Sir Keir Starmer appears to be keeping a low profile today as Labour frontbenchers continue to defy the party line over Israel’s bloody assault on Gaza.
The Opposition leader doubled down on his opposition to a ceasefire between the IDF and Hamas on Tuesday, saying it would only benefit the terrorists by giving them space to regroup.
Instead he has lined up alongside Rishi Sunak and other western leaders urging ‘humanitarian pauses’ to allow aid into Gaza and people out.
However senior MPs have continued to indirectly call for a ceasefire to avoid claims they are avoiding collective responsibility – where politicians tow the party line or quit/are sacked from ministerial or shadow ministerial senior jobs.
Slough MP Tan Dhesi became the latest to do this last night after a highly controversial Israeli airstrike on Hamas targets in a refugee camp.
The Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury tweeted that a ‘cessation of hostilities’ was needed.
Others, meanwhile, continue to openly call for a ceasefire, including shadow exports minister and Manchester Gorton MP Afzal Khan. A day after the leader’s speech he yesterday tweeted: ‘Collective punishment of Palestinians by the Israeli Govt is deplorable and must be met with international condemnation. Gazans urgently need the siege lifted and a ceasefire called.’
The Opposition leader doubled down on his opposition to a ceasefire between the IDF and Hamas on Tuesday, saying it would only benefit the terrorists by giving them space to regroup.
Slough MP Tan Dhesi, the Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, tweeted that a ‘cessation of hostilities’ was needed.
And another shadow minister, Imran Hussain, demanded ‘an end to this bloodshed now’.
Shadow cabinet minister Liz Kendall this morning suggested that Labour MPs who defy party leader Sir Keir Starmer by calling for a ceasefire will not face action.
The shadow work and pension secretary told Sky News the leadership will continue to listen and engage with critics of Sir Keir’s stance.
Asked if they will face disciplinary action, she said: ‘That’s not been the approach… that’s not the approach we’ve taken.
‘Keir’s position is the right one, and I actually think, if you look across our party, our desire to end the killing, to make sure we get that aid in and the hostages out, and that long-term goal of a two-state solution, is something that we all agree on.’
Last night the Chief Rabbi branded Sadiq Khan‘s call for a ceasefire ‘irresponsible’.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis warned that a suspension of fighting could lead to ‘yet more Hamas terrorist brutality’, despite the London mayor believing it would ‘stop the killing’.
While the Chief Rabbi thanked Mr Khan for his ‘commitment to fighting anti-Semitism across London’ when they met earlier this week, he added: ‘I also explained to him why I believe that a ceasefire now would be an irresponsible stepping stone to yet more Hamas terrorist brutality.’
Last week, Mr Khan called for a ceasefire, saying it would ‘stop the killing and would allow vital aid supplies to reach those who need it in Gaza’. He joined a growing clamour of calls within the Labour Party urging Sir Keir Starmer to shift his position from supporting a ‘humanitarian pause’ to backing a ceasefire.
Almost a quarter of Labour MPs have now publicly called for a ceasefire – including at least four frontbenchers. Other shadow ministers have privately criticised Sir Keir’s stance on the conflict.
The Labour leader has rejected pressure to demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza but refused to say whether he would sack rebel frontbenchers. He said that while he understood the calls for a ceasefire, he did not believe that it is ‘the correct position now’.
Mr Khan said after his meeting with Sir Ephraim: ‘Since the appalling terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7 there’s been an unprecedented rise in anti-Semitism in London.
‘I assured Rabbi Mirvis I’ll always stand with Jewish Londoners and work to ensure all communities are united and feel safe.’