Labour rebels trying to secure divisive Commons vote on Gaza ceasefire ‘by hook or by crook’

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2023

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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.

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”.

More on this story:
Starmer insists there is ‘unity in Labour’
Two Labour council leaders call for Starmer to resign

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

Morgan Stanley eyes crypto rollout for E*Trade platform: Bloomberg

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2025

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Morgan Stanley eyes crypto rollout for E*Trade platform: Bloomberg

Banking giant Morgan Stanley reportedly plans to list cryptocurrencies on its E*Trade investment brokerage and trading platform.

According to a May 1 Bloomberg report, the firm intends to list crypto assets on E*Trade in 2026. The plan is still in early development, and the bank is said to be exploring partnerships with established crypto firms to power the service. Internal discussions about cryptocurrency support reportedly began in late 2024.

Banking, Banks, Cryptocurrency Exchange, Morgan Stanley — *E*Trade homepage. Source:* *E*Trade*

This would not be Morgan Stanley’s first exposure to digital assets. The bank’s wealthiest clients have had access to crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and futures for some time, with the firm’s advisers allowed to pitch Bitcoin ETFs since August 2024.

Regulatory tailwinds push crypto forward

The news follows previous reports that Morgan Stanley was considering adding cryptocurrency trading to its E*Trade online brokerage platform in early January. The reports at the time cited the expectations of a friendlier crypto regulatory environment.

The move comes amid an increasingly favorable regulatory environment in the United States following the election of President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a pro-crypto platform and is personally involved in several blockchain ventures.

The first 30 days of the Trump administration brought significant changes to the local crypto industry. More recently, US crypto proponents have shown optimism following the swearing-in of pro-crypto Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins.

The SEC had significantly changed its stance even before Atkins took office. In late February, the agency had already paused multiple cryptocurrency enforcement cases with imminent deadlines.

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

Politics

Eric Trump: USD1 will be used for $2B MGX investment in Binance

Published

3 hours ago

May 1, 2025

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Eric Trump: USD1 will be used for B MGX investment in Binance

Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX will use a stablecoin linked to US President Donald Trump’s family to settle a $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

The World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) US dollar-pegged stablecoin was launched by the Trump-associated crypto platform World Liberty Financial (WLFI) in March 2025.

MGX will use the USD1 stablecoin for its $2 billion investment in the Binance exchange, according to an announcement by Eric Trump during a panel discussion at Token2049 in Dubai. Trump, the son of the president, serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization.

Eric Trump: USD1 will be used for $2B MGX investment in Binance — *Source:* *Cointelegraph*

MGX announced its investment in Binance on March 12, marking the first institutional investment in the exchange and one of the biggest funding deals in the entire Web3 industry.

At the time, Binance declined Cointelegraph’s request to disclose what stablecoin was used in the transaction.

This marks the Abu Dhabi-based investment firm’s first venture into the cryptocurrency space.

Banks, financial system is “a joke,” says Eric Trump

During the panel discussion, Eric Trump criticized the inefficiencies and limited operating hours of the traditional financial system:

“The US is seeing that the financial world has to progress. It’s a joke. Why do banks run nine to five, Monday to Friday, with an hour and a half of lunch break? It doesn’t make sense.”

Sending money internationally through SWIFT is slow, costly, and complex. Crypto makes banks redundant,” he added.

The average transaction time on the SWIFT payment network is 20 hours and seven minutes, according to analysis published by Statrys. However, 75% of SWIFT transactions involve one or two intermediary banks, meaning that these average 1 day and 11 hours to settle.

In contrast, a USDt (USDT) or USDC (USDC) stablecoin transaction on Ethereum will settle within two to five minutes.

“We’re at the dialogue phase of the crypto revolution right now, and the people who are going to make it big are the people who see it today, not in five years,” Eric Trump added.

Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

Politics

Voting under way to decide thousands of councillors and Runcorn and Helsby by-election

Published

7 hours ago

May 1, 2025

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Voting under way to decide thousands of councillors and Runcorn and Helsby by-election

Voting is under way in local elections across England, as well as in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

Due to Ofcom rules, Sky News is limited on what it can report until polls close at 10pm.

The votes mark the first electoral test for the party leaders since last year’s general election.

In total, 23 of England’s 317 local authorities are holding elections, alongside the Isles of Scilly.

The make up of around 1,270 parish councils are also due to be decided.

And six metro mayors are up for election.

The West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Doncaster, and North Tyneside mayoralties already have a mayor in place – while Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire are choosing a mayor for the first time.

Meanwhile, a by-election is being held in Runcorn and Helsby after previous Labour MP Mike Amesbury agreed to stand down following his conviction for punching a man in the street.

While this result is likely to come in overnight, most local election results won’t be known until Friday.

All voters in these elections must be over 18, and be registered.

Join Sky News presenter Jonathan Samuels and deputy political editor Sam Coates from midnight as the results start coming in. Lead politics presenter Sophy Ridge, political editor Beth Rigby, and data and economics editor Ed Conway will be taking over on Friday to report and explain what has happened.