpool South by-election win (Credits: ITVX)
Analysis by elections expert Prof Will Jennings indicates that Labour has experienced vote losses in areas with Muslim populations, suggesting a correlation with its position on Gaza.
Momentum, a left-wing group previously aligned with Jeremy Corbyn, has urged Labour to take a clearer stance on Gaza, suggesting that failure to do so risks alienating its core supporters.
The campaign of Labour candidate Richard Parker was further complicated by allegations of electoral misconduct, with police investigating claims that he misrepresented his address on the ballot papers. In response, Mr. Parker’s spokesperson dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
