What happened in the House of Commons tonight?

[Bookridden]

I'm struggling to understand what is going on and would be grateful is someone can explain to me in simple terms.

Why were Labour worried about the safety of MPs?

Why were the SNP unhappy?

Why were the Tories unhappy?

What's likely to happen next?

Are MPs who don't take a Pro-Palestinian stance really putting their lives at risk?

Also can we have a debate that doesn't involve driving traffic to GB News. It's a stain upon our society.

Of course. But if they cared about Gaza, they could have worded it in a way that could be more widely supported.

i have lived under SNP rule long enough to know exactly what they are like and their “principles” come a long way behind their self promotion, self interest, and general dishonesty.

You haven’t been following the accounts coming out of Palestine, have you?

The situation in Gaza is grim. But Labour is far too overconcerned with this as an excuse to cause disruption. Everyone wants a solution. But yelling and jeering and threats don't help. They don't seem to be that bothered about Putin and Ukraine.

Not quite the same;

however, in those few circumstances, no Government amendment had been tabled

Letter dated 21/02/2024 from Clerk of the House Tom Goldsmith to Speaker Lindsay Hoyle MP regarding the convention…

https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2286140/files

I don’t rate the SNP and think you have a bad time of it but on this issue it’s their motion

They get to decide the wording

Starmer shouldn’t have strong armed Hoyle to avoid his own massive issue

TooOldForThisNonsense
It suits [the SNP] just fine to deliberately word the motion in a way they know Labour cannot support,

As pointed out a number of times on Newsnight - Labour could have tabled their own motion with their own wording weeks ago.

I’ve seen a clip of Hoyle from yesterday telling MPs that there is precedent. He must have known the advice given by the Clerk. He seems to have misled a lot of people, including some on this thread.

This gets worse and worse.

Indeed you are correct John Crace does not mention a Tory rebellion he wrote that last night from the ringside as it were. It is entirely possible that the Tories were motivated not by an attempt to avoid their own rebellion but just from a desire to add to the chaos. Reports over night from other commentators suggested the rebellion theory.
Of course these events will have no impact on British foreign policy. Nor EU policy nor UN policy. This whole should I say series of incidents was powered by the leadership of each of the three largest parties in the UK Parliament trying to score a victory over the others. A shameful reflection on all of them.

SNP purposely word their bill to also cause chaos for Labour - crappy move.

Labour pressurise Speaker to go against convention (not rules as written in some posts) to avoid a split and rebellion. Crappy move.

Tories react with glee and withdraw their amendment and let this play out so the right can blame Labour, the smaller parties can attack Labour - expected crappy behaviour.

They all played games.

NO IT IS NOT

Anyway it all seems a very minor issue to suggest the speaker should lose his job over. Country is going to shit never mind what’s happening in Gaza and we’re embroiled in a pathetic squabble in Parliament

Conservatives seem for once United on this, and have been from the beginning.

They're really not. Ten Tory MPs, including Kit Malthouse and Flick Drummond, wrote to Cameron weeks ago asking him to change tack.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67745408

Labour used "safety of MPs" as an excuse not to have a vote, so there wouldn't be another rebellion against Keir.

Well done Keir - now everybody's unhappy with you and the Speaker!

Keir played his game particularly badly, as did the Speaker.

Still, at least they've united the House...

Why is that a crappy move? Labour has a good track in embarrassing the government and highlighting splits among Tories with carefully thought out motions. That’s the point of parliamentary procedure.

Why does Labour get to change the rules (it is a rule; parliamentary conventions are parliamentary rules)?

It matters a great deal if proper use of procedure uncovers widespread opposition to Israel and support for Hamas among Labour MPs.

It’s absolutely shameful that Labour would act like this.

As pointed out a number of times on Newsnight - Labour could have tabled their own motion with their own wording weeks ago.
Ain't that the truth !

Poor from Keir Starmer. This kind of thing is his whole modus operandi. Also part of the current Labour playbook is the attempt to play the victim card of ‘our poor MPs are in danger from crazed pro Palestinian mobs’. It’s just bullshit and so cynical. They absolutely disgust me. Anyone playing politics with this is disgusting: Gaza is in ruins, children are dead in scores of thousands. It’s not some sideshow for people to wiggle around and mince their words over and worry about their own posturing

I put the TV on yesterday at about 5pm because I wanted to listen to a lively debate from politicians discussing the UK calling for a ceasefire.
There were acres of empty green benches , particularly on the Government's side. Someone from the SNP was speaking .
Am I being naive - ignorant I suspect - in expecting a packed house to discuss such an important issue ?

SNP wanted a vote for a ceasefire in Gaza

Labour knew that this would split their party as last time they lost MPs over it apparently. It would' e highlighted how very divided the party is in the public eye. How they can't agree on anything.

Starmer then leant on the speaker of the house, telling him his MPs would be in danger in their constituencies if they voted on way or another. Speaker, who is a nice bloke, took it on board and amended the question to be voted on. He watered it down.

SNP and Tories went mad, and flounced

Speaker of the House takes the total blame. U Bend threw him under a bus to avoid showing what a shit show his own party are.

Keir Starmer showed us exactly that Labour are still a shit show, who, if they get in, will just be as big a fuck up as the Tories, possibly worse.

Yes, they should have been debating that issue. On the terms that parliamentary procedure provides.

But Labour were going to be shown to have a great many Hamas supporters in their ranks. And Starmer was terrified of that truth being on display. Because it would show that antisemitism is alive and well in the Labour Party. So he perverted procedure to stop his own embarrassment.

Is this true ? Apparently an MP has had attempted arson on their office and many have received threats.

He absolutely will love his job. He will probably resign and probably today. Starmer should look hard at himself.

Because they're worried about the muslim vote and angry constituents. Ukraine isn't causing protests here.

@WhatsTheUseOfWorrying there were so few present because of the Speaker's decision about allowing both amendments?
I hadn't thought of that ,I put TV on about 5pm. hadn't realised that this was after Hoyles decision. MPs were voting with their feet and had withdrawn at that point ?