Sir Keir Starmer 'will vow to recognise Palestinian state' in Labour's election manifesto in bid to shore up core support from his party's left wing
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to include his strongest commitment yet to a Palestinian state in the party's election manifesto.
The Labour leader is reportedly planning to include a pledge to recognise Palestine before the end of any peace process in a bid to shore up his core support on the Left.
He has previously said that it would only be recognised as part of a move to implement a two-state solution to the ongoing conflict.
The final version of the manifesto – said to total fewer than 30 pages – will be presented to senior figures at a crucial meeting with unions today before it is launched officially next Thursday.
Sir Keir has come under fire for his caution in calling for a ceasefire following the attacks on October 7 by Hamas and Israel's response.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to include his strongest commitment yet to a Palestinian state in the party's election manifesto
Ten Shadow Cabinet ministers resigned in a bid to increase pressure on the party to go further than calling for a humanitarian pause.
Labour sources reportedly said the manifesto would be a cautious package of measures. It would be distinct from Jeremy Corbyn's 2017 and 2019 policy-heavy manifestos.
One source said to have seen the draft manifesto said: 'Everybody is incredibly concerned about making any financial commitments because the Conservatives can weaponise that. But if you don't have any funding, you're not going to have any policies.'
It was reported that Labour will also include a promise to lower the retirement age for ambulance drivers to boost recruitment and retention.
Labour officials have indicated that they could do the same for other NHS workers in a move that could further exacerbate the crisis in the health service.
The manifesto is also set to include a promise to look into the way public sector pay review bodies recommend pay settlements, but not to increase public funding for them, The Guardian said.
Further pledges include guarantees on workers' rights, recruiting more teachers and 'driving down' net migration – though without a specific target, it was reported. Labour will also allow military ID to be used at polling stations but will not promise to abolish voter ID altogether.
The Labour leader is reportedly planning to include a pledge to recognise Palestine before the end of any peace process in a bid to shore up his core support on the Left
However, the manifesto will not have a commitment to ditch the two-child benefit cap despite pressure from many within the party.
Labour's policy will infuriate Israel, whose PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, reacted angrily when Ireland, Spain and Norway all officially recognised Palestine in May. Mr Netanyahu called the move a 'reward for terrorism'.
Sir Keir initially called for a humanitarian pause rather than a ceasefire which many of his backbenchers were calling for.
He caused fury on the Labour Left when he told an interviewer that he thought Israel had the right to cut off water and power supplies to citizens in Gaza.
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy was criticised for supporting a decision by the International Criminal Court to request an arrest warrant for the Israeli leader. The move is calculated to win back Muslim support for the party.
A Labour spokesman said: 'We don't comment on leaks. The manifesto will be published soon.'