Contributions
589 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Arctic and High NorthAs my hon. Friend will know, we have various multilateral treaties, including working with the JEF and NATO to ensure that any implications from global warming are carefully…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Arctic and High NorthI completely agree. I think our Prime Minister has done exactly that, but the only people to decide the future of Greenland are those in Greenland, and NATO as a whole provides a…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Arctic and High NorthSecurity in the Arctic must be achieved collectively, with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN charter on sovereignty, territorial…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Arctic and High NorthFor a long time during the cold war, a large proportion of our time was predisposed to looking to the high north-east and north-west in the Atlantic and the High North. It is a…13 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank the hon. and gallant Member for his comments, and also for his service. Nobody in the senior command has raised the Bill with me in relation to recruitment and retention.05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionThis Labour Government are committed to renewing the contract with those who serve, and our commitment is reflected in our actions. That is why we have given our armed forces the…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank my hon. Friend for making that point. In this role and in my last role, I have visited Sandhurst several times; it is the best leadership academy in the country, and its…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionAs the shadow Defence Secretary has raised a question about recruitment and retention, it is important that we look at the record of his own Government. Military morale fell to…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank my hon. Friend for his comments. The reality is that the last Act was opposed by every part of the Northern Ireland system, groups across the military and civilians in…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI have been really clear: I have been working with veterans across the whole UK, with Northern Ireland and with the commissioners to ensure that the protections that we put in…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank the right hon. Member for his comments. The reality is that 90% of all casualties in Northern Ireland were caused by terrorists, and it is not lost on me that that context…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank my hon. Friend for his list. This Government have come into power and put in place a very clear, concise programme to increase recruitment and retention. There is a list:…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI fully respect the hon. and gallant Member; he has experience from Northern Ireland during the troubles. I served in Northern Ireland in 2003, after the troubles. We absolutely…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionFirst of all, there are no vexatious prosecutions. I would also say that if you want to see the world, work with some of the best people in the world, have an adventure and get…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank the right hon. Member for his question. Of the 300,000 veterans who served in Northern Ireland, among whom I include myself, this will affect a small number, but we must…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank my hon. Friend for her point, and I thank her husband for his service—we do not say that enough in this country, and I think we should say it more. The previous Government…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionWe have a huge amount of people wanting to join the armed forces. The problem is that the processes we inherited with the old recruitment scheme are out of date and need to be…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionThis is not giving into the IRA’s demands in any way, shape or form; this is about truth, justice and reconciliation. It is about taking those three different groups of…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI fundamentally disagree. We hold our British forces, whether it be the Army, the Navy or the Air Force, to the highest legal standard. We always will, and it is what separates us…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionFor almost a year and a half now, I have been in constant discussion with various veterans groups, whether that is co-ordinated by the Royal British Legion or whether that is…05 Jan 2026