In a scenario where the impact of the Gaza war on the Conservative Party captures global attention, the repercussions on the Labour Party have been notably more profound. The resignation of nearly half of the shadow cabinet members and the defiance shown by 56 party members against the explicit directives of the party leadership undeniably signal a graver internal predicament for this party compared to the Conservatives. Additionally, the Labour Party and SNP conflict over Gaza has declined Starmer’s popularity. This article explores the implications of the Labour Party and SNP clash concerning Gaza on Starmer’s political future. It also delves into the internal tensions within the Labour Party and their potential political ramifications for the party.
The beginning of differences among the members of the Labour Party
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has surprisingly shifted the dynamics in international relations. Within the Labour Party, divisions have become increasingly pronounced since the onset of attacks by Hamas on Israel. Departing from the party’s typical stance on the Palestinian issue, Starmer promptly condemned the actions of Hamas and expressed staunch support for Israel.
How the internal crisis started in the Labour Party
The internal crisis over Starmer‘s reaction to the events of the Hamas-Israel war began on October 11, When he gave a speech in support of the Gaza blockade in a radio program. When Nick Ferrari asked him if cutting off water and electricity in Gaza was an appropriate military response by Israel, he said, “Israel has the right to do everything it can to get those hostages back safe and sound. Hamas bears responsibility.” Starmer’s position led to tensions within the Labour Party and the conflict between the Labour Party and SNP over Gaza.
Starmer’s insistence on supporting Israel
Starmer’s support for Israel came at a time when Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour Party, while expressing his concern about the occurrence of violence in the region, considered the only way to get rid of the cycle of violence and achieve a just and sustainable peace is to end the occupation. With Israel’s attack on Gaza and the escalation of the war, Starmer’s insistence on his positions in support of Israel increased, as in a rare act, he ordered the suspension of the representative of Middlesbrough for participating in the march in support of Palestine. In his speech, the representative emphasised the need for both the Israeli and Palestinian sides to live in peace and tranquillity.
Labour Party and SNP conflict over Gaza
Despite the differences created among the members of the Labour Party, the main crisis within the party began when the SNP presented its plan for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to the Parliament. This party argued that “To any neutral observer, war crimes are being committed by Israel in Gaza. That is why the SNP will force a vote on a ceasefire.” The leader of the Labour Party, after the negotiations within the party, which some sources have described as very tense, while advocating a humanitarian stop instead of a ceasefire, ordered all party members not to vote for the bill because they would face the risk of expulsion and suspension if they did so.
Opposition of Labour Party members to Starmer’s order
Despite Keir Starmer’s warnings about requiring Labour members not to vote for the SNP proposal, 56 party members voted in favour of the SNP proposal. Out of 29 members of the Labour Party and members of the shadow cabinet, 11 representatives resigned from the membership, considered the biggest challenge since Starmer’s leadership of the Labour Party for three and a half years.
Representatives’ commitment to the opinions of the people of the constituency
Outside the House of Commons, other prominent members such as Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, and Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, took positions in favour of the protesters. MPs opposed to Starmer’s opinion say that they cannot violate their moral obligation to the people of their constituencies and act against them. This is even though Starmer had threatened the representatives of this party in the Parliament before the 1984 vote that they would be expelled if they acted against his and the party’s opinion.
Criticism of the SNP from the Labour and Conservative Party
Stephen Flynn, the SNP Leader at Westminster, who initiated the request for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, says: “It’s shameful that a majority of Tory and Labour MPs blocked calls for a ceasefire – and have condoned the continued bombardment of Gaza, which has killed thousands of children and civilians, in breach of international law.”
Scottish Labour leader’s support for a Scottish government bill
Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, also supported the Scottish government’s bill for a cease-fire in Gaza and said: “vital that we see a cessation of all violence in the region, but that all sides must be willing to comply.” The Scottish Conservatives were the only party in the country’s Parliament that did not support the ceasefire in Gaza. On the other hand, Humza Yousaf wrote a letter to Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer requesting the London government to recognise the state of Palestine.
The high sensitivity of Gaza for the Labour Party
The recent tensions over the Gaza crisis within the Labour Party can be extremely sensitive for this party in several ways. First of all, it must be acknowledged that the Gaza issue is more than a simple and understandable expression of sympathy because the Palestinian issue has a great position within the Labour Party and is somehow tied to the political identity of this party and the left-wing in the UK. For this reason, this party has often attracted the attention of ethnic and religious minorities and has had the support of Muslims. This stance can cause irreparable damage to the political and historical identity of the party and, at the same time, lead minorities such as Muslims to unexpected movements.
Rebellion of Labour Party members and supporters against Starmer
Starmer’s position towards the Gaza war and full alignment with Rishi Sunak’s government in defence of Israel has led to the rebellion of Labour Party members against Starmer. It has become a great challenge for this party. The Labour Party, which has been ahead of the Conservative Party by about 20% in recent polls, has caused the anger of its members and supporters with the Gaza war and Starmer’s completely biased position on Israel. Labour Party leader’s stance against the ceasefire has especially angered the Muslim community, who have traditionally been one of the major minorities supporting the Labour Party, so much so that it has led to an outburst of representatives of this party in the Parliament.
Request for Starmer’s resignation from the leadership of the Labour Party
Under Rishi Sunak’s leadership, the governing Conservative Party displayed a more unified front in voting on the SNP’s motion for a Gaza ceasefire. However, the stance taken by the leader of the primary opposition party regarding the Hamas-Israel conflict has significantly challenged Starmer’s position as party leader, prompting numerous local leaders to call for his resignation. This stance has further fueled the Labour Party and SNP conflict over Gaza Starmer’s unwavering position on the ceasefire has sparked extensive divisions within the party, affecting core members and elected representatives.
Labour’s big challenge for the next general election
The primary concern for the Labour Party post the internal disputes and the Labour Party-SNP strife over Gaza is how this might impact their vote count in the upcoming national elections next year. While Starmer previously capitalised on the Conservative Party’s corruption and scandals in 2022 and leveraged the SNP’s crisis this year, these challenges facing the Labour Party’s main competitor were advantageous. However, the internal divisions and the Labour Party-SNP discord over Gaza pose significant hurdles as Starmer endeavours to demonstrate unity within his party and align their positions.