LABOUR declined today to indicate whether or not it backed the government’s abstention on a key United Nations Gaza ceasefire vote. 

Britain joined a handful of other states in not taking a position on a motion urging an immediate ceasefire at the UN General Assembly. 

While 153 states voted in favour,  just 10, including the US and Israel, opposed. 

Pressed today as to how Britain would have voted with Labour in office, a spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer refused to say whether or not it backed the government’s stand. 

He claimed that the party did not take a position on the government’s international policies and actions and that the UN vote could not be assessed outside of Labour’s overall strategy on the Gaza crisis. 

The party is now calling for a renewed “cessation of hostilities” to permit the release of hostages and access for humanitarian aid, as opposed to the permanent ceasefire demanded by both the UN General Assembly and hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of Britain.  

The issue continues to split the party and provoke additional resignations among Labour councillors around the country.  

Local representatives from Sheffield, Stroud and Bristol are the latest to leave the party and start sitting as independents.  

Bristol councillor Zoe Goodman announced her resignation from the party in the council chamber saying “Free Palestine, free Gaza, ceasefire now.”

Many of the councillors have now formed a loose network of support.