The Muslim Vote has reversed its stance on endorsing Labour candidates in the upcoming election after a backlash pushed it to announce that it will not endorse any candidates from the two major parties. 

The decision comes after it initially backed several Labour candidates who defied the Labour whip to vote for a ceasefire in Gaza back in November.

Many say that supporting any Labour candidate is unacceptable, given the party’s position on the Gaza genocide.

The Muslim Vote has now stated that it will not endorse any candidates from the Labour or Conservative parties.

Instead, it plans to take a “neutral stance” in some constituencies where pro-ceasefire candidates from the main parties are standing for election.

The group acknowledged receiving “a lot of” constructive feedback from the community, for which it was “grateful.”

Having reflected on its initial decision, it said it has decided that – while differences of opinion are inevitable – it needs to prioritise “unity and empower the community as much as possible.”

“For the General Election 2024 and due to their party leaderships position on the continuing genocide in Gaza, we will not be endorsing any Labour or Conservative candidates,” said the group 

“This is a reflection of how indistinguishable their positions are on the genocide in Gaza, but also how huge swathes of the Muslim community, minorities in general, young people, the working class, those who value the NHS and many more, feel completely let down by these same parties.

“For a small number of seats, we will be maintaining a neutral stance, especially where certain Labour MPs are standing who were for the ceasefire and have a history of being supportive of the Muslim community and its causes.”

Endorsing Labour candidates

The Muslim Vote had endorsed three pro-ceasefire Labour MPs – Naz Shah, Afzal Khan and Yasmin Qureshi – and intended to endorse a few others in line with its previously stated position. 

The majority of its endorsements have been for independent candidates and those from smaller parties like the Workers Party of Britain, Liberal Democrats, and Greens.

After the backlash, the Muslim Vote released a statement saying it understood that many “strongly disagree” with its decision to back some Labour candidates and that the “decision was not taken lightly.”

“If this election is primarily about the ceasefire, then just as much as we should punish those who did not vote for it, we should support those who did,” it had said. 

“Otherwise, the message we send to politicians now and in the future is not a consistent one. This is self-defeating. Instead, we want to make it clear that loyalty to our causes – irrespective of your party or the whip – will win our support and opposition will lead to you losing it.”