Starmer says focus is on getting aid into Gaza despite Labour split over ceasefire
Sir Keir Starmer has been hit by four resignations from his frontbench, as he faced a rebellion over his refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza.
Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan, Paula Barker and Jess Phillips quit on Wednesday evening, after voting for an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech backing a ceasefire.
MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNP’s King’s Speech amendment calling for “all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
This comes as Israel says its forces have entered the Al Shifa hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, as part of the IDF’s ground offensive against Hamas.
The Israeli military said it had killed several militants at the outset of the raid, and claimed they had been confronted by “explosive devices and terrorist squads”.
Gunfire and explosions were heard inside the hospital complex, which had been surrounded by Israeli forces in recent days but continued to operate with hundreds of patients and medical personnel still inside.
Israel accuses Hamas of using hospitals as cover for its fighters, alleging that Hamas has set up its main command centre in and beneath Al Shifa hospital. Both Hamas and hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations.
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Eight Labour frontbenchers rebel against leadership
A total of eight frontbenchers voted with the SNP’s amendment calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
- Paula Barker
- Rachel Hopkins
- Afzal Khan
- Sarah Owen
- Jess Phillips
- Yasmin Qureshi
- Naz Shah
- Andy Slaughter
Dan Carden and Mary Foy, shadow parliamentary private secretaries, also voted with the amendment.
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 20:03
Jess Philips becomes fourth frontbencher to quit
Jess Philips has become the fourth frontbencher to quit over Labour’s position on Gaza.
The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and shadow minister for domestic violence said it had been “one of the toughest weeks in politics” since she entered parliament.
She said it was with a “heavy heart” that she was leaving her position, adding: “I must vote with my constituents”.
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 19:52
Starmer hit by three resignations over Gaza ceasefire vote
Sir Keir Starmer has been hit by three resignations from his top team, as he faced a frontbench rebellion over his refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza.
Three shadow ministers – Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan and Paula Barker – quit on Wednesday evening, pledging to vote for an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech backing a ceasefire. It comes as comes as frontbenchers Naz Shah and Helen Hayes face being sacked after they broke ranks with their party leader and signalled plans to vote for the rival amendment.
MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNP’s King’s Speech amendment calling for “all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 19:44
Starmer ‘regrets’ that MPs voted for amendment
Keir Starmer has said he “regrets” that some Labour MPs voted for the SNP’s ceasefire amendment.
In a statement released after the vote, the Labour leader said “my approach has been driven by the need to respond to both these tragedies” in Israel and Gaza.
“I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight,” he added.
“But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand. Leadership is about doing the right thing. That is the least the public deserves. And the least that leadership demands.”
He did not say whether those who voted for the amendment would be sacked.
Three shadow ministers have broken ranks with Labour leader Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer over a Commons vote on Gaza (PA)
(PA Wire)
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 19:42
Third frontbencher quits
A third Labour frontbencher has resigned.
Paula Barker, shadow minister for devolution and the English regions, said she would be following “my conscience”.
Read her full statement below:
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 19:24
Second Labour frontbencher resigns
A second Labour frontbencher has resigned so he can vote for the SNP’s amendment calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Afzal Khan, the shadow minister for exports, said supporting a ceasefire was “the very least we can do”.
“Today, I will be voting for the motion calling on the UK Govt to support a #CeasefireNow in Gaza. With 11,000+ Gazans killed, supporting a full & immediate ceasefire is the very least we can do,” he wrote on X.
“In order to be free to do so, I have stepped down as Shadow Minister for Exports”.
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 19:12
Blow for Starmer as frontbencher resigns over Labour leader’s refusal to back Gaza ceasefire
Yasmin Qureshi, the shadow women and equalities minister and MP for Bolton South, said: “The scale of bloodshed in Gaza is unprecedented. Tonight, I will vote for an immediate ceasefire.
“We must call for an end to the carnage to protect innocent lives and end human suffering. With regret, I have stepped down as shadow women and equalities minister.”
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 19:04
WHO head Tedros Ghebreyesus calls Israeli raid on al Shifa Hospital ‘totally unacceptable’
Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), calls the Israeli raid on al Shifa Hospital inn Gaza “totally unacceptable”, Rhys Jones reports.
Thousands are fleeing al-Shifa but reports and videos are emerging from the hospital, where hundreds of patients, including babies, remain trapped during an ongoing raid by Israeli troops.
The hospital has ran out of fuel, and is no longer considered operational, creating a catastrophic situtation for patients and staff, sparking international criticsm against the IDF.
“Hospitals are not battlegrounds. We’re extremely worried for the safety of staff and patients.” says Ghebreyesus.
WHO calls Israeli raid on al Shifa Hospital ‘totally unacceptable’
Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), calls the Israeli raid on al Shifa Hospital inn Gaza “totally unacceptable.” Thousands are fleeing al-Shifa but reports and videos are emerging from the hospital, where hundreds of patients, including babies, remain trapped during an ongoing raid by Israeli troops. The hospital has ran out of fuel, and is no longer considered operational, creating a catastrophic situtation for patients and staff, sparking international criticsm against the IDF. “Hospitals are not battlegrounds. We’re extremely worried for the safety of staff and patients.” says Ghebreyesus.
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 18:55
AOC leads two dozen in letter to Biden calling for ceasefire
Top US Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led two dozen House members in a letter to Joe Biden calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We thank the President for calling for a humanitarian pause so that humanitarian aid may flow and diplomacy may take place,” the letter says.
“However, given the present lack of an apparent and clear strategic plan, we encourage a redoubling of efforts to achieve rapid de-escalation through a ceasefire and robust, regional engagement that includes international humanitarian organizations.”
(Screenshot / CNN)
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 18:40
Protesters gather outside parliament ahead of vote
Thousands of protesters have gathered outside parliament’s ahead of tonight’s vote.
Demonstrators sang pro-Palestine chants and held placards calling for a ceasefire.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism group said some of those present sang “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, which it described as a “genocidal” chant.
Matt Mathers15 November 2023 18:29