The Scottish National Party (SNP) is set to intensify pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, threatening to compel a parliamentary vote on the recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UK.
Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, announced plans to introduce a “Palestine Recognition Bill” in the House of Commons once Parliament reconvenes from recess, unless the Prime Minister alters his stance on the issue.
This move follows a cross-party letter signed by 221 MPs, predominantly from Labour, but also including Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP, and Independents, urging the Government to take this significant step.
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, and Mr 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.
“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,” Mr 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”.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle came under fire at the time for breaking with convention to select both the Labour and Government, 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.
