(National-UAE) Labour’s elation at thumping the Conservatives in the England and Wales local elections has been tempered by concern that it is losing key voter blocs, particularly in Muslim communities, over its stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Labour’s attempt to unseat the West Midlands Conservative mayor Andy Street was reportedly hampered by a suppressed vote for the party in previously loyal districts as an independent candidate performed surprisingly well.
There was speculation on Friday that London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, could face a very tight result against his Tory rival Susan Hall. One factor counting against him was anger at the Labour leadership’s failure to swiftly call for a Gaza ceasefire or criticise Israel’s actions.
