Archiv: House of Commons (UK) / legislative branch
UK: Independent pro-Gaza MPs announce formal alliance as parliamentary group
Corbyn told Middle East Eye on Monday: „We were elected to Parliament to represent our communities – and today‘s announcement is about making sure their demands are properly represented.
„A collective voice is a stronger voice. We will ensure the government knows the true scale of public disgust over its continued, shameful refusal to end arms sales to Israel.
Workers Party of Britain
The Workers Party of Britain (WPB), also called the Workers Party of Great Britain (WPGB) or Workers Party GB,[13][14][15] is a socialist political party in the United Kingdom, formed in December 2019 and led by George Galloway, the Member of Parliament for Rochdale since a 2024 by-election.
Voting intentions in a general election in the United Kingdom from July 2017 to March 2024
he next UK general election is expected in 2024, but may take place as late as January 2025. Unlike many other democracies, general elections in the UK have no fixed date, with the power to call one resting with the Prime Minister, although this must be done at least every five years. While the last election in 2019 was held in the winter, it is unlikely that Sunak will wait until then to call an election, with a Spring or Autumn election in 2024 the most likely scenario.
UK will continue UNRWA funding suspension despite Gaza famine
The UK government will continue to suspend funding to Palestinian relief works agency UNRWA, the Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell has said, despite famine gripping Gaza and crippling food shortages.
The US, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Finland, Australia and the Netherlands will also continue their freeze to critical life saving aid to the UN aid agency for Palestinians until an interim report about Israel allegations that UNRWA aid workers were involved in Hamas‘s 7 October attacks is released, the minister said.
‘Little Rishi Sunak’: George Galloway Fires Back After Prime Minister Calls Win ‘Alarming’
Galloway turned the question around: “We had this conversation last night. Why are you reheating it?”
Coates repeated: “Because in the light of the Prime Minister’s…”
“Don’t keep telling me about the Prime Minister as if he was Moses!” the MP interrupted.
“Do you not respect the Prime Minister?” Coates asked.
“Do I respect the Prime Minister? I despise the Prime Minister,” Galloway said.
Rishi Sunak calls George Galloway win ‚very alarming‘ in Downing Street statement
“What started as protests on our streets have descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence.
“Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveals their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with.
“Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes. Long-standing parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns.
“And it’s beyond alarming that last night, the Rochdale by-election …
‘This Is for Gaza’: George Galloway, Leftist Firebrand, Wins U.K. Seat
As he celebrated victory early Friday after winning a parliamentary election, George Galloway, a veteran left-wing firebrand, directed his attack squarely at the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party.
“Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza,” Mr. Galloway said, wearing the fedora hat that has become his trademark. “You have paid, and you will pay, a high price for the role you have played in enabling, encouraging and covering for the catastrophe presently going on.”
Veteran British left-wing disruptor George Galloway wins a special election dominated by war in Gaza
George Galloway’s victory was described as “beyond alarming” by Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who used a Friday evening address to the nation to warn that British democracy was being targeted by extremists.
Galloway, 69, swept to victory in Thursday’s contest, winning almost 40% of the vote in the parliamentary seat of Rochdale.
Galloway Back in Parliament, Declaring Duopoly Defeated
“We crushed Labour by ten thousand votes,” he told supporters back at headquarters. “The second place candidate was not the Conservatives,” but an independent. “This is the first time in British political history that in a by-election both of the major parties were completely crushed,” he said.
“We changed politics in Britain for good,” James Giles, Galloway’s campaign manager, told supporters back at campaign headquarters. “Maybe we have changed politics in the world for good.
LIVE: UK parliament debate and vote on Israel-Gaza ceasefire
Sir Keir Starmer faces the prospect of a second rebellion among his MPs over a ceasefire in Gaza, with a government intervention threatening to expose Labour divisions.
The Labour leader had attempted to see off a revolt by tabling a Commons amendment, which for the first time backed an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
However, parliamentary procedure means it may not be debated, potentially forcing his MPs to back a motion put down by the Scottish National Party (SNP).
An attempt by UK lawmakers to vote on a cease-fire in Gaza descended into chaos
The mayhem broke out during debate on a motion from the opposition Scottish National Party, or SNP, urging an immediate cease-fire, the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and “an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
The main opposition Labour Party, which is divided over how strongly to criticize Israel, submitted a tweaked version of the motion calling for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire,” without the mention of collective punishment.
The governing Conservatives put forward their own amendment, which backed an “immediate humanitarian pause,” followed by “moves towards a permanent sustainable” cease-fire.
News at 3PM: MPs will vote on a #Gaza ceasefire following a debate. A Trident missile test has failed once more. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is responding to queries at PMQs. MSF reports Israeli shelling of its #Gaza shelter. Syrian outlets report three deaths in Damascus due to Israeli missiles. Julian #Assange contests US extradition. #JulianAssange #BBC #News
#Gaza ceasefire debate – live updates: Labour Speaker sparks fury with amendments decision.
The Commons is set to vote on an #SNP??????? motion for a ceasefire in Gaza, but the Labour Speaker has sparked fury by going against convention and selecting both the Conservative government and Labour amendments.
It‘s relief for Sir Keir Starmer, who could have been facing a sizeable rebellion from his MPs.
#StitchUp #FreePalestine #DefundIsrael #BoycottIsrael #EmbargoIsrael
Biden and Starmer will pay a heavy price for supporting Israel‘s war in Gaza
We can be sure of one thing. History is going to be a much harsher judge of those political leaders who justified and tolerated the ethnic cleansing now going on in Gaza.
Biden and Starmer’s refusal to call for a ceasefire and their refusal to back the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel should take steps to comply with the Genocide Convention, will produce an indelible stain on their careers.
Neither man sees the danger they are in over Gaza. But then neither did Bush or Blair when they invaded Iraq.
Palestinian human rights organisation @alhaq_org has forced the gov’t to answer a legal challenge and tell the Court why it has kept granting weapons licences to Israel. The response shows why it was necessary. We @GLAN_LAW are proud to represent them – the pressure is building.
NEW: The government hid from Parliament the Foreign Office‘s „serious concerns“ about Israel‘s compliance with International Humanitarian Law in Gaza, according to newly-released court papers. This should be national news – and it should end arms sales to Israel.
The papers show that at the start of the war the Foreign Office set up an internal International Humanitarian Law assessment process.
On 10 November it judged: “the volume of strikes, total death toll, as well as proportion of those who are children raise serious concerns”. 2/12
It also said: „the government’s current inability to come to a clear assessment on Israel’s record of compliance with International Humanitarian Law poses significant policy risks”.
But look at what Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said to me just 4 days later… 3/12
In Parliament on 14 November, I asked Mitchell if British-made weapons had been used in violation of international law in Gaza.
He replied reassuring me of Israel‘s commitment to international law, even though just 4 days earlier his department registered serious concerns. 4/12
Mitchell said: „The member will know that the President of Israel has made it clear that his country will abide by International Humanitarian Law“.
These court papers reveal that his own department, the UK Foreign Office, doubted the Israeli President‘s words.
The Israeli Ambassador, Tzipi Hotovely, has encouraged the full destruction of Gaza. This is a clear call for the genocide of Palestinians. I‘ve written to the Foreign Secretary, calling on him to condemn this and to take the strongest possible action against the Ambassador
Demands for Israeli Ambassador to UK‘s Expulsion After ‚Clear Call for Genocide‘
Hotovely told Dale that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have found that „every school, every mosque, every second house, has an access to tunnel,“ referring to the tunnels used by Hamas—which were first built when Gaza was under Israeli control in 1980.
„That‘s an argument for destroying the whole of Gaza, every single building,“ Dale said, prompting Hotovely to ask, „Do you have another solution, how to destroy the underground tunnel city?“
Journalist Hamza Ali Shah said the ambassador‘s statement amounted to „a clear call for genocide.“
As a UK Member of Parliament, I fully support South Africa invoking the Genocide Convention today, against Israel, at the International Court of Justice. The UK government, Prime Minister and Labour Party leader should now consider their complicity and position. Ceasefire Now
(29.12.2023)
MP Layla Moran’s family trapped inside Catholic church in Gaza City
This week parliament will debate a #CeasefireNOW and for the UK to #StopArmingIsrael. This couldn‘t be more urgent. Israel‘s bombing of Gaza has already killed over 16,000 Palestinians. Please join me and lobby your MP using @PSCupdates online action
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/ceasefireMPdebate
„Can the Prime Minister please give his personal assurance that every single step is being taken to open the Rafah Crossing for both humanitarian aid and for UK nationals to flee?” The Prime Minister must do all he can to ensure that the border is opened.
The UK Government Knows How Extreme The Online Safety Bill Is
The bill would empower the U.K. government, in certain situations, to demand that online platforms use government-approved software to search through all users’ photos, files, and messages, scanning for illegal content. Online services that don’t comply can be subject to extreme penalties, including criminal penalties.
What‘s happening in Parliament next week?
Main debate: MPs consider Lords amendments to the extensively paused and re-written Online Safety Bill.
(…)
The government now says that the tech regulator, Ofcom, would only require companies to scan their networks for harmful material, like child sexual abuse and exploitation content, when a technology was developed that was capable of doing so – thus kicking the issue into the very long grass.
UK cruise missiles will ‘enhance’ Ukraine war effort, says Volodymyr Zelensky
(12 May 2023)
Manufacturer MBDA says the Storm Shadow has a range of more than 150 miles, giving Kyiv the ability to strike behind the Russian front line.
Britain is understood to have received assurances that the missiles will only be used defensively against targets in Ukrainian territory being occupied by Vladimir Putin’s forces.
The Government has not provided detail on the number of missiles to be provided to Kyiv.
U.K. sending Ukraine long-range cruise missiles
(May 11, 2023)
Wallace told lawmakers in the House of Commons that Britain is donating Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of more than 155 miles. He didn‘t say how many are being sent. (…)
The missiles give Ukraine capacity to strike well behind the front lines, including in Russia-occupied Crimea. U.K. media reported that Ukraine has pledged not to use the missiles to attack Russia itself. (…)
He said U.K. officials would not comment publicly on whether Britain had placed any limitations on the missiles‘ use.
By election results live: Sunak warned Tories set to lose ‘hell of a lot of seats’
Rishi Sunak has held on to Boris Johnson’s former seat in Uxbridge – a win widely seen as a result of Ulez – despite suffering two painful by-election blows.
Selby and Ainsty by-election results: Keir Mather’s historic Labour win unpacked
The Labour Party candidate Keir Mather has won a record victory over the Conservatives in the Selby and Ainsty by-election, in the highest majority the party has ever overturned in by-election history.
It marks the first time Labour has ever won the seat, with a majority of 4,161 on a 41.9% turnout. One party source said that if Labour won seats requiring a similar swing at a general election, it would win more seats than in 1997.
In Mather’s victory speech, he said he had seen so much “hardship” in the constituency during his campaign, with voters highlighting the cost-of-living squeeze, and pledged to ensure change.
Boris Johnson irrevocably corrupted the Tories – now, they’re rotten to the core
Not all politicians are the same, I know that, but enough of the current crop are to make many turn away from politics forever. The Johnson debacle, like Trump’s manoeuvrings, is a profoundly anti-democratic moment as both leaders seek to undermine any institution that stops their ambition. That ambition has nothing to do with improving the lives of anyone but themselves. “Power,” says O’Brien as he tortures Winston in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, “is not a means, it is an end.” Indeed.
Rishi Sunak declares Boris Johnson Partygate furore ‚closed‘ and ex-PM calls ceasefire in bitter Tory feuding – with ministers pleading for unity amid polls showing Labour lead hitting 20 POINTS ahead of crucial by-elections
Mr Sunak joined many Conservatives in swerving the debate, instead attending a Jewish Care event.
Boris Johnson latest: MPs back partygate report – as only seven vote in favour of ex-PM
(19.06.2023)
Only seven Tories voted against the report after a five-hour debate in Parliament, with 354 MPs across all parties in favour of the conclusion that Mr Johnson had deliberately misled the House.
The former prime minister quit as an MP after he learned of the recommendations of the cross-party group, which included a 90-day ban from the House of Commons for “repeated contempts” of Parliament.
Boris Johnson banned from Parliament as MPs back damning report into partygate denials
(19.06.2023)
Branding him the first former prime minister to have lied to the Commons, the Privileges Committee found Mr Johnson committed ‚repeated contempts‘ of Parliament by deliberately misleading MPs with his partygate denials before being complicit in a campaign of abuse and intimidation.
The former prime minister had urged his allies not to oppose the report, arguing that the sanctions have no practical effect, although critics said it was a move designed to avoid revealing the low level of remaining support for him among Tory MPs.
Boris Johnson latest news: Stripping ex-PM of parliamentary pass would be ‚very harsh‘, says Liz Truss
The former prime minister also warned Mr Johnson’s critics they should “never, ever, ever” write him off amid questions over whether he could seek a return to the political frontline.
The committee recommended Mr Johnson “should not be entitled to a former Member’s pass” after it concluded he had deliberately misled MPs over partygate.
Boris Johnson ‘deliberately misled parliament’, Covid inquiry finds
Long-awaited, but much more hard hitting than anticipated, the Privileges Committee report condemned Boris Johnson for repeatedly misleading MPs and – despite his protestations to the contrary – undermining the committee itself.
UN Human Rights Chief urges UK to reverse ‘deeply troubling’ Public Order Bill
The Public Order Bill, which has now been passed by Parliament in the United Kingdom, is deeply troubling legislation that is incompatible with the UK’s international human rights obligations regarding people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned on Thursday.
“This new law imposes serious and undue restrictions on these rights that are neither necessary nor proportionate to achieve a legitimate purpose as defined under international law. This law is wholly unnecessary as UK police already have the powers to act against violent and disruptive demonstrations,” Türk said.
As Julian Assange begins 5th year detained for publishing at the UK‘s harshest prison, over 30 UK Parliamentarians from six parties, as well as independent MPs and Lords, write letter to US Attorney General requesting he ‚ends the extradition proceedings against Julian Assange‘
Cambridge Analytica‘s Israeli Black Ops Team – Exposed at Last
The emails now being published – which were obtained in the course of the investigation by The Guardian – raise questions about the whistleblower’s memory lapses during her testimony in the British Parliament. They show that Kaiser, who had been Cambridge Analytica’s business development director, had been in contact with Hanan for a number of years and she in fact put him in touch with the company she worked for.
Strikes UK – live: Train drivers and teachers join biggest walkout in decade today
Downing Street said 600 military personnel as well as civil servants and volunteers across government have been trained to fill the gaps in public services.
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said a petition of more than 250,000 signatures opposing new so-called “anti-strike” laws will be delivered to Downing Street.
Sunak urged to drop ‘unspeakably cruel’ two-child limit and benefit cap
Households with more than two children where universal credit or child tax credit is claimed no longer receive additional funds.
It applies to additional children born after 6 April 2017, however exemptions apply for those who had children in a multiple birth or children conceived due to rape or coercion.
However, the exemptions have caused controversy as women must disclose that they were raped in order to be eligible – known as the rape clause.
Britain‘s first non-white and Hindu prime minister takes power on Diwali: Rishi Sunak‘s journey from GP‘s son to multi-millionaire ‚Maharajah of the Dales‘ and then to youngest modern occupant of No10 (at the second attempt)
He will now visit the King to be appointed as the UK‘s first non-white and Hindu leader. The UK‘s first – and only other – minority prime minister was Benjamin Disraeli, who was Jewish, in 1874. (…)
He will become the youngest PM in the modern era to enter No 10, at the age of 42 – younger even than David Cameron in 2010 and Tony Blair in 1997.
‘Like being in a cult’: MPs on the seven days that brought down Liz Truss
One weary-sounding Conservative MP said they felt they had been in the grip of a cult over the last six weeks – and had escaped just in time. Others, however, still felt trapped, they said. “That is literally what it’s been like … It’s such a sense of relief. I just thank God it’s over.”
„The ultimate death match“: Will it be Boris vs Rishi?
I set out four scenarios of how this might unfold in The Spectator earlier this month. There are two that MPs have most recently got in touch about: Rishi by Christmas or the Boris restoration.
A week is a long time in politics – and next week could be one of the most dramatic yet.
Is Boris heading back to No10? Former PM takes early lead with Rishi Sunak in second as a quarter of Tory MPs declare their support in race to replace Liz Truss – candidates need at least 100 backers by MONDAY as battle ‚for soul of the party‘ intensifies
Boris Johnson is currently the most popular choice among Tory MPs to become prime minister as the race to replace Liz Truss roared into life today following her humiliating resignation after just 44 days in power.
With a quarter of MPs declaring support for their preferred candidates, Mr Johnson currently counts 38 backers, compared to Rishi Sunak‘s 27 and Penny Mourdant‘s 12, according to the latest tally by Guido Fawkes.
Awake all night and sending texts to friends at 4am: How Liz Truss‘s last day in No. 10 unfolded as her fate was sealed
– Liz Truss dramatically resigned as Prime Minister this afternoon after lasting just 44 days in the top job
– Her close friends said they knew she was going to quit after they began receiving texts from her at 4am
– Sir Graham Brady told her later that day she had lost the party‘s support and would lose a confidence vote
Good grief. The latest poll of polls from @ElectCalculus would have the SNP as the official Opposition at Westminster. The Tories would be the 3rd largest party.
Liz Truss to dodge MPs’ questions, sending Penny Mordaunt instead
Borrowing one of Margaret Thatcher’s favourite put-downs, a Labour source described the prime minister as “frit” – meaning “frightened”.
The urgent question was tabled in a bid to force Ms Truss to answer MPs’ questions after she resisted Labour demands for a statement to the Commons today to explain the reversal of the bulk of her mini-Budget in a series of massive U-turns.
Liz Truss refusing to come to the House of Commons to answer Labour‘s Urgent Question on the economic crisis, this afternoon. She will send Penny Mordaunt instead.
The Chancellor‘s briefing with Tory MPs has finished. A Government source said Mr Hunt „emphasised the need for stability and said that the PM should be commended for changing tack in the face of the deteriorating global economic situation“
The Tory MPs calling for Liz Truss to resign
New Tory prime ministers currently enjoy a year of immunity from confidence votes under the party rulebook.
But George Osborne, the former chancellor, predicts the beleaguered PM will likely be gone by Christmas, adding that „there will be a way“ for the party to remove her from Downing Street.
Here are the Conservative MPs calling for Ms Truss to quit.