Why Newbury MP Laura Farris voted against a ceasefire in Gaza

Newbury MP Laura Farris has explained why she voted against a ceasefire on Gaza on Wednesday night in Parliament.

The Conservative minister said that whilst she voted against the SNP motion, she is “gravely worried” about the number of civilians that have been killed in Gaza.

“I want to make absolutely clear that I want to see an end to the conflict in Gaza,” she said.

“I am gravely worried about the images that we have seen especially from the Al-Shifa Hospital and the number of civilians who have been killed in including the 4,000 children.”

But when the time came to vote, she was one of the 293 MP’s to vote against the amendment to the King’s Speech.

She said the two reasons for her decision were the need for a release of the 200 Israeli hostages as a “prerequisite” and a need for “context for a ceasefire”.

“Plainly there has to be a context for a ceasefire including a prospect of future resolution,” she said.

“That is untenable whilst Hamas remains committed to further acts of terrorism and it must be dismantled.

“The United Kingdom would do the same thing if our citizens were attacked in the same way.”

She added: “The 7 October attack on Israel was exceptionally brutal and an appalling act of terrorism.

“However Israel has obligations under the Geneva Convention to avoid civilian deaths and it is vitally important these are adhered to.”

Mrs Farris said she has been “committed to issues” related to Israel and Palestine since she was first elected as an MP.

“I am part of All Party Parliamentary Groups relating to both sides,” she told Newburytoday.

“It is not lost on me that the October 7 attack took place almost 30 years to the day after the signing of the Oslo Accords and it now feels like a two-state solution could not be further away.

“However it remains the only tenable solution for the region.

“And whilst Israel is absolutely entitled to security, the Palestinian people have coexisting rights including to a territorial settlement if this terrible conflict is to ever end.”