Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least 50 wounded due to missiles hitting four areas in Gush Dan.
Israeli media: Number of killed settlers due to missile strikes in central districts increased to 7.
IRGC: We further affirm that effective, precise, and targeted operations against the vital interests of this artificial and criminal entity will continue until its complete eradication.
IRGC: We witness the fulfillment of the true promises made by martyrs Bagheri, Salami, and Hajizadeh, who had affirmed that Operation True Promise 3 and the subsequent operations would be more destructive, accurate, and intense than previous ones.
IRGC: [Iran's operation caused] some of the Zionist regime’s air defense systems [to begin] targeting each other.
IRGC: Command and control centers of the criminal Zionist entity were targeted using innovative methods and by leveraging intelligence and logistical capabilities.
The IRGC: The latest wave of missile strikes carried out by the IRGC’s Aerospace Force was stronger and more intense than previous ones.
The Israel Electricity Company reports damages in the power grid after missiles hit several locations in central "Israel".
British maritime security firm Ambrey says fires observed at power plant in vicinity of Haifa port following Iranian missile strike.
Sirens sounded in Ras al-Naqoura along the border area between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

Burnley Council speaker, ten Labor Party members resign over Gaza war

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 6 Nov 2023 02:58
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Afrasiab Anwar, one of the resigning councilors, was among those who previously called for the party leader to resign.

  • x
  • Burnley Council leader Afrasiab Anwar. (Social media)
    Burnley Council leader Afrasiab Anwar. (Social media)

Burnley's council leader, Councillor Afrasiab Anwar, resigned from the Labour Party just days after urging Sir Keir Starmer to step down as leader due to his stance on the Israeli war on Gaza.

He described his departure from the Labour Party as a "tough decision."

Anwar and a group of ten other councilors have issued a statement announcing their collective decision to depart from the party, citing their memberships as "unsustainable" due to the leadership's failure to call for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

The local politicians expressed their belief that Sir Keir had shown a lack of appreciation for the party's grassroots, referencing comments made by the Opposition leader following a speech on Friday.

Read next: UK gov. restricts local media coverage of SAS ops. in Gaza

The Labour Party has supported the UK Government's position, endorsing the call for a "temporary cessation of hostilities to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and medical care to the people of Gaza." However, Anwar criticized the stance as “nonsensical” and argued that it failed to represent the intense sentiments in his Lancashire town, as well as in communities across Britain, regarding the war.

Last week, he issued a joint call, along with Asjad Mahmood – a Pendle Borough councilor, for Sir Keir to resign over his leadership on the issue.

On Sunday, when discussing his choice to leave the party, Anwar stated, "We cannot remain passive or be associated with a party that fails to raise its voice, or at the very least, advocate for a ceasefire," adding that “Instead of talking of peace all of our world leaders, including the leader of the Labour Party, are talking about humanitarian pauses. It is just nonsensical."

There needs to be a #CeasfireNOW how many more innocent civilians have to die before one is called? Over 3000 children killed already. Where is the humanity #CeasefireNOW @Keir_Starmer @RishiSunak

— Afrasiab Anwar MBE 💙 (@afrasiab_anwar) October 31, 2023

Related News

Labour MPs push for UK recognition of Palestine at UN conference

Labour Minister breaks ranks, blasts government over Gaza

“I just don’t think the message is getting through in terms of how our communities, right across the board, are feeling about this.”

The Burnley Council leader said the councilors had tried “everything we could by working within the party”.

Councilors' joint statement 

In a statement, the councilors mentioned that they had held discussions with several prominent figures within the Labour Party, such as shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, and deputy leader Angela Rayner, to convey their apprehensions.

 They said they had also written to Sir Keir, as well as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Read next: Pro-Palestinian rallies held across UK amid police warnings

However, in a joint statement, the councilors said: “Regrettably, after exhausting every available option, we have arrived at the conclusion that the current party stance on Palestine does not align with the values we hold dear."

“Consequently we have collectively decided to resign from the Labour Party immediately, feeling that our place within the party is untenable given its present position."

“We cannot remain in a party that is not doing enough while innocent people are being killed in Gaza and Israel.”

Wave of resignations in the Labour Party 

Earlier last month, several councilors affiliated with the UK's primary opposition party, the Labour Party, have tendered their resignations. Their decision to step down came in protest of the party's leader, Keir Starmer, who expressed support for what he termed the Israeli "right" to restrict power and water supplies to Gazans.

Prominent figures within the shadow cabinet and other senior members of the party have also echoed similar sentiments to Starmer, defending the current Israeli aggression. This group includes individuals such as Emily Thornberry, who holds the position of shadow attorney general, John Healey, serving as the shadow defense minister, and David Lammy, who serves as the shadow foreign secretary.

Read next: UK to 'broaden' definition of extremism amid pro-Palestine rallies

  • Labour Party
  • Burnley Council
  • Palestine
  • United Kingdom
  • Afrasiab Anwar
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025
'Israel' launches major strike against Iran's nuclear program

'Israel' launches massive aggression on Iran

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to journalists after a meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Iran confirms targeting Haifa oil refinery, vows continued retaliation

An Israeli military working dog searches rubble for survivors in an area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025.(AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli General warns of strategic defeat in war with Iran

Steve Bannon speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP)
Politics

Steve Bannon accuses 'Israel' of pushing US into war with Iran

The Haifa oil refinery burns after being targeted by an Iranian missile, June 15, 2025 (Social Media)
Politics

Iran causes significant damage to Haifa oil refinery, pipelines

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS