According to sources, members of the Labour party are advising against backing the SNP’s request for a ceasefire next week in order to avoid weakening the party’s presence in Scotland.
Sources report that Keir Starmer is potentially dealing with a revolt from around twelve shadow ministers who are prepared to step down rather than go against a motion for a ceasefire in the Middle East. However, Starmer has declined to support this motion.
Starmer’s team has instructed party members to reach out to MPs, even those in leadership positions, to emphasize that Wednesday should not be focused on the Labour party.
On Wednesday, when the discussion on the king’s speech in the Commons concludes, there may be a vote on the SNP’s amendment. This amendment urges the government to join forces with the global community in pushing for all parties to swiftly agree to a ceasefire.
According to a document obtained by The Guardian, party enforcers are advised to be assertive with high-ranking officials and remind them that if the Labour party were in power, they would be required to vote against certain measures.
After Starmer expressed his understanding of the “emotions” driving calls for a ceasefire within the party, this statement was made.
The script starts with MPs being comforted: “How are you? We understand that things are challenging and we’re doing everything in our power to assist.”
The language then becomes more resolute, stating that “These votes will not alter the current situation… The decision on Wednesday is whether to stand united or back the SNP instead of the Labour party, and weaken our party in Scotland.”
A minimum of 68 members of the Labour party have expressed their desire for a cessation of hostilities, with a large number backing Zarah Sultana’s amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Starmer’s leadership is being challenged by 17 members of his frontbench who have released statements or posted on social media, all urging for a swift resolution to the conflict.
The Labour officials have not yet determined if the party will participate in the vote, as they typically do not vote on SNP motions. However, they are actively trying to find a solution that works for everyone.
“We will not be supporting the SNP motion as it goes against the Labour party’s stance in Scotland and would weaken our position. This decision will be communicated to MPs by the whips.”
Labor’s recent triumph in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West election is a testament to Scotland’s potential to pave the path towards a Labour government for the entire UK, according to Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour party. This victory comes weeks after the byelection took place.
According to pollsters, the amount of backing in the byelection suggests that Labour is very close to being able to win the next Holyrood election in 2026. This was supported by Labour strategists who claimed they could secure 28 Scottish seats, most of which would be taken from the SNP.
According to certain sources, the recent YouGov survey suggests that Labour has not been impacted by its significant divisions regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict and could also remain unaffected by the dissatisfaction of Muslim party members.
However, Starmer faced significant pressure when Sarwar criticized the Labour leader for not joining forces with London mayor Sadiq Khan and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham in calling for a ceasefire, despite Khan having the largest Labour mandate.
According to a source from the Labour party, this reveals how lacking in political insight Starmer currently is. They question why Members of Parliament cannot have a vote without interference from Starmer, who should instead be demonstrating his leadership skills and listening. The source also points out that the Labour leader has been fortunate due to the incompetence of the Conservative party.
According to sources, four shadow ministers have been considering resigning in the next few days, while up to 10 others are being monitored for potential resignations. One source pointed out, “In politics, a week can feel like a very long time.”
Numerous Members of Parliament from the Labour party are feeling immense pressure from both party supporters and their constituents to adopt a stronger stance against the Israeli invasion of Gaza. This weekend, it is anticipated that tens of thousands of individuals will participate in protests in London to show their support for the Palestinian cause.
Source: theguardian.com
