Party Discipline Crumbles as Shadow Ministers Demand Suspension of Hostilities
A growing mutiny against Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has emerged as over a dozen frontbench MPs openly defy his stance on the Gaza conflict and call for an immediate ceasefire. Despite private lobbying by senior Shadow Cabinet members, Sir Keir has refused to back down from his support of the government's call for "humanitarian pauses" in the fighting. The rebellion includes prominent figures such as Naz Shah, Afzal Khan, and Sarah Owen, who are putting pressure on Sir Keir to change his position.
Resignation Watch: Shadow Ministers Hold Off Quitting, But for How Long?
While around four shadow ministers are on "resignation watch," sources indicate that they are hesitant to quit individually, as the feeling is that if one goes, they all must go. This puts Sir Keir in a precarious position, as losing 15 frontbenchers would be a significant blow. Labour insiders suggest that he may have to show flexibility on discipline to avoid such a scenario, allowing dissenting MPs to express their views.
Concerns of Electoral Fallout and Party Divisions
The rebellion comes amid fears that Labour could lose seats with large Muslim populations, as Muslim councillors have already quit the party in protest. Grassroots campaigns have even been launched to oust top Labour MPs in certain areas. Additionally, some MPs have reported receiving death threats over their stance on Gaza. The party is facing internal divisions, with parliamentary staff also calling on MPs to demand an immediate ceasefire. This has led some to question if the party has truly changed.
SNP First Minister for Scotland Worries for In-Laws Trapped in Gaza
Scotish National Party (SNP) First Minister Humza Yousaf has expressed concern for his in-laws, who have been trapped in Gaza since Friday morning. As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely for any signs of progress towards a resolution.
