Labour rebels trying to secure divisive Commons vote on Gaza ceasefire ‘by hook or by crook’
Left-wing Labour MPs are looking to secure a vote on a ceasefire “by hook or by crook” in the coming weeks, Sky News has been told.
Sir Keir Starmer‘s party has been split by tensions on the Middle East conflict, with more than a dozen frontbenchers defying the leadership’s stance on the conflict.
But the pressure is set to ratchet up further on the Labour leader from next week, with some in his own party determined to secure a vote which could lead to further divisions.
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Israel-Gaza latest: Casualties after IDF attack on ambulance
A figure on the left of the party said: “We are looking to secure debates and votes on this, by hook or by crook. We are looking at all potential routes, no stone will be unturned.”
One option is to use an opposition day debate from the Scottish National Party – which backs a ceasefire – which could generate a non-binding vote. Although, Labour could tell its MPs to abstain or refuse to take part.
The SNP see an emergency debate was the most likely avenue, and they could apply to the Speaker for one as early as next Wednesday.
An SNP source said: “Our constituents will be expecting us to have a say and if the government won’t bring forward a vote we will try and do so as soon as the first two days of the King’s Speech debate have ended.”
Another is to use a tactic deployed by Labour and Conservative rebels during Brexit, by triggering an emergency debate, under rules called Standing Order 24. It would have to be allowed by the Speaker.
Nearly 100 MPs from all parties have signed a motion from Labour MP Richard Burgon, which condemns the massacre of Israelis and taking of hostages in the 7 October attacks but also calls for “an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities”.
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Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson defends Labour’s stance on Middle East
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The MPs pushing for a vote will consult House of Commons experts next week and think it is most likely to take place later in November, as the start of the month will be dominated by the King’s Speech.
Starmer set out in a speech focused on the Middle East this week that he does not support a ceasefire, which he says would mean “Hamas would be emboldened and start preparing for future violence immediately”.
But so far 16 Labour shadow ministers and aides have tweeted their support for a one, including Jess Phillips, Naz Shah and Imran Hussain – who represent the party on home affairs and business. None of them have been disciplined by the party.
Today, answering questions after a speech in County Durham, Starmer rejected the idea of “great division” within Labour, saying the party was united on wanting to alleviate suffering and get more humanitarian aid in.
Some Labour councillors have resigned their posts, and two council leaders, in Burnley and Pendle, today issued a call for Starmer to resign.
A Labour source said the party would respond to a vote “depending on what the proposition is, which party is behind it and what form it takes.” They added that the rebels or other parties may not secure one, and that “the situation on the ground is not fixed”.
The government, the Labour leadership and other Western allies including the US have called for a “humanitarian pause” to allow aid into Gaza but said Israel has a right to defend itself by attacking Hamas.
Read more: Which countries are calling for a ceasefire?
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The Conservative MP for Peterborough, Paul Bristow, was told to resign as a parliamentary aide to a cabinet minister after he called for a ceasefire to “save lives”.
Health minister Maria Caulfield said today: “The trouble I think Sir Keir has is that while he seems to agree with the government, the rest of his party are in complete turmoil on this. At times like this, when it’s such a sensitive issue in the Middle East, you actually do need a governing party that is united.”
Politics
Wes Streeting ‘crossed the line’ by opposing assisted dying in public, says Labour peer Harriet Harman
Wes Streeting “crossed the line” by opposing assisted dying in public and the argument shouldn’t “come down to resources”, a Labour peer has said.
Speaking on Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Baroness Harriet Harman criticised the health secretary for revealing how he is going to vote on the matter when it comes before parliament later this month.
MPs are being given a free vote, meaning they can side with their conscience and not party lines, so the government is supposed to be staying neutral.
But Mr Streeting has made clear he will vote against legalising assisted dying, citing concerns end-of-life care is not good enough for people to make an informed choice, and that some could feel pressured into the decision to save the NHS money.
He has also ordered a review into the potential costs of changing the law, warning it could come at the expense of other NHS services if implemented.
Baroness Harman said Mr Streeting has “crossed the line in two ways”.
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“He should not have said how he was going to vote, because that breaches neutrality and sends a signal,” she said.
“And secondly… he’s said the problem is that it will cost money to bring in an assisted dying measure, and therefore he will have to cut other services.
“But paradoxically, he also said it would be a slippery slope because people will be forced to bring about their own death in order to save the NHS money. Well, it can’t be doing both things.
“It can’t be both costing the NHS money and saving the NHS money.”
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Review into assisted dying costs
Baroness Harman said the argument “should not come down to resources” as it is a “huge moral issue” affecting “only a tiny number of people”.
She added that people should not mistake Mr Streeting for being “a kind of proxy for Keir Starmer”.
“The government is genuinely neutral and all of those backbenchers, they can vote whichever way they want,” she added.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously expressed support for assisted dying, but it is not clear how he intends to vote on the issue or if he will make his decision public ahead of time.
The cabinet has varying views on the topic, with the likes of Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood siding with Mr Streeting in her opposition but Energy Secretary Ed Miliband being for it.
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband is said to support the bill. Pic: Reuters
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has concerns. Pic: Reuters
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The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being championed by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, who wants to give people with six months left to live the choice to end their lives.
Under her proposals, two independent doctors must confirm a patient is eligible for assisted dying and a High Court judge must give their approval.
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Labour MP Kim Leadbeater discusses End of Life Bill
The bill will also include punishments of up to 14 years in prison for those who break the law, including coercing someone into ending their own life.
MPs will debate and vote on the legislation on 29 November, in what will be the first Commons vote on assisted dying since 2015, when the proposal was defeated.
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