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Speaker of the House Lindsay Hoyle accused of 'political decision' to select Labour amendment on Gaza vote

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has selected amendments tabled by Labour and the government to the SNP's Gaza ceasefire motion, in a move that has sparked fury.

Faye Brown

Political reporter

Wednesday 21 February 2024 19:21, UK

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Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is facing a backlash from Conservative MPs over his decision to select both the Labour and government amendments to the SNP's Gaza ceasefire motion.

It is highly unusual to allow an opposition party - in this case Labour - to amend a motion from another opposition party. Usually, only a government amendment would be selected in such a vote.

Politics Live: Reaction to Speaker's choice and vote updates

Tory MPs have accused Sir Lindsay of making an "overtly political decision", given that Sir Keir Starmer was expected to face a significant rebellion had his amendment not been selected.

This might have led to Labour MPs backing the SNP's motion calling for a ceasefire against party orders.

But Sky News understands the Commons Speaker had MPs' safety at the forefront of his mind when he made the call, amid growing concerns around confrontations and protests following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

It is also understood Sir Lindsay did not make the decision to accept both Labour and the government's amendments lightly and did so in order that the widest possible debate could be had in the Commons and all MPs' voices could be heard.

Read more: Why Speaker's decision on Gaza has sparked anger

Advice from the clerk of the House said the decision to select both amendments "represents a departure from the long-established convention for dealing with such amendments on opposition days".

But the letter said Sir Lindsay ultimately has discretion over what amendments to select.

However, one Tory MP told Sky News: "Nobody wants a return to the Bercow days. The Speaker has done lots to rebuild trust over the past years.

"Today's overtly political decision from the Speaker will cause a loss of confidence from Conservative MPs.

"The question now is can he retain the confidence of the House and continue?"

The mention of Bercow harks back to the speakership of John Bercow.

He was Speaker during the Brexit years and came in for criticism for making what were perceived as political interventions to allow MPs to delay or scrutinise proposed Brexit deals.

He was later found guilty of bullying House of Commons staff and banned from parliament.

There were cries of "shame" and "bring back Bercow" as Sir Lindsay made his decision, to which the Speaker replied: "If you want to, do it."

Labour denies claims it pressured Speaker

Sir Lindsay was first elected as a Labour MP but relinquished his party affiliation to become the Speaker, as is tradition.

In an afternoon of high drama, Labour whips also faced accusations of pressuring Sir Lindsay into the decision - something the party has denied.

A shadow minister told Sky News that Labour whips told Sir Lindsay they wouldn't back him to carry on as the Commons Speaker after the next election if he didn't pick their party's amendment.

The source said: "It's horrible here. I saw one Conservative MP screaming at a clerk after the decision was made. There's been lots of tears."

Tory MPs have also accused Labour whips of pressuring Sir Lindsay.

But sources close to the Speaker said he was not pressured, with a Labour spokesperson adding: "The claim is completely untrue."

Labour had not said how it would whip its MPs if its amendment was not selected, but it was expected they would be told to abstain.

A source told our political editor Beth Rigby that Sir Keir faced resignations from shadow cabinet members had the Labour amendment not been called and up to 80 MPs were ready to rebel.

There is not a huge difference between Labour and the SNP's position.

Both are calling for an "immediate ceasefire" but the wording of Labour's amendment has a greater emphasis on the role of Hamas - as well as Israel - in bringing about a lasting end to the fighting.

Labour announced its motion yesterday, after months of pressure over its position on the war.

Previously the Labour leadership had refrained from calling for an immediate ceasefire, choosing language such as a "sustainable ceasefire" or "humanitarian pauses" instead.

This led to eight shadow ministers resigning in November, so they could support a previous SNP amendment calling for a ceasefire.

The SNP has called Labour's amendment "deficient" but said they will vote for it to maximise the chance of parliament voting for an immediate ceasefire.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: "Be in no doubt that a combination of public opinion and SNP parliamentary power has inserted a backbone into the Labour Party - that is to the benefit of all."

The government amendment, which will be voted on if the Labour amendment falls, states that ministers want an "immediate humanitarian pause" in the fighting before supporting "moves towards a permanent sustainable ceasefire".

The debate on the matter will take place as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to take part in a rally in Parliament Square.

While neither the Labour nor SNP's wordings are expected to be voted through - as they would need support from some Conservatives to secure the numbers - a handful of Tory MPs have spoken in favour of an immediate ceasefire.

Mark Logan told the Commons he "no longer in good conscience can carry on backing the line that we have taken on this side of the House", while former minister Kit Malthouse said MPs must "do what we can" to make the bloodshed stop.

It also follows an intervention by the Prince of Wales, who called for fighting to end "as soon as possible" and increased humanitarian support for Gaza.

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