Dozens of pro-Gaza activists are being elected to councils across Britain as fears grow that the Middle East conflict will dominate many town halls after Muslim voting group presented Keir Starmer with a list of 18 demands

Dozens of pro-Palestinian campaigners were elected as councilors when the war broke out Gaza hit town halls across Britain.

In England, more than forty councilors were elected after making the conflict part of their campaign, according to an analysis of Thursday's vote.

Some wore rosettes in the colors of the Palestinian flag, while others dedicated their victories to the people of Gaza.

One shouted: 'We will raise the voice of Palestine. Allahu Akbar!'

They defeated in at least twelve town halls Work candidates, prompting opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer promising to regain the trust of voters alienated by his position on the issue.

The moment a Green Party councilor shouts 'Allahu Akbar' after being elected in Leeds

In England, more than forty councilors were elected after making the conflict part of their campaign, according to an analysis of Thursday's vote.  In the photo: Councilor Mothin Ali

In England, more than forty councilors were elected after making the conflict part of their campaign, according to an analysis of Thursday's vote. In the photo: Councilor Mothin Ali

Palestinian sympathizers are riding a wave of support for war-torn Gaza

Candidates in northern Britain were elected to councils after voicing their support for the Palestinian cause.

Kaleel Khan, who campaigned as a pro-Palestinian independent candidate in the elections for Thameside Council in Greater Manchester, defeated Dave McNally, a long-serving Labor member.

His campaign website states: 'The Labor Party's failure to declare Israel's actions in Gaza a potential genocide is a shame.' It was one of two seats that Labor lost to an independent party. Aisha Kouser, a law graduate, was one of eight independent candidates to win a seat on Oldham Council, also in Greater Manchester.

Ms. Kouser was one of several candidates who voiced her support for Palestine while running for election, and she included the red-white-green-black flag in her campaign materials.

She won more than double the votes of her nearest rival – the Labor candidate – after describing herself in the run-up to the election as a 'vote for Palestine'. Meanwhile, the Palestinian flag was also used by a group of potential councilors who identified themselves as Blackburn Independents. Seven of the nine were elected to Blackburn along with Darwen Council. On their website, the group said they were motivated by the 'perceived lack of adequate attention and support from both the Labor and Conservative parties'.

They added: '[We] strive to bring a new perspective to the political arena, advocate for justice and address the gaps left by mainstream politics regarding the Palestinian cause.”

His comments prompted a pressure group, The Muslim Vote, to impose an extraordinary set of eighteen demands on him, including ending British military ties with Israel and recognition of the state of Palestine.

Last night senior Tories said they feared the election would lead to town halls ultimately being dominated by debates on foreign affairs rather than local services.

Ex-Cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg told the Mail: 'People are entitled to their opinions, but foreign affairs are a matter for the House of Commons, not local councils.

“This is a consequence of the left's attempt to segment society and create a coalition of minorities instead of a unified whole. This is causing great division across the country.”

Former Home Secretary Sir John Hayes added: 'I find it disturbing when there are people who stand for office not because they want to help build a better Britain, but because they are more interested in events abroad.

'It is important that people can express their views on foreign affairs, but that should not be the basis for running a local government.'

Tory candidate and former Number 10 Chief of Staff Nick Timothy said: 'Of course it upsets people that politicians are shouting 'Allahu Akbar' about a foreign war during a British local election held to decide who collects the bins.

“As always, the usual liberal suspects prefer to turn a blind eye, or even defend themselves.”

War has been looming over Westminster since the October 7 Hamas terror attack sparked deadly reprisals from Israel.

Sir Keir suffered the biggest uprising of his leadership in November when ten frontbenchers resigned or resigned over his refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

But Thursday's local elections marked the first time that large numbers of pro-Palestinian campaigners stood for election, especially in areas of the northwest with large Muslim populations.

It will raise concerns about growing sectarianism in British politics. In Oldham, independent candidates won eight of the 21 available seats, several of which campaigned explicitly in support of Palestine.

Mothin Ali is campaigning for his council seat, which he won on Thursday

Mothin Ali is campaigning for his council seat, which he won on Thursday

Members of the Blackburn Independents group who adopted the Palestinian flag in their election campaign

Members of the Blackburn Independents group who adopted the Palestinian flag in their election campaign

Aisha Kouser (pictured) won more than double the votes of her nearest rival, the Labor candidate, after describing herself to voters in Oldham in her campaign material as a 'vote for Palestine'

Aisha Kouser (pictured) won more than double the votes of her nearest rival, the Labor candidate, after describing herself to voters in Oldham in her campaign material as a 'vote for Palestine'

Reform 'handed the mayoralty of the West Mids to Labour'

Reluctant Conservative voters who opted for reform in the West Midlands mayoral election handed the seat to Labour, the Tories said yesterday.

Reform candidate Elaine Williams received 34,471 votes in an election in which Andy Street was edged out by Labour's Richard Parker by just 1,508 votes. Ministers and supporters complained that the rebellious Reform Party was dividing the vote.

Transport Minister Mark Harper told Sky News: “Any Conservative who chooses reform will only get more Labor people elected… the opposite of what those people want to see.”

In Pendle, Lancashire, pro-Palestinian independents won five of the 12 seats up for grabs.

There was a similar increase in Bradford, where nine of the 30 seats went to independents. Seven of the candidates directly criticized Labor for its position on Gaza, or made pro-Palestinian statements.

Mothin Ali, Green Party candidate in Leeds, said he would 'raise the voice of Palestine – Allahu Akbar!' during his victory speech, even though Palestine was not on his party profile page.

Tory peer Lord Jackson of Peterborough said the Greens will “rue the day they allowed these deranged fanatics into their party for cheap, short-term, opportunistic reasons.”

In the West Midlands mayoral election, pro-Palestinian independent Achmed Yakoob came third with 69,621 votes.

Before the count, there had been an anonymous briefing to the BBC – condemned by Labor headquarters – that the party would lose the battle because of the 'Middle East, not West Midlands', and that Hamas were 'real villains'.

Sir Keir told Sky News: 'I say directly to those who may have voted Labor in the past but on this occasion felt they couldn't, that in the West Midlands we are a proud and diverse community. I heard you. I have listened.

“And I am committed to addressing your concerns and regaining your respect and trust in the future.”

Only 18% of Londoners supported Khan for mayor

Less than a fifth of Londoners voted for a third term for Sadiq Khan, despite the mayor boasting of 'record support' in the capital.

The Labor mayor won 43.8 percent of the vote, compared to Tory Susan Hall's 32.7 percent – but turnout was just 40.5 percent. This means that Khan's mandate only came from 17.7 percent of the London electorate.

Tory mayoral candidate Paul Scully has blamed his party's failure on a 'negative' campaign. “You can't just sit there and moan from the sidelines,” he said.