Starmer wants Labour 'as united as we can' after suffering major Gaza rebellion

16 November 2023 , 17:37

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One of the leader's allies says all those quit still want a Labour government (Image: PA)

Keir Starmer has stressed he wants Labour to be "as united as we can" after suffering the biggest rebellion of his leadership over a Gaza ceasefire vote.

It comes as the Labour leader considers replacements for eight shadow ministers, including Jess Phillips, who quit his top team during Wednesday's showdown.

In total, 56 Labour MPs defied the party whip to vote for an SNP amendment demanding ministers call for an "immediate ceasefire" in the Middle East conflict. It was the biggest revolt Mr Starmer has faced since becoming Labour leader in April 2020.

But speaking on Thursday Mr Starmer claimed he was more focused on the plight of those living in Gaza than managing splits within the Labour Party.

He told ITV News: "Of course, I want us to move forward as united as we can as a party, but you wouldn't expect me to stand here today and say my concern is the Labour Party management rather than the hostages and the innocent civilians and children that are dying in Gaza. My focus and attention is there and that's where it will always be".

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Find out how your MP voted on the Gaza ceasefire

He added: "Of course, I have to manage my party, but that is secondary to the international situation - catastrophe - that we're all facing."

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey also claimed there was a "deeper unity" in Labour despite the string of frontbenchers quitting.

He said: "I regret losing any of our frontbenchers. I know they all wrestled with this difficult decision and I know they all have said that they 100% want Keir Starmer in Downing Street and will work together to secure a Labour government.

"This is a difficult issue that we faced last night but Keir Starmer was right, when it comes to a parliamentary vote, to be firm to require collective responsibility and discipline. He was not going to change his principal position for the sake of internal party management, which we've seen time and time again with Rishi Sunak trying to control his own Conservative MPs."

Labour has stopped short of calling for a full ceasefire in the region and is urging international allies to push for "humanitarian pauses".

In a post on Twitter Ms Phillips, the most senior Labour MP to quit the frontbench, said she will continue to "fight for a Labour government the country desperately needs at the next general election ".

Ashley Cowburn