Novara Media And Alex Nunns Expose Labour’s Social Media Ceasefire Deception

David GilmourNov 17th, 2023, 5:52 am

Novara Media confirmed reports by writer Alex Nunns that some Labour Party MPs were “given licence” to use social media to promote “a ceasefire” in Gaza, on the condition they reject the SNP’s King’s Speech amendment calling for one on Wednesday.

Nunns, an author and former speechwriter for former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, tweeted that he’d been told this by “a reliable Labour source” that there was a “scheme to deceive constituents” on the issue.

A reliable Labour source has told me certain MPs were given license by the leadership to sound like they supported a ceasefire for social media clips and so on—provided they didn't actually vote for one.

A scheme to deceive constituents on an issue of life and death. Classy.

— Alex Nunns (@alexnunns) November 15, 2023

Following up on Nunns’ claim, Novara Media was able to secure further testimony from sources within the parliamentary Labour Party to confirm Nunns’ reporting.

Journalist Moya Lothian-McLean said during a Novara broadcast: “We’ve had it confirmed by a separate Labour PLP member that this claim is true and that Labour MPs are discussing it widely.

She continued: “The names of two MPs have been mentioned explicitly in connection with such a deal… [Shadow Ministers] Helen Hayes [MP for Dulwich and West Norwood] and Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall.”

Both senior Labour politicians were vocal supporters of a ceasefire online.

Today I made my position absolutely clear. I support a ceasefire in Gaza

I did not vote for a divisive amendment by the SNP but I will continue to represent the views of my constituents on this issue and to call for a #CeasefireNOW https://t.co/ZpTm1VhI3g

— Helen Hayes 💙🌹 (@helenhayes_) November 15, 2023

I have received many emails from constituents. I have made my position clear in that I support a humanitarian ceasefire.

I did not vote for the divisive SNP amendment and I will continue to represent the views of my constituents. pic.twitter.com/XOvwi1AbaD

— Florence Eshalomi MP (@FloEshalomi) November 15, 2023

Yet both went on to abstain from what they called the “divisive” vote on Wednesday that would have called on a “ceasefire.”

In a significant show of dissent within the Labour Party, 56 MPs, including Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, voted in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza, going against the stance of party leader Sir Keir Starmer. The move marked a notable rebellion against Starmer’s directive not to support the ceasefire amendment.

Starmer, aligning with the Conservative government’s position, has advocated for humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, aimed at facilitating aid delivery to those in need. However, he has expressed concerns that a full ceasefire might enable Hamas to strengthen its position and potentially lead to further attacks on Israel.

In total, eight shadow ministers and two parliamentary private secretaries quit after breaking with Starmer on the vote.