More than half of former Labour supporters who switched to centre-left rivals cite Gaza stance as a key reason
A new opinion poll commissioned by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FoE) suggests Labour’s position on Gaza is playing a significant role in driving progressive voters away from the party, adding to mounting political pressure on the government over its response to Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The polling, conducted by Opinium, found that 53 per cent of voters who previously backed Labour but have since moved to other centre and centre-left parties said the party’s policy on Gaza was either a factor or a major factor in their decision to switch allegiance.
Among respondents, 21 per cent said Labour’s approach to Gaza factored “a great deal” into their decision, while 31 per cent said it influenced them “to some extent.”
The survey focused on former Labour voters who have since shifted support to parties including the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, the Scottish National Party, the Liberal Democrats and Independent candidates. Green Party supporters were the most likely to identify Gaza as a deciding issue, with 67 per cent saying it influenced their decision to leave Labour.
Pressure Mounts on Labour Over Israel Policy
The findings come as the Labour government faces intensifying calls to take stronger action against Israel over expanding settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the ongoing war in Gaza.
On June 7, 137 Labour MPs reportedly wrote to the Foreign Secretary urging the government to “end trade with illegal Israeli settlements.” Reports have also indicated that the United Kingdom and several Western allies are preparing sanctions against Israel linked to the proposed E1 settlement development in the West Bank.
The polling suggests strong support among former Labour voters for tougher measures against Israel. According to the survey, 82 per cent of progressive voters who abandoned Labour support stronger government action to prevent genocide, including sanctions against Israel. Of those respondents, 64 per cent said they strongly supported such measures, while 17 per cent somewhat supported them. Only five per cent expressed opposition.
Support for additional measures was also high among respondents.
Strong Backing for Arms Embargo and Trade Restrictions
The survey found that 80 per cent of voters who switched away from Labour support a ban on all arms sales to Israel. Meanwhile, 75 per cent support prohibiting UK trade linked to Israel’s occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The polling also showed that 67 per cent back local governments divesting pension funds from companies whose activities involving Israel are considered violations of international law.
Environmental concerns surrounding the conflict also featured prominently. Nine in 10 respondents said the government should consider environmental damage in Gaza as part of its policy and decision-making process.
The findings point to a broader challenge for Labour as it seeks to rebuild support among progressive voters following disappointing election results earlier this year. A separate poll conducted after the May local elections found Labour lost 54 per cent of its 2024 General Election voters, with most defectors moving to centre and centre-left alternatives rather than right-wing parties.
Leadership Questions Emerge Ahead of Potential Labour Contest
The poll also suggests Labour could regain some lost support if future party leadership adopts a tougher position on Israel.
Nearly three-quarters, or 74 per cent, of voters who left Labour for other centre-left parties since Keir Starmer became leader in 2020 said their view of Labour would improve if a new leader introduced stronger measures related to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Among respondents who specifically cited Gaza as a reason for abandoning Labour, support for a tougher policy was even higher, with 85 per cent saying their opinion of the party would improve under new leadership taking stronger action, including sanctions or additional arms restrictions.
The issue has also become politically relevant in the ongoing Makerfield byelection campaign. Last week, PSC wrote to all candidates seeking clarification on their positions regarding Palestine, including whether they believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and whether they support a full arms embargo.
Labour candidate Andy Burnham is widely viewed as a potential future contender for Labour leadership and the role of Prime Minister.
Peter Leary, Deputy Director at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said:
“The public is rightly horrified by the government’s ongoing support for Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian people.
“This poll confirms that Palestine was on the ballot for millions of progressive voters during last month’s elections. Parties that supported the call for meaningful action – including a full arms embargo and wide-ranging sanctions against Israel – were heavily rewarded.
“If any new Labour leader hopes to win back these lost voters, they must urgently break with Keir Starmer’s shameful complicity in Israel’s genocide and other grave violations of international law.”
Finnian Murtagh, international campaigner at Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said:
“The occupation of Palestine, including the genocide in Gaza, is one of the foremost issues of humanitarian crisis and environmental injustice in the world today.
“It’s no surprise that people in the UK want to see an end to the occupation and the brutal suppression of Palestinian lives and livelihoods. Voters want political parties – and a government – willing to stand up for Palestinians, protect lives and end decades of devastating environmental abuses.
“This polling sets a clear path for how Labour can uphold international law and it must start with issuing a full arms embargo on Israel.”