Ealing Labour MPs were divided last night (15 November 2023) over their vote on a ceasefire in Gaza with only Ealing Central & Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq voting for the SNP motion for a ceasefire and going against her party leader’s instructions to abstain.
Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma abstained despite last month saying he is calling for a ceasefire.
While Ealing North MP James Murray also abstained from the SNP motion.
Dr Huq had previously made her position clear that she was going to vote for a ceasefire. In October she said on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Since Hamas’ slaughter of innocents on 7th MPs are facing unprecedented casework/ policy requests as I told @SkyNews @AliFortescue I back – ceasefire on all sides to stop humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza /death-toll worsening – release of all hostages – resumption of peace talks”.
Mr Murray had previously only reposted what other Labour MPs had posted including comments from David Lammy.
The three Ealing Labour MPs, like others across the country had been told to abstain on the vote and to support Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s position of calling for “humanitarian pauses” instead of a ceasefire.
Following the vote, Sir Kier said of those who didn’t follow his instructions: ““I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand.”
 over their vote on a ceasefire in Gaza with only Ealing Central & Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq voting for the SNP motion for a ceasefire and going against her party leader's instructions.){kind=link}