Candidate hits out at ‘misinformation’ over Palestine voting record

A Labour candidate has spoken out about what she calls are ‘false’ claims over her votes for a Gaza ceasefire.

Kate Hollern said she was forced to address the concerns after videos were shared stating she had 'not' voted for a Gaza ceasefire.

She said: “I want to clarify certain facts around a ceasefire motion in parliament on Wednesday 21 February.

“It is important that we stop spreading misinformation.

“This video suggests that I did not vote for a ceasefire on this occasion.

“This is simply not true.

“Division 79 refers to motion for the house to sit in private.

“This would mean parliamentary business carries on with TV camera switched off and with members of the press and public not present.

“Labour voted no in this division because, as a party, we believe in accountability and transparency.

“The public has a right to see their elected representatives conduct business on their behalf.”

(Image: Nq/LT) Mohammed Khan speaking at the event

She added, ‘there were no votes on a ceasefire motion on February 21’.

“Labour’s Palestine amendment passed that day unopposed.”

She added: “It called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and also asserted that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and not the gift of any neighbour.

“Had this motion been voted on that day then I would have again voted for a ceasefire as I did again on November 23.

“I could not, in good conscience have done anything else.”

(Image: Nq/LT)

Earlier this month, Mr Hollern took her campaign to a packed Kashmiri Association on Whalley Range. She was joined by present council leader Phil Riley and also former council leader Mohammed Khan.

The event which was attended by around 50 people also heard by representatives of the Labour Friends of Palestine.

Attendees at the event were handed a sheet listing all the times Ms Hollern had raised the issue of Palestine in Parliament and also spoken out before October 7.

Ghassan Karian and Komal Nowaz spoke to the audience via video link.

Ghassan told the audience: “Kate as I know is a friend of the Palestinian people. To often we see politicians who say the right things but don’t deliver on them. Kate is not one of those.

“She has acted on her beliefs and is a true friend of Palestine.”

The full list of candidates is: Kate Hollern – Labour Party; Adnan Hussain - Independent; Jamie McGowan - Conservative Party; Denise Morgan - Green Party; Craig Murray – Workers Party of Britain; Natasha Shah - Independent; Tommy Temperley – Reform UK; Adam Waller-Slack – Liberal Democrats.

Altaf 'Tiger' Patel – Independent has withdrawn from the election.