Labour Party’s Focus on Repairing Ties with British Jews Pays Off as Support Grows

Labour Party’s Keir Starmer Wins Back Support from British Jews

Since taking over as the leader of the Labour Party in 2020, Keir Starmer has made it a priority to repair ties with British Jews, denouncing antisemitism as a “stain” on the party. On Thursday, his efforts seemed to pay off as many British Jews who had turned away from Labour in the 2019 general election gave the party another chance.

Labour managed to win back several North London constituencies with significant Jewish populations, with nearly half of Jewish voters planning to support the party in Thursday’s election, according to a poll conducted before the election. This marks a significant turnaround from the low support the party received from the Jewish community under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, who was accused of allowing antisemitism to flourish within the party.

Jonathan Boyd, the executive director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, noted that it is clear that Jews have returned to what many consider their natural political home. Labour candidates in North London constituencies with large Jewish populations, such as Finchley and Golders Green, Hendon, and Chipping Barnet, were elected on Thursday, further solidifying the party’s support among Jewish voters.

One Jewish Labour politician, Josh Simons, who was elected to represent the constituency of Makerfield, west of Manchester, highlighted the extraordinary turnaround in the relationship between the Labour Party and the Jewish community in Britain. He credited Starmer’s actions in forcing out politicians who made antisemitic comments as a key factor in rebuilding trust.

Starmer, who is married to Victoria Starmer from a Jewish family, has been vocal about his commitment to addressing antisemitism within the party. His actions, including ousting Corbyn from the party following a report on unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination against Jewish members, have been praised by many in the Jewish community.

While Labour’s support among British Jews has seen a resurgence, the party appears to have lost some support among British Muslims who criticized Starmer for taking too long to pledge his commitment to recognizing an independent Palestinian state. Despite this, Labour’s success in winning back Jewish support marks a significant milestone in the party’s efforts to rebuild trust and inclusivity.