In the lead-up to this year’s parliamentary elections, the legislative body of the United Kingdom has become embroiled in a whirlwind of debate over the call for a ceasefire in Gaza.[1] Members of Parliament convened on February 21, 2024, to vote on a motion put forward by the Scottish National Party (SNP) calling for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza. Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, London has been hosting pro-Palestinian protests attended by tens of thousands,[2] while the issue of a ceasefire in Gaza continues to be controversial in the United Kingdom.
The Labour Party, which is leading in the current election polls, has been experiencing internal strife over its Middle East policy since the October 7 attack that led to Israel’s occupation of Gaza. Similar to the divisions within the Conservative Party caused by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan, there have been noticeable rifts within the Labour Party regarding its stance on the Gaza conflict since November. Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer faced a major rebellion within his party during the ceasefire vote in the House of Commons on November 15, 2023, resulting in the resignation of eight Labour Party MPs, including Jess Phillips.[3] Initially, Starmer had refrained from strong reactions against Israel’s military intervention. However, due to increasing pressure from the party, he began supporting the call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
In the latest voting concerning the ceasefire call in Gaza, the Labour Party leadership showed reluctance to support the motion calling for an immediate ceasefire, primarily due to the Scottish National Party’s condemnation of ‘collective punishment’ against Palestinians. The absence of a two-state solution in the SNP’s motion also raised a separate objection within the Labour Party. In response, Starmer proposed his amendment to the SNP’s motion, calling for a ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ and advocating for a two-state solution.
Furthermore, the ruling Conservative Party also proposed its amendment to the Scottish National Party’s motion. In such cases, the Speaker of the House of Commons is responsible for deciding which amendment to select, and typically only one is chosen. In this context, it was expected that the Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, would choose only one amendment to be considered. However, contrary to expectations, he allowed both Labour and Conservative amendments to be discussed.
Many Labour MPs reported facing threats of violence from protesters due to their stand on the war in Gaza. Therefore, the MPs saw the Labour Party’s amendment as an opportunity to publicly express their support for the ceasefire. However, Hoyle’s decision to include both amendments in the vote, considering concerns for the safety of Labour MPs, sparked a significant debate in Parliament. The Conservative Party withdrew its amendment from the vote. Subsequently, SNP and Conservative MPs protested the unfolding events by leaving the House of Commons.[4] Despite this, the Labour Party’s amendment to the SNP motion was voted on and accepted without objection.
Although the Speaker apologized and acknowledged making the wrong decision, many MPs believe he overstepped his authority. Consequently, Hoyle is facing calls from MPs to resign,[5] as they accuse him of favoring the Labour Party by providing a platform for both amendments to be discussed. Rishi Sunak, on the other hand, stated that the aggressive behavior of the protesters jeopardized parliamentary democracy and freedom of expression, condemning their actions. [6]
Indeed, opposition day motions are not binding for the government. Additionally, it seems unlikely that the Gaza ceasefire vote would significantly affect the Labour Party’s chances in the current election polls. However, the insistence of the Labour Party on advocating for a humanitarian ceasefire instead of an urgent ceasefire poses a risk of alienating Muslim voters from the party. Moreover, before the vote, more than 100 Labour MPs had indicated their support for the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) motion,[7] but this was averted by presenting their amendment. Therefore, the decision of the Speaker played a significant role in preventing a rebellion within the Labour Party, as it allowed them to present their motion.
In conclusion, the current political landscape in the United Kingdom witnesses foremost party leaders grappling with leadership issues. Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan, which he heavily relied on for his election campaign, has caused divisions within his party. It has also faced backlash over accusations of violating international law. Sunak’s persistent failure to address issues related to the cost-of-living crisis indicates that his standing among voters is ready to erode.
The Conservative Party’s failure to effectively address issues such as illegal immigration and the weakening British economy has bolstered the Labour Party’s position in the public’s eyes. However, the Gaza ceasefire vote highlights significant questions regarding the Labour Party’s capacity to form a united front and provide a single response in the face of political crises. In other words, this voting has underscored the fragility of the Labour Party and raised doubts about Starmer’s leadership abilities. Therefore, in the current political landscape, there is uncertainty surrounding Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer’s ability to maintain party unity amidst internal divisions stemming from differing perspectives among party members.
[1] “UK Parliament Descends Into Chaos Over Gaza Ceasefire Vote”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-parliament-descends-into-chaos-over-gaza-ceasefire-vote-2024-02-21/, (Accessed: 21.02.2024).
[2] “Tens Of Thousands At Pro-Palestinian March In London”, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68326846/, (Accessed: 17.02.2024).
[3] “Dozens Of Labour Mps Defy Keir Starmer To Vote For Ceasefire In Gaza’, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/nov/15/commons-gaza-vote-labour-defy-starmer-ceasefire-israel, (Accessed: 15.11.2023).
[4] “Chaos Erupts As UK Parliament Votes On Gaza Ceasefire”, Aljazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/21/uk-parliament-speaker-gives-labour-leadership-gaza-ceasefire-vote-reprieve, (Accessed: 21.02.2024).
[5] “U.K Commons Speaker Faces More Calls to Resign After Chaotic Gaza Ceasefire Debate”, Time, https://time.com/6748899/uk-house-of-commons-speaker-lindsay-hoyle-gaza-ceasefire/, (Accessed: 22.02.2024).
[6] “Sunak Decries Intimidation by Protesters Amid Row Over Chaotic Gaza Vote”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/23/sunak-decries-intimidation-by-protesters-amid-row-over-chaotic-gaza-vote, (Accessed: 23.02.2024).
[7] “Labour’s Westminster Stitch-Up Denied The Chance For A Full And Proper Ceasefire Vote”, The SNP, https://www.snp.org/the-events-in-westminster-show-why-we-need-independence-more-urgently-than-ever-before/, (Accessed: 22.02.2024).
