- Thursday, March 20, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
LABOUR leader Keir Starmer intends to utilize his party’s manifesto to make a robust commitment to Palestinian statehood since the conflict in Gaza began, The Guardian reported citing sources.
The move aims to bolster the party’s support base on the left.
Insiders familiar with the document reveal that the Labour leader, who is expected to emerge victorious in the July elections, plans to incorporate a pledge to recognize Palestine before the conclusion of any peace process and ensure that such an effort is not blocked by a neighbouring country.
The manifesto’s final version was set to be ratified in a meeting with unions on Friday (7) and officially unveiled on June 13, The Guardian report added.
Read: Tories instigating ‘culture wars’, Labour will deliver on pledges: Reynolds
Labour insiders indicate that it will be a prudent set of measures, with fewer retail policy declarations compared to the more policy-laden manifestos released under Jeremy Corbyn in 2017 and 2019.
One source who saw the draft document told the news outlet that everybody was cautious about making any financial commitments fearing that the Conservatives could exploit them.
Read: Sunak, Starmer second-grade politicians, says Andrew Neil
In developments that may please trade unions, Labour is contemplating a commitment to reduce the retirement age for ambulance workers, aiming to enhance recruitment and retention. Labour representatives suggest that such action could pave the way for similar initiatives for other NHS staff, presenting a cost-effective strategy to enhance staffing levels, The Guardian report added.
Meanwhile, BBC reported that senior leaders of the party as well as representatives of unions were meeting in an undisclosed location in London on Friday to finalise the party’s manifesto.
The report said while the party’s main themes for government have been set up for months, final details over workers’ rights and policies and the issue of Palestinian statehood were being worked out at the talks.
Besides Starmer, shadow ministers and senior union figures such as GMB Union general secretary Gary Smith were at the meeting.
The opposition leader told BBC before the meeting that the Labour manifesto will include a commitment to recognise a Palestinian state as “part of the process” to a two-state solution.
Starmer also said it is important there is a “viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel”.
