Contributions
4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMiddle EastI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for raising this really serious issue. The immediate focus has to be on ensuring that Lebanon is included in the ceasefire and being…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI notice that the right hon. Lady’s opening sentence has changed. She used to say, “We didn’t start the war, but like it or not, we’re in it, and we should be in it.” That was her…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my right hon. Friend for raising the important question of Lebanon; I want to be really clear in relation to that. Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire, and we are…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his questions. In relation to the language about destroying a civilisation, can I really be clear with this House? That was wrong. A threat to…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe US is using the bases to attack the Iranian capability to fire missiles into the region, including at our citizens and our nationals. Members will have seen the images—going…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe discussed a range of issues. I will not go into all the details, but we did agree that where we are working together already, we should double down and do even more in relation…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my hon. Friend and reiterate that we will not be dragged into the war. We are taking steps across a number of levels. What we can do together to de-escalate was central to…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastYes. We are considering what further support we can put in place—bearing in mind that de-escalation is the single most effective thing we can do.13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThose are both very important points, and I can give my hon. Friend’s constituents that assurance on both fronts.13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastLet me underscore the point my hon. Friend makes about the wealth of that capability in Cornwall. We need to go further and faster on renewables, to make sure that we get energy…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are looking at all contingencies, and it is important that we do so. We will continue to do so, mindful of the impact that the hon. and learned Gentleman points out. However,…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI agree that our armed forces and our capabilities have been hollowed out over many years, in particular under the last Government, I am afraid to say—Ben Wallace, the then…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastA close relationship with the EU and Europe was in our manifesto in 2024, which was a very successful manifesto, and we have been working to that end ever since, which is why we…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI assure my hon. Friend that we have been looking at that in the various meetings we have been having, particularly on the red diesel question, and we are looking at…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastAs the hon. Gentleman knows, we have taken measures on both of those fronts in relation to the framework of law that we have in place.13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastIt is a 10-year plan, and it mirrors our strategic review. It sits alongside the defence spending commitments that we have made and are implementing with the 2.5%, and the…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastYes, and I know that this will be of interest to my hon. Friend’s constituents, many of whom are worried by what they are seeing on their screens and the knowledge that it may…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe hon. Member’s question underlines why it is so important that Lebanon is included in the ceasefire. We are looking across the board at all contingencies in relation to the…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe hon. Member is right: the attacks are wrong, and it is important that we are clear on that. Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire, and we are clear on that. We need to…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastAs I mentioned earlier, I spoke to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Friday ahead of the talks. We have been in touch again since the talks broke down about the very issue that…13 Apr 2026