A Labour frontbencher repeatedly dodged questions from Kay Burley on whether rebels calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict will be sacked.<\/p>\n
Shadow cabinet minister Liz Kendall was pressed on whether Labour MPs who defy Sir Keir Starmer will face action.<\/p>\n
She eventually suggested those who break ranks will not lose their jobs.<\/p>\n
During an interview on Sky News, host Burley asked: “What should happen to those who don’t abide by the party line?”<\/p>\n
Ms Kendall replied: “This is a really difficult, complex, serious and deeply held issue. I think we have been listening to the public, to our representatives and members.<\/p>\n
“But I think Keir has shown real leadership in setting forward our position that whilst we all want an end to that violence a ceasefire isn’t the right approach now.”<\/p>\n
Burley said: “With respect that’s not my question, my question is what happens to those who don’t abide by what he says is the party line?”<\/p>\n
Ms Kendall said Labour will “continue to engage with all our representatives on this issue”.<\/p>\n
She added: “I actually think it is a strength of our party that we have people with real lived experience who represent the communities who are deeply affected by this.”<\/p>\n
Burley pressed Ms Kendall on whether they would be disciplined.<\/p>\n
The Labour MP said: “Well that’s not been Keir’s approach, he wants to continue to listen.<\/p>\n
“And let me just say this, I think the argument about why a ceasefire isn’t right now, because it will leave Hamas in place, is absolutely the right case that Keir has made.<\/p>\n
“Just yesterday we saw a spokesperson for Hamas saying clearly and publicly we would do those atrocities from October 7 again and again until Israel is annihilated. So it’s not right for us to call for a ceasefire now that would leave that it place.”<\/p>\n
Burley interrupted: “I didn’t ask that, I didn’t ask that. Yeah I didn’t ask that, I asked what’s going to happen to people who don’t toe the party line…”<\/p>\n
Ms Kendall said that Labour will “continue to listen and engage”.<\/p>\n
The Sky News presenter asked: “They won’t be disciplined?”<\/p>\n
The Labour politician said: “That’s not been the approach.”<\/p>\n
Asked if it will be the approach going forward, Ms Kendall added: “That’s not the approach we’ve taken.”<\/p>\n
Burley pressed again: “But what about going forward?”<\/p>\n
The Labour MP said: “It will be the same. But Keir’s position is the right one and I actually think that if you look across our party our desire to end the killing, to make sure we get the aid in and the hostages out, and the long-term goal on a two-state solution is something we all agree on.”<\/p>\n
Sir Keir is calling for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict rather than a permanent ceasefire.<\/p>\n
But the Labour leader is facing an open revolt within his party with a series of shadow ministers breaking ranks and calling for a ceasefire, as well as high-profile devolved mayors Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham.<\/p>\n