🧵5/5
Some say that now is not the right time, but I believe that the opportunity to take a step like this in coordination with European partners like France is one that should not be missed.

🧵4/5
The Israeli assault on Gaza and the simultaneous uptick in attacks and annexation in the occupied West Bank present a real threat to the viability of a Palestinian state.

🧵3/5
is perpetuating this conflict and leading to continued suffering for Gazans.

The recognition of a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank is not about punishing Israel or rewarding Hamas - it is about signalling our serious and ongoing commitment to a two-state solution.

🧵2/5
to see full aid access restored immediately and a cessation of hostilities.

At the same time, I absolutely condemn the attacks of the 7 October, the terrorist organisation Hamas, and I want the remaining hostages released as soon as possible.

Hamas' continued detention of Isreali hostages...

Many of its members and their families powered this country for decades – putting themselves at risk working on coal faces.

We owe them a debt of gratitude, especially since their work has left scars – through historic bodily injuries and continuing respiratory issues.

Frequently, Russian shadow fleets cross through the channel and “mysterious” incidents trail in the news afterwards of severed British and NATO underseas cables.

I welcome the £370 million to secure our telecommunications network, and want to see it extended to our underseas cables.

🧵3/3
I met with them to hear about their plan to supply more almshouses on a brownfield site right in the heart of Belper. It is a fantastic idea which has been well thought through. I will be supporting their efforts to find partners, such as Amber Valley Borough Council and EMCCA.

🧵2/3
The Matthew Smith Almshouses charity provides secure and affordable housing in Belper to people over the age of 50. Almshouses – the earliest form of social housing - are self-sufficient and low-cost community homes which belong to a charity.

I look forward to working with Belper Leisure Centre and Trilogy Active to ensure those key services are accessible to Mid Derbyshire residents for the long-term.

🧵2/2

I am speaking to my colleagues in government about these measures, and working to give more people, whatever their circumstances, access to a nutritious and healthy diet.