Burnham’s apology over Gaza marks ‘reset moment’ as Labour seeks to win back progressive voters

Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the next Prime Minister, has apologised for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and pledged to increase pressure on the Israeli government. The move is seen as a bid to restore the party’s credibility with progressive voters who deserted it following Keir Starmer’s controversial interview on LBC in autumn 2023.

During that interview, Starmer affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence after the Hamas attack and appeared to endorse Israel’s right to cut off water and electricity to Palestinian civilians, though he stressed that actions must comply with international law. The remarks sparked outrage on social media, and despite Starmer’s team later insisting they were misinterpreted, the damage was done.

Dozens of Muslim councillors threatened to quit the party, and in November 2023, eight frontbenchers, including Jess Phillips, resigned over a ceasefire vote. The incident exposed long-standing internal tensions within Labour over its historical support for Israel versus growing solidarity with Palestinians.

After winning the 2024 general election, Labour struggled to convince the public it was doing enough to influence the situation in Gaza. One senior Labour figure admitted that Starmer’s LBC interview remained a stain from which the party never recovered. Labour lost support not only from Muslim and left-leaning voters but also from young people and middle-class graduates who switched to the resurgent Green Party.

Burnham’s apology offers a chance for the party to be heard again. Insiders describe it as a “reset moment” and a tonal shift in how Labour talks about Gaza. However, it remains unclear whether substantive policy changes will follow. Burnham has only promised to “look at” further sanctions and bans on trade with illegal settlements. The key question is whether this will be enough to win back those who have already moved on.