Labour MPs have warned leader Keir Starmer of his biggest challenge since taking office that they would vote for the SNP motion on an immediate ceasefire if he did not issue the same motion.
Following a chaotic debate regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, the speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, apologized not just for the chaos but also for allowing a Labour motion calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” by looking past parliamentary precedent to allow Labour to bring its motion to a vote.
Conservative and Scottish National party MPs expressed anger toward the decision, which Hoyle stated was made to look through a wide range of opinions, as some MPs are attempting to remove Hoyle from his position while Conservatives are being urged to ignore common practice and vote against him at the general election.
Following the Labour’s amendment pass, Tory and SNP MPs walked out of the chamber, and Labour leader Keir Starmer accused them of “choosing political games over serious solutions”.
When the six-hour debate ended after shouting and accusations of Hoyle’s bias, the speaker issued a statement of apology.
He said, “It is clear that today did not show the house at its best. I will reflect on my part in that of course,” adding, “I have tried to do what I thought was the right thing for all sides of this House. It is regrettable, and I apologise, that the decision didn’t end up in the place that I wished.”
This comes after Labour MPs warned Starmer that they would rebel against party orders and vote for the SNP’s amendment for an immediate ceasefire unless he offered something similar, while some sources say that at least two shadow cabinet ministers were going to resign over the matter.
source: alMayadeen
