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The vote on the call for ceasefire in Gaza

(446 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Wed 21-Feb-24 18:39:27

I have never seen such a bloody shambles ever!!

MaizieD Thu 22-Feb-24 12:34:38

Nicenanny3

Should Sir Lindsay Hoyle resign as House of Commons Speaker?

Yes

69%

No

31%
Total votes: 26,653

The Telegraph

No surprises there, then grin

Presumably a self selecting poll of Telegraph readers.

Anniebach Thu 22-Feb-24 12:26:01

And the Labour MP’s who allegedly threatened the Speaker should be named

GrannyGravy13 Thu 22-Feb-24 12:22:35

LizzieDrip

But AGAA4 surely Starmer was right to inform Hoyle about the fears of some Labour MPs - he couldn’t keep that to himself. Agree Whitewave, the wording of the SNP motion alluded to ‘war crimes’. As an international human rights lawyer, Starmer was uncomfortable about that as a ‘throw away’ accusation in a UK debate motion.

I do hope that the Labour MPs who were afraid for their safety report any/all incidents to the police so that those who are trying to intimidate democratically elected members of The House, are arrested and charged…

Nicenanny3 Thu 22-Feb-24 12:20:13

Should Sir Lindsay Hoyle resign as House of Commons Speaker?

Yes

69%

No

31%
Total votes: 26,653

The Telegraph

LizzieDrip Thu 22-Feb-24 12:09:46

But AGAA4 surely Starmer was right to inform Hoyle about the fears of some Labour MPs - he couldn’t keep that to himself. Agree Whitewave, the wording of the SNP motion alluded to ‘war crimes’. As an international human rights lawyer, Starmer was uncomfortable about that as a ‘throw away’ accusation in a UK debate motion.

AGAA4 Thu 22-Feb-24 11:54:37

There were issues with the wording. Hoyle was put in an untenable position by Starmer and must have felt he had to go with the amended motion.
As speaker he shouldn't have allowed this but can understand why he did.

Glorianny Thu 22-Feb-24 11:52:09

Whitewavemark2

Germanshepherdsmum

Or Starmer could have brought to an end his policy of Labour not voting on SNP motions if he wished to protect his MPs.

No because if you read the SNP motion you would understand that there were issues with the wording.

But some Labour MPs agreed with the SNP motion and would have voted for it. That seems to be the only reason Starmer needed an amendment. Motions to do with war and armaments have always been a matter of conscience for Labour MPs, there being a substantial number who oppose weapons and acts of aggression. Most Labour leaders have accepted this.Starmer apparently thought it would be an act of weakness to allow a free vote.

MayBee70 Thu 22-Feb-24 11:48:42

Unlike Conservative MP’s who rarely vote against their part Labour MP’s vote more with their conscience. They were being put in a very difficult position yesterday.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 22-Feb-24 11:47:59

Germanshepherdsmum

Or Starmer could have brought to an end his policy of Labour not voting on SNP motions if he wished to protect his MPs.

No because if you read the SNP motion you would understand that there were issues with the wording.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 22-Feb-24 11:45:29

Or Starmer could have brought to an end his policy of Labour not voting on SNP motions if he wished to protect his MPs.

LizzieDrip Thu 22-Feb-24 11:37:43

This from the Guardian today regarding meeting between Speaker and Starmer:

“Those briefed on the meeting said the Labour leader warned Hoyle that Labour MPs’ security was at risk. Many had been deluged by criticisms, threats and abuse since abstaining on a similar SNP motion in November. With hundreds of protesters congregating outside parliament, they worried worse might be to come.”

Starmer’s duty of care to Labour MPs being threatened would mean that he had to relay this information to the Speaker - that’s the procedure; rather like a safeguarding issue in school. The Speaker then had to decide how to deal with this information. If he had ignored it, stating parliamentary convention etc, and something awful (God forbid) had happened to a Labour MP … we’d all be having a very different conversation today wouldn’t we!

winterwhite Thu 22-Feb-24 11:32:32

I came rather late to this row. The Speaker’s role in this Parliament has been beyond difficult but I often thought Hoyle even-handed and a good tension diffuser. He was tripped up over this but I don’t think he should be forced out over it. That really would be fiddling while Gaza burns.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 22-Feb-24 11:14:48

The Speaker is supposed to be completely neutral maddyone. Hoyle has demonstrated that he is not. His allegiance to Labour is showing.

Grantanow Thu 22-Feb-24 11:12:08

There is nothing new in MPs lobbying the Speaker. During the Brexit debates one frequently saw MPs lobbying Speaker Bercow while he was in the Chair. Politics is a rough old trade as Mrs Thatcher said and Speakers have to be robust. Breaking precedent may be difficult but new precedents may sometimes meet new situations. The SNP were playing politics and the Tories may have walked out to avoid a rebellion in their own ranks. 57 MPs have signed an Early Day motion expressing no confidence in the Speaker but EDMs never seen the light of day in the Commons. Hot air in my opinion.

maddyone Thu 22-Feb-24 11:12:06

I thought the speaker was supposed to be completely neutral.

MayBee70 Thu 22-Feb-24 11:05:12

First time I can actually remember him siding with Labour to be honest. I’ve complained to the speakers office on several occasions.

maddyone Thu 22-Feb-24 11:03:53

AGAA4

There is a lot we don't know. While our government is squabbling over a ceasefire we concentrate on that and not noticing that the Israel/Gaza war has taken focus off Russia. Putin is amassing troops and Ukraine is not going to be able to stop them without substantial help.

I have said this on other threads about Israel and Gaza. It is extremely worrying.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 22-Feb-24 11:01:17

If Hoyle caved in to pressure from Starmer that is disgraceful. Hoyle is not a strong Speaker. I hope he goes.

AGAA4 Thu 22-Feb-24 11:01:11

There is a lot we don't know. While our government is squabbling over a ceasefire we concentrate on that and not noticing that the Israel/Gaza war has taken focus off Russia. Putin is amassing troops and Ukraine is not going to be able to stop them without substantial help.

MayBee70 Thu 22-Feb-24 11:00:56

It seems to me that Keir managed to get a ceasefire motion passed because it was worded better than the SNP one which many MP’s would have been unable to vote for. I don’t see a problem with that. It is time that our anachronistic parliament was dragged into the modern age, though imo.

maddyone Thu 22-Feb-24 10:59:49

the usual misconceptions of the biased and discriminatory

Actually no. The BBC reported in 2021 that the parents and brother of the Manchester bomber were/are living in Tripoli, and that the BBC had discovered that the father and family were under observation by the Libyan authorities for their possible involvement and encouragement of the bombing. It’s sad really when the UK gave the family sanctuary and their son was indeed born in Britain. They were rescued again by the British navy when there was unrest in Libya. What a thank you that family gave to Britain!

Whitewavemark2 Thu 22-Feb-24 10:46:49

Hoyle has ended up as the fall guy and frankly if he goes it would be disgraceful.

I’m not a fan as I think he isn’t across the rules as someone like Bercow was, but what happened yesterday was the result of the war between the parties and not because of Hoyles actions.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 22-Feb-24 10:35:43

Still whatever else happened Starmer succeeded in getting his motion through for a ceasefire. Not that the government will act on it and encompass it as a British call for a ceasefire thus aligning itself with the Commonwealth Countries, Europe and numerous other countries.

That will annoy everyone in the government and the SNP, even though they were all asking for a ceasefire.

What a shower

maddyone Thu 22-Feb-24 10:33:56

Anniebach

A vote for a ceasefire wouldn’t bring about a ceasefire

Quite.

maddyone Thu 22-Feb-24 10:33:31

AGAA4

Those supplying arms certainly don't want a ceasefire and will use their influence to keep it going so however much we shout for a ceasefire it's not going to happen.

Regardless of arms supply, nothing that was/is said in our Parliament will make one jot of difference. We are merely bystanders and our views count for nothing, in exactly the same way as our views count for nothing where Putin is concerned.