Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham, the MP for Makerfield and expected to become the next Prime Minister, has issued an apology for Labour's initial response to the conflict in Gaza, admitting the party "didn't get it right." His intervention signals a new policy direction for Labour, moving away from the previous government's stance under Keir Starmer, which maintained Israel's right to defend itself. Burnham aims to regain voters alienated by Labour's position on Gaza, pledging to increase pressure on the Israeli government through sanctions and acknowledging the UK's delay in calling for a ceasefire. While not labelling actions in Gaza as genocide, he noted increasing evidence of potential war crimes and indicated a willingness to consider banning further weapons sales to Israel. As the sole candidate for Labour leader, Burnham also condemned antisemitism and the 7 October attacks, and suggested maintaining a cautious approach to any potential US-Iran conflict. In fullBurnham signals tougher policy on Israel over GazaMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Burnham apologises for initial Labour response to Israel-Gaza conflict
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndy Burnham, the MP for Makerfield and expected to become the next Prime Minister, has issued an apology for Labour's initial response to the conflict in Gaza, admitting the party "didn't get it right." His intervention signals a new policy direction for Labour, moving away from the previous government's stance under Keir Starmer, which maintained Israel's right to defend itself. Burnham aims to regain voters alienated by Labour's position on Gaza, pledging to increase pressure on the Israeli government through sanctions and acknowledging the UK's delay in calling for a ceasefire. While not labelling actions in Gaza as genocide, he noted increasing evidence of potential war crimes and indicated a willingness to consider banning further weapons sales to Israel. As the sole candidate for Labour leader, Burnham also condemned antisemitism and the 7 October attacks, and suggested maintaining a cautious approach to any potential US-Iran conflict. In fullBurnham signals tougher policy on Israel over GazaMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
