East Thanet MP Polly Billington’s empty gesture politics are on show again as she skips signing a letter calling for concrete action from the Labour government.

I have criticised Polly Billington on this blog before (in November 2024) for presenting herself as an ally to the cause of Palestinian rights while doing the bare minimum to exact any change.

The platform Billington has as an MP is so much greater than the average civilian – we can protest and write letters, but we cannot command press attention, ask questions in Parliament or push for change within the halls of power. Back in 2024 I compared Billington’s actions with those of more vocal MPs and found that she was doing just 22% of what she could do if she chose to.

Last week an opportunity arose for Polly Billington to prove us wrong and take a stand against the daily barbarity that we watch impotently on our phones. All she had to do was sign her name. Did she?

No.

The letter, addressed to David Lammy, calls on the government to impose economic sanctions on Israel as well as a full arms embargo. It was signed by more than 60 parliamentarians.

Polly’s name was not on it.

Here was a chance to do something more than shallow virtue signalling, and she declined to be involved. Sanctions and a full embargo on arms sales would have a real impact on Israel’s ability to continue its genocidal assault on Gaza as well as its actions in the West Bank and neighbouring countries. Numerous MPs, including some who don’t often rebel, signed the letter. As Israel’s war crimes become ever more brazen and indefensible, how can our elected representatives choose NOT to sign a letter like this?

Some might say that Polly Billington is showing us who she really is.

If you live in East Thanet, write to Billington and ask her why she didn’t sign. And better still, if you see her enjoying a coffee on Northdown Road or attending a gallery opening – take the chance to bring up the sanctions letter (politely, of course) and find out what her reasons are for being so meek in the face of genocide.

Above is the letter, dated 18.06.25, sent by MPs Richard Burgon and Imran Hussain MP to David Lammy requesting the government impose sanctions on Israel’s economy; a ban on trade with illegal settlements and a full arms embargo.