UK Labour leader to avoid internal party revolt over Gaza truce vote

Britain’s opposition leader Keir Starmer is likely to avoid another major rebellion among his lawmakers on the Israel-Hamas war after his plan on how to reach a ceasefire in Gaza was selected to be voted on in parliament.

The Labour Party, tipped to win a national election expected later this year, has been engulfed by an internal battle over its policy towards the Middle East conflict since the Oct. 7 terror onslaught by Hamas that led to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.

Lawmakers will vote today on an opposition Scottish National Party (SNP) motion calling for an immediate ceasefire that had the potential to expose Labour’s internal divisions.

In the run-up to the vote, left-wing Labour and the governing Conservative Party put forward different versions of what conditions they said were necessary before there should be a pause in fighting.

The House of Commons speaker selected all those amendments to be voted on. This meant Labour members of parliament could vote on their party’s plan and would not have to defy their leadership by voting in support of the SNP’s amendment.

While the outcome of the vote will not be binding on the British government or be closely watched in Israel or by Hamas, it had the potential to cause problems for Starmer, who is keen to present his party as united, disciplined and ready for power.

The Labour leader initially gave full backing to Israel as it embarked on its military offensive against Hamas. But Labour members of parliament and party members have been increasing pressure on the leadership to back an immediate ceasefire.