British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of officially recognising Palestine as a state, in a vote held in Parliament on Monday.

274 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the resolution “this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two state solution.” 12 MPs voted against it.

Prime Minister David Cameron, alongside other government ministers abstained from the vote, with Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood stating the UK would recognise Palestine as a state when it is "appropriate for the peace process". The Prime Minister's spokesman had also earlier said that the vote would have no impact on UK foreign policy, no matter the outcome.

The vote comes after Sweden became the first sitting member of the European Union to recognise the state of Palestine. Scotland had earlier called on the United Kingdom government to follow suit, inviting Palestine to open its first European Consulate in Edinburgh.

The historic move in Parliament saw many prominent lawmakers come out in support of Palestinian statehood. Amongst them was the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Richard Ottaway, who said, “I have been a friend of Israel long before I became a Tory… I have stood by Israel through thick and thin.”

“But I realise now that Israel has been slowly drifting away from world international public opinion,” he added.

Ottaway went on to say,

“The annexation of the 950 acres of the West Bank just a few months ago has outraged me more than anything else in my political life. Under normal circumstances I would oppose this motion. But such is my anger over the behaviour of Israel that I will not be opposing it. I have to say to the government of Israel – if it is losing people like me it is going to be losing a lot people.”