UK Lawmakers Walk Out Of Parliament Over Gaza Ceasefire Vote

In a dramatic turn of events, UK lawmakers stormed out of parliament during a heated debate over the Gaza ceasefire vote. The uproar was sparked by the speaker’s decision to deviate from precedent and allow a vote that helped the opposition Labour Party avoid a rebellion within its ranks.

UK Lawmakers from the governing Conservatives and the opposition Scottish National Party (SNP) expressed their protest by leaving the debating chamber. Some even attempted to hold private proceedings, a rare occurrence in parliament.

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The speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, later apologized for his decision, citing concerns for the lawmakers’ security due to threats of violence they had received over their stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

Labour, the party expected to win the upcoming national election, has been embroiled in an internal battle over its policy towards the Middle East conflict since the October 7 attack by Hamas that led to Israel’s invasion of Gaza, SurgeZirc UK has learned.

The debate in parliament was initiated by the SNP, which called for an immediate ceasefire. Both Labour and the Conservatives, while expressing concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza, proposed amendments with different conditions they deemed necessary before a pause in fighting.

In an unprecedented move, Speaker Hoyle allowed both amendments to be voted on, breaking the precedent where one opposition party cannot alter another’s motion. This decision was met with jeers from some lawmakers, with one accusing Hoyle of causing a “constitutional crisis.”

As a result, the government’s Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, announced that the government was pulling out of proceedings, claiming that Hoyle had undermined parliament.

Hoyle’s decision allowed Labour lawmakers to vote for their party’s plan, avoiding the need to defy their leadership by supporting the SNP motion. Amidst the chaos, the Labour amendment was eventually approved verbally, without a formal recorded vote. Some lawmakers called for the vote to be held again, as they felt their views had not been accurately reflected.

While the outcome of the vote is not binding on the British government and is unlikely to have a significant impact on Israel or Hamas, it has the potential to cause problems for Labour leader Keir Starmer, who aims to present his party as united, disciplined, and ready for power.

Outside parliament, hundreds of protesters demanded that lawmakers support a ceasefire while the debate was ongoing. Labour’s leadership had expressed reluctance to back the SNP motion, as it condemned the “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people and did not specify that a ceasefire must be observed by both Israel and Hamas.

This is not the first time Starmer has faced a revolt within his party over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Initially, he had given full backing to Israel as it launched its military retaliation. However, increasing pressure from Labour lawmakers and party members has pushed for immediate ceasefire support.

Both Israel and Hamas have rejected international pressure to halt the war, now in its fifth month, which has caused immense destruction in the Gaza Strip and led to a dire humanitarian situation.