Contributions
4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMiddle EastWe have to learn the lessons. Collapsing and failed states have historically proved to be worse, so we do have to be careful.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastIt is important that we all learn the lessons of Iraq, and they are that there needs to be a lawful basis for action if it is taken and that there needs to be a viable case.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastIn relation to the protection of our citizens, we will obviously continue operating defensively in the air in the region, taking out the missiles, drones and strikes. We have…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 thank the right hon. Member for his question. I agree that the response of Iran has been outrageous, particularly the hitting of countries that played no part in the strikes. We…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are taking a number of measures to deal with Iranian threats, as the hon. Gentleman would expect.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastMay I reassure the hon. Lady that we are working with the Qataris and others to ensure that we are able to get everybody to safety and security as quickly as possible? They are…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe uses of the bases are for the collective self-defence of our allies and to protect British nationals—something I am sure the right hon. Member would agree with—and…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI strongly agree with my hon. Friend that the future of Iran is for the Iranian people, and we must absolutely establish that as a founding principle, and that it is our duty to…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI know that the right hon. Lady’s constituents, and all our constituents, will be very concerned, particularly since there are 300,000 British nationals in the region. We want to…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastYes, I will. I can absolutely assure my hon. Friend and the House that there will always be a lawful basis for any action that we take, and there must be a viable plan for it.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastIt is very important that the BBC reports and broadcasts in the way that it does, and we support it in doing so.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe are working with all our allies, and having discussions at every level with the US and others about how to resolve and de-escalate the situation. Ultimately, it will have to be…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI have set out the principles on which I will act. I thank my hon. Friend for his question. Any action will have to have a lawful basis, and a viable case for it.02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my right hon. Friend for that important question. Ukraine, sadly, has more expertise than anyone in dealing with drones. That is why we are putting Ukraine’s expertise and…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI thank my hon. Friend for raising the case of his constituents; I am sure they are very anxious about the situation. I assure them and him that we are working at pace with our…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 are not equivocating. Pilots have been in the sky since Saturday morning, hours after the attack, risking their lives. I am grateful to them for doing so. They went straight up…02 Mar 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI will be absolutely clear again, because it really matters, that the US is not using Cyprus; it is our base. I will not go into operational details, but as the hon. Member would…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 2026