Following the extraordinary events in Parliament yesterday I want to make clear my position on the Gaza vote, a matter of huge importance to so many people.
Had yesterday’s proceedings unfolded as they should, I had advised the Government that I was fully prepared to vote for a ceasefire, which was the topic of the motion proposed by the Scottish National Party.
I strongly believe that we must take every possible effort to prevent the further loss of innocent civilian life in Gaza and Israel. We urgently need to see the cessation of violence and a lasting end to hostilities, which is why I support a ceasefire. I have been clear in condemning violence from all sides: I have previously voted to condemn absolutely the terrorist actions of Hamas against Israel, and their use of innocent Gazans as human shields. Hamas must immediately release all hostages and we need to see Gaza brought under the governance of the Palestinian authorities without the involvement of Hamas.
I very much support the work the UK Government has been doing in the region to try to bring about a peace which is long-lasting. I also commend the urgent efforts being made by our Government and others to get more aid to those innocent civilians in Gaza who desperately need it. I questioned Ministers in the House on Monday about the vital importance of humanitarian aid corridors and I am pleased that, with the support of the Government of Jordan, 4 tonnes of medicines, fuel and food has been supplied by air to northern Gaza.
I must also say that the way in which yesterday’s debate unfolded was shameful and cast our Parliament in a terrible light. This is squarely the fault of Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Party, who are utterly divided on the issue of a ceasefire.
Extraordinarily, to avoid the embarrassment of the huge divisions within Labour, Sir Keir Starmer personally lobbied the Speaker of the House of Commons to allow the unprecedented move of an opposition party tabling an amendment to another opposition party’s debate. Very sadly, the Speaker gave in to this pressure, against the advice of Parliament’s experienced clerks, and allowed Labour’s amendment to go first.
This effectively allowed the Labour Party to hijack the SNP motion and the debate. Even more outrageously when it came to the actual vote, the Labour text was rammed through on the nod without a proper vote, despite MPs expressing opposing views. So neither the SNP’s motion nor our elected Government’s suggested alternative were put to a formal vote.
The Speaker has rightly apologised for his decisions yesterday, which placed the interests of a disunited Labour Party above the well-established conventions that govern our democracy. He knows that yesterday’s events, if repeated would mean no smaller party would ever get to see a vote on a motion they proposed.
It is with deep regret that, due to these actions by Mr Speaker, I have felt duty bound to sign a motion expressing no confidence in Mr Speaker. Whilst I recognise the shameful political pressure put on Mr Speaker by Sir Keir and his Labour Party, it cannot be right for the independence of the office of Speaker and so our democracy to be so blatantly undermined in this way.
I would like to reassure all of my constituents of my commitment to a lasting peace for the innocent civilian communities of Gaza and Israel, and my support for our Government’s continued humanitarian efforts.
