Contributions
597 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Valedictory DebateI was driving through Harlow one day, and to my shock, I suddenly saw my right hon. Friend sitting by the dual carriageway under a bloody great big sign reading “Vote Halfon”. You…24 May 2024HANSARD Valedictory DebateI am very sorry to have to follow such a speech, and I feel sympathy. It has been a real privilege for me to be here. Fourteen years have gone like a flash. In my 28 years in the…24 May 2024HANSARD War Graves WeekIn late June and early July 1943, the allies in north Africa were preparing to invade Sicily, which would be the first piece of territory in Europe to be taken back from Nazi…14 May 2024HANSARDSecurity in the Western BalkansSome present will recall that I was the British battalion commander under UN command in Bosnia in 1992 and 1993. Since then, I have given evidence in four war crimes trials. I…02 May 2024HANSARDSecurity in the Western BalkansI entirely endorse that point. A British battalion positioned in Bosnia would give a very strong signal. Frankly, a British battalion is probably the best battalion to send into…02 May 2024HANSARDSecurity in the Western BalkansI thank my good and hon. Friend for saying that. I totally agree with the implication. The real problem is that Russia is encouraging this to happen. Republika Srpska, under…02 May 2024HANSARDSecurity in the Western BalkansI thank my right hon. Friend. There has been drift. We had the most wonderful high representative Paddy Ashdown, who really did wield the big stick—and it worked. His name is…02 May 2024HANSARDSecurity in the Western Balkans“Warriors” was based on my infantry battalion, and it demonstrated how brilliant, well trained and decent our servicemen are in such situations. I am very proud that “Warriors”…02 May 2024HANSARDSecurity in the Western BalkansIf we deployed a British battalion in Bosnia under the very small NATO headquarters there, it would show that we meant real business, and aimed to stop things this time. It would,…02 May 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastMay I declare an interest? Members of my close family have been, and are, involved in military operations in the middle east. Bearing in mind my experience in Northern…29 Apr 2024HANSARDHolocaust Memorial DayI am going to talk to the House about my own personal experience of genocide: Bosnia in 1992-93. I was in Germany commanding an infantry battalion in 1992 when I rang my mother. I…25 Jan 2024HANSARDHolocaust Memorial DayWhat I struggle with is this: what is it that people hate about Jews? Is it about religion? What is it that has come across the ages? I just do not get it.25 Jan 2024HANSARD Rwanda Plan Cost and Asylum SystemThis is called a plan, but actually it is a strategy. The strategy is to dissuade and deter people from getting in boats and crossing the channel at huge risk. The plan may cost,…09 Jan 2024HANSARDCriminal Justice BillI have been listening very carefully to the hon. Lady. Can I ask her to explain why there is a sudden rash of prosecutions of women? It seems extraordinary. What is the catalyst…28 Nov 2023HANSARDCriminal Justice BillMay I ask my hon. Friend what the reason is for a tenfold increase in cuckooing in Eastbourne?28 Nov 2023HANSARDCriminal Justice BillI totally agree with what the hon. Lady has said. Are we envisaging someone who refuses point blank to come into court to receive their sentence being forced into court by police…28 Nov 2023HANSARD PrisonsCould my right hon. Friend the Minister clarify that last point? Is he saying that someone who is removed at the end of his or her sentence cannot come back once they are free?…24 Oct 2023HANSARDLevelling-up and Regeneration BillWhat is the Government’s view on how effective such arrangements might be? Is remote working more effective or less effective? Do the Government have a view on that?24 Oct 2023HANSARD Importation and Sale of Foie GrasDucks and geese are sentient animals; they have feelings. Imagine all of us stuck in a cage with someone opening our mouths and stuffing stuff down our throats—God, how awful that…24 Oct 2023HANSARD South Fylde LineBeckenham.18 Oct 2023