All the Labour shadow cabinet MPs who have defied Keir Starmer on Israel-Gaza

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure from his own MPs and members of his frontbench to back calls for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Almost 50 Labour MPs have already backed calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, including almost a dozen members of Sir Keir’s frontbench.

A trio of senior Labour figures have already broken ranks to back a ceasefire, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Scottish party leader Anas Sarwar.

In a video posted on X, Mr Sarwar said: “We need to see the immediate release of hostages, immediate access to humanitarian supplies… and the immediate cessation of violence with an end of rocket fire into and out of Gaza.”

“And let me be clear, that means a ceasefire right now,” he added.

There has also been a growing discontent over Labour’s position at a local level, with dozens of local councillors having already resigned from the party in response to its position and rhetoric on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

On Wednesday, 150 councillors also jointly signed a letter to Sir Keir and Angela Rayner requesting that Labour back a ceasefire.

There have additionally been calls for Labour MP Andy McDonald to lose the party whip after he posted a video on X in which he used the phrase “between the river and the sea” to describe the need for Palestinian liberty – a phrase often associated with calls for the ethnic cleansing of Jews in Israel.

Sir Keir has come under mounting pressure from Labour MPs, including some frontbenchers, to strengthen his language after he joined the Prime Minister in calling for a “humanitarian pause”.

Here are all the Labour frontbenchers who have broken ranks to back calls for a ceasefire:

Jess Phillips

Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley and shadow domestic safeguarding minister, shared a message from António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN, which called for a ceasefire.

The message, posted by Mr Guterrers on 28 October, called for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, together with the unconditional release of hostages [and] the delivery of relief at a level”.

Ms Phillips, who is considered a loyal supporter of Sir Keir, reshared the message on X shortly after it was posted.

She also reposted messages from fellow frontbencher Sarah Owen which appeared to show support for a ceasefire.

Kim Leadbeater

Batley and Spen MP Kim Leadbeater, who is an opposition whip, also reshared a post from Mr Guterres calling for a ceasefire.

In a different post on X on 27 October, Mr Guterres repeated his calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, before stating: “Everyone must assume their responsibilities. This is a moment of truth. History will judge us all.”

Ms Leadbeater reshared the post the same day, before subsequently sharing a second post from Mr Guterres on 28 October which commented on the “growing consensus for the need of at least a humanitarian pause in the Middle East”.

Sarah Owen

Several frontbench MPs also reposted a message from Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East (LFPME), including shadow local government minister Sarah Owen.

In the statement, the group called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, “unfettered” humanitarian access and the upholding of international law, as well as fresh efforts for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Alongside the statement, Ms Owen wrote: “I share these calls to action. I believe a ceasefire on all sides is the only way to end the loss of more innocent lives. I’ll continue to make that case.”

Imran Hussain

Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East and a shadow levelling up minister, wrote on X on 27 October: “2 million people in Gaza have been plunged into darkness.

“First it was food, water, power and medicine. Now it’s a communications and internet blackout. It’s impossible to imagine the horror that families in Gaza are facing right now and we need a ceasefire NOW.”

He has also repeatedly raised the issue in the Commons, urging the Government to condemn the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza.

Andy Slaughter

Shadow solicitor general Andy Slaughter was among frontbench MPs who reshared the message from LFPME calling for a ceasefire.

He has also spoken in the Commons calling for the Government to ensure aid reaches the 2 million people of Gaza trapped at the Rafah border.

Yasmin Qureshi

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East and shadow women and equalities minister, spoke at PMQs on 25 October claiming that Palestinians in Gaza were victims of “collective punishment”.

She continued: “How many innocent Palestinians must die before this Government calls for humanitarian ceasefires?”

Posting a clip of her question on X, Ms Qureshi added: “Palestinians can not be collectively punished for crimes they did not commit”.

Rachel Hopkins

Rachel Hopkins, MP for Luton South and shadow minister for veterans, reposted the LFPME statement on X calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.

She also reposted the message by Mr Sarwar on 27 October calling for a ceasefire and has spoken in the Commons urging the Government to expand the provision of food, water, medicine and fuel to those trapped in Gaza.

Mary Kelly Foy

Mary Kelly Foy, MP for City of Durham and parliamentary private secretary to deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner, wrote on X on 27 October that she was “proud” to back the LFPME calls for a ceasefire.

She also reposted a message from Mr Gutterres on 26 October, claiming that the UN was “right” to call for a humanitarian ceasefire.

Naz Shah

Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West and shadow minister for crime reduction, also reshared the statement from LFPME.

While reposting the message on 28 October, she wrote on X: “What we are seeing is not defence, it is disproportionate attacks on a civilian population, I continue to call for a ceasefire to stop the killings of innocent civilians. We cannot be silent.”

Afzal Khan

Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Gorton and a shadow trade minister, joined other frontbench colleagues in resharing the LFPME statement calling for a ceasefire.

While reposting the message on 28 October, he wrote on X: “The loss of innocent life in Gaza is unprecedented and it cannot go on. We need an immediate ceasefire now.”

He also posted a message on 26 October following a meeting of the APPG for Palestine claiming it was “crucial that MPs keep up the pressure on the UK Govt to work with Israel [and] parties in the Middle East to immediately bring an end to the violence.”

Paula Barker

Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree and a shadow levelling up minister, reposted the LFPME statement on 28 October saying she does “fully support these calls” for a ceasefire.

She also posted on X on 27 October claiming that the “millions of innocent Palestinians must be protected”, adding: “We need humanitarian cessations of military activity to ensure aid and essential utilities reach Palestinian civilians as their need grows ever more critical [and] colossal.”