MPs from the ruling Conservatives and the Opposition SNP accuse House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle of disrupting parliamentary procedure.
Chaos Erupts in UK Parliament Over Vote on Gaza Ceasefire .
On February 21, U.K. lawmakers called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but the demand came after dozens walked out of the House of Commons in protest over how the vote was handled.
Members had been discussing three different resolutions related to the war, all of which were largely symbolic and not binding on the government. However, chaos ensued in Parliament as lawmakers from the governing Conservatives and the Opposition accused Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle of disrupting parliamentary procedure.
Chaos Erupted During The Discussion:
The chaos erupted during the discussion of a motion from the Opposition Scottish National Party (SNP), which called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
The main opposition Labour
Party, internally divided over its stance toward Israel, proposed a modified version of the motion, advocating for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” without explicitly mentioning collective punishment.
The main governing party, the Conservatives, proposed their amendment supporting an “immediate humanitarian pause” followed by steps toward a “permanent sustainable” ceasefire. The government asserts that a ceasefire is contingent on Hamas releasing all Israeli hostages and relinquishing control of Gaza.
Conservative lawmakers expressed anger when Mr. Hoyle permitted votes on all three resolutions, claiming it contradicted House of Commons conventions. Some accused Mr. Hoyle, who was elected as a Labour MP before assuming the neutral role of Speaker, of showing favoritism toward the opposition.
The political turmoil reflects the deep division over the Israel-Hamas conflict among Britain’s politicians and the public, escalating tensions. “His decision has raised temperatures in this House on an issue where feelings are already running high,” remarked Penny Mordaunt, the Conservative leader of the House of Commons.
Also Read: YouTube Mom Ruby Franke Apologizes During Sentencing For Child Abuse Case
The SNP, on the other hand, accused Labour of hijacking their motion, asserting that Mr. Hoyle had facilitated their actions.
Many Conservatives and SNP members walked out, and in their absence, the Labour version of the ceasefire call passed on a voice vote — by calls of “Aye” — without a full formal vote.
Following the incident, Mr. Hoyle expressed his apologies for the chaos.
“I’m sorry about how it turned out,” Mr. Hoyle stated. “I aimed to ensure everyone could voice their opinions, and all sides of the House could participate in the vote.”
