To be embarrassed by our politicians?

[domineastronomy]

What an absolute shambles in the Commons this evening.
Voting on Gaza was secondary to pathetic game playing and point scoring.

yanbu, the whole thing was a farce. It was reduced to political point scoring

Can anyone please explain to me in simple terms what has happened? I can’t make heads or tails of it.

I am embarrassed by their behaviour and angry too. A total shower.

GE now please!

YANBU. It is shocking and a shambles to reduce such an awful situation in Gaza/Israel to political point scoring and bickering. I am appalled by all of them. Shameful.

Every single party was a disgrace today.

These votes are meaningless grandstanding.

That was a complete fiasco. It does, however, show what MPs (particularly those on the left) really care about. And it certainly isn’t the appalling state this country is in. Or its economy, or the NHS, or the housing crisis, or the cost of living crisis.

And politicians wonder why voters are cynical about them…

@Jumpitha
The BBC website is probably the best place to follow the proceedings but in a nutshell a row about procedure relating to motions and amendments led to walk-outs, accusations and the possible/probable resignation of the Speaker.
It was supposed to be a vote about a ceasefire in Gaza with different proposals from Labour, SNP and Tories.
Disgusting.

It is an embarrassment. I don’t know why they can’t just pull together on issues like this.

Thank you. I’m usually quite good at following politics but this has confused me.

So essentially Labour was allowed to have their amendment debated, which has lead to Tories walking out? Instead of the focus on the vote?

Will also head to the BBC, thank you

They are ALL a total shower of shite. All Parties.

Keir Starmer had a minefield vote to negotiate and he's now been accused of pressurising Hoyle ( Speaker) to allow a Labour amendment against usual procedure.

@BMW6 agreed!

I don’t think there is a simple way to explain it because of obscure parliamentary precedent (but no absolute rules) and everybody apparently playing games.

My dad told me this morning that he thinks this country is ungovernable at the moment and whoever takes the next job as PM must be crazy. I'm not too sure I disagree with his sentiment tbh

What a disgrace they are

I haven't seen any coverage today, but I totally agree we should be immensely embarrassed at the pantomime that is the House of Commons.

Every week PMQT is just a farce being acted out.

So many debates are just about posturing, point scoring, and trying to insult the opposing parties or politicians rather than actually using the time and energy to try to work out solutions to any problem.

I'm not suggesting a solution to the mess in the Middle East could be solved in the House of Commons in the UK, but so many awful domestic situations could be much improved if anyone were interested in trying to work towards that rather than just trying to insult other politicians.

It was always going to be a disaster from when they invited the TV cameras in in the first place, but the whole system needs to be radically overhauled.

Thank you. This article helped me get it a bit more (for anyone interested) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68362405

But yes, absolute shower of shit. As usual from the govt.

The allegation against the speaker is that he has today shown clear bias in favour of Labour on an issue (Israel / Gaza) on which there are major divisions in the party. By doing so, he very probably averted a major rebellion by left wing Labour MPs against the leadership.

That’s what he has apologised for, and that’s the reason why he is likely to face a vote of no confidence instigated by the Tories & the SNP. If that does happen, it’s very likely he will resign rather than being humiliated by losing the vote. It’s very unusual to see those parties on the same side of an issue.

It was shameful

On such an important vote. Point scoring and playing political games

Agreed. I believe before you were deemed honourable (hence the debacle over calling someone a liar was seen as more punishable than an actual liar lying in parliament) so this is now redundant.

it’s a joke, it’s not reality TV and needs burning to the ground and rebuilt foundations up.

• Today is one of those days allocated to parties not in power, this time SNP

• SNP wanted to vote on a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, for Hamas to release all hostages and for an end to the collective punishment of the palestinian people

• Labour wanted to vote on an amendment to call for a humanitarian ceasefire, removing the collective punishment wording and acknowledge Israel's right to self defence

• The government wanted a similar amendment, but using "pause" rather than permanent ceasefire terminology among other things and echoing Labour's desire for a two state solution

• Starmer was in a difficult position with the original motion, which would likely see a labour split

• If the speaker accepted the labour amendment, they'd vote on that, and in doing so take SNPs motion off the table on what we might think of as "their" agenda day, if the speaker accepted the government motion it was unlikely labour would get their vote

• No absolute rules, but generally you proceed with the option that allows the original motion to be voted on since the day is about giving smaller parties a chance to drive their agendas

• speaker chose to vote on the labour under accusations of pressure from senior Labour members

• chaos reigns and SNP/Conservative walk out

It is very sad. Some MPs start out trying to make serious points on behalf of their constituents, but within a year or two they join the point-scoring brigade. It is pitiful and, yes, embarrassing.

Sorry, that was my attempt at a summary for Jumpitha

This is an excellent round-up. Thank you

Not really the point of the tread but never understood why there allowed to behave how they do in the house shouting and jeering like there at a panto

if I behaved like that in a meeting at work I’d be asked to leave