Israel-Hamas war: Keir Starmer’s attempts to draw a line under Gaza ceasefire row aren’t cutting it with many Labour members

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has spent weeks trying to downplay his party’s divisions over the question of a ceasefire in Gaza – but the row continues to escalate.

On Friday, he claimed Labour was “united” on the issue because everyone was motivated by the same desire to alleviate human suffering there – and that he just wasn’t concerned about the individual positions of party members.

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But this attempt to paper over the cracks with optimistic descriptions just isn’t cutting it with many of those members, who feel he’s not listening.

Now the leader of Burnley Council, one of two Labour council leaders who called on Sir Keir to resign over the issue last week, has himself announced he’s stepping down from the party, along with 10 other councillors.

Cllr Afrasiab Anwar claims the views of grassroots members are being ignored. Some in the party are worried about the kind of exodus of Muslim support seen in the wake of the Iraq war.

It brings the number of councillors who have resigned from Labour to 50 – admittedly a fraction of the 6,400+ total – alongside the many big names who have overstepped the party line in calling for a ceasefire, including London mayor Sadiq Khan, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Last week, Sir Keir attempted to draw a line under the row with a big speech and a number of interviews clarifying his position, arguing that he shares people’s “human emotion” in response to what’s happening but that humanitarian pauses are the most practical way to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.

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He pointed out that demanding a ceasefire would negate Israel’s right to defend itself – both positions which are in line with the government.

He’s hoping the wider electorate will sympathise with his arguments and the desire to stand up for Israel after the horrors of 7 October, particularly given the antisemitism allegations which have haunted his party in the past.

The big risk for him is if this rebellion amongst councillors spreads to the parliamentary party.

There’s talk of left-wing MPs attempting to force a vote on the issue this week, perhaps in league with the SNP, to expose the scale of opposition to his position.

Many MPs are under real pressure from their constituents – loyal shadow leader of the House, Lucy Powell, told Kay Burley this morning she’s had protests outside her office and it’s “a difficult one for all of us to look at”.

The real challenge to Sir Keir’s leadership would be if any of those shadow frontbenchers who’ve publicly defied the party line and called for a ceasefire decide to take it further – and step down.