Sir Keir Starmer is confronting the most significant internal rebellion of his leadership after Labour conference delegates delivered a stunning defeat to his position on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Overwhelming Vote Backs Genocide Accusation
In a dramatic show of dissent, party members overwhelmingly supported a motion accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The vote represents a direct challenge to Starmer's authority and exposes deep divisions within the party over his Middle East stance.
The motion, which passed with resounding support from constituency Labour parties and trade unions, condemns what it describes as "the massacre of Palestinian people" and calls for an immediate ceasefire. This puts the Labour leadership directly at odds with its own membership on one of the most contentious international issues.
Starmer's Leadership Under Fire
The rebellion comes after days of mounting tension at the Liverpool conference, where numerous delegates and senior figures expressed fury over Starmer's initial response to the Gaza crisis. Many MPs and members had been pushing for a stronger stance against Israeli actions.
This represents Starmer's most severe internal crisis since becoming leader, threatening to undermine his attempts to present a united front ahead of the next general election. The scale of the rebellion suggests significant portions of the party membership are prepared to openly defy his leadership on matters of principle.
Implications for Labour Unity
The vote creates an immediate political headache for Starmer, who must now balance maintaining party discipline with acknowledging the clear will of Labour's grassroots. The situation is particularly delicate given the strong feelings on all sides of the debate.
Senior party figures are now grappling with how to respond to this demonstration of member power, with some warning of lasting damage to party unity while others celebrate it as a necessary democratic expression.
The fallout from this rebellion is likely to dominate the final days of Labour's conference and could have lasting implications for Starmer's authority within his own party.
