Keir Starmer ensures unity in support of Israel

The View from Westminster

Monday, October 16, 2023 This month I launched a brand new newsletter, exclusive to subscribers of The Independent. It's called Commons Confidential and it's my insider's guide to the intrigue and gossip from inside Westminster. To receive Commons Confidential, along with unlimited access to Premium insight, ad-free reading, the daily edition newspaper, puzzles and more, subscribe today for just £20 for one year. Keir Starmer ensures unity in support of Israel Welcome back. The Commons returned from its party conference recess in sombre mood, with Keir Starmer determined not to allow Hamas's attack on Israel to divide the opposition from the government.  The Labour leader's response to the prime minister's statement was unwavering in sticking to Rishi Sunak's line: condemnation of Hamas terrorism, support for Israel and a call for restraint.  A handful of Labour MPs departed from the consensus. Richard Burgon, for example, said that Israel's "collective punishment" of the population of Gaza was a "war crime". The mood of the Labour benches around him was that he should argue about that another time. As a result, the House was almost totally united.  Quiz question  Who is Yaz Ashmawi, and why was he briefly famous? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing At least six Britons killed in Israel and 10 missing, says PM Rishi Sunak announces extra £10m in aid for Palestine Sturgeon denies being 'SNP's Liz Truss' as she backs new independence strategy She fumes at being asked if she was an unwelcome distraction UK at risk of huge security breach from old HMRC computers  Hackers could obtain taxpayers' bank details Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations Electric cars will cost £6,000 more if Sunak fails to get deal with EU  Israel Hamas war: Egypt accuses Israel of keeping Gaza border crossing shut What else do you need to know today? ● Peter Bone, the Conservative MP for Wellingborough, could be suspended from the Commons for bullying and sexual harassment (which he denies); this is likely to mean another by-election – Labour would need an 18-per-cent swing to take the seat, less than the 24-per-cent swing in Selby and Ainsty in July ● I have resumed my posts of historical Gallup poll findings; I am now halfway through 1962, when only 16 per cent of British people thought a referendum was the way to decide the question of our membership of the Common Market   ● Labour representation in Scotland doubled as Michael Shanks, winner of the Rutherglen by-election, was sworn in as an MP Rentoul's reading list ● I wrote at the weekend in praise of Rachel Reeves, without whom Keir Starmer would be nowhere ● Phil Collins on Keir Starmer, who pretended to be on the left but who "crept undeviatingly to the right", like Harold Wilson (pay wall) ● Haviv Rettig Gur for The Times of Israel on the Israeli view of Hamas ● Mr Justice May ruled that a Labour attack on the Tory candidate in the Tamworth by-election was untrue but not unlawful: worth reading the whole judgment ● Hannah Ritchie says meat substitutes are too expensive Inside the bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for tomorrow Monthly earnings and unemployment figures will be issued by the Office for National Statistics at 7 am. The cabinet will discuss the latest developments in the Middle East. The Commons will sit for health questions at 11.30 am, followed by debate on Lords amendments to the levelling-up bill. Barry Gardiner, the Labour MP, will hold a debate on safe routes for Afghan refugees in the Westminster Hall mini-chamber at 4 pm. The Institute for Fiscal Studies will at 1pm unveil its "Green Budget" on the health (or otherwise) of the public finances ahead of the 22 November autumn statement. Humza Yousaf, the SNP leader and Scottish first minister, will make the closing speech to the SNP conference in Aberdeen at 3.15 pm. Opinion-poll finding of the month How interested are you, if at all, in what Liz Truss has to say about government policy? Very or fairly interested: 13 per cent Not very or not at all interested: 82 per cent  YouGov, 3 October Quiz answer: He is the protester for proportional representation who showered Keir Starmer with glitter The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy