Dozens of pro-Palestinian campaigners have been elected as councillors in Britain, as the war in Gaza made its mark on town halls across the country. More than 40 councillors were elected in England after incorporating the conflict into their campaign strategies, according to analysis of Thursday’s vote.
Some of these newly elected councillors wore rosettes in the colors of the Palestinian flag, while others dedicated their victories to the people of Gaza. One councillor even shouted, “We will raise the voice of Palestine. Allahu Akbar!” This surge in pro-Palestine candidates led to the defeat of Labour candidates in at least 12 town halls, prompting opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer to pledge to regain the trust of voters who felt alienated over his stance on the issue.
Candidates across northern Britain, particularly in areas with large Muslim populations, were elected to councils after expressing support for the Palestinian cause. For example, Kaleel Khan, an independent candidate in the Thameside Council elections in Greater Manchester, defeated a long-serving Labour incumbent by campaigning as a pro-Palestinian candidate. Similarly, Aisha Kouser, a law graduate, won a seat on Oldham Council by expressing her support for Palestine and including the Palestinian flag on her campaign material.
The surge of pro-Palestine campaigners in the local elections has raised concerns about growing sectarianism in British politics. Independent candidates won eight of the 21 seats available in Oldham, with several explicitly campaigning in support of Palestine. In Pendle, Lancashire, pro-Palestinian independents won five of the 12 seats up for grabs, and in Bradford, nine of the 30 seats went to independents, with seven candidates criticizing Labour directly for its stance on Gaza or making pro-Palestinian statements.
However, some senior Tories expressed concerns that these elections could lead to town halls being dominated by debates over foreign affairs rather than focusing on local services. Former Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg emphasized that foreign affairs should be a matter for the House of Commons, not local councils, while former Home Office minister Sir John Hayes highlighted the importance of candidates focusing on building a better Britain rather than being more interested in events overseas.
The war in Gaza has been a contentious issue in British politics, with the conflict triggering deadly reprisals by Israel following a terror attack by Hamas. Sir Keir Starmer faced a rebellion within his party in November over his refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The local elections on Thursday marked the first time that a significant number of pro-Palestine campaigners stood for election, particularly in areas with large Muslim populations.
The results of these elections have sparked debates about the future direction of British politics, with concerns about the impact of foreign affairs on local governance. As the country grapples with the aftermath of these elections, the role of pro-Palestine campaigners in local councils will continue to be a topic of discussion and debate.