Burnham signals tougher policy on Israel over Gaza
Andy Burnham signaled a new era for the Labor Party by signaling that he would pursue a tougher policy against Israel in support of Gaza.
The future prime minister posted a video on social media dramatically apologizing for Labour’s response to Gaza: “We weren’t good enough.”
The intervention is important because Gaza and Israel are Labor cornerstone issues and major causes of concern for Keir Starmer’s government.
Mr Burnham apologized for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza and admitted Labor “didn’t get it right”.
The move comes as Sir Keir is installed as Labor leader on Thursday, with nominations opening for Mr Burnham to be the only front-runner.
After Mr Burnham nominated himself, a number of Labor MPs posted their nomination forms for him on X in a show of solidarity.
However, the Makerfield MP and former Greater Manchester mayor has been left in no doubt by angry backbenchers that there must be a change in Sir Keir’s government, which has seen the party reach record low support in opinion polls.
Mr Burnham, who is expected to take over as prime minister next week, said the party must “do better” under his leadership and said he would put more pressure on the Israeli government through sanctions on both individuals and organizations as he seeks to win back voters who abandoned the party over its handling of Gaza.
“I know that many people think that my party did not understand the situation correctly at the beginning of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, and I am sorry about that. The response was often not good enough. We need to do better,” he said.
“We must do more to pressure the Israeli government… Yes, we have taken some important steps… But let’s be honest, the UK has been too slow to call for a ceasefire. We must now do more to strengthen our approach.”
His remarks came after the majority of Labor voters abandoned the party over its stance on Israel and Palestine, particularly in predominantly Muslim areas.
