Four shadow ministers prepared to quit in coming days and up to 10 others on ‘resignation watch’
www.theguardian.com
Keir Starmer is battling to reassert his authority within the Labour party over the conflict in Gaza, with four shadow ministers prepared to quit in the coming days and up to 10 others on “resignation watch”.
The
Labour leader is facing a rebellion by as many as a dozen shadow ministers, who sources say are ready to resign rather than vote against calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East, which Starmer has refused to back.
Several Labour MPs say they are under huge pressure from party members and constituents to take a firmer stance against the Israeli invasion of Gaza, as tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in pro-Palestinian protests in London this weekend.
One Labour frontbencher told the Guardian: “My position has always been [that] the only way forward is a ceasefire. The pause [as advocated by Starmer] will not solve the problem. Someone needs to say enough is enough.”
Another said: “I have over 600 emails on this which is more than any other subject ever, including Brexit and Covid … I don’t know a Labour MP who isn’t under pressure at the moment.”
With Starmer trying to adapt to a highly fluid situation in the Middle East and at home, he faces one of the biggest crises of his time as leader. The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has risen above 10,000 people, and the Biden administration has warned the Israeli government not to reoccupy Gaza.
Starmer angered many in his party when
he told an interviewer last month that he believed Israel had the right to withhold electricity and water from civilians in Gaza. He later clarified his remarks, giving his full support to Palestinian statehood during a speech last week that party officials hoped would heal the growing internal rift.
However, his refusal to back a ceasefire in the region, calling instead for a “humanitarian pause” in hostilities, threatens to reopen Labour divisions.
The Scottish National party is considering using the king’s speech debates next week to force a vote on a call for a ceasefire. Labour sources say party whips have told MPs not to vote for such a motion, but several frontbenchers are understood to be willing to resign in order to do so.
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