The Commons Yesterday Evening
The Commons descended into chaos after the SNP lost the opportunity to have a vote on their Opposition Day Motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Ordinarily, the motion in the name of the Party whose debate it is, will be voted on first. For reasons only the Speaker can explain, he determined that the Labour Amendment should be put to a vote first. This decision is against Standing Orders and against the advice of his clerk.
The passion and tension visible to everyone who watched the proceedings was not pretty but is understandable.
All MPs care deeply about the suffering in Gaza and Israel. Each motion demonstrated differing views on how to bring the conflict to an end but all of them were in agreement about an end to violence on all sides and a genuine effort towards a solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace. MPs were denied the opportunity to express these views in a vote (although the debate itself was largely constructive, compassionate and compelling).
As a SNP spokesperson correctly pointed out, Labour has had several opportunities to put forward ceasefire motions on Labour Opposition Days since the Hamas attack against Israel in October. Today was the SNP’s day but it quickly became a Labour Opposition Day due to the ruling.
I had hoped that Parliament could have expressed a view that would aid, if at all possible, a pause in the fighting, the loss of civilians, the release of the remaining hostages, the rapid increase of humanitarian aid and, an opportunity to bring the violence to an end on all sides.
To say the end result of today’s debate is disappointing and regrettable is an understatement to say the least.
I suspect we will find an agreed position next week.
