The Labour Party has withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali, their candidate in the Rochdale by-election, following controversy over his anti-Israel comments made on October 7 and massive Zionist pressure. Despite the withdrawal of support, Ali will remain on the ballot due to electoral law constraints. Criticism has been directed at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for initially standing by Ali amid allegations of antisemitism within the party, even though the anti-Israel conspiracy theory remarks were 'known about yesterday morning'. This decision has been described as a significant setback for Starmer, marking one of his biggest challenges since becoming leader nearly four years ago. The controversy has reignited discussions about antisemitism in the Labour Party, with some accusing the party of not having changed its stance on the issue, and leaves a clear path for George Galloway.
'Starmer needs to change some of the people he's got around him.' Anti-Israel conspiracy theory remarks made by Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali were 'known about yesterday morning' peer tells LBC. https://t.co/yyFSaKtBbl
Incredible to see Azhar Ali antisemitically attacked “people in the media from certain Jewish quarters”. Loads of Labour councillors heard him say it - yet he was still selected. Starmer likely knew he said it over the weekend - yet still stood by him. Labour hasn’t changed.
Analysis | The sacking of Azhar Ali as Labour's candidate in the Rochdale by-election is the biggest disaster for Sir Keir Starmer in his nearly four years as leader of the party. 🔗 Read more https://t.co/Z4uqsOD5Wv
BREAKING: LABOUR PARTY WITHDRAW SUPPORT FOR AZHAR ALI, WILL NOT REPLACE HIM LEAVING CLEAR PATH FOR GEORGE GALLOWAY After his Oct 7 comments he has been removed. Labour will not have a candidate to replace him. It’s a clear path to victory for @georgegalloway https://t.co/nRDrQrEoFv
Just in🔥 Labour WITHDRAWS SUPPORT from their candidate Azhar Ali after massive Zionist pressure. He will still be the Labour candidate on the ballot though! This man will be laughing all the way to Westminster! Rip Starmer apart George! https://t.co/vWT9K2R6CM
Just in🔥 Labour WITHDRAWS SUpPORT from their candidate Azhar Ali after massive Zionist pressure. He will still be the Labour candidate on the ballot though! This man will be laughing all the way to Westminster! Rip Starmer apart George! https://t.co/6BOwv25ZCP
Just in🔥 Labour WITHDRAWS SUUPORT from their candidate Azhar Ali after massive Zionist pressure. He will still be the Labour candidate on the ballot though! This man will be laughing all the way to Westminster! Rip Starmer apart George! https://t.co/QGpb92geIn
Labour’s Azhar Ali was caught spouting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Why is Starmer still backing him? Because he’s scared of upsetting Muslim voters? This treats Muslims like a prejudiced bloc who must be tiptoed around. What an insult, says Tim Black https://t.co/vf9rNMTES8
Labour still has an anti-Semitism problem. Azhar Ali’s 7 October comments remind us that it was never just about the Corbynistas. Labour tiptoes around Israelophobia for fear of offending Muslim voters. This is an insult to Jews and Muslims, says Tim Black https://t.co/vf9rNMTES8
#TheStandardView: Starmer must withdraw his support for Azhar Ali and, should he be elected, ensure he cannot take the Labour whip. Anything less would be to support these dangerous views https://t.co/T21MhXnWUe
Azhar Ali's anti-Israel comments reveal a stubborn conspiracism within the Labour Party. Keir Starmer's de-Corbynisation drive is far from complete, writes @Mr_John_Oxley 👇 https://t.co/YrNgZX0BaZ
Tonight, the @UKLabour party are still pumping thousands of pounds into ~30 active Facebook ads for Sir @Keir_Starmer’s antisemitic candidate. Labour haven’t changed. 🔗 https://t.co/CHNshmWajH https://t.co/UOxSA7pbfW
Labour Peers now outing themselves as supporting Sir Keir’s antisemitic candidate. Labour hasn’t changed a bit. https://t.co/MJcCbe9Hbj
Azhar Ali’s comments are totally reprehensible. But this close to polling day, electoral law says he will be Labour’s candidate, whatever Starmer says or does now. Ali’s destroyed his past record of allyship with the Jewish community and has a mountain to climb to repair it. 1/3
Not only has Sir Keir Starmer failed to root out antisemitism from the Labour Party, he is now actively backing Azhar Ali to be a Labour candidate. Labour may say they’ve changed, but their actions speak louder. https://t.co/o53Hrt2GwY
From @patmcfaddenmp responses this morning, it looks like Sir @Keir_Starmer standing behind their antisemitic candidate. @UKLabour haven’t changed 🥀 https://t.co/ou2dyzd3NX
As some people are pointing out, it's too late for Labour to drop Azhar Ali and replace him with another candidate. But Starmer needs to make clear he no longer has official support, the whip will be immediately withdrawn if elected, and he will not stand in the election.