Sir Keir Starmer was “right to be firm” with his shadow ministers who resigned after voting for a ceasefire in the Middle East last night, according to the shadow defence secretary John Healey.

Eight frontbenchers – including Jess Phillips – resigned their posts yesterday, alongside two junior members of Labour’s shadow governmental team. They remain members of the parliamentary party.

In total, 56 Labour MPs voted for a ceasefire in the Middle East – around a third of the party.

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Sir Keir’s position – and that of the party – is to support calls for humanitarian pauses.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Healey said: “It was a very difficult issue.

“We lost a small number of frontbenchers who resigned.

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“I regret that, I know how difficult that decision was for them and everyone, but Keir was right to be firm.

“We’re acting as we would in government and that’s the indication, if you like, that Labour has changed under Keir Starmer.

“We’re not a protest party, we want people to give us the confidence at the next election to be in government and this is part of the job that we have to do.”

In her resignation letter, Ms Phillips said: “This week has been one of the toughest weeks in politics since I entered Parliament.

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“I have tried to do everything that I could to make it so that this was not the outcome, but it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving my post in the shadow Home Office team.

“On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine.

“I can see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future.”

Labour MPs have already shared examples of criticism they have faced for not voting for a ceasefire.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, shared homophobic messages about him posted on X.

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In response, he said: “My constituents are better than this.

“They know what prejudice looks and feels like.

“So do I, which is why I’ve stood proudly against Islamophobia as Ilford North’s MP.”

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