In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through Westminster, Labour MP Jess Phillips has resigned from her frontbench position in protest against Sir Keir Starmer's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Birmingham Yardley MP stepped down as a shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, becoming the third Labour frontbencher to quit over the party's refusal to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Growing Rebellion Within Labour Ranks
Phillips joins fellow MPs Yasmin Qureshi and Imran Hussain in abandoning their shadow ministerial roles, signalling a significant rebellion against Starmer's leadership. The resignations come as pressure mounts on the Labour leader to alter his position on the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In her resignation letter, Phillips expressed deep conflict between her party loyalty and constituent concerns, stating she had been "unable to dismiss the overwhelming calls for an immediate ceasefire from her Birmingham Yardley constituents."
Constituent Pressure Forces Difficult Decision
The MP revealed she had received more correspondence on this issue than any other during her eight years in Parliament. "I have to represent my constituents and my conscience above all else," Phillips wrote in her emotional resignation letter to Starmer.
Her departure represents a significant blow to Starmer's authority, particularly given Phillips' profile as a prominent media figure and her previous support for the Labour leader's leadership campaign.
Shadow of Previous Resignations Looms Large
The rebellion echoes recent events that saw Shabana Mahmood, Labour's national campaign coordinator, face protests at her Birmingham constituency office. Meanwhile, Labour MP for Lambeth, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, was among 56 Labour MPs who defied the party whip to support an SNP amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, Starmer faces increasing pressure from within his own party to reconsider his position, with the potential for more resignations looming if he maintains his current stance.
