Starmer's legacy: Labour has a mountain to climb to recover its Muslim voters Submitted by Emad Ahmed on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 10:58 The party's stance on Gaza caused a rupture with nearly half of its former voters deserting the party, especially in constituencies with large Muslim populations Prime Minister Keir Starmer pictured in London in April, two months before his resignation announcement (AFP) Off In October 2023, as Israel was starting its genocide in Gaza, then-leader of the opposition Keir Starmer was asked a simple question during an LBC interview with Nick Ferrari about Israel’s use of deliberate starvation of Palestinians . Starmer said he thought Israel had a “right” to cut off electricity and water supplies to Palestinians living in Gaza, an act that would constitute a crime in modern warfare.  He could not have been aware of the damage he had just inflicted on Labour amongst its core voters, including British Muslims. Starmer’s comments led to a barrage of criticism from within and outside the party, which has historically been more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than the rival Conservative party - and at least more open to Palestinian voices.