As Labour seeks to win back Muslim voters, Andy Burnham has struck a softer tone on Gaza. But warm words cannot erase years of complicity, and Muslims should be wary of confusing rhetoric with repentance, writes Maria Akbar.
Andy Burnham is set to take over as British Prime Minister from Keir Starmer on Monday, and in an effort to orchestrate support he has wasted no time in speaking on key issues that have caused public outrage towards the Labour Party.
He recently posted a video reply to a question posed to him: “Please address the Gaza question. Really important to hear what you plan to do.”
He described the current situation in Gaza as a “scar on our conscience” and said it was “unacceptable” that people continue to be killed. He touched on the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded, apologised for the Labour Party “not getting it right” at the start of Israel’s “military action in Gaza,” and said the response was “not good enough.”
He also vehemently spoke about October 7, describing it as a “monstrous attack”, and about the rise of antisemitism. However, his plans for addressing the Gaza question were unclear and vague, though he said he was “passionate” about the issue.
The reality
In my opinion, Burnham’s response was hollow and devoid of any emotion on a topic that incites passion and fury internationally. The language he used was notably euphemistic, understating the seriousness of what has and continues to take place in Gaza.
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He did not mention the history or context of the Palestinian struggle, that a genocide has unfolded in Gaza, or that it has been reduced to rubble and Palestinians have been treated worse than animals, with water, electricity and medical aid being deliberately withheld from them.
He did not place any responsibility directly on Israel. By simply describing the situation there as a “humanitarian crisis,” he removed accountability from the perpetrators.
The role of the Labour government on Gaza
Let me be clear, the Labour Party did not just “not get it right”; it had a hand in the genocide that has unfolded.
The Labour government supported Israel’s actions by describing them as the “right to self-defence”, delayed calls for a ceasefire, continued arms exports to Israel, and maintained intelligence and defence ties with them. Sickeningly, Keir Starmer endorsed a siege on Gaza – a war crime.
The sustained military and diplomatic ties with Israel til today mean the Labour government was complicit with Israel in its genocide in Gaza.
Consequently, Labour lost a lot of support. For the first time, the entire world was able to watch a genocide unfold on their devices. We all saw families collecting the remains of their loved ones, hospitals being targeted, bodies trapped underneath the rubble, Palestinians being starved to death and children being murdered in cold blood.
People became vocal against this and more interested in the history and context of the conflict. This meant that the Labour government faced scrutiny over the position it held. Therefore, it had no choice but to call out what was happening, as public opinion was changing. Israel’s actions could no longer be justified as a right to self-defence.
But despite Labour’s attempts to show some sympathy towards Gaza, it was not enough and it lost public trust. Opinion polling suggests that more than half of former Labour voters who switched to another progressive party or an independent candidate said Labour’s position on Gaza was a factor in their decision.
Who really is Burnham?
Whilst acknowledging that Burnham was one of those who called for a ceasefire early in the conflict back in 2023, his motivations for this are questionable.
His strategy has always been to stand at a distance from the Labour Party’s position on certain issues. This allows others to view him as someone who can revive the party once those positions do not achieve the necessary results in the eyes of the public.
Burnham has taken part in leadership contests before and knows what he is doing.
His response in the Gaza video was a calculated endeavour to win back ex-Labour supporters who left the party due to its position on Gaza as it is an issue that unites many people from different walks of life. Therefore, to speak on Gaza is strategic from a political perspective.
Ultimately, Burnham hasn’t suddenly come with a conscience that Starmer did not have. They are both cut from the same cloth.
Burnham is a member of Labour Friends of Israel, has opposed the BDS movement, and stated in an earlier leadership challenge that Israel would be the first country he would visit if he won.
He also voted in favour of the Iraq War in 2003 and twice against an inquiry – a war that killed around 600,000 people. That is a reflection of his conscience.
He did say, with hindsight, that he regretted those actions in 2023; however, this may just have been a tactic to gain popularity. His regret needs to be proven through actions not words.
So overall, we should not suddenly be swayed by Andy Burnham because of a few words of regret he expressed over Gaza and go back to supporting Labour. He barely said the minimum of what should be said by anyone who speaks on what has unfolded in Gaza. Some would even describe his response as too little and too late.
The Muslim community, especially, should continue to see Labour for what it really is – the party of genocide – and should also recognise manipulation tactics disguised as morality.
After all, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The believer is not stung twice from the same hole.”
