Western Sydney has long been Labor ground. But is anger over Gaza making voters think twice?

Margaritta Toumaras from Belmore Lebanese Bakery says she feels Tony Burke doesn’t represent the area. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

To Sam, the idea of voting for an independent rather than her local Labor MP Tony Burke is a novel one.

“I usually vote Labor, but these days I don’t know,” says the Belmore-based teacher. “The government stays away from these areas. They just do the bare minimum and leave.”