The House of Commons was thrown into turmoil after the British government and the Scottish National Party (SNP) criticized Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for her handling of a crucial vote in support of the Gaza ceasefire.
On Wednesday, SNP MPs and some Conservative members walked out of the debate as it drew to a close, in apparent protest at the Speaker's actions.
House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt said Mr Hoyle had “hijacked” the debate by allowing MPs to vote on a Labor amendment to an SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” between Gaza and Israel, breaking long-standing rules in the House of Commons. He claimed that he had “damaged trust” in the company.
The SNP's original motion also called for an end to Israel's “collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” But Labor's motion included language warning against calls for a cease-fire, saying: “If Hamas continues its violence, Israel cannot be expected to stop fighting.”
Mr Hoyle was expected to prioritize a government amendment to an SNP motion calling for an “immediate humanitarian end” to Israel's war in Gaza rather than a ceasefire.
But Mr Hoyle was accused of breaking precedent by prioritizing the opposition Labor Party's counter-motion instead. More importantly, the decision allows Labor to avoid a potentially harmful split over the SNP motion, which some Labor MPs have indicated they intend to support, but the party leadership MPs have been told not to vote in favor without Labor's amendments.
A large number of Labor MPs willing to vote against Keir Starmer's instructions would have likely led to the biggest revolt against his leadership since he became opposition leader in 2020. .
Instead, by bringing forward Labour's motion, even if the wording of the motion was not as blunt as the Scottish Party's, Mr Hoyle supported a ceasefire but encouraged potential rebels rather than the SNP. It gave them an opportunity to support the party leadership.
Israel's attack on Gaza has caused a toxic split within the Labor Party ahead of what many observers believe will return the party to power in the next UK general election, which must be held by the end of January next year.
Many of the party's traditional voters and former leader Jeremy Corbyn are vocal supporters of the Palestinian cause. But as Mr Starmer seeks to distance himself from Mr Corbyn's legacy, the potential future prime minister has been accused of avoiding harsh criticism of Israel and ignoring the plight of Palestinians.
This is an utter disgrace. Labor and the government have managed to turn what was supposed to be a solemn vote to end the killings in Gaza into a spectacle. They should be completely ashamed.
— Rohan Talbot (@rohantalbot) February 21, 2024
Chairman denies accusations
SNP MPs are said to have headed to the voting lobby after striking out from the chamber.
SNP MP Ian Blackford told Al Jazeera that the events in parliament that day distracted from events in Gaza and weakened the impact of the final vote.
“[The Labour Party] I came up with this proposal and its purpose to give them the right to vote – especially for government parties. [the Conservatives] Not participating means our meaningful vote is not being cast,” Blackford said. “I regret that we have to discuss this tonight instead of discussing the need to protect the people of Gaza who need a ceasefire.”
Conservative MP William Wragg has tabled a parliamentary motion of no confidence in the Speaker, a sign of anger among some MPs at what they see as a departure from the Speaker's traditional neutral role. It is.
Mr Hoyle returned to the House of Commons later in the evening and apologized.
“I've tried to do what I think is right for all sides in this House,” Hoyle said. “I am disappointed that the result did not turn out the way I had hoped, and I am sorry.”
Reporting from London, Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett said Mr Hoyle denied supporting “one politician over another”.
“This real farce is over,” Fawcett added. “Labour’s Amendment Bill [went] It was rejected because the Conservative Party did not take part in the vote. The SNP motion that started the whole story was never voted on. The SNP and Conservatives are furious. ”
“Keir Starmer” [and] His Labor Party has managed to pull itself out of the messy mess, but Parliament looks very compromised. A serious discussion on this important issue regarding civilian life in Gaza ended with this procedural nightmare. ”