MPs vote down amendment for cross-party calls for ceasefire as two Greater Manchester MPs step down from shadow cabinet
15.11.2023 - 21:29
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Sir Keir Starmer has been hit by four resignations from his frontbench amid a rebellion over his refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza.
Greater Manchester MPs Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan have quit this evening (November 15) along with Paula Barker and Jess Phillips, after voting for an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech backing a ceasefire.
It comes as frontbenchers Naz Shah and Helen Hayes face being sacked after they broke ranks with their party leader and signalled plans to vote for the rival amendment.
MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNP’s King’s Speech amendment calling for “all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
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Labour MPs Afzal Khan and Yasmin Qureshi have both written to Sir Keir Starmer saying they will resign from their roles as shadow ministers.
Yasmin Qureshi, the MP for Bolton South East, wrote: “The situation in Gaza desperately requires an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian catastrophe and to advance moves towards a political solution that brings freedom, prosperity and security.”
While Afzal Khan, the MP for Manchester Gorton, said: “I understand that you do not feel that a ceasefire is currently the right course of action and due to our difference of opinion on the issue, I do not feel I am able to continue as a shadow minister.”
Ms Qureshi shared her letter to the Labour leader on X, formerly Twitter, adding: "The scale of bloodshed in Gaza is unprecedented. Tonight, I will vote for an immediate ceasefire.
"We must call for an end to the carnage to protect innocents