Andy Burnham says Labour ‘didn’t get it right’ as he apologises for its stance on Gaza

Andy Burnham’s intervention starts to address concerns among voters on Labour’s progressive flank. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA View image in fullscreen Andy Burnham’s intervention starts to address concerns among voters on Labour’s progressive flank. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Andy Burnham says Labour ‘didn’t get it right’ as he apologises for its stance on Gaza Exclusive: PM-in-waiting says party must ‘do better’ in approach to Middle East and he will put more pressure on Israel UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza, saying the party “didn’t get it right” and needs to “do better” under his leadership, as he signalled a significant shift in the UK’s approach to the Middle East. The prime minister-in-waiting told the Guardian he would put more pressure on the Israeli government, including through further sanctions on individuals and entities, but also potentially by banning trade in goods with illegal settlements. As well as pushing for substantive change on the ground, Burnham’s intervention starts to address concerns among voters on Labour’s progressive flank, many of whom have abandoned the party over its position on Israel and Palestine . “I know many people feel that at the start of Israel’s military action in Gaza my party didn’t get it right and I am sorry about that. The response has too often not been good enough. We need to do better,” he said. Andy Burnham apologises for Labour’s stance on Gaza – podcast Read more “We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government … Yes, we have taken some important steps … But let’s be honest, the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire. And we must now do more to strengthen our approach.” His apology, however, may irritate Keir Starmer, whose interview on LBC radio shortly after Hamas had launched its devastating attack on Israel in October 2023, and in which he said Israel “has the right” to withhold power and water from Gaza, had upset many within the party. The Labour leader then took almost 10 days to clarify his remarks, further angering many Muslim and progressive voters. In 2025, Starmer came under months of pressure , including from his own cabinet ministers, before finally recognising Palestine as a state. Burnham acknowledged the UK government had taken some significant steps, including formal recognition, sanctions on Israeli ministers and violent settlers, and restrictions on arms licences so no British bombs or bullets could be used by the Israel Defense Forces in Palestine. However, many Labour figures right across the party believe Starmer struggled to get a hearing on Gaza after his early missteps and delays, and that as a result the UK government’s subsequent action failed to cut through. Two-thirds of Labour voters who have subsequently switched to the Green party said the party’s position on Gaza was a factor, according to an Opinium poll for the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign last