2022 Labour Party Conference Report

This report provides a detailed analysis of the 2022 Labour Party Conference, highlighting the stark shift in the party's stance on Palestine and its alignment with pro-Israel lobby groups under Keir Starmer's leadership. It contrasts the current conference's lack of Palestinian solidarity, compared to the 2018 conference where Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian discourse were prominent. Starmer's keynote speech focused on his efforts to eliminate anti-Semitism, equating it with anti-Zionism, as evidenced by his commitment to Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) and support for the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. The report outlines how Starmer, along with key frontbenchers such as David Lammy and Rachel Reeves, has embraced pro-Israel positions and strengthened ties with Israeli diplomats, signalling a continuation of these policies under his leadership. However, the report also notes that despite this shift, a small faction within the party, including MPs like John McDonnell, continues to push for Palestinian rights through fringe events and discussions at the conference. The report concludes by suggesting that while pro-Palestinian activism may be sidelined, it remains alive within Labour’s far-left circles.