The British government has reaffirmed its support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco as a solution for the regional dispute created around the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.
This position was reiterated by Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the UK Minister for Development, during a debate at the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the British Parliament.
“We believe that it (the autonomy plan) was the right and pragmatic solution, given the duration of the conflict and the current situation. I think it was the right decision to make,” Baroness Chapman stated, adding that the United Kingdom remains “extremely close to our Moroccan friends and hopes that this approach will bring peace and stability to the region as a whole.”
The minister noted that by supporting the autonomy plan, the British government acted “with pragmatism.” “The United Kingdom is acting pragmatically, as I mentioned, but also in line with our commitments to Morocco and, above all, with full transparency,” she added.
Last June, the UK formalized its support for the autonomy plan in a joint communiqué issued following a visit to Morocco by former Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The statement underscored that the autonomy plan represents “the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis” for achieving a lasting resolution to the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara.
MAP: 28 October 2025
