Speaking at a London event on Tuesday, Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said recognition of a Palestinian state was only a first step and urged the government to take further measures to support a two-state solution.

She criticized what she described as Britain’s slow response to Israeli plans to expand control in Gaza and called for tougher action against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including restrictions on settlement goods and sanctions on those involved.

Thornberry said the UK had fallen short in upholding international law on Palestine and urged countries that backed Palestinian statehood in 2025 to coordinate economic pressure against settlement expansion.

Her remarks add to growing debate within Britain’s ruling Labour Party over the government’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Terminally ill campaigners and British photographer Rankin have launched a renewed push for assisted dying legislation in England and Wales, urging lawmakers to revive a stalled bill that supporters say would give dying people greater control over end-of-life decisions.

The campaign, organised with advocacy group Dignity in Dying, comes ahead of Thursday’s private member’s bill ballot in parliament and follows mounting frustration among supporters after legislation introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater cleared the House of Commons but became delayed in the House of Lords amid a large number of amendments.

Rankin, one of Britain’s best-known photographers and directors, said his involvement in the campaign stemmed from an encounter in late 2023 with Paola Marra, a terminally ill woman who later travelled to the Swiss assisted dying clinic Dignitas.

During a RankinLIVE portrait event in London’s Carnaby Street shortly before Christmas that year, Marra asked the photographer to take what would become her final public image before travelling to Switzerland.“I asked what the occasion was, and she said: ‘I’m going to Dignitas,’” Rankin recalled.

Marra, a former music industry and charity worker, had terminal bowel cancer. The portrait later gained widespread attention after it was released alongside a farewell video following her death at the Swiss clinic in March 2024.

In the image, the 53-year-old gestures defiantly toward the camera while referencing her illness.Rankin said the encounter had a profound impact on him and helped shape his support for assisted dying reform.“It was like a punch to the stomach,” he said.

The latest campaign includes a series of short films featuring terminally ill individuals discussing fears surrounding the end of life and arguing for legal changes that would allow medically assisted dying under regulated circumstances.One of the videos, titled “Time to Back the Bill Again,” features eight participants aged between 19 and 77.

The film opens with one participant saying: “Yep. I’m terminal.”The campaign’s central message urges MPs to resume legislative efforts after the bill’s progress slowed in the Lords. Supporters of the legislation argue that parliament has not completed the democratic process after MPs previously voted in favour of moving the proposal forward.

Rankin said participants in the campaign came from very different backgrounds but shared frustration over the bill’s delay.“They have all got one thing in common: they don’t understand why this bill hasn’t been passed,” he said. “They don’t understand why it’s been stopped.”He added that he believed the proposed law would have allowed people facing terminal illness to make decisions “in a responsible and dignified way.”

The issue of assisted dying remains one of the most divisive ethical debates in British politics. Supporters argue that terminally ill people should have the right to choose the timing and manner of their deaths under strict safeguards, while opponents warn of potential risks involving coercion, vulnerable patients and pressure on medical systems.

Dignity in Dying said polling conducted by Opinium showed continued public support for parliament completing debate on the legislation.

According to the organisation, 69% of respondents said parliament should continue considering the bill until a final decision is reached, while 61% said the government should ensure sufficient parliamentary time for MPs and peers to complete the legislative process.

Barbara Shooter, 69, who appears in the campaign films, said she supported assisted dying after accompanying her late husband Adrian Shooter to Dignitas in 2022. Adrian Shooter, the former chair of Chiltern Railways, had motor neurone disease, which progressively affected his mobility, speech, swallowing and breathing.“It was getting control back,” she said.

“Once he knew he had a day, it was very powerful. He cheered up no end. And he had a calm, peaceful death.”In what she described as a cruel development, Shooter herself was later diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

She said her condition is currently progressing slowly and that she continues to maintain a good quality of life.“I do have my own lines in the sand, but I’m nowhere near those,” she said.

Shooter criticised peers who opposed the legislation and warned that delays risked pushing the issue out of public attention.“Who wants to face horror and pain and awfulness at the end of their life when you know you’re not going to get better?” she said.

“Some might be perfectly content to let nature take its course. It’s their choice. And I want my choice.”Another participant in the campaign, London charity worker Maddie Cowey, 28, was diagnosed at 18 with alveolar soft part sarcoma, a rare and incurable cancer.

She now has more than 30 sarcoma nodules across both lungs and remains dependent on treatment to manage the disease.“Without treatment I would die, basically, and it’s not going to be cured,” Cowey said.She said the unpredictable progression of the illness created ongoing uncertainty about the future.

“It could become aggressive at any time and become uncontrollable and it could happen really quickly,” she said. “Or I could have decades more if they manage to keep it at bay.”Cowey said she had come to terms with the possibility of dying younger than most people but remained fearful about suffering during the final stages of illness.

“Not having an alternative option is really scary,” she said. “Having the alternative of being able to choose how and when it happens would give me a lot of peace and hope.”She said the delay to the legislation had replaced earlier optimism with anxiety.

“I try not to dwell on it day to day because I just want to live my life, but if I let myself think about it, it’s terrifying,” she said. “It feels really unfair and unjust.”Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said the organisation believed terminally ill people continued to face limited and distressing options under current laws.

“Every week, dying people are left with the same cruel options: suffer, travel abroad to die, or act alone,” Wootton said.She accused opponents in the House of Lords of obstructing legislation that had already secured backing in the Commons.

“This is bigger than assisted dying,” she said. “Parliament has unfinished business, and it’s time for MPs to return the bill to Westminster and finish what they started.”

The elections across England, Scotland and Wales marked Labour’s most serious political setback since the party returned to power in the 2024 general election, ending more than a decade of Conservative-led government.Writing in Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Starmer acknowledged public dissatisfaction following Thursday’s vote but rejected calls for Labour to shift ideologically in response to the results.“

The right lesson is to listen to voters,” Starmer wrote, adding that doing so “doesn’t mean tacking right or left.”The strongest advances came from Reform UK, the anti-immigration party that expanded its footprint across England, Scotland and Wales as disillusioned voters increasingly turned toward nationalist and insurgent political movements.With nearly all ballots counted, Labour lost almost 1,400 council seats in England and relinquished control of several local authorities.

Reform UK secured nearly 1,500 of the roughly 5,000 council seats contested, while the Green Party also posted strong gains with more than 500 seats won.The outcome was particularly severe in Wales, where Labour lost control of the devolved government for the first time since the Welsh parliament was established in 1999.

Nationalist party Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest political force, followed by Reform UK, with Labour falling to third place.In Scotland, the Scottish National Party retained its position as the largest party but failed to secure an outright majority, winning six fewer seats than in the previous regional elections in 2021.

Although Labour’s performance in London was less damaging than some party officials had feared, the broader results underscored mounting public unease over the government’s economic record and a series of policy reversals and political controversies since taking office.

The election setback comes as British households continue to face persistent cost-of-living pressures, sluggish economic growth and strained public services, conditions that have increasingly benefited smaller opposition parties and anti-establishment movements.

Despite political debates and internal discussions, Starmer’s leadership continues to prioritize progress, responsibility, and national renewal.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his leadership vision, emphasizing unity and responsibility within the Labour Party.

Amid upcoming fiscal decisions and growing global attention, Starmer continues to advocate for collective focus on rebuilding the British economy and restoring public confidence.

The recent discussions among Labour lawmakers reflect a period of internal reflection, not division.

Starmer’s decision to meet MPs in person underscores his willingness to engage directly and transparently with his team, fostering dialogue and cooperation before the budget.

Political observers note that Starmer’s leadership style has consistently centered on policy delivery rather than political theatrics.

By prioritizing long-term solutions over short-term optics, the prime minister aims to strengthen Britain’s position as a forward-looking and economically secure nation.

Despite reports of differing opinions, many lawmakers continue to support Starmer’s emphasis on responsibility, fairness, and fiscal balance.

The government remains committed to protecting key public services while addressing challenges such as inflation, cost of living, and sustainable welfare spending.

The upcoming budget, scheduled for late November, is expected to outline Starmer’s long-term strategy for balanced growth and responsible governance.

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves has been working closely with the prime minister to ensure policies remain consistent with Labour’s promises of economic integrity and social support.

While some members have expressed concerns over communication, Starmer has taken a proactive stance to strengthen engagement.
His meetings with MPs across regions highlight an open-door approach, reflecting his dedication to collaboration and shared responsibility.

Observers believe the prime minister’s calm and pragmatic response demonstrates his ability to manage both internal feedback and external pressures.

Starmer’s measured leadership contrasts with the turbulence that often characterizes British politics, positioning him as a steady hand during a complex global climate.

Economic experts anticipate that the government’s upcoming budget will prioritize job creation, healthcare investment, and infrastructure renewal.

These efforts align with Labour’s broader vision of fairness, equality, and modern governance designed to empower working families and small businesses.

Starmer’s leadership has also been praised internationally for strengthening diplomatic relations and maintaining Britain’s global standing.
His focus on cooperation, transparency, and accountability continues to set a positive tone in both domestic and foreign policy.

Party insiders highlight that unity and focus are central to Starmer’s next steps. The government is expected to continue consultations with lawmakers and experts, ensuring every policy reflects public interest and long-term national growth.

Starmer remains confident that the upcoming months will demonstrate the government’s commitment to fairness, stability, and opportunity for all citizens.

His leadership vision—rooted in service, progress, and accountability—continues to guide Britain through a time of renewal and reform.

As the budget announcement approaches, the prime minister’s focus on discipline, dialogue, and delivery defines his approach.

He seeks to reaffirm trust in political leadership by ensuring that every decision aligns with the needs of the people and the principles of good governance.