Labour figures are urging MPs not to “undermine the party in Scotland” by supporting the SNP motion demanding a ceasefire next week, the Guardian understands. Keir Starmer is facing a rebellion by as many as a dozen shadow ministers, who sources say are ready to resign rather than vote against calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East, which Starmer has refused to back. Whips in Starmer’s party have been tasked with ringing round MPs, including frontbenchers, to make it “clear that [Labour MPs] shouldn’t make Wednesday about the Labour party”. When the Commons’ king’s speech debate comes to an end on Wednesday, it is likely there will be a vote on the SNP’s amendment, which calls on the government to “join with the international community in urgently pressing all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire”. A script seen by the Guardian instructs party whips to be firm with frontbenchers, and “point out that if Labour was in government they would have to vote against”. It came after Starmer said he understood the “emotions” behind the ceasefire calls of some in the party. The script begins with MPs being reassured: “How are you? We know things are difficult and we’re trying to do all we can to help.” The text later becomes firmer however: “These votes will not change the facts on the ground … The choice on Wednesday is to stick together or to support the SNP over the Labour party and undermine our party in Scotland.” At least 68 Labour MPs have in some form called for a ceasefire, with many supporting Zarah Sultana’s backbench Labour amendment seeking one immediately.
The pressure on Starmer’s authority comes from the 17 frontbenchers who have put out statements or written or shared posts on social media also calling for an immediate end to the conflict. Labour officials have not yet decided whether the party will vote at all as they “don’t usually vote on SNP motions”, but they are “seeking to find a route through for everyone”. “Supporting the SNP motion would undermine the Labour party in Scotland and isn’t in line with our policy position. We will therefore not be supporting the SNP motion,” whips will tell MPs. It comes weeks after Labour won a stunning victory in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West byelection, with the Scottish Labour leader ,Anas Sarwar, saying it was “proof that Scotland will lead the way in delivering a UK Labour government”. Pollsters said the level of support in that byelection put Labour within touching distance of winning the next Holyrood election in 2026 as Labour strategists stated they could win 28 Scottish seats, nearly all from the SNP. Some insiders have pointed to the latest YouGov polling to prove Labour has been so far unaffected by it deep splits over the party’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict, and may be unaffected by the frustrations of Muslim members. But Starmer’s position was put under intense pressure after Sarwar attacked the Labour leader for his refusal to call for a ceasefire alongside the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, who has the biggest Labour mandate, and the Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham. One Labour source said: “This shows how poor Starmer’s political judgment is at the moment. Why can’t MPs have a free vote while Starmer explains his position as a leader and listens? He’s been so lucky with how poor the Tories have been.” Earlier this week, insiders told the Guardian four shadow ministers were prepared to quit in the coming days, with up to 10 others on “resignation watch”. A source noted: “A week is a long time in politics.” Many Labour MPs say they are under huge pressure from party members and constituents to take a firmer stance against the Israeli invasion of Gaza, as tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in pro-Palestinian protests in London this weekend.