Commons Speaker Apologises For Gaza Ceasefire Vote Chaos As MPs Demand He Resign

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle apologised for the chaos ignited in the House of Commons Wednesday after he deviated from the procedure to green-lighting a Labour motion in a move that enraged Scottish National Party (SNP) and Conservative MPs alike.

The drama unfolded on an SNP opposition day, a session originally set for debating the Scottish nationalists’ motion for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, Hoyle’s decision to prioritise Labour’s amendment—demanding a ceasefire but with conditions for Israel’s security and a push for a diplomatic resolution—over the SNP’s more straightforward call, sparked accusations of bias and manipulation.

Labour’s stance, suggesting Israel “cannot be expected to cease fighting if Hamas continues with violence,” contrasted with the SNP’s demand for an immediate end to hostilities and its explicit condemnation of the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

The uproar led to a mass walkout by the SNP and Conservatives, who said the government would play no further part in proceedings.

Hoyle committed to meeting with leaders from the main parties to discuss the incident, though details remain vague. This hasn’t stopped a push for a motion of no confidence, backed by 49 Tory and SNP MPs – not enough to oust Hoyle but a sign that his days could be numbered.