IMRAN Hussain has resigned from the Labour frontbench over his party’s position on Gaza, adding pressure to Keir Starmer over his stance on the conflict in the Middle East.
The MP joins a number of Labour figures in taking a different stance from Starmer, including Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Here’s all you need to know about the former Labour frontbencher.
Who is Imran Hussain?
Hussain was first elected as the MP for Bradford East in 2015 and has comfortably held his position in the two Westminster elections since.
Prior to entering politics, he worked in the legal profession as a barrister and was elected as a Labour councillor in Bradford.
He was eventually elected as deputy leader of Bradford Council before being elected to Westminster.
Which positions has he held?
Hussain has held a number of positions in the Labour shadow cabinet, both under Starmer and former leader Jeremy Corbyn (below).
He served as the shadow minister for international development from January 2016 to July 2017 under Corbyn and also worked as the shadow minister for justice.
Under Starmer, he held the position of shadow minister for work from April 2020 to September 2023, before he was made the shadow minister for the new deal for working people – the position he has just resigned from.
Why has he resigned?
Hussain has resigned over his party’s stance on the conflict in the Middle East, and a spokesperson has confirmed that Labour will continue to resist calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In his resignation letter, posted on Twitter/X, Hussain said: “It has become clear that my view on the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza differs substantially from the position you have adopted.
I want to be able to strongly advocate for a ceasefire, as called for by the UN General Secretary. In order to be fully free to do so, I have tonight stepped down from Labour's Frontbench. My letter below: pic.twitter.com/u47KMVNhxt
— Imran Hussain MP (@Imran_HussainMP) November 7, 2023
“Given the crisis unfolding, I wish to be a strong advocate for the humanitarian ceasefire advocated by the UN General Secretary, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN humanitarian bodies, by numerous governments, and by leading humanitarian organisations like Oxfam, Save the Children and Amnesty International.
“It is clear that I cannot sufficiently, in all good conscience, do this from the frontbench given its current position.”
