PMQs: Rishi Sunak calls for 'specific pauses' rather than ceasefire in Gaza as Keir Starmer avoids mentioning conflict

The Prime Minister faced a series of questions on Israel and Palestine, but none from the Labour leader.

One week ago, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer abandoned the usual arguments of PMQs, finding agreement as they offered their support and condolences to Israel following the horrific attacks on October 7.

This Wednesday however, following two more historic by-election Labour wins, Sir Keir moved his focus back to domestic politics, challenging the Prime Minister on housing and the cost of living.

The Labour leader accused Mr Sunak of “boasting about how great things are”, while voters keep telling him “he’s got it wrong”. He raised the case of a mother and her two children who were kicked out of their home of eight years with a no-fault eviction notice, adding: “Despite his Government’s pledge to scrap no-fault evictions, this week the Prime Minister crumbled to the landlords on his backbenches and killed the policy.”

Referencing a Facebook post by the Conservative candidate in Mid Bedfordshire, he added “they have heard the Government telling them to ‘eff off’ and they want the chance to return the compliment.”

All of this is standard PMQs fare, but what was more interesting is the issue Sir Keir did not mention, specifically the situation in Gaza. Having garnered a standing ovation for his comments on standing with Israel at Labour conference, just hours later the Labour leader made an error he’s still trying to fix. Asked on LBC about whether Israel had the right to deny water and power, Sir Keir answered “absolutely”. His team now insist he didn’t mean it, and was answering multiple questions at once, but the damage was done.

Since then, the Labour leader has visited a Mosque to make amends, only for them to issue a statement after complaining about being used for a political point. Numerous councillors have resigned, while shadow cabinet ministers are hinting at resignations, and MPs from all wings are furious. With all these issues in his own party, Sir Keir was entirely missing on one of the biggest issues facing the world, one that’s crying out for leadership.In this absence, it was down to backbench MPs to urge the Prime Minister to support a ceasefire, with calls from across the House. It follows more than 80 MPs urging the UK Government to back an end to the conflict.

This included Mhairi Black, the SNP’s deputy leader in the Commons, who argued Britain has a “human responsibility” to all civilians in Gaza but particularly for the UK nationals who are in hospitals in Gaza with no food, no water, no medicine and “no way out”.

“How much worse does the situation have to get before he will join us in calls for a humanitarian ceasefire?” she asked.

What followed was a clear change of tone from the Prime Minister, who, like Sir Keir, had originally focused his language only on Israel and its right to defend itself.

While still repeating that last point, Mr Sunak has now backed “specific pauses” to allow British nationals to escape Gaza and let aid in, adding the pauses had been discussed at the United Nations.

Watching PMQs, it is clear both leaders are evolving their stance, but only one is comfortable talking about it.