Keir Starmer says ceasefire in Gaza isn’t ‘correct position’
Labour MP Imran Hussain’s resignation from the shadow cabinet late last night not only impacted his own career but set a strong precedent that other frontbenchers who break from the party line should also step down.
In his letter of resignation, Mr Hussain wrote: “It has become clear that my view on the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza differs substantially from the position you have adopted.
“I believe the party needs to go further and call for a ceasefire… I will therefore continue to press from the backbenches for a humanitarian ceasefire to protect civilians.”
Up until now, Sir Keir Starmer has brazenly allowed his shadow ministers to say what they want on Gaza and Israel without repercussion, in a desperate hope to hold his divided party together.
Some shadow ministers were understood to be intent on pushing Sir Keir to a stronger ceasefire position from inside the tent while staying in their frontbench role.
With Mr Hussain quitting, the Express takes a look at who else has broken ranks and may now have to quit.
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READ MORE: Labour implodes over Israel-Gaza as first frontbencher resigns in Starmer crisis
Afzal Khan, Manchester Gorton
The Shadow Minister for Exports has said: “The loss of innocent life in Gaza is unprecedented and it cannot go on. We need an immediate ceasefire now.”
Alex Cunningham, Stockton North
The Shadow Minister for Courts and Legal Services has said: “It’s heartbreaking to see ordinary people caught up in horrors in Israel and Palestine. There must be an immediate ceasefire to get vital aid to Palestinians, give the UN a chance to seek the release of Hamas-held hostages, and end the deadly attacks on Palestinian and Israeli people.”
Andy Slaughter, Hammersmith
The Shadow Solicitor General for England and Wales shared a statement from the Labour Friends of Palestine group calling for “an immediate ceasefire by all parties, including stepping back from an expected ground invasion and a cessation of rocket fire”.
Florence Eshalomi, Vauxhall
The Shadow Minister for Democracy said: “Having listened to Members this afternoon, and given the volume of emails I have received from Vauxhall constituents, does [the Prime Minister] agree that a temporary humanitarian ceasefire will help get that urgent aid through to Gaza?”
Jess Phillips, Birmingham Yardley
The Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding shared a statement from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres demanding a “humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies at the scale needed”.
Kim Leadbeater, Batley & Spen
The Opposition whip shared the statement from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres demanding a “humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East”.
Mary Kelly Foy, City of Durham
The PPS to Angela Rayner, Shadow Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, said: “The UN is right. The British public are right. We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
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Naz Shah, Bradford West
The Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction said: “What we are seeing is not defence, it is disproportionate attacks on a civilian population. I continue to call for a ceasefire to stop the killings of innocent civilians. We cannot be silent.”
Paula Barker, Liverpool Wavertree
The Shadow Minister for Devolution and the English Regions shared a statement from Labour Friends of Palestine, which said: “Given the events of the last month and the expected direction of travel, a ceasefire is the only way to stop the unacceptable mass killing of civilians.”
Rachel Hopkins, Luton South
The Shadow Minister for Veterans shared the same statement from Labour Friends of Palestine that Paula Barker endorsed.
Rushanara Ali, Bethnal Green and Bow
The Shadow Minister for Investment and Small Business has said: “There is a grave danger of the war in Gaza spreading throughout the region. The international community must work together to urgently de-escalate this conflict and support an immediate internationally supported humanitarian ceasefire.”
Sarah Owen, Luton North
The Shadow Minister for Local Government and Faith has said: “I believe a ceasefire on all sides is the only way to end the loss of more innocent lives… We need to make space for humanitarian aid into Gaza, free hostages and meaningful negotiations towards peace.”
Taiwo Owatemi, Coventry North West
The Opposition whip said in a statement: “I call on all sides to work towards a ceasefire to end the bloodshed and so that humanitarian aid can get into Gaza and the Israeli hostages held by Hamas can be released.”
Yasmin Qureshi, Bolton South East
The Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities said: “This is collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza, for crimes they did not commit. How many more innocent Palestinians must die before the Prime Minister calls for a humanitarian ceasefire?”
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