Anne Campbell Campaigning for Cambridge

Middle East

I firmly believe that peace in the Middle East is vital for the world's security. I am very pleased that the Prime Minister has taken up the challenge, and I will continue to lobby him about the importance of the peace process.

The only way I believe peace is possible is through a negotiated - not imposed - settlement leading to Israel living alongside a viable Palestinian State. The Quartet's Road Map offers a vision of two states, secure within internationally recognized borders, and both sides have accepted this.

On 1 March 2005, a meeting was held in London to help the Palestinian leadership strengthen the institutions needed for a future Palestinian State. The meeting was chaired by Tony Blair and Jack Straw, and attended by delegations from 23 nations and international organisations.

Discussions focused on governance, economy and security, and also were aimed at supporting Palestinian efforts to prepare for Israeli disengagement in accordance with the Road Map.

I visited the West Bank in the summer of 2004, and again in January 2005 when I formed part of a team of international election observers.

I saw for myself the devastating effect of the wall Israel is constructing in the West Bank, and I am concerned that Israel is using the barrier to absorb more Palestinian land. The wall is marooning whole communities on the wrong side of the fence where they are separated from their farmland.

I saw many positive projects, some funded by the Department for International Development which aim to improve the daily lives of Palestinians. These projects are aimed at improving water and sanitation levels.

I was very encouraged by the conduct of the Palestinian elections. My impression was that apart from registration difficulties, all was in order. We reported our observations to the Central Electoral Commission, and as a result, they extended the polls for two hours so everyone with a valid ID could vote.