Ellie Ames 06 November 2023

Burnley councillors quit over Starmer’s position on Gaza

Burnley councillors quit over Starmer’s position on Gaza image
Image: Martin Suker / Shutterstock.com

Burnley Borough Council's leader and nine other councillors at the authority have left the Labour Party over Keir Starmer's stance on the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

It takes the number of Labour councillors at Burnley from 22 to 12, out of 45 total seats.

Lancashire county councillor Usman Arif, who represents Burnley North East, has also left the party.

The councillors said in a statement: ‘Since the onset of the violence in Gaza/Israel, we, as a collective, have consistently used our roles as councillors to advocate on behalf of our communities to bring peace by urging the leadership to call for a release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire.

‘We strongly condemn the loss of any innocent life without reservation.’

They had urged Mr Starmer to call for a ceasefire, and later called on the Labour leader to resign.

The councillors added: ‘We always felt it was our responsibility as elected members to work to effect change from within.

‘However, despite our persistent endeavours, it has become apparent that Keir Starmer and the leadership either cannot or will not heed our concerns or acknowledge the sentiments within our communities.’

They said they were resigning with immediate effect and would continue to represent their communities as independent councillors.

The resignations come after Labour lost its majority on Oxford City Council when nine councillors resigned from the party over its stance on the conflict.

Senior Labour local government figures have joined calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, including London mayor Sadiq Khan and the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Community Support worker - Young People with Disabilities Team

Essex County Council
£24395 - £31131 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension
Community Support worker - Young People with Disabilities Team - Basildon (South Quadrant)Fixed Term, Full Time£24,395 to £31,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Arboricultural Consultant

Essex County Council
£26100 - £30706 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension
Assistant Arboricultural ConsultantPermanent, Full TimeUp to £30,706 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Team Manager / Principal Social Worker (One Angel Square)

West Northamptonshire Council
£40,316 - £43,675 D.O.E (Pro rata)
As a champion of social work, you’ll lead by example, using your skills to encourage a culture of innovation, reflection and learning within the service, using practice evaluations and learning reviews to inform this work. The experience you’ll bring Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Community Highway Technical Support Officer

Staffordshire County Council
£31364 - £35745
Staffordshire County Council is one of the largest local authorities in the UK with an ambitious vision to help Staffordshire's economy grow. Staffordshire
Recuriter: Staffordshire County Council

Officer (Highway Policy and Performance) OCC616034

Oxfordshire County Council
£32,076 - £34,834 per annum
We're determined to deliver a high quality, safe, sustainable, and reliable network. Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.