Steve Race, the Labour MP for Exeter, has been elected as the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kurds (APPG on Kurds) in the UK Parliament. The group consists of 41 official members, including prominent MPs from the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, and the Scottish National Party (SNP), as well as members of the House of Lords.

In an official session held in the parliamentary committee rooms, voting commenced once at least five Members of Parliament were present for the election of the group’s chair.

After the vote, Race was elected the group’s chair.

Steve Race addressed journalists in the parliamentary chamber after the vote, outlining his vision as the newly elected chair of the APPG on Kurds: "Our goal is to closely monitor the social, economic, and political situation of the Kurds, particularly in relation to the UK, and to reassess the UK's foreign policy accordingly.

At the same time, we aim to establish a direct parliamentary channel for engaging with Kurdish communities across the Middle East. Through this connection, we will engage with Kurds across the Middle East, including in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey."

Race emphasized that the formation of the group and his election as chair came at a particularly critical time, given the delicate situation in the region, especially in Syria. He stated: "Through our Minister responsible for the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, we will closely monitor the situation in Syria. We will also assess the situation of Kurds in the UK."

The Kurdish Friendship Group in the UK Parliament was established in October 2024.