On May 14, 2024, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson accused the Labour Party of potentially planning a housing scheme for Hamas militants if they come to power. Anderson's allegation came in response to Labour MP Sam Tarry’s proposal for a family visa program aimed at providing a safe and legal pathway for Palestinian refugees to the UK. Tarry's advocacy gained relevance amid the recent displacement of roughly half a million Palestinians due to heightened Israeli military action in Gaza, as reported by the United Nations.
Anderson, via a social media platform X, questioned the potential for Labour's refugee scheme to evolve into what he referred to as a "Homes for Hamas" plan. This claim built upon broader rhetoric from Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, who expressed concerns about the UK taking in Gazan refugees, stating that Arab nations should be more involved. Tice argued that accepting refugees from Gaza could exacerbate the UK's existing immigration challenges.
Labour's newly announced immigration policy focuses on combating people smuggling, aiding refugees in their regions, and addressing the asylum backlog—though it does not specifically mention Gaza. The Labour Party, as well as MP Sam Tarry, had not responded to requests for comments on the allegations at the time of reporting.