UK House of Commons Descends into Chaos Over Gaza Ceasefire Vote
Chaos Reigns as Speaker Hoyle’s Actions Draw Criticism
The UK’s House of Commons has descended into chaos as the government and the Scottish National Party (SNP) condemned Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for his handling of a key vote on support for a ceasefire in Gaza. Lawmakers from the SNP and the governing Conservative Party walked out of the chamber on Wednesday in an apparent protest at the speaker’s actions.
Breaking with Precedent Stirs Criticism from Lawmakers
The uproar followed a decision by Hoyle to ignore precedent and allow a vote that helped the opposition Labour Party – which is tipped to win a national election later this year – avoid a large-scale rebellion among its own lawmakers over its position on Israel’s war on Gaza. Some lawmakers jeered the speaker when he announced his decision.
SNP Initiative Triggers Debate
The debate in parliament was initiated by the SNP, which put forward a motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. Labour and the Conservatives then proposed amendments, with different conditions they said were necessary before there should be a pause in fighting.
Unusual Voting Process Sows Discontent
In an unusual move, Hoyle selected both those amendments to be voted on, breaking with the precedent whereby one opposition party cannot alter another’s motion. Usually, only the government amendment would be selected. During the chaos, the Labour amendment was eventually approved verbally, without a formal vote where individual lawmakers’ views are recorded.
Accusations and Withdrawals Plague Proceedings
One member of parliament accused Hoyle, a former Labour lawmaker, of causing a “constitutional crisis”. The government’s Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt said Hoyle had “hijacked” the debate and “undermined the confidence” of the House, announcing the government’s withdrawal from proceedings.
Labour Party Seizes Opportunity, Position Remains Controversial
Hoyle’s decision allowed the Labour Party to avoid a potentially damaging split over the SNP motion. A similar motion, also tabled by the SNP in November, saw Labour leader Keir Starmer suffer the biggest revolt of his leadership. Starmer, under increasing pressure, is urged to support an immediate ceasefire.
Perceived Farce Leaves Parliament Compromised
Al Jazeera’s Harry Fawcett reports, “Wednesday’s vote has ended in this real farce. The Labour amendment went through because no Conservatives took part in the vote. The SNP motion, which began the whole story, was not voted on at all; the SNP and Conservatives are furious. Keir Starmer and his Labour Party have kind of gotten out of a sticky mess, but it leaves parliament looking extremely compromised. What was a serious debate about this crucial issue about civilian life in Gaza has ended in this procedural nightmare.”
Motion Fallout Overshadows Gaza Crisis
One Conservative MP, William Wragg, has brought forward a parliamentary motion expressing no confidence in the speaker, a sign of the anger of some parliamentarians at what is perceived to be a deviation from the speaker’s traditionally neutral role. Ian Blackford, an SNP MP, notes that the distraction from events in Gaza and the deviation from a meaningful vote only limit progress on achieving a ceasefire.
Criticism Met with an Apology
Speaker Hoyle, later in the evening, returned to the House of Commons to apologize, “I have tried to do what I thought was the right thing for all sides of this House. It is regrettable, and I apologize that the decision didn’t end up in the place that I wished.”
