Sir Keir Starmerwill have to yield to influence from ‘the actual Prime Minister’Angela Raynerand consent to acknowledge Palestinian statehood in the coming weeks,Labour MPs claimed last night.
They anticipated that Sir Keir would have no alternative but to carry out the historic action by autumn, following her deputy’s strong support for the initiative.
One member of parliament said to The Mail on Sunday: ‘In response toIsrael’s murderous actions in Gaza, it’s Rayner – not Starmer – who is behaving like the actual Prime Minister.
There’s no possibility Keir can maintain the position on this. Angela represents the Labour MPs and members on this issue.
The claims come amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with UN agencies caution that the region is running out of specialized food supplies.to protect children who are very undernourished.
However, yesterday, the Prime Minister clearly stated that he remains committed to his stance, emphasizing that acknowledging Palestine’s statehood should be part of a broader “pathway to peace” in the region.
Following a social media update after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Sir Keir shifted his focus to delivering food assistance to Gaza.
The Prime Minister stated: ‘Israel needs to permit aid to enter by land in order to stop the hunger occurring in Gaza. The circumstances are critical.’
Last night, Tzipi Hotovely, the Israeli envoy in the UK, stated to the Telegraph that acknowledging a Palestinian state would serve as a ‘reward’ for the perpetrators of the October 7 attacks.
The debate over statehood flared up on the day before Donald Trump’s four-day trip to the UK – raising worries that it might distract from talks tomorrow between him and Sir Keir regarding a trade agreement.
President Trump, who arrived in Scotland on Friday, has expressed his disagreement with Mr. Macron’s recent statement on X that France will recognize Palestinian statehood in September. He told reporters at the White House, “What [Mr. Macron] says isn’t important. He’s a very nice person. I like him, but that comment doesn’t hold any significance.”
The situation in the UK intensified yesterday following reports that Ms Rayner was ‘100 per cent’ in support of other Cabinet ministers who urged Sir Keir to emulate the French president’s approach.
Her involvement followed closely behind thethe disclosure that over 130 Labour MPs – nearly a third of the party in parliament – advocated for ‘immediate recognition’.
Last night, a Labour member of parliament mentioned that the mix of Ms Rayner’s actions and the opinions of numerous colleagues would compel Sir Keir to take a stance.
However, he noted that her actions concerning Gaza are merely the most recent indication of the growing influence of the Deputy Prime Minister.
He stated: “Her significance in sustaining Starmer’s administration is equal to her evident aspirations to take his place.”
Everyone is aware of what Angie is up to. She is conveying a strong signal that she is prepared when the moment arrives.
Last week, the Deputy Prime Minister shared the results of a year-long investigation that was initiated following the riots triggered by the Southport stabbing incident last year, highlighting the dangers that illegal immigration currently presents to social unity in Britain’s most disadvantaged areas.
She cautioned senior government officials to “recognize the genuine worries citizens hold” regarding immigration and financial instability.
Ms. Rayner also gained support from numerous Labour backbenchers this year after it was revealed she had proposed increasing taxes by as much as £4 billion annually prior to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Spring Statement in March.
Nevertheless, supporters of the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted her statement two months prior that she had no intention of replacing Sir Keir.
“I have no intention of running for leader of the Labour Party. I completely rule it out,” she stated to Laura Kuenssberg in May.
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