The UK’s House of Commons has descended into chaos during a vote on a ceasefire in Gaza with Members of Parliament walking out of the chamber after the call for an end to the violence was downgraded.
MPs from three parties, the ruling Conservatives, the Labour opposition and the Scottish National Party (SNP) which put forward the motion calling for an end to the conflict, ended up arguing and shouting over parliamentary procedures.
The SNP saying they have been treated with contempt, and called for the Speaker, who moderates any debates, currently Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to resign.
What Caused Parliament Chaos?
Wednesday was an opposition day debate, which meant the SNP was allowed to take control of the agenda in the House of Commons.
They chose to table a motion to call for an ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza. The Labour Party put forward an amendment to this, calling instead for an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’.
The UK government also had an amendment for a ‘humanitarian pause’ that ‘moves towards a permanent ceasefire’.
Had Labour’s amendment not been chosen to be heard, Labour MPs could have instead voted to agree on the SNP motion. If this had happened, party leader Sir Keir Starmer was expected to order his MPs to abstain from the vote – most likely sparking a rebellion among supporters of the Palestinian cause.
But in a highly unusual move, Sir Lindsay decided to allow Labour’s amendment to be debated. This meant MPs ended up voting on Labour’s proposals, not the SNP’s amendment, who were in charge of the day’s proceedings.
The Speaker was warned by clerks the move was unprecedented.
He has now come under fire from both the government and the SNP, with accusations he was told he would be ousted by Labour – set to most likely win the next general election – if he did not pick their amendment. This allegation has been denied by both Sir Lindsay and Labour.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle has since apologised to MPs for the chaos but insisted the safety of MPs was forefront of his mind when he made the decision to allow the Labour amendment vote.
65 Conservative MPs and SNP MPs walked out of the Commons debating chamber in protest. And because the Conservative MPs walked out and didn’t vote, the Labour amendment passed.
More than 50 MPs have signed a motion of no confidence in Sir Lindsay, calling on him to resign from his position.
