THE SNP have reached out to opposition parties in a bid to create consensus ahead of another debate on a ceasefire in Gaza – after the last attempt descended into “shameful” chaos.
Stephen Flynn, the party’s leader in Westminster, has written to Labour leader Keir Starmer and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey calling on them to support a fresh motion.
The SNP has reached out to both parties to hold talks on the matter, the party said.
Last week, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle (below) publicly apologised to the SNP, and offered the party an opportunity to hold a fresh vote, following chaotic scenes which saw MPs blocked from voting on the SNP’s motion for an immediate ceasefire after he bent the rules to Labour’s advantage.
The SNP is urging the UK government to use its position on the UN Security Council to vote for an immediate ceasefire, and follow the advice of independent UN experts to halt all transfers of military equipment and technology, including components, to Israel, and to suspend the issuing of new licences.
Flynn said: “After the shameful scenes at Westminster last week, it’s vital the UK Parliament urgently focuses on what really matters, doing everything we can to help secure an immediate ceasefire and lasting peace in Gaza and Israel.
READ MORE: New SNP Gaza ceasefire motion to propose ‘concrete actions’ for UK Government
“The SNP wants to move the debate forward with a fresh motion that focuses on the specific, practical, concrete steps the UK Government must now take to help make an immediate ceasefire happen.
“As a key ally and defence trading partner of Israel, and a member of the UN Security Council, the UK has an important role to play but the UK Government, which still opposes even calling for an immediate ceasefire, is not doing anywhere near enough to secure one.”
The party claim their actions “forced” Starmer to U-turn on his opposition to calling for an immediate ceasefire and said MPs must “work together” to get Rishi Sunak to do the same.
Flynn added: “We are keen to build as much consensus as possible, while recognising the need to substantially shift the dial on the positions of Sunak and Starmer, who have been too timid in their approach to securing an immediate ceasefire – and not forgetting the success the SNP has had in changing the terms of the debate by doggedly sticking by our principles and values.
“The devastation in Gaza gets worse every day, with more innocent children, women and men killed, more homes bombed, and more civilians facing starvation.
“The time for warm words is over, the UK must use every lever at its disposal to help end this conflict and secure lasting peace.”
A LibDem spokesperson said: “We’re always happy to feed in to any constructive conversations on finding consensus within UK Parliament towards an immediate bilateral ceasefire and a lasting peace through two states.
"But the last two times the SNP have put forward votes in Parliament, they’ve ignored our requests for inclusion of two states in their wording so we’re not very hopeful.“
Labour was approached for comment.
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