ICJP hosts Annual Palestine Reception at Liberal Democrat Conference, with speakers including Leader Sir Ed Davey and Foreign Spokesperson Calum Miller
Bournemouth, 23rd September 2025 – From the 21st– 22nd September 2025, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) attended the Liberal Democrats Party Conference in Bournemouth, co-hosting the Conference’s Annual Palestine Reception with Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine (LDFP).
The event took place from 5:15 until 7:30pm in the Ocean suite of the Nici Hotel. Delivering a keynote address, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Edward Davey welcomed the UK Government’s recognition of Palestine but called it a ‘small step’ in the face of Israel’s ongoing atrocities, reaffirming his party’s commitment to ending the genocide in Gaza.
Other speakers included Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP, Tom Morrison MP, Tayab Ali, Director of ICJP, Anne-Marie Simpson, Chair of LDFP, and Ehab Omar, Co-Founder of British Palestinian Families.
The event included refreshments and finger food and provided an opportunity for conference attendees to meet with likeminded individuals interested in defending and upholding international law and Palestinian people’s human rights. It was well-attended by MPs, peers, non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders, staffers, council group leaders, and other party members.
On the previous day, on 21st September 2025, ICJP Director Tayab Ali also appeared on LDFP’s fringe event in the Meyrick Suite of the Bournemouth International Conference Centre. Titled “Israel-Palestine: Rebuilding a Pathway to Peace,” Other speakers included Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Emili Stevenson of Na’amod’s Strategic Leadership Team, and Ehab Omar, Co-Founder of British Palestinian Families, with LDFP Chair Anne-Marie Simpson chairing the discussion.
Panellists set out the urgent steps that the UK and political parties such as the Liberal Democrats must take to confront Israel’s genocide in Gaza and end its wider campaign of ethnic cleansing and mass displacement and dispossession of the Palestinian people.
That morning, the Conference held a topical debate entitled “Ending the Israel-Palestine war and Britain’s response to it.” The debate was proposed by LDFP Chair Anne-Marie Simpson and summated by the party’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller, with additional interventions from Manuela Perteghella MP, Andrew George MP, Alistair Carmichael MP, and Richard Foord MP.
Speakers called for wider sanctions and a full arms embargo to pressure Israel to change course and prevent UK complicity in the genocide. The debate also drew attention to the thousands of Palestinians held unlawfully under Israel’s administrative detention system, amid credible reports of torture and other ill-treatment.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- Please contact the ICJP press team at press@icjpalestine.com for photographs and a full video of the speeches.