Openly gay MP Peter Swallow condemns Reform UK's anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric

During Thursday’s Points of Order debate in the House of Commons, Labour MP for Bracknell, Peter Swallow, delivered a passionate defence of LGBTQ+ rights, condemning recent remarks made by a Reform UK politician that conflated support for LGBTQ+ communities with backing for terrorism.

Swallow, who is openly gay, responded to comments made by East Wiltshire MP Danny Kruger, who had suggested on a Reform UK broadcast that Britain could soon be governed by an “appalling Hamas-supporting, LGBT-supporting nationalist party.”

Addressing the House, Swallow declared: “As a gay man and an MP, I am proud to say I will always support LGBT rights. To suggest that that support is the same as backing Hamas - a vile terrorist organisation that systematically persecutes LGBT people - is beyond the pale.”

His words were met with visible support across the chamber, with Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani acknowledging the seriousness of the statement and confirming that Swallow had followed parliamentary protocol by notifying the Member concerned.

Swallow went on to urge Parliament to reaffirm its commitment to LGBTQ+ equality as a core British value: “What can we do across this House to make it clear to him and his party that supporting LGBT rights is fundamental to our British values, and to the values of this Parliament?”

The speech has since been widely praised by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and allies across the political spectrum. Stonewall tweeted in support, calling Swallow’s remarks “a vital reminder that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, and must never be used as political scapegoats.”

Swallow, elected in 2024 as Bracknell’s first-ever Labour MP, has quickly become a vocal advocate for equality and inclusion. His intervention on Thursday adds to a growing chorus of MPs pushing back against rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in British politics.