Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has stated that the Labour Party's initial response to the Gaza conflict while in opposition was "problematic" and that its leader, Sir Keir Starmer, "got us off to a bad start." Lammy's remarks, made to BBC Radio 4's The Week in Westminster programme, addressed Starmer's early comments on the conflict.
In the initial weeks of the conflict, Starmer faced criticism for not immediately calling for a ceasefire. He also stated in an interview that Israel had the "right" to cut off power and water supplies to Gaza. A spokesperson for Starmer later clarified that he intended to convey Israel's general right to self-defense.
Lammy described Starmer's LBC interview comments as having "come out all wrong." He acknowledged that Starmer has since recognized this and that the party's early stance was indeed a difficult starting point.
Separately, Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham issued an apology for Labour's response to Israel's military actions in Gaza, stating the party "didn't get it right." Burnham, along with other prominent Labour figures, had been calling for a ceasefire by late October 2023. He expressed remorse on social media for the "huge hurt" caused by the party's initial reaction to the treatment of Gaza.
In February 2024, the Labour Party officially called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the first such call since the conflict began in October of the previous year. The UK formally recognized the state of Palestine in September 2025, a move announced by Sir Keir Starmer.
Lammy also commented on the intersection of foreign policy and domestic issues, asserting that they are "indivisible." He noted that global events like the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to the cost-of-living crisis. Lammy suggested a broader trend in Western nations where leaders often find themselves dedicating more time to foreign policy than anticipated.