SDLP MPs have again voted against Tory legislation that would restrict the ability of councils to take positions of conscience on the behaviour of foreign governments and to adapt their own procurement policies to take part in solidarity campaigns such as the BDS movement.

Speaking following the vote in the House of Commons this week, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP said:

“The extreme Tory anti-boycott legislation is designed to silence legitimate dissent and protest against the actions of foreign governments that undermine human rights. There is no other way to describe it.

“It yet again breaches international law, restricts free expression and undermines the long standing cross-party support for a two state solution between Israel and Palestine. It is astounding to me that any government would push through such an extreme law at any time but while Palestinians in Gaza are being killed in their tens of thousands, it is a grotesque statement from the British Government.

“The SDLP is the only party in the North that has opposed this Bill and backed efforts to scrap it at every stage in the House of Commons. We will continue to use every option available to us to oppose the legislation and defend the rights of councils to take positions of conscience on these issues.”