Labour crisis: Revolt begins as major party figure pulls rug from under Keir Starmer
Follow our live blog on the crisis hitting Labour, with fragile party unity now on the brink of collapse over Sir Keir Starmer's Israel-Gaza stance.
Keir Starmer speaks on situation in Israel and Gaza
Sir Keir Starmer is now facing an all-out revolt, with a shadow minister publicly defying the Labour leader's stance on an Israel-Gaza ceasefire and a top party official demanding an independent Islamophobia inquiry.
Imran Hussain, Shadow Minister (Future of Work), has added his signature to an Early Day Motion calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, becoming the first Labour frontbencher to do so, in a move that will pile more pressure on Sir Keir to change his stance.
Meanwhile, Mish Rahman, who sits on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), the governing body of the UK Labour Party, has openly called for an official inquiry into Islamophobia in the party and urged Sir Keir to "apologise, retract his comments and stop the gaslighting".
Writing for OpenDemocracy, he said: "At this dangerous moment, we need political leaders with cool heads, honest brokers respected across divides, leaders who seek solutions rather than headlines. It disappoints me to say that Keir Starmer has failed this test. And we need an independent inquiry into the Islamophobia scarring Labour."
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KEY EVENTS
- Labour frontbencher openly defies Sir Keir Starmer by calling for immediate ceasefire17:25
- Keir Starmer set to U-turn after MPs bombarded by hundreds of angry emails16:51
- Full list of Labour councillors who have resigned so far over Sir Keir Starmer's Gaza stance11:17
- Ex-Labour councillor speaks out after quitting party over Sir Keir Starmer's Gaza stance10:41
- What is Rishi Sunak's position on a ceasefire?09:47
- What has Sir Keir Starmer said? Statement in full 09:08
- Labour grandee Jack Straw speaks out on crisis 08:39
- Government to discuss release of hostages and humanitarian aid for Gaza today08:31
- Keir Starmer urged to get grip on crisis and prevent 'full-blown crisis'08:18
Labour frontbencher openly defies Sir Keir Starmer by calling for immediate ceasefire
Imran Hussain has added his voice to a motion backed by almost 100 other MPs.
The vast majority of the motion's supporters are from Labour, the SNP or independents, with just two Conservatives, Crispin Blunt and Sir Peter Bottomley, backing the call.
The motion calls "for the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to urgently press all parties to agree to an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities, to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of the Israeli hostages".
It also urges Rishi Sunak to call for an "end to the total siege of Gaza and allow for unfettered access of medical supplies, food, fuel electricity and water, to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws".
Labour MP requests 'urgent update' on cases of two alleged Hamas operatives living in London
Christian Wakeford has asked the Government for an urgent update on the status of two alleged Hamas terrorists living in Barnet, London.
The Labour MP for Bury South, who defected from the Conservative Party last year in anger at Boris Johnson's handling of the Partygate saga, highlighted what he described as a “serious national security risk” of an alleged Hamas operative living in London.
He added: “Especially when he appears to have done so after obtaining fake documents and British citizenship.”
Keir Starmer set to U-turn after MPs bombarded by hundreds of angry emails
Sir Keir Starmer was thought to be on the brink of a major U-turn over his Israel-Gaza stance with pressure piling on the Labour Party leader to call for a ceasefire in the beleaguered region.
Last night, the Labour chief attempted to quell a potential frontbench rebellion, with some senior Labour MPs said to be on “resignation watch”, but there are fears his statement calling for a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting to allow vital aid to get to civilians was “too little too late".
One official told the Politico website, which reports some Labour MPs have received more than 500 angry emails and a “relentless” blitz of phone calls, that his new statement is “completely insufficient”.
A second claimed it “might calm things for a few days but it won’t last. They’re bombing the s*** out of civilians. He’s going to end up calling for a ceasefire.”
Labour MP clashes with talkTV host over Sir Keir Starmer
TalkTV host Mike Graham challenged Khalid Mahmood over Sir Keir Starmer's Gaza stance after the MP took part in a meeting with the Labour leader behind closed doors on Wednesday.
Asking Mr Mahmood about the threat of a full-scale frontbench revolt, Mr Graham said: "How serious is the threat by what we are told members of his shadow cabinet who say they will resign unless he changes his position, not not tempers it, not clarifies it, but actually changes his position?"
The Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr replied: "I have not heard that at the meeting yesterday that we were at. And nobody raised those issues.
"I think it was a positive meeting. We raised issues we would listen to everybody in the meeting had made a contribution and then second responding to that. So did Angela. And so I think it was a positive meeting."
Mr Mahmood added there was "no point calling for a ceasefire if both parties won't agree to it".
Mike Graham challenges Labour MP Khalid Mahmood on the backlash Keir Starmer is facing over his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
\u2014 TalkTV (@TalkTV) October 26, 2023
"He's clarified the situation. We want to move forward... there's no point calling for a ceasefire if both parties won't agree to it!"@iromg pic.twitter.com/zI1eIYx8h2
Angela Rayner ordered to retract inaccurate slur made about Rishi Sunak on LBC show
Angela Rayner has been referred to Parliament’s top rule enforcer over claims she lied about Rishi Sunak during a recent LBC show she was guest hosting.
Speaking to listeners, she slammed Rishi Sunak for using a private jet to return to London following the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
She said: “And he left on the private jet as well.”
Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson has now referred the claim to Daniel Greenberg, Parliament’s Commissioner for Standards, on the grounds of dishonesty.
Mr Clarkson explains that the PM: “Did not leave or arrive at Conservative Party Conference on a private jet as Ms Rayner implies, but drove to and from Manchester instead.”
Labour MP condemns video 'appearing to show anti-Semitic hate preaching'
Matthew Pennycook has spoken out after a video began circulating appearing to show anti-Semitic hate preaching at the Greenwich Islamic Centre.
The Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich said he had "informed the relevant authorities" and expected "action to be taken".
I am aware of footage circulating on social media that appears to show anti-Semitic hate being preached at the Greenwich Islamic Centre.
\u2014 Matthew Pennycook MP (@mtpennycook) October 26, 2023
I condemn the remarks in question in the strongest possible terms.
I have informed the relevant authorities and expect action to be taken.
Owen Jones praises protest blocking entrance to arms factory producing weapons for Israel
Left-wing Corbynista Owen Jones shared a clip of a recent pro-Palestine demonstration on social media platform X.
Protesters could be seen waving banners calling for a free Palestine outside Elbit Systems, a major weapons factory in Kent.
The Labour backer said: "This is so important - they are exposing Britain’s complicity in mass slaughter."
Protesters have shut down access to an arms company which produces weapons for Israel.
\u2014 Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) October 26, 2023
This is so important - they are exposing Britain\u2019s complicity in mass slaughter. pic.twitter.com/KZFJG7aWoM
Full list of Labour councillors who have resigned so far over Sir Keir Starmer's Gaza stance
More than 20 Labour councillors have quit the party because of their leader's Gaza-Israel stance.
1. Amna Abdullatif, Ardwick in Manchester
2. Shaista Aziz, Oxford
3. Amar Latif, Oxford
4. Usman Bhaimia, Gloucester City Council
5. Imogen Thomas, Oxford
6. Edward Mundy, Oxford
7. Paula Dunne, Oxford
8. Duncan Hall, Oxford
9. Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, Oxford
10. Jabu Nala-Hartley, Oxford
11. Mairéad Healy, Cambridge
12. Nadia Farhat, Nottingham
13. Russell Whiting, Gedling
14. Jessie Hoskin, Stroud
15. Lynne Jones, Birmingham
16. Lara Parizotto, Hounslow
17. Mona Ahmed, Kensington
18. Lotte Collett, Haringey
19. Asima Shaikh, Islington
20. Taj Salam, Bradford
21. Naeem Ashraf, Lancashire
22. Yasser Iqbal, Lancashire
Ex-Labour councillor speaks out after quitting party over Sir Keir Starmer's Gaza stance
Journalist and writer Shaista Aziz has called for an immediate end to the "killings and horror in Gaza", demanding the "moral courage to call for a ceasefire".
The now-independent councillor for Oxford City Council also gave her reason for resigning.
She told Sky News: "So my reason for resigning along with those counsellors who have left we've made it very clear. We are appalled by the lack of humanity being shown to the Palestinian people in the language that has been used by politicians in this country.
"I'm a former international aid worker, I've spent more than 15 years working around the world, including in this region.
"I've spent my life advocating for humanitarian access, and advocating for the rights of all people.
"I never thought I'd have to do this in the Labour Party, and that was my red line, and when that red line was crossed, I had to resign."
Former Labour councillor calls for an end to killings in Gaza
Sir Keir Starmer has 'buckled' to his MPs – political commentator
Speaking on Jeremy Kyle's TalkTV show this morning, political commentator Claire Pearsall said she thought Sir Keir Starmer had "buckled" to pressure.
The former special adviser to the Minister for Immigration said: "He started off so well, he made that mistake of saying that it was right to cast off water and supplies, and then had to clarify it in a great big statement. I think the more you have to explain something, the worse your position gets."
"The more you have to explain something, the worst your position gets."
\u2014 TalkTV (@TalkTV) October 26, 2023
Labour leader Keir Starmer's remarks on his alleged stance on Israel and Gaza have 'engraved supporters' - particularly in the Muslim community.@jkyleofficial | #TalkTV pic.twitter.com/3Y44ZqbHIv
Keir Starmer accused of having 'no moral backbone' over Israel-Gaza stance
The Labour leader was accused of having no moral backbone on Iain Dale's LBC radio show.
Left-wing political commentator Rachel Shabi launched into an angry rant on the popular phone-in show suggesting Sir Keir Starmer should know better given his legal background.
She said: "I don't know what he's been guided by. But what I know is definitely the case is that he has no moral backbone right now.
"And the people who he's listening to do not know what they're talking about. This is a really low bar. It really is.
"All we're saying is, can you just ask Israel to comply with humanitarian law and international law? And we're asking this of a guy who's a human rights lawyer, for crying out loud!
"If he cannot tell the difference... if he cannot summon the will right now to say, 'my understanding of human rights law, and the basic rules of engagement, is that you do not respond to a war crime, with another war crime'."
'He has no moral backbone.'
\u2014 LBC (@LBC) October 25, 2023
Columnist @RachShabi condemns Keir Starmer's stance on Israel-Gaza, telling @IainDale that as a human rights lawyer, the Labour Leader 'should know better'.
#CrossQuestion pic.twitter.com/7qTm077NDC
Keir Starmer accused of having no backbone over Israel stance
Rishi Sunak is quizzed on Israel-Gaza ceasefire during AI speech in Central London
Asked about the situation in Gaza, the Prime Minister again stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Speaking in Central London Rishi Sunak said: "I said for a long time that we defend Israel's right to defend itself. The UN charter is very clear on that.
"We also urge Israel to follow international law. We are doing everything we can in the UK to get humanitarian aid into the region."
He pointed to the fact the UK has doubled its financial contributions and referred to an RAF flight that has taken 75,000 tonnes of supplies to Egypt, saying it would make "an enormous difference".
But he made the distinction between a "pause" and a "ceasefire".
He said: "That is why we supported the resolution of the UN yesterday."
What is Rishi Sunak's position on a ceasefire?
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak rejected demands for an immediate ceasefire.
The Prime Minister said the “first and most important principle” was that Israel had the right to defend itself under international law following the October 7 terror attack that left 1,400 Israelis dead.
He told MPs in the House of Commons: “Our support for that position is absolute and unchanged.
“From the start we’ve also said we want British nationals to be able to leave Gaza and we want hostages to be released and for humanitarian aid to get in.
“We recognise for all of that to happen there has to be a safer environment which necessitates specific pauses as distinct from a ceasefire.”
Rachel Reeves accused of mass plagiarism in new book – including copying from Wikipedia
Sir Keir Starmer's Shadow Chancellor is embroiled in a plagiarism storm after being accused of copying entire sentences and paragraphs from other sources without credit in her new book.
Rachel Reeves has strongly refuted the allegations, which were published by the FT newspaper.
A spokesperson said: “These were inadvertent mistakes and will be rectified in future reprints.”
Is Sir Keir Starmer running scared?
Labour has noticeably put no one up to appear on the usual morning broadcast round today and Sir Keir Starmer is not expected to make any public appearances.
It comes as his party grapples with its stance over the Israel-Gaza conflict and after the Labour leader also avoided mentioning the subject altogether during yesterday's Prime Minister's Questions.
What has Sir Keir Starmer said? Statement in full
The Labour leader has called for a humanitarian pause to allow for vital supplies to reach war-torn Gaza – but has stopped short of calling for a full ceasefire in the region.
Doing so risks inflaming tensions within his party after it managed to emerge from its conference in Liverpool relatively unscathed by the deep controversies at the heart of the Israel-Gaza crisis.
You can read Sir Keir's statement in full below.
It\u2019s clear that the amount of aid and essential utilities getting into Gaza is completely insufficient to meet the humanitarian emergency on the ground. pic.twitter.com/gtpSaDnaJY
\u2014 Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 25, 2023
Labour grandee Jack Straw speaks out on crisis
Jack Straw has said he does not support a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza region while dozens of Labour figures call for it.
Pressed on whether he would support an "immediate ceasefire", the Foreign Secretary under Sir Tony Blair told Sky News: "Not at the moment. This is a terrible situation over there.
"I am very concerned about the way in which Israel is exacting high civilian causalities.
"But it has to be remembered that what triggered this was this completely unprovoked attack that killed 1,400 innocent Israelis."
Labour grandee Jack Straw speaks out on crisis
Government to discuss release of hostages and humanitarian aid for Gaza today
The Deputy Prime Minister said Cobra would meet today for ministers to discuss the next moves on securing the release of hostages, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza and the wider situation surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Asked about efforts to free British nationals being held hostage by Hamas, Oliver Dowden told Sky News: "This is a very serious situation and actually immediately after this media round that I'm doing this morning, I will be chairing a ministerial meeting of Cobra to update our position."
Asked who would attend Cobra, Mr Dowden said: "It will be bringing together representatives from the relevant Government departments.
"So, from the Ministry of Defence, from the Foreign Office, from the Cabinet Office - and in the Cabinet Office we have the national security secretariat, and I lead the Cabinet Office.
"This is the way of bringing different bits of Government together to understand what further steps we can do and to assess the current situation."
Pressed on what its aims are, he replied: "We will discuss the hostages and the wider situation in the region and will also discuss securing humanitarian aid. It is about ensuring we have cross-governmental ministerial grip on this situation."
Labour leader accused of 'tokenism' after tense talks with Muslim Labour figures
The Labour leader held crunch talks with Muslim Labour figures yesterday in an attempt to address the crisis.
But in doing so Sir Keir made things worse, one MP at the private meeting argued.
Meanwhile, a left-wing official said it “felt tokenistic”, reports Politico.
Keir Starmer urged to get grip on crisis and prevent 'full-blown crisis'
Responding to Sir Keir Starmer's latest statement, one MP said: “It’s a good step — but it’s a first step.”
A Muslim Labour figure added: “There is a way to navigate it that stops it turning into a full-blown crisis. We have to put humanity and empathy at the heart of it. He’s afraid of the word cease-fire but there are other ways to do it.”
Good morning
Good morning from London.
Our political team will bring you the latest updates on Labour's latest woes today as Keir Starmer's party tears itself apart over its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict raging in Gaza.
Please refresh the page for developments, insight and reaction as we get it.