Andy Burnham’s Gaza policy faces new scrutiny in London after he confirmed a Labour leadership bid following Keir Starmer’s resignation as the United Kingdom’s prime minister.
Patrick Diamond, lecturer in public policy at Queen Mary University of London, said it was too soon to say whether Burnham would sharply change UK policy toward Israel.
Diamond said Burnham would likely call for renewed negotiations and a quick end to violence. He said Burnham would also be aware that Labour has lost voters over Gaza.
Polling commissioned by Save the Children UK, Christian Aid and Medical Aid for Palestinians found more than 60% of Labour members were dissatisfied with the government’s response to Israel.
The same poll found 78% of Labour members supported suspending all UK arms exports to Israel, Save the Children UK said.
Nimer Sultany, lecturer in public law at SOAS University of London, said Burnham’s position had not differed greatly from Starmer’s.
Sultany said Burnham broke with Labour’s leadership on October 27, 2023, when he called for a Gaza ceasefire.
Read: UK Starmer Considers Exit After Burnham Parliament Win
Burnham visited the occupied West Bank with Labour Friends of Palestine in 2012. It said he joined Labour Friends of Israel in 2015, backed recognising Palestinian statehood and opposed boycotting Israel.
Burnham has twice run unsuccessfully for Labour leader and served as shadow home secretary before becoming Greater Manchester mayor in 2017.
