The Labour Party was dealt a huge blow this week after becoming engulfed in an anti-Semitism crisis. 

Despite initial hesitation, Sir Keir Starmer was forced to suspend two party candidates – Azhar Ali in Rochdale and Graham Jones in Hyndburn – over anti-Israel remarks. 

The Labour leader faced severe criticism over his “shambolic” handling of the crisis from both inside and outside the party, including by Telegraph readers.

‘Azhar Ali knew he had a receptive audience for anti-Semitic slurs’

Mr Ali claimed that Israel paved the way for the Oct 7 massacre to get the “green light” to move into Gaza in an audio recording unearthed this week. 

Many readers discussed the potential dangers should similar-minded politicians make their way into Government.

Readers joined Tom Harris in critiquing Sir Keir’s leadership skills, focusing on his inability to remove what many readers view as anti-Semitic views from his party.

‘How is it that international events now hold sway in a UK by-election?’

The scandal has also placed the Labour Party in hot water with its Muslim voters. 

The anti-Semitic views expressed by the former Labour candidate, Mr Ali, are supported by a large chunk of the electorate in certain constituencies.

Readers weighed in on how this might impact the party’s electoral success, including whether support for its most Left-wing members may be resurrected.