Keir Starmer is facing a growing rebellion within the Labour Party over his refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza, with four shadow ministers reportedly ready to quit in the coming days and up to ten others on “resignation watch”. The Labour leader has called instead for a “humanitarian pause” in hostilities, a position that has dismayed many MPs and party members. Already, Imran Hussain has resigned from his frontbench role.
Pressure is mounting from constituents and members, with one Labour frontbencher saying they had received over 600 emails on the issue, more than any other subject including Brexit and Covid. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend pro-Palestinian protests in London this weekend. The government's handling of the demonstrations has also sparked controversy, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman accusing the Met police of “playing favourites” with protesters, a claim rejected by Commissioner Mark Rowley and supported by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The Scottish National Party is considering using next week's King's speech debates to force a vote on a ceasefire. Labour whips have instructed MPs not to support such a motion, but several frontbenchers are reportedly willing to resign to do so. The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 10,000, and Starmer has faced criticism for earlier remarks suggesting Israel had the right to withhold water and electricity from civilians, though he later clarified his position.
There might be a way out for the Labour leader if the international community, led by the United States, shifts its stance. The White House has warned Israel against reoccupying Gaza, and national security spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden are “not always exactly in the same place”. A Labour party spokesperson said the party “fully understands calls for a ceasefire”, but Starmer has argued that a ceasefire would embolden Hamas and allow it to prepare for future violence.
