SNP to move Gaza ceasefire debate forward to concrete actions

The SNP will seek to "move the Gaza ceasefire debate forward" this week - pressing the UK parliament to "back concrete actions to actually achieve an immediate ceasefire".

After a week of chaos in Westminster, which saw the UK Parliament block a vote on the SNP's immediate ceasefire motion, Stephen Flynn MP wants to "refocus the discussion away from the Westminster circus and onto what really matters - doing everything we can to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel".

The SNP Westminster Leader will take the Speaker up on his offer to allow a meaningful vote on a fresh SNP ceasefire motion, and intends to table a motion setting out concrete steps the UK government can take to achieve an immediate ceasefire.

The SNP will publish the details of the motion, with concrete actions, following discussions with the Speaker on the specific terms of a debate and vote - to ensure its meaningful. Among the concrete actions will be those the UK can take as part of the UN security council.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said:

"After a shameful week of Westminster chaos, the SNP will move the debate forward and press the UK parliament to back concrete actions to secure an immediate ceasefire.

"More than 29,000 Palestinian children, women and men have been killed, huge swathes of Gaza have been obliterated, and the population faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. The SNP will seek to refocus the discussion away from the Westminster circus and onto what really matters - doing everything we can to actually secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

"While the appalling spectacle at Westminster has been deeply unedifying, some progress has been made. Public and SNP pressure has forced the next Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, into a U-turn - now we need to work together to force the UK government to change its position too.

"The SNP's calls for the UK to back an immediate ceasefire have never just been about the symbolism of having a strong and clear position against the hostilities - they have always been about forcing the UK government to use every lever it has to achieve an immediate ceasefire.

"As a key ally of Israel and the United States, and as a permanent member of the UN security council, the UK is not - and must not - be a spectator on the sidelines. Instead it must finally join with the UN, and the majority of the international community, in backing an immediate ceasefire - and take concrete steps to secure one using the range of influence at its disposal.

"The UK has a moral duty to act - to save lives, prevent the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, secure the release of the hostages, and do everything we can to make a peaceful two state solution a reality rather than an increasingly distant pipedream."