Putin’s threat to the Baltic states is sharpening attention on Britain’s neglected commitments to our allies.
By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter. Sir Gerald says of his new appointment: “As a country we face enormous challenges, just as we did when Margaret Thatcher took over the leadership of the Conservative Party in 1975. The principles which guided the transformation of Britain then can, when applied to our current problems, do so […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter. The Daily Mail this morning reports on the 118 Conservative MPs who have written to constituents indicating their opposition to gay marriage proposals. The Mail says "Their opposition has been expressed in letters and emails sent to constituents who have contacted them with their own concerns", and points out that […]
A variety of reactions are pasted in this blog. The names of those calling for some change of message, priority or operational changes are emboldened. We have also included the contributions of MPs who have not advocated substantial changes. 5.45pm A little round-up of what Tory MPs have said during the day: David Ruffley MP […]
By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter Lists of how Conservative MPs vote on "moral" issues have a perennial fascination (since they tend to divide more evenly than Labour ones.) Some vote for reasons of principle alone; others, particularly senior ones, want to show a bit of ankle to the party's right or the liberal media […]
Defence Questions came around again yesterday. Conservative members dominated the session and exhibited excellent technical knowledge. James Arbuthnot (MP for North-East Hampshire) chairs the Defence Select Committee. He asked about Pakistan: "Does the Secretary of State accept that the events in Lahore today show that instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan extends far beyond the border […]
The House of Commons returned yesterday and got stuck into Defence questions. Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox asked about Afghanistan: "The general consensus on Afghanistan in the House has put the United Kingdom in a strong position in NATO. Does the Secretary of State agree that, if there is to be further British deployment in […]
The House of Commons saw something rather unusual yesterday – a Conservative front bench spokesman going out of his way to rebut the remarks of a Conservative backbencher. Speaking in a debate on defence, Harwich MP Douglas Carswell talked about procurement: "Labour came to power promising to overhaul defence procurement, yet according to the best-selling […]
Questions from four Conservative MPs regarding Zimbabwe in Parliament yesterday. A ROLE FOR THE SAS? Gerald Howarth MP: "Many people find it morally repugnant that the international community has fiddled so ineffectively as Zimbabwe has literally burned. Can the Foreign Secretary tell the House how many British subjects there are in Zimbabwe, and what sort […]
Gerald Howarth MP: The Minister may know that the former Home Secretary’s decision to refuse citizenship to Mr. Mohamed Fayed was dispatched in a matter of weeks. Given the great distress and burden on the public purse caused by Fayed’s absurd allegations, will the Home Secretary take swift action to remove for good as an […]
Some excellent questions being asked my Conservative MPs in Defence Questions yesterday… Bernard Jenkin: The Secretary of State must be the only person in the House who does not understand that the armed forces are overstretched and under-resourced for the commitments that they have undertaken. When is he going to face up to the fact? […]