UK Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly facing internal backlash from within his own party for the use of the British Union Jack flag in campaign material over concerns that it could alienate ethnic minority voters.
According to a report from the Guardian newspaper, the move is regarded by some as “definitely detrimental” to Labour in areas with large ethnic minority populations, which are seen as key to the party’s prospects of winning the next general election.
One member of parliament told the left-wing paper: “We are all really proud of our country but this can be a complex issue for some communities and we have to navigate that more carefully.
A second MP told the paper: “I can see how it would work in some places but it’s definitely detrimental in university towns, and in heavily BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) seats.”
Meanwhile, a councillor in the South Coast added: “I’ve seen boxes of the leaflets being piled up because activists don’t want to give them out.”
The party defended the use of patriotic symbolism and the Union Jack, with a party spokesman saying: “Keir’s changed Labour Party is positive, progressive and patriotic. The Union flag is something we are proud to carry.”
Labour Leader Abandons Hard-Left Promises as Party Aims to Replace Torieshttps://t.co/ph6qTxhy1V
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) July 26, 2022
“Labour is running a proudly progressive and patriotic campaign that celebrates all our communities and that includes using our flag.”
Yet, the story has been seen as confirmation of the anti-British sentiments of many within the left-wing party’s voter base.
Reform UK Deputy Leader Ben Habib said per the Press Association that the Labour Party should be “ashamed of itself,” saying that the report “tells you everything you need to know about the hijacking and breaking of our wonderful country”.
Conservative Party Deputy Chairman Jack Lopresti commented: “Sir Keir Starmer claims to have changed the Labour Party but no matter how much he wraps himself in the flag, he can’t even stop his candidates from doing Britain down.”
Nevertheless, the party continues to hold a double-digit lead over the Conservative Party, with polling guru John Curtice claiming that Labour is 99 per cent likely to defeat the Conservatives in the next general election, which will likely occur this Autumn.
Muslim Support for Labour Party Falls by over 40 Points as Starmer Backs Isrealhttps://t.co/F4HTASbPVK
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) February 6, 2024
Follow Kurt Zindulka on X: Follow @KurtZindulka or e-mail to: [email protected]
The post Labour Party Leader Faces Backlash over Use of Union Jack Flag for Fear of Offending Ethnic Minorities appeared first on Breitbart.