The SNP has threatened to "force a vote" and bring forward legislation for the UK to recognise Palestinian statehood, in a bid to heap further pressure on Sir Keir Starmer as he resists calls to do so. Stephen Flynn, the party's Westminster leader, said he would table a "Palestine Recognition Bill" in the Commons when Parliament returns from recess unless the Prime Minister changes his position.
The move comes after 221 MPs signed a letter calling on the Government to take the step. The signatories included the majority from Labour, along with Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and Independents.
Pressure mounts on Starmer
Sir Keir has faced mounting pressure after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would formally recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, amid global anger at starvation in Gaza. The SNP said it would table the Bill to coincide with the gathering of world leaders.
Flynn said the Government could not "stand idly by in the face of what is happening". The Prime Minister has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East.
SNP threatens September vote
"Unless Keir Starmer stops blocking UK recognition of Palestine, the SNP will introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament returns in September and force a vote if necessary," Flynn said. He added: "Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now."
Close attention will be paid to how any potential vote plays out, after the Commons descended into chaos last February when the SNP used one of its Opposition Day Debates to press for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Labour, then the official opposition, responded by tabling an amendment to the motion with different wording, and the then-Tory government put forward a separate one calling for an "immediate humanitarian pause".
Speaker faces criticism
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle came under fire at the time for breaking with convention to select both the Labour and Government amendments, which he said was to give MPs the "widest range" of options to consider. The SNP said they were being denied an opportunity to have a vote on their motion, which was originally meant to be the focus of the debate, and the Speaker later apologised.
The Government has been contacted for comment.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
