By Ben Kerrigan-
The Labour Party, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, has confirmed that recognition of Palestinian statehood will be a key pledge in its upcoming manifesto. This commitment was solidified as Labour officials convened to finalize the policy document.
Sir Keir emphasized that Palestinian statehood is an “inalienable right” and should not be subject to the approval of neighbouring countries, specifically stating that it is not “in the gift of Israel” to grant this recognition. He asserted the importance of a viable Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel, highlighting the necessity of this recognition as part of any comprehensive Middle East peace process.
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Shadow ministers, including Yvette Cooper, Liz Kendall, and Hilary Benn, were seen arriving at the party’s Clause V meeting on Friday. This gathering is crucial for finalizing Labour’s manifesto, ensuring that members, affiliated organizations, and elected representatives participate in policy formulation.
When asked whether the recognition of Palestinian statehood would be included in the manifesto, Sir Keir confirmed to the BBC, “It will be.”
The announcement comes after Labour faced setbacks in local elections, particularly in areas with large Muslim populations. These setbacks were partly attributed to Sir Keir’s stance on the Gaza war, which may have influenced voting behavior in these constituencies.
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The decision to include Palestinian statehood in the manifesto is likely to provoke a strong reaction from the Israeli government, which recently expressed anger when Ireland, Spain, and Norway moved to recognize Palestinian statehood.
In addition to the Palestinian statehood pledge, Labour’s manifesto is expected to address several key issues, including:
Training British Workers: The party plans to implement measures to ensure companies comply with domestic training requirements. Firms that fail to train British workers adequately, particularly in sectors like care and construction, may be blocked from sponsoring work visas.
GB Energy: Labour intends to create a publicly owned green power company, GB Energy, to spearhead the country’s transition to renewable energy.
NHS and Education: The party has pledged to increase NHS capacity with 40,000 more appointments a week and to recruit 6,500 new teachers to address workforce shortages in education.
To prevent leaks, the Labour Party has taken stringent measures to keep the finer points of the manifesto under wraps. This comes after a draft manifesto was leaked in 2017. Attendees of the Clause V meeting were informed of the central London location only on the morning of the gathering.
The finalized manifesto is set to be officially launched on June 13, presenting Labour’s comprehensive plan based on five key missions announced last year: the economy, the NHS, energy, education, and planning reform.
The inclusion of Palestinian statehood in Labour’s manifesto signals a significant policy stance that may influence international relations and domestic political dynamics. It reflects Labour’s commitment to addressing complex global issues while simultaneously responding to domestic electoral challenges.
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