MPs were allowed to vote on a Labour motion relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to a row. The Sir Keir Starmer-sponsored amendment would allow Labour MPs to support the party’s motion calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”. The speaker of the house, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, permitted the vote, thereby defusing a potential rebellion. The decision to allow the vote was met with criticism from SNP and Conservative MPs for breaking tradition. The Speaker has reportedly been warned he may be replaced after the next election if he does not select the party’s ceasefire amendment for a vote.
In November, Starmer faced a major revolt over the issue, as 56 of his MPs backed an SNP motion calling for an immediate ceasefire. However, Labour changed its position earlier this week, calling for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in an amendment that mirrored the language of the UK’s allies and reflected the growing concern about the humanitarian situation and the plight of remaining hostages in Gaza.
Commons rules had suggested that today’s motion should have been provided by the SNP. However, in a statement, Hoyle said picking the Labour amendment would give MPs the “widest possible range of options” on this “highly sensitive subject”. The vote will allow Labour MPs to formally endorse their party’s new stance, rather than being left solely faced with the choice of whether to back or reject the SNP’s ceasefire call.
Government officials have tabled their own amendment, which asks for Israel’s “right to self-defence” to be supported. This also urges negotiations to agree an immediate humanitarian pause in the conflict. Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Rishi Sunak said such an approach would “create the conditions for a genuinely sustainable ceasefire”
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More