Labour Leader Keir Starmer Faces Frontbench Rebellion Over Gaza Stance

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media outside BBC Broadcasting House in London (Press Association via AP Images)

Amidst growing internal discord over his remarks on the Israel-Gaza conflict, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is grappling with potential shadow cabinet resignations and escalating party backlash.

Starmer’s initial implication, during an LBC interview with presenter Nick Ferrari, that Israel had the right to sever Gaza’s power and water supplies has ignited a firestorm within the party, leading to several councillor resignations already.

In a bid to douse the flames of dissent, Starmer convened with a group of Muslim Labour MPs, including his deputy Angela Rayner and shadow minister Afzal Khan. Described by attendees as “constructive”, the demand from the meeting being an immediate ceasefire. Yet, one MP indicated that Starmer was not entirely aligned with this yet.

Frontbenchers Sarah Owen and Rachel Hopkins are reportedly mulling over resignations, according to The Times, while Yasmin Qureshi, shadow equalities minister, publicly defied the party line by championing a ceasefire during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. Echoing her sentiments, over 150 Muslim Labour councillors have petitioned Starmer to advocate for an end to violence between Israel and Hamas.

A vast portion of the Labour MPs and a majority of Britons, as indicated by a 19 October YouGov poll, are rallying for a Gaza ceasefire.

While tensions simmer, Starmer repeated his commitment to seeing substantial aid delivered to Gaza and stresses a long-term political resolution.