Today (3rd of June 2025) a group of Conservative MPs have delivered a letter to the Prime Minister supporting the idea of recognising a Palestinian State. It’s understood the letter is delivered on behalf of the signatories and not the Conservative party.
Co-ordinated by Mark Pritchard MP and Kit Malthouse MP they say
“With an historic United Nations summit imminent, now is the time for the United Kingdom to show global leadership. Recognising the State of Palestine is not just symbolic – it is a necessary step towards a just, lasting, and sustainable peace, for both Israelis and Palestinians. We urge the Government to act with other international allies and partners in recognising a Palestinian State.”
The letter is signed by
The Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP – Father of the House of Commons.
The Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Wright MP – former Attorney General and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Right Honourable Kit Malthouse MP – former Secretary of State for Education.
The Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP – Conservative MP with 42 years serving in Parliament.
The Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP – former member of the UK’s Intelligence & Security Committee
The Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP – former Minister of State for International Development.
Simon Hoare MP – Member of Parliament for North Dorset
Martin Vickers MP – Member of Parliament for Brigg and Immingham
The text of the letter is as follows:
“Dear Prime Minister,
Recognition of a Palestinian State,
We write to express our strong support should the Government recognise a Palestinian state.
As global partners prepare to meet at the upcoming Saudi-French summit at the United Nations, the United Kingdom has a timely opportunity to align itself with the growing international consensus on the need for a two-state solution. This decision would be a substantive act of diplomacy and a statement of commitment to equality and peace.
Successive UK governments have affirmed support for two states living side by side in peace and security, but without meaningful action, that vision is rapidly slipping away. Settlement expansion, the ongoing disproportionate destruction in Gaza, and political deadlock, are making a viable two-state solution harder to achieve with each passing day.
As you are already aware, many Israelis support a Palestinian State.
This should not be seen through the prism of partisan or left/right politics. It is a matter of international law, human rights, and equity. Recognition would not reward extremism; on the contrary, it would reinforce the message that violence and rejectionism, such as that pursued by Hamas, cannot and will not shape the future.
If the Government recognises a Palestinian state, you will have our support. Yours sincerely,
The Right Honourable Sir Edward Leigh MP
The Right Honourable Sir Jeremy Wright MP
The Right Honourable Sir Roger Gale MP
The Right Honourable Mark Pritchard MP
The Right Honourable Sir Desmond Swayne MP
Simon Hoare MP
Martin Vickers MP
The Right Honourable Kit Malthouse MP”
