Contributions
1,320 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUkraineYes, indeed. My hon. Friend served until very close to the general election in a very distinguished and senior capacity in our forces, so I say to him, as I did to the right hon.…10 Sept 2024HANSARDUkraineWith permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement on Ukraine, but may I first reflect on last week’s dreadful news of the death of Royal Naval pilot Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon?…10 Sept 2024HANSARDUkraineI thank the hon. Gentleman for his support, his tone and his commitment to continuing to back further military aid to Ukraine, including the £160 million contract for lightweight…10 Sept 2024HANSARDUkraineI have said that Ukraine is my first-order priority, and I was in Odessa on my second day in the job. I have now had the privilege of meeting President Zelensky four times while…10 Sept 2024HANSARDUkraineI am sure that Lieutenant Leyshon’s family will appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s comments. The outcome of the US presidential election will be determined by the American people.…10 Sept 2024HANSARDArmed Forces Pay 2024-25I am today announcing the Government decision on pay for the armed forces for 2024-25. Our armed forces are vital to protecting the nation, supporting our allies and meeting…29 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceMy hon. Friend is right: the scale of the conflict and, in particular, the deaths that we see in Gaza are not just intolerable, but agonising. When we think back, the terrorist…18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceI obviously did not answer my hon. Friend’s questions on Ukraine earlier on. I give way again.18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceMy hon. Friend has served with distinction in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a body that draws together well-informed, committed Members from all parties in this House. It is an…18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceWe have launched the strategic defence review, which was a manifesto commitment. It will be conducted within the framework set out in our manifesto, with the determination to…18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceThe right hon. Member is no longer a member of the Labour party, but I know that he watches what we do and say very closely. He will know that from the outset, we have argued that…18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceBut may I say how great it is to see you in the Chair for this debate, albeit in a temporary role? And may I say, through you, that the Foreign Secretary wanted to be here for the…18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceYou are confusing me, Madam Deputy Speaker.18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and Defencerose—18 Jul 2024HANSARDForeign Affairs and DefenceI can tell the hon. Gentleman that we are looking really hard, as he and this House would expect, at the growing threats that Iran poses not just as a state, but through its…18 Jul 2024HANSARD UkraineYes, the hon. Gentleman makes a sound point. Thirdly, as many speakers have said, we must boost industrial production. The £2 billion for stockpiles, to re-equip Ukraine and…20 May 2024HANSARDDefence Sector CompetitivenessSince the new shipbuilding strategy was launched two years ago, Ministers have given new build defence contracts to the Netherlands, Spain and, last week, France—just two days…20 May 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Government’s increase in military aid to Ukraine for this year and the years ahead has Labour’s fullest support. Weekend newspapers reported that D-day celebrations are at…20 May 2024HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe will also raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP to meet increasing threats, but this is not the magic wand that will fix 14 years of Tory failure: the Army, cut; the Navy, cut;…20 May 2024HANSARD UkraineI will come to some of the military challenges faced by Ukraine in a moment, if I may; the hon. Gentleman made that point very powerfully in his speech earlier. The hon. Member…20 May 2024