Labour MPs in Liverpool - including a shadow minister - have added to the pressure facing leader Keir Starmer over his response to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East.
The opposition leader is dealing with growing unrest within his party regarding his handling of and response to the crisis in the Middle East. Mr Starmer has so far resisted calls from many Labour MPs, councillors and party members to support an immediate ceasefire in a bid to stop more deaths in Gaza, which is being bombarded by bombing from Israel.
Labour's official line is that the party supports the idea of humanitarian "pauses", that would temporarily stop the bombing of Gaza to allow aid to be brought in, for civilians to flee and for hostages taken by Hamas following its October 7 attacks on Israel to be released.
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But an increasing number of the party's MPs have now broken beyond that line and are demanding an immediate ceasefire. On Friday, those MPs were joined by the powerful Labour voices of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Labour's leader in Scotland Anas Sarwar.
A number of Liverpool Labour MPs are amongst those making the ceasefire calls. This includes shadow front bencher Paula Barker, who represents Liverpool Wavertree.
She shared a message from the Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East (LFPME) account on Twitter/X, which "urgently" called for an immediate ceasefire by all parties, "including stepping back from an expected ground invasion and a cessation of rocket fire" as well as the "immediate release of all hostages brutally taken by Hamas" and "unfettered humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering in and collective punishment of Gaza."
Ms Barker, who is a shadow minister for devolution, said: "As a member of LFPME I fully support these calls." Her fellow Liverpool Labour MP Kim Johnson, also a member of LFPME, shared and endorsed the same message.
Elsewhere, Liverpool Walton Labour MP Dan Carden released a statement on his instagram page, which stated: "We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to stop the loss of life, address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and prevent violence spreading across the region. It is imperative to get food, water, energy and medical aid to those who desperately need it."
Liverpool West Derby Labour MP Ian Byrne has also been strong in his calls for a ceasefire. On twitter/X he posted: "We need an urgent #CeasefireNow to protect innocent lives. History will judge us all."
The pressure on Mr Starmer is increasing, with many in Labour still angered by earlier comments he made on LBC Radio, in which he appeared to back the cutting of power and water to Gaza, although 10 days later he insisted this was not what he was saying.
There have been reports that some shadow cabinet members are considering their positions within Labour's top team over the leader's response to the crisis, although no resignations have announced as yet.
The Independent carried a response from a Labour Party spokesperson, which said: “Of course, we understand why people want to call for a ceasefire. The Palestinian people are not Hamas, and they are suffering terribly. That’s why we support humanitarian pauses ... We also have to recognise Israel was subject to a vile terrorist attack. Israel has a right and a duty to defend itself.”
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