Frontbench Mutiny

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer faced a frontbench mutiny as eight members of his top team resigned in protest over his refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza. Shadow Ministers, including Jess Phillips, Yasmin Qureshi, and Afzal Khan, stepped down over demands for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Rebellion Against Party Orders

Fifty-six Labour MPs defied party orders to abstain on an SNP amendment calling for an end to hostilities. These senior members of the party faced potential consequences if they backed the amendment, as they were instructed to abstain.

Labour's Stance on Gaza

The Labour Party supports the government's position of advocating for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to allow aid to reach Palestinians. However, they stop short of calling for a complete cessation of hostilities.

Starmer's Response

Sir Keir Starmer expressed regret that some colleagues felt unable to support his position. He emphasized the importance of doing the right thing as a leader and standing up for what he believes in.

Resignations and Statements

Shadow Home Office Minister Jess Phillips, Shadow Equalities Minister Yasmin Qureshi, Shadow Trade Minister Afzal Khan, and Shadow Devolution Minister Paula Barker all resigned in support of a ceasefire. Shadow Education Minister Helen Hayes and frontbencher Naz Shah also signaled their departure from the frontbench.

Parliamentary Debate and Defeat

A parliamentary amendment calling for an immediate end to fighting in Gaza was defeated in the Commons by a majority of 107 MPs. The SNP Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, urged Parliament to vote in favor of backing an immediate stop to hostilities, emphasizing the need for moral leadership.

Tory MP Sacked

Tory MP Paul Bristow was sacked after publicly calling for a "permanent" ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. His constituency, Peterborough, has a significant Muslim population.

Heartbreaking Testimony

Lib Dem MP Layla Moran shared the devastating news that one of her family members in Gaza had died due to a deterioration in their health, possibly due to a lack of food or dehydration. She stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire.