Starmer fears wipeout in local elections if left-wing vote split

SIR KEIR Starmer fears disaster in next year’s local elections as voters in big cities turn against Labour over the Gaza conflict and anger at being “taken for granted”.

- By Jonathan Walker

He was warned last night his U-turn over recognising a Palestinian state will not be enough to win back support from anti-Israel left-wingers and Muslim voters.

Reform could be the big winner after polling identified at least eight Labour-held constituencies where growing support for “pro-Gaza” candidates, such as independents, Greens or the new party led by Jeremy Corbyn, could split the left-wing vote and hand victory to Nigel Farage’s candidates at the next general election.