It has been well over a week since we reported on Labour frontbenchers pressuring their leader, Sir Keir Starmer, over his response to the Israel-Hamas war. Their concerns appeared to have abated in the time following—that was until the first shadow minister resigned in protest on Tuesday evening.
Imran Hussain, the now-former shadow levelling up minister, said he could no longer “sufficiently in all good conscience” serve on Sir Keir’s front bench because “my view on the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza differs substantially from the position you have adopted.”
Hussain noted that he was “deeply troubled” by Sir Keir’s suggestion—almost a month ago—that Israel “does have that right” to cut off water and electricity from Gaza. It is largely due to these comments that Labour was plunged into a crisis last month, with councillors—particularly in areas with more Muslims—quitting and many Labour MPs said to be “livid.” And attempts to distance himself from the apparent meaning have been unfruitful.
Aside from these remarks, the former frontbencher said Labour “needs to go further and call for a ceasefire.” Starmer has rejected such demands, deciding instead to follow Washington’s calls for a “humanitarian pause” in Gaza.
Writing to the Labour leader, Hussain said:
I have unequivocally condemned Hamas’s attacks of 7 October, and I firmly agree that every country has the right to defend itself. This, however, can never become a right to deliberately violate international law on protecting civilians or to commit war crimes.
Labour’s troubles are bound only to get worse from this stage; The Daily Mail is already asking on Wednesday morning, “Will more follow?”
The answer is likely to be “yes,” with reports pointing to at least 15 other frontbenchers who have defied Sir Keir over his refusal to back a ceasefire.
