East Berkshire MPs react to Government's recognition of a Palestinian state

MPs across the Royal Borough and East Berkshire have disagreed over the Government’s formal recognition of a Palestinian state.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK was formally recognising the state of Palestine to ‘protect the viability of a two-state solution’ and form a path towards ‘lasting peace’ for both Israel and the Palestinian people. 

The historic decision, which was announced alongside Australia and Canada, follows a speech by Mr Starmer in July, in which he pledged to formally recognise a Palestinian state this month, unless certain conditions were met by Israel.

This included agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution, which would see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

In June, more than 250 MPs signed a letter by Labour backbench MP Sarah Champion, calling for the Government to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

Slough’s Labour MP and Liberal Democrat MPs for Maidenhead and Wokingham have backed the Government’s decision, while Conservative MPs for Windsor and Beaconsfield have voiced their opposition.

Slough Labour MP Tan Dhesi said he ‘wholeheartedly’ welcomed the decision, which he has ‘long advocated for’.

In his Commons Sense column in the Express, he added: “This recognition isn’t just symbolic; it’s a vital step toward securing a lasting peace in the region.

“The Government has made it clear – and I echo it – that Hamas is a terrorist organisation that can have no role in the future governance of Palestine.”

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds told the Advertiser: “It’s been long overdue. I'd say it's a step in the [right] direction.

“[It’s] something that my party have been calling for, for almost a decade at this point.

“I don’t think this is the end of the road. There’s more work that needs to continue.”

Similarly, Wokingham MP Clive Jones welcomed the recognition and said it is a ‘vital step forward to securing a two-state solution and bringing peace and security to both Palestinians and Israelis’.

He added: “My fellow Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will continue to pressure the Government to follow through and do all it can to secure a ceasefire, an end to the cycle of violence and a two-state solution, which is the only way to ensure a permanent end to the conflict.”

Opposing the recognition, Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey said the decision ‘will be deeply regretted in the years to come’.

She added: “This move does nothing to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza, nor does it alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the conflict.

“A meaningful path forward must be rooted in peace, security, and the protection of human rights for all - not rewarding terrorism.”

Windsor’s MP Jack Rankin called the recognition ‘a dark moment for Britain’.

He said: “Hamas terrorists - who have declared victory following this announcement - continue to hold 48 hostages underground and have done so for 716 days.”

Mr Rankin said that Mr Starmer has ‘conceded to both terrorism and political sectarianism with no conditions attached to Hamas’.

In a statement during the announcement, Mr Starmer said the formal recognition of the state is not about Hamas, who he described as a 'brutal terrorist organisation'. 

The Government’s demands of the group remain unchanged.

They state that the group must release all hostages, commit to disarmament, agree to an immediate ceasefire and accept that it will not have a role in governing Gaza.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Recognition is an important step to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution.

“We are clear that Hamas can have no role in Palestine’s future - they are a barbaric terrorist organisation who oppose the very idea of two states.

“They must release the hostages and relinquish any hold on Gaza. But Hamas are not the Palestinian people. 

“Recognition is only one part of what must be a stronger and wider push for peace.”