Gaza is a long way from the picturesque foothills of the Yorkshire Dales but the issue could swing UK general election races in northern England, with many local Muslims angry at Labour’s stance, AFP reports.

While Labour is expected to win a thumping national majority on July 4, leader Keir Starmer’s refusal to back an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza has caused a split with once-loyal Muslim supporters.

That rift could influence the result in marginal seats that have a sizeable Muslim population, such as Keighley and Ilkley in Yorkshire.

Around four in five UK Muslims voted Labour in 2019, reinforcing the historic links that were forged after the mass migration of workers from Pakistan in the 1950s and 1960s. But recent polling suggested around one in five of those voters are set to defect, further weakening the country’s traditional voting blocs.

“It’s definitely an issue… but I’m quite hopeful as the election campaign goes on that I will retain a large part of the Muslim vote where it’s a particular concern,” said Labour candidate John Grogan at his Keighley campaign office, surrounded by boxes of “Vote Labour” posters and flyers.

“Here in Keighley, the mosques are taking a neutral position. In some towns across the north of England, the mosques are saying, ‘don’t vote for either of the main parties’,” he told AFP.

A robust doorstep debate on the campaign trail revealed the depth of feeling, with Grogan stressing to a local resident that Labour in power would “respect the power of the international court” and recognise a Palestinian state.