Keir Starmer faces further backlash over his pro-Israel Gaza stance as Labour vote collapses in London council by-election to hand seat to pro-Palestinian independent who quit party over his refusal to back a ceasefire

Sir Keir Starmer has been hit by a fresh backlash over his pro-Israel position on the war in Gaza after Labour lost a council seat in east London in what looks like a pro-Palestinian protest vote.

Sir Keir’s party lost the Plaistow North ward on Newham Council to a former Labour councillors who quit last month in protest at his refusal to demand a full ceasefire.

Sophia Naqvi took the seat after her former party picked up just 27 per cent of the vote – down from more than 60 per cent – in what could be seen as a protest by the area’s Muslim community. 

According to the Muslim Council of Britain more than a third of Newham’s population of 353.000 follow Islam. 

Ms Naqvi quit Labour at the end of October along with a colleague ‘to show solidarity and support for the Palestinian people’. 

However, it remains to be seen whether Sir Keir’s refusal to back a permanent ceasefire – instead backing humanitarian pauses like that which started this morning – causes wider electoral problems.

Nationwide polls by YouGov and Techne today show that the party’s vote share remains unchanged despite the bitter internal party row of the past month. 

Sir Keir’s party lost the Plaistow North ward on Newham Council to a former Labour councillors who quit last month in protest at his refusal to demand a full ceasefire.

Sophia Naqvi took the seat after her former party picked up just 27 per cent of the vote in what could be seen as a protest by the area’s Muslim community.

Ms Naqvi quit Labour at the end of October along with a colleague ‘to show solidarity and support for the Palestinian people’.

Nationwide polls by YouGov and Techne today show that the party’s vote share remains unchanged despite the bitter internal party row of the past month.

It comes as a truce appears to be holding in the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza which has cost around 14,000 lives. The temporary ceasefire began at 7am local time, with aid ‘going in as soon as possible’.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron will meet with Palestinian leaders and commit a further £30 million in aid for people in Gaza following the announcement.

The former prime minister is urging ‘all parties to continue to work towards the release of every hostage’ after holding talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog during a visit to Israel on Thursday.

Today he will be in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, meeting Palestinian leaders and agencies delivering aid in Gaza advocating adherence to the new agreement on all sides.

The first set of civilians held captive by Hamas are expected to be freed at about 4pm on Friday local time, including 13 women and children.

Lord Cameron said: ‘We are hopeful that today will see the release of hostages, and I am urging all parties to continue to work towards the release of every hostage. A pause will also allow access for life-saving aid to the people of Gaza.’

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