*Updated: More than 150 lawmakers have now signed the letter.

More than 150 British lawmakers signed a letter to Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, calling for Commonwealth states to give the city’s residents second citizenship. Separately, 39 MPs have backed an Early Day Motion which makes the same call.

Members of the House of Lords and of the House of Commons co-signed the letter which called for an “insurance policy” for the people of Hong Kong:



The letter said: ”We urge you to seek international support for an insurance policy for the people of Hong Kong. This ought to consist in second citizenship and the right of abode elsewhere, particularly in light of our shared history. Many Commonwealth countries - which share the values currently under siege in Hong Kong - may well be willing to assist in providing such guarantees, especially for those industrious people who turned a tiny city into an economic powerhouse.”

The letter continues: “We would urge you to instruct officials and Ministers to take such an initiative and to ensure that it is an agenda item at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda next year. This would be a meaningful way of showing that we stand with the people of Hong Kong “every step of the way” as the Prime Minister said recently. It would also send a strong message to China that the people of Hong Kong are not alone.”



The letter, was signed by Members from all parties including Lord Patten of Barnes, the last Governor of Hong Kong; Tom Tugendhat, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman; Ian Blackford, the Scottish National Party Westminster Leader; Labour MP Sarah Champion; and Liberal Democrat MP and Hong Kong Watch patron Alistair Carmichael; Rory Stewart; and Lord Alton of Liverpool. It said that:



“China’s recent words and actions indicate that their leadership has moved away from the commitment to upholding Hong Kong’s way of life, enshrined in their Basic Law and founded on values we share: commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights. The continuing protests by the courageous people of Hong Kong have been their response to increasing restrictions on those values.”



The letter follows the publication by 39 MPs of a Parliamentary motion which makes the same call. A link to this motion can be found here.



The full text of the letter is included below.



