Latest news with #JonathonShafi
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
David Lammy claims UK arms not being used in Gaza despite F-35 exports
The Foreign Secretary told Sky News that he was "satisfied" that the UK was not supplying Israel with weapons it uses in Gaza, as he refused to be drawn on whether Israel's actions in the enclave amounted to genocide. In September last year, the UK Government suspended 30 out of around 350 arms exports licences to Israel. The UK continues to licence exports of F-35 fighter jet parts, which have been documented being used by Israel in Gaza. READ MORE: Jonathon Shafi: No referendum is coming. Let's drop 'Yes' and refocus The F-35 programme is an international defence programme which produces and maintains the fighter jets, with the UK contributing components for both assembly lines and an international pool. At the end of last month, a Palestinian human rights group lost a High Court case which aimed to challenge the Labour Government's continued exports of F-35 parts to Israel. When asked whether Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, the Foreign Secretary refused to be drawn but instead told Sky News that he "made the assessment that there was a clear risk of a breach of international law, and for that reason we suspended arms sales that could be used in Gaza". He added: "In the end it will be for the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice to make a determination." Lammy went on to say: "I am satisfied that we are not sending arms that could be used in Gaza, but we do send other things, for example, kit and equipment that is used by NGOs or journalists." READ MORE: Delivery of Glen Rosa marks 'key milestone' as it enters dry dock When it was pointed out to him that the UK was continuing to export F-35 parts, the Foreign Secretary admitted that this was "an exception", but that it was a "small" one. "We cannot guarantee that there are not parts in the global pool that we buy into that could be used in Gaza," he told Sky News. "That is the exception. It's a small exception, but I think your listeners will understand when there are other theatres of conflict, particularly here in Europe, that it is important that we don't bring down the whole of the F-35 arsenal across the world."
The National
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Will Corbyn seize the moment, just like I did when I saw him?
It was obvious I was eyeballing him, ignoring his two companions and the other customers who were studiously minding their own business, not in the least interested in the window-seat occupants. I was carrying a rucksack. Did that add to the barista's looks of apprehension? I stepped forward, stuck out my hand, introduced myself, congratulated him and launched into it. READ MORE: Jonathon Shafi: Meltdown over Jeremy Corbyn's new party exposed their fear Labour betrayal, Palestine, Scotland, independence. We had a long chat, me apologising in case the coffees were going cold: they were. He introduced me to his two companions, both local councillors. I could have been a disgruntled local about to assault him, even just verbally. But he had time to engage and it wasn't forced, not polite for politeness' sake. He seemed genuinely interested. We talked commonalities and differences. He asked about Scotland. I spoke about Edinwfi (cursing that I didn't have any of our leaflets!), I mentioned The National (honestly!), decried the BBC, talked up the grassroots movement, and when I left him and his councillors to their cold coffees (maybe the relieved barista reheated them) I felt, what? Enthused, energised, but very glad I'd seized the moment. And now, has he? Seized another moment? After all, he's no stranger to making the headlines. Maybe he was bounced into public acknowledgement by that earlier announcement from Zarah Sultana, and some do say they might have been better to wait and organise the 'professional launch ' of a new political party. Their opposition have already done their best to dismiss this as a disorganised movement, not a party to be taken seriously: just the cult of Corbynism #2. Really? Labour may try to spin this as 'evidence' of how Labour has changed, rebels out, but one year on, don't we live how it's changed? Changed to the detriment of the weakest in society: cowardice in the face of a genocide: supplicant to the USA and their unfettered support of Israel. So what can this party offer as the failures of Labour take root and Reform digs in? READ MORE: Insider lifts lid on workings of Corbyn-Sultana project in Scotland Will it attract left-wing supporters, looking for their idea of 'change'? Number-crunchers have highlighted MPs including Cabinet members with slim majorities, glossed over in last year's first-past-the-post victory. Corbyn, Sultana and their colleagues have the years before the next General Election to organise, identify policies, talk down claims of only ever being in opposition, never having to actually deliver. Or would they and Reform become nothing more than spoilers gnawing away at Labour and Tories? But it isn't just the left wing in England desperately seeking change, is it? Corbyn has pronounced on independence, and I don't just mean to me over cold coffee. The National notes the presence of a 'Scottish secretariat' for the new party. So was that opportunism, or pre-planning? It's too early to speculate, but it just might be possible the newbies have no aspirations in Scotland, and would put support and solidarity behind indy supporters standing against the last of empire and its colonial stranglehold. Or would they be reminded of those billboard ads of Alex Salmond with a diminutive Ed Miliband in his top pocket? On reflection then, whatever else, this is an interesting mix in the pre-planning for 2026 ... and we are planning for 2026 already, aren't we? Selma Rahman Edinburgh
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More than 100 Labour MPs threaten to halt welfare cuts in biggest rebellion yet
MORE than 100 Labour MPs have signed their names to a Commons bid to halt the UK Government's welfare reforms. Some 108 MP's signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform bill a second reading when it is debated on July 1. It marks the largest rebellion Keir Starmer has faced yet, and would be enough to defeat the UK Government's plans if opposition MPs joined the Labour rebels. READ MORE: Jonathon Shafi: West's imperial arrogance takes propaganda to farcical levels The Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would, among other things, change the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) disability benefit, making it harder for people to be awarded. The amendment, published on Tuesday's order paper, notes there is a "need for the reform of the social security system". However, it calls for MPs to decline to continue scrutinising the bill because of the Government's own impact assessment, which "estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children". The MPs also pointed towards the fact that there has been no formal consultation with disabled people who will be impacted by the consultation, and that an analysis of the impact of the reforms from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Full text of amendment 👇🏼 — Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) June 23, 2025 Several Labour select committee chairs were among those who put their name to the amendment, including chairwoman of the Treasury committee Dame Meg Hillier, and Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the work and pensions select committee. Vicky Foxcroft, the former Government whip who resigned from her role just last week over the welfare plans, has also signed the amendment. A total of nine Scottish Labour MPs have also added their names: Brian Leishman, Patricia Ferguson, Tracy Gilbert, Scott Arthur, Richard Baker, Lilian Jones, Elaine Stewart, Kirsteen Sullivan and Euan Stainbank. READ MORE: BBC accused of 'spurious' defence over Gaza documentary axe This amendment is not the first attempt to decline a second reading to the bill. Last week, The National told how the Independence Alliance - the group of Independent MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - tabled an amendment to decline a second reading on the grounds that it "fails to provide a fair and compassionate approach to reforming disability benefits", Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spent Monday night speaking to backbench MPs about the reforms at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Those leaving the meeting claimed there was broad consensus in the room, with only few MPs standing up to make their opposition known. Kendall told the PLP that the UK Government's plans are "rooted in fairness", as she argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state. The UK Government has previously warned of consequences for Labour MPs who rebel against the Government. The National reported how rebels face the prospect of having the party whip suspended if they vote against the plans, while those considering abstaining have been warned they will not be considered for promotion. READ MORE: Missiles launched from Iran, Israeli military claims Such warnings were reiterated on Tuesday by Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, who told BBC Breakfast it would be a "very serious thing" for Labour MPs to rebel. He said: "You're right to point out that this phrase 'reasoned amendment' isn't just a small tweak. It would stop the legislative process if it succeeded. "I don't think as the party of labour, the party of work, we can sit back and be relaxed about so many people going on to long-term sickness and disability benefits." In order to be debated on Monday, the amendment would need to be selected by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle.
The National
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
More than 100 Labour MPs threaten to halt welfare cuts
Some 108 MP's signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform bill a second reading when it is debated on July 1. It marks the largest rebellion Keir Starmer has faced yet, and would be enough to defeat the UK Government's plans if opposition MPs joined the Labour rebels. READ MORE: Jonathon Shafi: West's imperial arrogance takes propaganda to farcical levels The Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would, among other things, change the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) disability benefit, making it harder for people to be awarded. The amendment, published on Tuesday's order paper, notes there is a "need for the reform of the social security system". However, it calls for MPs to decline to continue scrutinising the bill because of the Government's own impact assessment, which "estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children". The MPs also pointed towards the fact that there has been no formal consultation with disabled people who will be impacted by the consultation, and that an analysis of the impact of the reforms from the Office for Budget Responsibility will not be published until the autumn. Full text of amendment 👇🏼 — Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) June 23, 2025 Several Labour select committee chairs were among those who put their name to the amendment, including chairwoman of the Treasury committee Dame Meg Hillier, and Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the work and pensions select committee. Vicky Foxcroft, the former Government whip who resigned from her role just last week over the welfare plans, has also signed the amendment. A total of nine Scottish Labour MPs have also added their names: Brian Leishman, Patricia Ferguson, Tracy Gilbert, Scott Arthur, Richard Baker, Lilian Jones, Elaine Stewart, Kirsteen Sullivan and Euan Stainbank. READ MORE: BBC accused of 'spurious' defence over Gaza documentary axe This amendment is not the first attempt to decline a second reading to the bill. Last week, The National told how the Independence Alliance - the group of Independent MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - tabled an amendment to decline a second reading on the grounds that it "fails to provide a fair and compassionate approach to reforming disability benefits", Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spent Monday night speaking to backbench MPs about the reforms at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Those leaving the meeting claimed there was broad consensus in the room, with only few MPs standing up to make their opposition known. Kendall told the PLP that the UK Government's plans are "rooted in fairness", as she argued they are about ensuring the survival of the welfare state. The UK Government has previously warned of consequences for Labour MPs who rebel against the Government. Such warnings were reiterated on Tuesday by Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, who told BBC Breakfast it would be a "very serious thing" for Labour MPs to rebel. He said: "You're right to point out that this phrase 'reasoned amendment' isn't just a small tweak. It would stop the legislative process if it succeeded. "I don't think as the party of labour, the party of work, we can sit back and be relaxed about so many people going on to long-term sickness and disability benefits." In order to be debated on Monday, the amendment would need to be selected by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle.
