Contributions
4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMiddle EastCan I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue, and be clear that Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire? It is very important that we are clear about the…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe have about 300,000 British civilians in the Gulf region, and they are at risk because of Iran’s actions. It is my duty to ensure that we protect them. That is why we have taken…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 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 work that we are doing with other countries has to start with the political and the diplomatic. Of course we are looking at military planning, but you cannot have military…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 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 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 EastIn fairness, I have been very clear about the Iranian regime—it is odious and, as the hon. Gentleman rightly points out, it is really important that it does not have a nuclear…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 EastWhen I say the US Administration, I mean President Trump. He is the President. We share intelligence on a daily basis. That intelligence safeguards people in all countries across…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastCan I remind the hon. Member that every day we work with the US on defence, security and intelligence sharing—13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are one of the countries that are pulling together a coalition to deal with the impact of this by de-escalating the situation and seeking to get the strait of Hormuz open. That…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI remind the Conservatives that they hollowed out the armed forces and they did not increase defence spending. The last time we were at 2.5% was under the previous Labour…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 EastWe will set out the plans as they develop. Some of the ways in which we protect and support have to be universal, and, in fact, the cut in energy bills until the end of June is…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastYes. We will bear down on any profiteering, at the same time as pushing forward at speed for energy independence.13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my hon. Friend for that. It is of course Iran that is putting the chokehold on the strait. That is wrong, and the strength of feeling across the Gulf last week was very,…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastOf course we have to focus on the cost of energy. There is simply no denying the fact that it is because we are on the international market that our energy prices are going up and…13 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my hon. Friend for raising that point. It is very important that we do not lose focus on what is happening in the west bank, which is deeply concerning and worrying. On…13 Apr 2026