Calls grow in council for ceasefire in Gaza
THERE are new calls for an Israel-Gaza ceasefire and a support request for Sefton residents impacted by the conflict as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
Sefton Council’s full council meeting will take place on Thursday, April 18 and will hear a motion calling for an immediate and permanent end to fighting in the Middle East.
The motion has been submitted by newly independent Cllr Natasha Carlin and calls on Sefton Council to write to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer to back an immediate end to the conflict.
Just last week, Cllr Carlin quit the Labour Party and released a statement detailing some of the reasons behind her decision.
She said: “I no longer feel the Labour Party represents the morals and principles that I live by, and I do not recognise the party as the one I joined in 2016.
“I joined because I felt that politics was finally speaking for people like me, and was genuinely concerned with improving the lives of the many, not the few. I became a councillor because I wanted to be a champion for my community and ensure that all voices were being heard and represented.
“I didn’t come into politics to support a political party that has promised to carry on the fiscal policies of the Tory Party. I didn’t join the Labour Party to see the continuation of welfare austerity.”
Cllr Carlin is the sitting Labour councillor for Blundellsands ward and will remain in post as an independent. She also raised concerns about the Labour Party’s ‘lack of support’ for Dianne Abbot MP in regards to racism and the ‘rollback’ of Green policies.
Commenting specifically on Labour’s response to the war in Gaza, Cllr Carlin added: “I didn’t join politics to see inaction over Palestine.”
Back in January, and as a then Labour councillor, Ms Carlin submitted a motion calling call on Sefton Council to officially advocate for a ceasefire.
However, that motion was not heard at the time with Ms Carlin reportedly too ill to attend the council meeting the motion withdrawn from the agenda.
The now independent councillor has confirmed she will be in attendance at this week’s council meeting and will introduce the ceasefire motion.
This will be seconded by Cllr Sean Halsall who also quit the Labour Party last week and has today announced his intention to run for the parliamentary seat in Southport in the next general election.
The motion includes a request for Sefton Council to approve the following statement: “Condemn the murder of innocent civilians, the taking of hostages and the subsequent death and destruction in Gaza.
“This council believes that there must be an urgent priority to stop the deaths and suffering of anymore civilians internationally and to prevent potential harm caused directly and indirectly to Sefton Residents, both at home and abroad.
“This council expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in Sefton who have been affected by this conflict, we offer our support in this difficult time.
“Sefton Council supports calls by the UN Security Council for an immediate permanent ceasefire to allow more aid into Gaza and Palestine and to help the possibility of a peaceful resolution. It further supports the immediate release of all hostages and believes that there should be full humanitarian access in Gaza immediately.
“This would result in a reduction in the loss of lives and the distress caused internationally, whilst also reducing the stress and harm caused to those directly and indirectly impacted within our borough.
“Believes that the recent tragic events in Palestine and Israel must not be allowed to divide our communities in Sefton. This council therefore condemns any increase in antiSemitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and believes that all forms of racism have no place in our Borough. This council believes Jews, Muslims and people of all faiths should feel safe in Sefton.”
Councillors present at the meeting will be asked to vote on the motion.