𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Rowenna Davis, who is trying to unseat Conservative Jason Perry in Croydon, wrote: “There is a genocide happening in Gaza. I do not believe the council’s pension fund should be used to support arms companies that are supplying Israel at this time.”

She also pledged to push every London council to divest from such firms – but an updated second version of the manifesto omitted the section on investment in arms companies.

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “It is increasingly clear that after the Gorton and Denton by-election, Labour are pandering to far-Left extremes in a desperate attempt to win votes.

“Instead of focusing on the real priorities of Croydon residents, they are indulging in political posturing and distracting from the issues that really matter.”

At the Gorton and Denton poll earlier this year, Labour’s vote share plummeted by 25% while the Greens’ Hannah Spencer stormed to victory, highlighting the threat to Sir Keir Starmer’s party from the Left.

A spokesperson for the Jewish Conservative Alliance suggested that Ms Davis, a councillor in the area, had “put her name to a specific and highly charged policy”, only to walk it back after negative reaction from the Jewish community.

Croydon is one of a handful of London boroughs with a directly elected mayor. The position is up for election this May, at the same time as the entire council.

The borough has been mired in financial scandal since the previous Labour-held council was accused of leaving the authority with a gigantic debt and facing bankruptcy.

Restoring the council’s finances has been the cornerstone of the local Conservative campaign for the past few years.

A spokesman for the London Labour Party did not address the claim of the amended manifesto directly, saying: “Labour has been clear in pushing for a lasting peace in Gaza. In September, the Labour Government took the historic step of recognising the State of Palestine.

“Palestinians and Israelis alike have the right to live in peace, free from violence and suffering. The Government is continuing to work closely with international partners to progress phase two of the peace plan. We know that this is an issue many Londoners care deeply about.

“Labour’s main focus in these elections is firmly on delivering for our communities – driving down the cost of living, delivering excellent local services, improving schools and getting the basics right for residents across London.”