Contributions
4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEngagementsNot only did they cut the defence budget, but they missed Army recruitment targets every year for 14 years. They left morale in our armed forces at an all-time low, and our forces…04 Mar 2026HANSARDEngagementsI will not take lectures on defence from the Conservatives. They came into office and what did they do? They cut the defence budget— [ Interruption. ]04 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI very much agree, and I thank the hon. Gentleman for his service. It is really important that we approach this with clear principles about what we are trying to achieve and…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastAs the right hon. and learned Member will know from her time in office that this is kept under review, but we have put extensive sanctions in place, as the previous Government did.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI assure the hon. Member that we are taking measures with our allies to safeguard the supply and to do all we can to ensure that we have the energy we need where we need it.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe have already put extensive sanctions in place, and we keep the situation under constant review.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastAs I said, I took two decisions over the weekend. The second was to allow the bases to be used because of the actions of Iran and the need to protect our citizens, our nationals.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastMy focus has been on the protection of the 300,000 British nationals in the region, who are at risk. It is our duty to take steps to reduce that risk and bring them to safety and…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastIt is very important that we are clear on the principle that the future of Iran must be for the Iranian people, who have been brutally repressed, particularly but not only in…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are taking a number of measures to deal with Iranian threats, as the hon. Gentleman would expect.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are using British personnel to defend Cyprus at this very moment.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my hon. Friend for that. It is very important that we take those measures in the countries that are most exposed, and we are talking to our allies about how we can do that.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI reassure my hon. Friend that we are talking to our allies in the region and to allies in Europe—we talked to France and Germany, in particular, over the weekend—to be clear…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI acknowledge the concern of my hon. Friend’s constituents, as many of our constituents will be concerned. That is why it is our duty to take measures to protect them first and…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI clearly set out the two decisions that I made over the weekend, including the decision on Saturday to start taking defensive action with our pilots in the region, and the…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI can assure my hon. Friend that we are talking to the US at all levels, and there is real clarity about the action that we have taken and the basis and reason for that action.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI will resist setting out the full international law test, but it is clear what the test is—I think that is not disputed. As far as I know, nobody is challenging the Attorney…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank the hon. Lady for raising that point. I assure her and her constituents that all necessary measures are being taken to keep her constituents safe in relation to the use of…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI have set out the principles on which I have taken the decisions that I have taken this weekend. We keep uppermost in our minds the protection of our citizens and nationals who…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI have made the point a number of times that it is important that there is a clear legal basis. I am not actually sure what the Conservative party’s position is. Are they saying…02 Mar 2026