Easington MP’s Defiant Vote Against Proscribing Palestine Action Sparks Calls for MP to be Suspended...
- teessidetoday
- Jul 5
- 7 min read
The Labour MP's decision to defy the government over proposals to declare the protest group Palestine Action as a Terrorist Organisation sparks calls for him to be suspended by the party, with the Labour MP for Hartlepool not even turning up to vote sparking questions over his position on the issue....
5th July 2025
The political fallout of Labours decision to declare a protest group as a Terrorist Organisation could be set to see a number of Labour MP's facing possible suspension from the party, after calls for those who defied the government yesterday to lose the whip.
Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington in County Durham, yesterday joined 25 other MPs in voting against the government’s motion to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000. The decision, which saw the House of Commons vote 385 to 26 in favour of the ban on July 2, 2025, has ignited a firestorm of debate, with growing pressure on the Labour government to discipline defiant MPs, including Morris, Diane Abbott, Richard Burgon, and Imran Hussain to name a few. The proscription, which also reportedly included two alleged Neo-Nazi groups, the Maniacs Murder Cult and the Russian Imperial Movement, officially took effect at midnight on July 5, 2025, after a last-minute legal challenge by Palestine Action failed.
The decision to proscribe Palestine Action came after a series of high-profile actions by the group, notably the vandalism of two military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton on June 20, 2025 which significantly embarrassed the UK government on the international stage, where its claimed activists sprayed red paint on planes to protest the UK’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Security Minister Dan Jarvis argued the groups actions, including attacks on defence infrastructure and property damage costing millions, crossed the threshold into terrorism. The government’s motion, which passed overwhelmingly now makes it a criminal offence to be a member of or express support for Palestine Action, with penalties including up to 14 years in prison or a fine for “arousing reasonable suspicion” of support, such as wearing associated clothing.
Threat to free speech, some claim
The 26 MPs who voted against the measure, argue that the proscription is a “draconian overreach” that threatens free speech and the right to protest. Independent MP Zarah Sultana, formerly of the Labour Parry, called the move “grotesque,” comparing Palestine Action’s non-violent direct actions, like spray-painting, to the Suffragettes’ campaign for women’s voting rights. Labour MP Clive Lewis emphasised that the group’s actions constitute “direct action, not terrorist action,” warning of a chilling effect on democratic freedoms. The bundling of Palestine Action with two alleged white supremacist groups in a single vote was also criticised as a tactic to pressure MPs into supporting the ban, as voting against it would appear to endorse alleged neo-Nazi organisations.
Penalties for Supporting Palestine Action
As of July 5, 2025, supporting or being a member of Palestine Action is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The penalties are severe, where its claimed individuals found to be members of or actively supporting Palestine Action now could face up to 14 years in prison. Publicly expressing support for the now banned group, such as through statements or social media posts, could lead to prosecution, even wearing clothing or displaying symbols that “arouse reasonable suspicion” of supporting the group could now result in a fine or up to six months in prison.
These measures now place Palestine Action on par with groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS under UK law, a move condemned by human rights organisations like Amnesty International and UN experts as an “unprecedented legal overreach.” Palestine Action has vowed to continue its legal challenge, with a hearing scheduled to determine if the ban can be contested further, however the High Court rejected an interim injunction to block the proscription on July 4, 2025 just hours before the ban was to take effect...
Pressure on Keir Starmer to act on 'rebellious' MP's
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is said to be facing mounting pressure to suspend the nine Labour MPs who defied the party whip yesterday to vote against the proscription.
They include prominent figures like:
Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington), a veteran Labour MP with a history of challenging party leadership.
Richard Burgon (Leeds East), who called the government’s handling of the vote “regrettable” and criticised the bundling of Palestine Action with alleged neo-Nazi groups.
Imran Hussain (Bradford East), who joined other MPs in highlighting the risk of criminalising legitimate protest.
Grahame Morris (Easington), whose vote has drawn particular attention in County Durham where Reform UK are said to be gaining considerable ground.
Others include Tahir Ali, Ian Byrne, Kim Johnson, Clive Lewis, and Nadia Whittome.
However, the government’s decision to bundle the proscription of Palestine Action with two alleged neo-Nazi groups has been described as a “cynical” tactic, making it difficult for some MPs to vote against the measure without appearing to support other extremist organisations. This however has not quelled calls for disciplinary action to be taken against those who defied the government in voting against the bill, with some Labour insiders suggesting that the whip could be withdrawn from those MPs who chose not to toe the line, a move that would see the rebelling MP's suspended from the parliamentary party, as happened with Labours Dianne Abbott back in 2023. The absence of a separate vote for each group was a particular point of contention amongst some MP's, with Green Party MP Carla Denyer noting that MPs who opposed Palestine Action’s proscription were effectively “prevented” from supporting the ban on the other groups.
Impact on Grahame Morris in County Durham
Grahame Morris’s decision to vote against the proscription could however have significant repercussions in his once 'bible bashing' Labour Easington constituency, where political dynamics are said to be shifting rapidly, with County Durham recently seeing a surge in support for Reform UK, which led to Reform recently taking control of Durham County Council, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the major parties in the North East of England.
Reform UK’s platform, which emphasises the anti-establishment sentiment and stricter approaches to law and order, appears to resonate with Morris's constituents who view Palestine Action’s behaviour—such as the RAF Brize Norton incident—as simply unacceptable.
Morris’s vote, which aligns him with a small minority of MPs appears to diverge from the government’s wider stance on national security, a move which risks alienating voters who prioritise stability and support for the armed forces. Morris’s decision may also be seen as out of step with local sentiment, given the region’s once traditional Labour base but increasing openness to Reform UK’s messaging. However, the fact that two Reform UK MPs, Lee Anderson (Ashfield) and James McMurdock (South Basildon and East Thurrock), failed to vote on the proscription bill could further complicate the narrative. Their absence might be interpreted as a lack of commitment to tackling terrorism, potentially giving Labour a chance to regain some ground if they capitalise on it. However, Morris’s vote, coupled with his failure to support the government on the recent controversial welfare reform bill, could paint him as a rebellious figure, potentially undermining his standing among constituents who expect loyalty to the party line, not to mention the increased pressure on Keir starmer if he fails to act on those who defied his government on what many would perceive as a highly pertinent issue of national security, further raising questions over whether Keir Starmer is up to the task of leading a Labour Government.
Broader Political Ramifications in Hartlepool for Labour Mp Jonathan Brash
The vote also highlights broader tensions within the Labour Party and UK politics as a whole.
The absence of votes from some MPs, including Labour’s Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool), who failed to vote on both the proscription as well as the most recent welfare reform bill, suggests frustration with the Labour Party or perhaps strategic abstentions in a bid to perhaps damage the leadership of the Government in a bid to trigger a leadership race...
The SNP’s nine MPs and six Liberal Democrat MPs also abstained from yesterdays vote, likely due to the bundled vote. This has led to accusations of parliamentary manipulation, with Palestine Action itself calling the tactic “Trumpian.” Reform UK’s failure to have all its MPs vote on the bill could also weaken its claim to be a strong voice on national security issues, especially as the party seeks to capitalise on Labour’s perceived weaknesses.
However, many have come to criticise the governments proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation as a significant escalation in the UK’s approach to free speech & its opinion of so called protest groups, raising ever more questions about the balance between national security and democratic freedoms.
For Grahame Morris, his vote against the bill puts him in a precarious position in Easington, where Reform UK’s gains signal an ever shifting political landscape in the once predominately 'bible bashing' Labour constituency. As pressure mounts on Labour to suspend those dissenting MPs, the fallout from this vote could reshape local and national politics, with implications for both the government and opposition parties.
The failure of a last-minute legal challenge ensures Palestine Action’s proscription is now in effect, but the debate over its legitimacy—and the government’s handling of the situation—shows despite Labour having a sizeable majority in the government, it looks to be deeply divided & with just a year into this government, it seems Labours bid to put on a united front all seems to be falling apart, with many predicting as Labour government will not go the distance much longer & with Labours infighting potentially set to turn into a possible full scale civil war in the months ahead, the likelihood of the UK heading to the polls in a snap General Election becomes an ever more plausible prospect.
