AN SNP amendment to the King’s Speech is likely to force Labour into a vote on whether to support a ceasefire in Gaza.
With more and more Labour MPs backing calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the SNP are utilising an amendment to the King’s Speech to force Keir Starmer’s party into a vote.
The amendment seeks to add the following to the end of the King’s Speech:
“…but respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech fails to include measures that would require the Government to uphold international law and protect all civilians in Israel and Palestine; unequivocally condemn the horrific killings by Hamas and the taking of hostages; reaffirm that there must be an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; calls for the urgent release of all hostages and an end to the siege of Gaza to allow vital supplies of food, fuel, medicine and water to reach the civilian population; notes the growing calls for an immediate ceasefire from the United Nations and its aid agencies; and therefore call on the Government to join with the international community in urgently pressing all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire.”
The SNP will vote to protect civilian life. These are our values. #Ceasefire https://t.co/J75TpQ69A2
— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) November 8, 2023
The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said on X/Twitter: “The SNP will vote to protect civilian life. These are our values.”
The First Minister Humza Yousaf said: "The Prime Minister & Keir Starmer don't want Parliament to vote on a ceasefire.
"The SNP will force a vote so that MPs can vote with their conscience and do the right thing by backing an immediate ceasefire Too many innocent men, women & children have been killed."
It is expected the amendment will be called for debate in the House of Commons due to the SNP's position as the third largest party.
The vote will pose considerable trouble for Keir Starmer as he struggles to maintain even the semblance of unity within his party on the issue.
The Labour leader does not support a ceasefire but has instead backed “humanitarian pauses” and insisted that Israel has a right to defend itself despite the high number of casualties, including children, reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.
It comes after Labour frontbencher Imran Hussain quit his role in the shadow cabinet after stating that he was “deeply troubled” by an interview Starmer gave on LBC, where he appeared to suggest that the Israeli government had the right to withhold water and power from people in Gaza.
