Sir Keir Starmer is battling a mutiny in his party amid growing demands for the party's leadership to call for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza
Sir Keir Starmer is battling a mutiny in his party amid growing demands for the party's leadership to call for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, with some MPs braced to join forces with the SNP over the issue.
The SNP today tabled an amendment to the King's Speech calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war.
This comes just one day after a backbench Labour-led amendment on the same issue was tabled, as Labour MPs on the left of the party urge Starmer to call for a ceasefire.
If selected, it would force Labour MPs to vote on the issue, which could lead to humiliation for Starmer if a significant number of MPs join forces with the SNP to back the amendment.
While it is unlikely to pass, a vote on the issue would show the scale of support from Starmer's MPs for a ceasefire.
Four shadow ministers are prepared to quit rather than vote against a ceasefire, sources told the Guardian.
The amendment will only go to a vote if it is selected by the Commons Speaker next week. Just four amendments can be selected for a vote.
Yesterday, frontbencher Imran Hussain resigned from his post over the party's position on the conflict.
An official on the left of the party yesterday told Politico that they will explore other routes if the Labour amendment is not selected.
Starmer has faced growing criticism for his refusal to call a ceasefire, but the Labour leader has argued that doing so would serve to "embolden Hamas".
Instead, the Labour leader has mirrored the Government's position in calling for "humanitarian pauses" to allow aid and supplies to reach impacted zones, and civilians to escape.
One frontbencher said: "The [proposal for a humanitarian] pause will not solve the problem. Someone needs to say enough is enough."
In a letter to Starmer, posted to X yesterday, Hussain wrote: "Yesterday the United Nations Secretary-General warned that Gaza is becoming a ‘graveyard for children'.
“Given the crisis unfolding, I wish to be a strong advocate for a humanitarian ceasefire.
“It is clear that I cannot sufficiently, in all good conscience, do this from the frontbench given its current position.”
In his letter, Hussain also said he was "deeply troubled" by comments the Labour leader made on LBC, accusing him of "appearing to endorse actions by the Israeli military".
He added: "Whilst I appreciate your subsequent statements to clarify your comments and the increased emphasis being placed on addressing the desperate situation in Gaza, and whilst we both want to end the bloodshed, I believe the party needs to go further and call for a ceasefire."
In an interview with LBC last month, Starmer said that "Israel has the right" to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians.
But he added: "Obviously, everything should be done within international law".
In a statement posted to X in the following days, Starmer called on "all parties to act in line with international law, including allowing humanitarian access of food, water, electricity and medicines to Gaza and ensuring safe humanitarian corridors in Gaza for those fleeing violence".
