Keir Starmer has been left bruised by an internal Labour Party fight over Gaza that he had sought to avoid. The Labour leader faced a wave of resignations and a rebellion as dozens of MPs voted for a Scottish National party amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region.
Starmer refused to use the word “ceasefire”, instead pushing the phrase “a cessation of hostilities”. Critics argued that the wording was crucial, given it had become a rallying cry for the global pro-Palestinian movement. One party source noted that Starmer could have “sounded more sympathetic to Palestinian suffering earlier on” and avoided saying Israel had the right to block power and water from Gaza.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner lost four frontbenchers from her team, including Imran Hussain and Paula Barker. Those present in meetings described Rayner as “quiet than usual”, leaving the weight on Starmer’s shoulders. She later tweeted that she understood and respected those calling for a ceasefire and was “deeply sorry” to lose valued colleagues.
The rebellion has emboldened the left wing of the party, with 76 Labour MPs now having publicly called for an immediate ceasefire. Some frontbenchers who did not resign are watching closely, and the leadership is considering reshuffling roles to cover vacancies.
