LABOUR campaign chiefs are scrambling to shore up support in some of the party’s safest seats as fears grow of a collapse in its vote among Muslim communities.
Deep alienation over party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s pro-Israel position on Gaza has meant campaign resources being sent to seats with huge Labour majorities on paper, notwithstanding Labour’s 20-point lead in the polls.
Labour has been telling activists that “we need your help to hold this seat” in at least 16 constituencies with large Muslim electorates currently held by the party.
Labour remains mired in candidate chaos, with a complaint of sexual harassment laid against one controversial rightwinger, while another was chased out of the constituency he was imposed upon.
Seats the Labour hierarchy regard as vulnerable include Leicester South, held by shadow cabinet member Jonathan Ashworth, Birmingham Ladywood, where the sitting member is shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood and Stepney & Bethnal Green, represented by frontbencher Rushanara Ali.
All face strong challenges from independent pro-Gaza candidates rooted in their communities.
Labour had 2019 majorities in these seats ranging from 46 per cent to 73 per cent, so their loss would be extraordinary.
But the fears of the apparatus testifies to the impact of the Gaza crisis on British politics.
Labour’s candidate selection rows have only deepened, with the revelation that a complaint of sexual harassment has been made against Darren Rodwell, standing in Barking, who has already been censured for making a racist “joke.”
A historic complaint against Lloyd Russell-Moyle was sufficient for Labour to pull the plug on the left MP’s candidacy in Brighton Kemptown.
A Momentum spokesman said: “For weeks Keir Starmer has justified his purge of leftwingers by saying he wants only ‘the highest-quality candidates.’
“Yet at the same time, his team have defended a political ally mired in scandal.
“Darren Rodwell's position as a Labour candidate is completely untenable.
“If Labour’s commitment to progressive values and proper processes means anything, he must be removed.”
Neither Mr Rodwell nor Labour have commented on the latest allegations.
And leading factionalist and Israel lobbyist Luke Akehurst had a stormy reception from party members and the public alike on his first appearance in North Durham, where he has been imposed as Labour candidate.
His first visit to his constituency appeared to attract few supporters and more protesters and featured rows over racist remarks and a disrupted children’s birthday party, before he returned home to Oxford under police escort.
