The Scottish National Party (SNP) will push for a second Commons vote on a Gaza ceasefire this week, presenting a fresh challenge to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the Labour Party. The move follows chaotic scenes last Wednesday when Hoyle broke with precedent to allow Labour to table its own amendment during an SNP debate, prompting a walkout by Conservative and SNP MPs.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn announced the new push, saying he wanted to “refocus the discussion away from the Westminster circus and on to what really matters – doing everything we can to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel”. He indicated the motion would demand “concrete actions”, including diplomatic pressure via the UN Security Council and a halt to arms sales to Israel.
The proposed motion would call for the suspension of all transfers of military equipment and technology to Israel, including components, and a freeze on new licences. The SNP has written to all party leaders to discuss the motion’s content, seeking consensus while acknowledging the likely opposition from other parties.
Last Thursday, Hoyle offered the SNP an emergency debate under Standing Order 24, which typically uses neutral wording and does not bind the government. The SNP will publish the motion’s details on Monday after further talks with the Speaker. First Minister Humza Yousaf also reiterated his call for the UK to stop arming Israel, citing “atrocious scenes” that he said amounted to breaches of humanitarian law.
