UK Parliament Votes Against Motion Calling For ‘Immediate Cease-Fire’ In Gaza

On Wednesday, the UK parliament rejected a motion urging for an “immediate” cease-fire in Gaza. The Scottish National Party (SNP) presented an amendment during the debate on the King’s Speech, calling on the government to “join with the international community in urgently pressing all parties to agree to an immediate cease-fire.” Despite 125 MPs supporting the motion, a significant majority of 293 voted against it.

Both the ruling Conservatives and the main opposition Labour Party’s leadership unequivocally opposed the motion. Ahead of the voting session, Labour introduced its own motion, which was rejected by the majority. This alternative proposed humanitarian “pauses,” as the party argued that an immediate cease-fire would jeopardize Israel’s “right to self-defense.”

Within Labour, there is a notable divide on the issue. While dozens of Labour MPs endorsed the SNP’s call for an immediate cease-fire, the party leader’s stance differed. Approximately 19 frontbenchers within Labour expressed opinions conflicting with their leader. Shadow Minister Imran Hussain resigned from his position last week to advocate for an immediate cease-fire, highlighting the internal discord.

Labour adopted a stance of abstention on the SNP’s motion, issuing a directive that frontbenchers must either abstain or resign if they support it. Ahead of the Wednesday vote, several prominent Labour figures, including Naz Shah, Helen Hayes, and Afzal Khan, resigned from their shadow Cabinet positions. Others, such as Sarah Owen, Rachel Hopkins, Andy Slaughter, Dan Carden, Mary Foy, and Paula Barker, also stepped down from their roles in protest.

Yasmin Qureshi confirmed her resignation as shadow women and equalities minister. Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, resigned from the Labour frontbench over the party’s position, stating she must “vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart.” The dissent within Labour extended to nearly 70 MPs defying the leader’s position on a cease-fire, and around 50 councilors resigning from the party over its stance on the conflict.

Following the vote, Labour leader Keir Starmer released a statement defending his position. Expressing regret over some colleagues’ inability to support the position, Starmer asserted that leadership is about doing the right thing, emphasizing the responsibility leadership carries.

{Matzav.com}