PANICKED Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was desperately trying to claw back credibility with Muslims and social justice campaigners as more councillors and members quit the party today.

Reeling from the reaction to his endorsement of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, Sir Keir sent out a letter to councillors emphasising the need for Palestinians trapped in Gaza to have access to food, fuel and water — all currently denied under Israeli control.

It is also likely that the party apparatus will drop its threat to expel any elected representatives who attend the solidarity demonstrations taking place this weekend.

This was not enough for councillors up and down the country outraged by Sir Keir’s original blank cheque for Israeli breaches of international law.

Hounslow councillor Lara Parizotto quit, saying: “My values will remain unapologetically pro-migrant, anti-racist, decolonial and intersectional. I feel unable to stand by my principles as a member of the Labour Party.”

Kensington’s Mona Ahmed also resigned, condemning “Keir Starmer’s shocking statements, which amounted to an endorsement of war crimes committed by Israel against civilians in Gaza.”

Lotte Collett resigned the Labour whip in Haringey, denouncing Sir Keir’s statements and arguing that Labour should be calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Ms Collett said she hoped for the formation of an independent socialist group on the council and further resignations from the Labour group are thought possible.

The Labour Muslim Network has demanded “an apology to Muslim and Palestinian communities. Those comments must be retracted directly from the leader. Muslims across the country see Labour as unwilling to show value to the humanity of Palestinian and Muslim lives.

“There’s been a huge amount of damage done to relations over this, but there is still a chance to rebuild trust and reassure communities that Labour is a safe place for us. But the door is shutting very quickly,” it said.

Nine officers of Glasgow Kelvin constituency party quit their posts today in protest at the ban on local parties discussing the Gaza crisis, which they said “brings our party into disrepute.” 

The nine include Star contributor Vince Mills and socialist campaigner Baroness Pauline Bryan.

A YouGov poll found 76 per cent of voters beleive there should be a ceasefire now, rising to 89 per cent among Labour voters, only 3 per cent of whom back Starmer's position.

The Tories are in trouble too, with Blackburn Conservative councillor Tiger Patel announcing his departure from the party at a rally, criticising the government’s “implicit support” for what looked like “genocide.”