Sir Keir Starmer is braced for resignations from his frontbench as he holds a difficult vote on the Israel-Gaza war.
The Labour leadership has drawn up an amendment, circulated to MPs last night, to allow a vote on the growing crisis in the Middle East.
It does not call for a ceasefire, as dozens of Labour MPs – including members of the frontbench – have demanded.
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However, the amendment is intended to move closer to this position, by calling for “longer” humanitarian pauses in fighting to allow in aid, which shadow minister Lisa Nandy conceded could be days or even weeks.
A senior figure told Sky News the wording suggested “a ceasefire in all but name”, although Labour rejected this.
The amendment also condemns the conduct of the war by both sides; and highlights the need to protect hospitals from attacks, as well as calling for Israel to end its siege of the territory.
It unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks on 7 October and says Israel has a right to defend its citizens from terrorism.
Those calling for a ceasefire include 19 shadow ministers and aides, who must back the Labour Party’s position.
Labour sources said any who voted for a separate amendment from the Scottish National Party backing a ceasefire would have to resign or face the sack.
They are not all expected to resign, and the shadow cabinet – Sir Keir‘s top team – are all expected to back the amendment.
Meetings were going on late on Tuesday night to talk around some of those wavering.
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One shadow minister, Imran Hussain, has already resigned. Others on resignation watch include shadow home office ministers Jess Phillips and…
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2023-11-15 07:07:00
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