Keir Starmer has urged for an end to the violence in Gaza and cautioned Israel against launching a military attack in the southern city of Rafah. This could prove to be a pivotal moment for his party as they navigate the crisis.
The leader of the Labour party delivered a speech at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow. He is currently under increased pressure as a key vote in the House of Commons approaches on Wednesday, regarding a motion for an immediate ceasefire.
The speaker stated that upon returning from the Munich security conference, every discussion revolved around the situation in Israel and Gaza. The main focus was on finding practical solutions to achieve the desired outcome of releasing all hostages taken on October 7, stopping the violence against innocent Palestinians, significantly increasing humanitarian aid, and putting an end to the conflict.
We need a permanent ceasefire, not just a temporary pause. It is crucial for the fighting to end right away.
Starmer’s position on the issue has sparked significant rifts within the Labour party, as he has declined to endorse the demand for an “immediate” cessation of violence and instead opts for a “sustainable ceasefire”.
The day following the conference’s passing of a motion demanding an immediate ceasefire from both parties, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who has previously criticized Starmer’s cautious approach, gave a speech in support of the motion.
The upcoming vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday poses a new danger for the Labour party, as the Scottish National party has put forth a motion demanding an immediate halt to the aggression. The party is determined to prevent a recurrence of the significant rebellion that occurred last November over a similar SNP motion, which saw 56 Labour MPs defy the party’s orders and support it. This included eight members of the frontbench, such as Jess Phillips, who resigned in order to do so.
Asking for a resumption of a “real peace process,” with the option of a two-state solution back on the agenda, Starmer addressed Scottish Labour members on Sunday: “The attack that is being planned for Rafah – a location where 1.5 million individuals are currently living in overcrowded and unbearable conditions with no alternative options – cannot be allowed to escalate into a new battleground. This attack must not take place.”
The SNP has increased the pressure on Starmer by sending a letter to backbenchers, encouraging them to support its new motion.
The party’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, published a letter inviting Starmer to a meeting on Monday to discuss the motion but making it “crystal clear” that the wording of the motion “must maintain the clarity of pressing for an immediate ceasefire”.
After supporting the demand for an instant halt to hostilities on Saturday, Sarwar indicated his openness to collaborate with the SNP by stating that their proposal in the House of Commons appeared to be satisfactory.
Sarwar expressed that if the UK parliament can come together with a collective message, they should seize the opportunity and he hopes individuals will genuinely participate in finding a united stance.
David Lammy attempted to downplay the significance of Wednesday’s vote, stating that political discussions in Westminster will not lead to peace in the region.
The shadow foreign secretary confirmed that there will be a vote in parliament this week. However, the vote itself will not be the catalyst for a ceasefire. Rather, diplomatic efforts and the involvement of Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other peace partners will be necessary to stop the fighting.
Starmer urged Scottish delegates to not become too confident, despite their high turnout at the party conference. He warned them that there is still a lot of work to be done in order to regain voters who have switched to supporting the SNP.
He took on the SNP leader, Humza Yousaf, whose message to voters since the new year has been that Starmer “doesn’t need Scotland to win the general election”, and that SNP MPs will “keep [Starmer] honest” on issues such as child poverty and the green-energy transition.
Starmer stated that regardless of the SNP’s statements, the Tories have the potential to win the upcoming election.
Speaking to undecided voters, who are crucial to Labour’s election success throughout the UK, Starmer stated that he understands there is a ongoing discussion about Scotland’s future in terms of its constitution. He also emphasized that if voters want a United Kingdom where Scotland is a key part of the conversation in Westminster and a political system that aims to break down social barriers, then Labour is the party that can bring about this change for Scotland.
Source: theguardian.com
