Yvette Cooper has condemned the harassment of Labour candidates and canvassers, amid reports of intimidation in some pro-Palestinian areas across the UK. The shadow home secretary warned about “intimidation, abuse and harassment”, as pro-Palestinian activists in seats including Bethnal Green and Birmingham Ladywood clashed with Labour supporters. Videos circulating on WhatsApp show anti-Labour activists following and shouting at supporters of the Labour candidate Rushanara Ali in Bethnal Green, east London, while another image shows a fake Labour leaflet depicting her with devil horns.
In Birmingham, supporters of Labour’s Shabana Mahmood called the police twice over the weekend to complain about being harassed while out canvassing. In Stoke, some worshippers at the Stoke Central mosque demanded that Labour supporters resign from its committee, warning they would start regular protests in the mosque if they did not. Cooper said: “We cannot allow intimidation, abuse and harassment of candidates or volunteers to undermine our democracy.
People can debate and disagree in a serious way without disgraceful intimidation or threats that damage communities. Everybody must be able to take part in our democratic processes free from fear, intimidation or abuse.” Labour is under pressure in many areas with high pro-Palestinian populations because of the stance the party previously took towards the conflict in Gaza , including refusing to vote for a Scottish National party motio.