The Labour Party is reportedly facing a significant setback in the West Midlands mayoral election, primarily due to the party's stance on the Gaza conflict, which has alienated many Muslim voters. Multiple sources within the Labour Party have expressed concerns that their position on Gaza has led to a loss of support to an independent candidate, Akhmed Yakoob, who campaigned on a pro-Gaza platform. This shift in voter allegiance is expected to benefit the incumbent Conservative candidate, Andy Street (CON). The votes are yet to be counted, but Labour insiders are already calling the election for Street, citing the impact of the Gaza issue rather than Street's policies or performance as the decisive factor. The final vote count is scheduled for tomorrow.
"It's the Middle East, not West Midlands, that will have won Andy Street the mayoralty," Labour Party member blames expected loss to Conservatives in West Midlands on Palestinian movement Hamas in comments condemned as "vile" by UK politicians https://t.co/Jxi6IcgdGs
"Hamas are the real villains" UK Labour Party official blames Palestinian movement Hamas for expected electoral loss in West Midlands in comment slammed as "racist" and "vile" by politicians from several parties https://t.co/CWM4T6xIGS
The UK’s Labour Party is widely expected to lose the West Midlands mayoral election to incumbent Andy Street. One senior Labour Party source told the BBC that the Gaza war had cost the party several seats, saying: "Once again Hamas are the real villains" https://t.co/ehvDPFKaBr
A senior Labour Party source blamed Hamas for an expected West Midlands mayoral loss. This prompted criticism both inside and outside of the Labour Party, with one Labour source calling the quote "racist", and a Conservative source saying its "vile" https://t.co/p9CjYFUSG4
The UK’s Labour Party has lost council seats in Muslim areas of Oldham, as voters punished the party for its stance on the Gaza war in local elections held on Thursday https://t.co/tBhjOeDh6y
A senior Labour Party source has blamed the Palestinian movement Hamas for an expected West Midlands mayoral loss to Andy Street. The source told the BBC that the Gaza war had cost the party several seats https://t.co/ahR3ZIwapu
Labour has suffered losses in the UK local elections due to the party’s position on Israel’s war in Gaza. Anger in areas with high Muslim populations such as Oldham and Birmingham have already cost the party seats https://t.co/FzNDGhZC8Z
Labour has stormed the local elections across the country - but gone backwards in Greater Manchester. The party lost control of Oldham, lost its deputy leader in Manchester and gave up seats to independents in Bolton. The biggest reason? Anger over the party's stance on Gaza. https://t.co/w3R95F9p7r
Labour has suffered a collapse in support among Muslim voters, which the party is blaming for the likely loss of the West Midlands mayoral race ⬇️ https://t.co/2TC3bYm25t
The UK’s Labour Party is widely expected to lose the West Midlands mayoral election to incumbent Andy Street, with one senior Labour Party source blaming Hamas, saying: "Once again Hamas are the real villains". The quote has since drew heavy criticism ⤵️ https://t.co/Z0xPLTxEwS
🔴 Labour in racism row after source blames Hamas for predicted mayoral loss https://t.co/FnELgBTHVR
UK: Labour Party source blames Hamas for expected West Midlands mayoral loss https://t.co/wQXHeZmWLB
Labour is set to lose the West Midlands Mayoral election because of anger among Muslim voters over its stance on Gaza, party sources fear, adding to the shock loss in Oldham and struggles elsewhere. https://t.co/pchk0TpToO
The UK’s Labour Party has lost council seats in Muslim areas of Oldham, as voters punished the party for its stance on the Gaza war in local elections held yesterday https://t.co/gPmFRNMeH2
Labour embroiled in Islamophobia row after party source tells the BBC 'once again Hamas are the real villains' for costing party Muslim votes in West Midlands and Oldham https://t.co/1g46VrtV9r https://t.co/KV1TyzqHRp
UK Labour Party position on Gaza blamed for Oldham election loss https://t.co/lsGNq4jtg2 https://t.co/u6KpWttE8v
Gaza backlash could cost Labour West Midlands mayoral race, insiders fear @ChaplainChloe reports https://t.co/dEyb2HgEHZ
Labour loses out on Muslim votes at local elections ‘due to Starmer’s stance on Gaza’ https://t.co/RFGsdPuk2k
A senior Labour Party source tells the BBC: "It’s the Middle East, not West Midlands, that will have won [Conservative candidate] Andy Street the mayoralty. Once again Hamas are the real villains." He was referring to the votes taken from the Labour candidate by independent…
Labour on shaky ground in West Mids... Insiders say backlash over Labour’s stance on the Gaza-Israel conflict could cost the (already v close) race due to some support being splintered off by an independent candidate campaigning on the issue of Gaza https://t.co/p2iFg5DdZE
you heard it here first....Labour now briefing (to BBC) that they are on course for defeat in the West Midlands mayoral race, with support for independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob, who stood on a pro-Gaza ticket, a major factor..... https://t.co/2esoAmFDTx
🚨 NEW: Labour believe they have LOST the West Midlands Mayoral election because of Gaza A senior party source said: "It's the Middle East, not West Midlands that will have won Street the Mayoralty. Once again Hamas are the real villains." [@BBCNews]
🚨 BREAKING: Multiple Labour sources now saying that they have lost the West Midlands Mayoral election. The party has lost many voters to a Galloway-backed independent over the issue of Gaza, reportedly enabling Andy Street (CON) to win. https://t.co/LSwJL4wsG2
Labour source says they have lost the West Midlands Mayoral election (which isn’t even counting today) They say Andy Street will win due to Gaza and not because of his success in the West Midlands. @itvcentral
Labour sources tell me they believe they have lost the West Midlands Mayoral election, with their campaign severely dented by the issue of Gaza. They think independent Akhmed Yakoob will come third in some areas. Votes won't be counted till tomorrow.
Birmingham Labour source calling West Midlands mayoralty for Andy Street. “We have beaten him as a general rule, but the Muslim vote has collapsed to the Galloway-backed independent.”
Sources in Birmingham Labour pessimistic this morning about party's chances in West Mids mayoralty. Concerned about Gaza effect on Muslim voters in the city and losing votes to local independent candidate who campaigned on the issue...