REBEL Labour MPs who vote against the whip or make statements which break the party’s line could be prevented from standing in the General Election, according to a report.
It comes after Labour MP Kate Osamor was previously suspended after appearing to say the war in Gaza should be remembered as genocide in a post about Holocaust Memorial Day.
Meanwhile, the Labour leadership also distanced itself from the position of Tahir Ali (below) – who accused Rishi Sunak of having “the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands” over his response to the war.
Last November, more than 50 Labour MPs rebelled to back an SNP motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
PoliticsHome now reports that while previously an apology or period of reflection could result in the whip being reinstated, the upcoming General Election means whip losses are likely to be final and MPs who are suspended prevented from standing for Labour.
READ MORE: Owen Jones: Israel’s genocidal mania is becoming contagious
A Labour source told the publication: “The chief whip was annoyed that a lot of them voted with the SNP on Gaza, and he says he’s at the end of his tether with a lot of them.
“And if they’re going to vote against the whip in future, they’re on last warning – they’re just going to remove the whip, there’s not even any messing about anymore.”
It is reported that the comments feed into a growing lack of patience with MPs who have spoken out about topics such as the war between Israel and Hamas and a desire among leadership to drop MPs who “cause trouble”.
According to PoliticsHome, both Osamor (below) and Tahir are unlikely to be selected to stand for Labour at the next General Election.
One source said: “The whips have assured people that Tahir will not be selected, following his remarks at PMQs.
“What people forget is you might have been selected as a Labour candidate by your CLPs (Constituency Labour Party) but the NEC (National Executive Committee) can block any of that – and they’ve got a hell of a lot of power,” they added.
“So if they decide to draft up a list of people they’re unsure about the NEC will say, because obviously it’s weighted in Keir’s favour, this person isn’t fit to be a Labour candidate, they fail due diligence now.”
The Labour Party have been contacted for comment.
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