Shadow ministers Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan, and Paula Barker step down to support a ceasefire in Gaza, as party unity crumbles.
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has been struck by a rebellion within his own ranks, as three shadow ministers resigned in protest over his refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza. Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan, and Paula Barker announced their resignations on Wednesday evening, confirming their intention to vote in favour of an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
This move comes amid growing discontent within the Labour Party over Starmer’s stance on the ongoing conflict. Two other frontbenchers, Naz Shah and Helen Hayes, are also facing the threat of being sacked after signalling their support for the rival ceasefire amendment. Labour MPs had been instructed to abstain from the vote and instead back Starmer’s position of supporting “humanitarian pauses” in the conflict, rather than a full ceasefire.
In the House of Commons, the SNP’s amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire was rejected with 293 votes against 125, a majority of 168. While Starmer urged his colleagues to stand by his position, the resignations have revealed deep divisions within the Labour Party, especially on the issue of how best to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Following the vote, Starmer expressed his disappointment that his colleagues had not supported his approach. “I have consistently called for humanitarian pauses to allow aid into Gaza and to address the civilian casualties caused by the conflict. Much more needs to be done to alleviate the crisis,” he said. He reiterated his commitment to a long-term strategy aimed at securing peace for both Palestinians and Israelis, stressing that leadership required making tough decisions in difficult times.
These latest resignations come after Imran Hussain stepped down from his position earlier this month, also in response to Starmer’s position on Gaza. As the Labour leader struggles to maintain party unity, these developments mark a significant challenge to his leadership.
