Proud to speak at the Lib Dem Conference setting out our approach to defence: standing firmly with Ukraine against Putin, restoring trust with our European allies, and fixing procurement to cut waste. In a more unstable world we remain committed to NATO, international law and our nuclear deterrent.
Watch James' speech in full: youtu.be/SPoWzsdcmJk
At a time of global crisis, Britain should be leading on the world stage – not following Trump like a poodle, as the Conservatives and Reform want to do.
Great to see @makeuk.bsky.social backing defence bonds. We need urgent funding to rearm.
Despite big talk from Labour and Tories, only the @libdems.org.uk have a plan.
Bonds would raise £20bn over two years and allow everyone to invest in our nation's defence.
inews.co.uk/news/britons...
Kemi Badenoch claims the Type 45 Destroyer can’t intercept missiles.
That is literally what they are designed to do, and they’re world-renowned for it.
The Conservatives should wind their neck in and stop warmongering.
We will not gain anything by getting involved in a conflict with Iran.
🇺🇦 🇬🇧 It is sobering to think that today marks four years since the start of Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.
I am proud of the support Britain has given, but we must not become complacent. We must continue to stand with our Ukrainian allies who fight for all of our freedom.
Slava Ukraini.🇺🇦
We do need to urgently increase defence spending and it's good that the PM is finally realising it.
He should adopt the @libdems.org.uk proposal for defence bonds to generate £20bn over the next two years.
A serious plan to get the cash boost our armed forces need.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Navalny showed incredible bravery standing up for freedom and a democratic Russian future and was murdered for it.
Now we know how, it should redouble our resolve to resist Putin and that begins in Ukraine.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer is finally waking up to the threat of relying on Trump for our security. The PM should be personally leading negotiations to get us into the EU SAFE defence fund and adopt the @libdems.org.uk defence bonds for an urgent cash injection for our armed forces.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
I'm pleased to see the High Court overturn the absurd proscription of Palestine Action.
Labour abused the parliamentary system to get them proscribed, but it was clear this was a blatant misuse of terror legislation.
Just think how much police time was wasted with this nonsense.
It was great to meet Royal Marine Commandos at Parliament ahead of their deployment to Norway for a NATO exercise. They showed us their kit and spoke about the vital work they’re doing to keep us safe in an increasingly unstable world.
The situation in Iran is shocking. The regime’s brutal crackdown has reportedly cost tens of thousands of lives. The UK Government must go further and proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ayatollahs’ iron fist, as a terrorist organisation.
We need to know how the Government plans to deal with Iran - and with Donald Trump’s plans for Iran. @jamesmaccleary.bsky.social
and I have written to the Defence and Foreign Secretaries today asking them to hold Iran’s leaders to account and to tell Parliament their plans.
The cruelty of Putin's war in Ukraine has reached new levels.
These attacks are designed to make civilians suffer. Children and the elderly shiver as Putin tries to break them.
Deliberately targeting civilians is a war crime and Putin is a war criminal.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I am appalled that the Government has once again chosen to ignore the WASPI women’s demand for fair compensation. These women were failed by poor communication and shifting goal posts.
They deserve justice, not delay or dismissal.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There is great irony that the man Reform have selected to win Gorton and Denton for them is the same man (in his previous life as a serious academic) who co-wrote a superb book called National Populism that dissects the very same ideas he now promotes.
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, marking 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. We remember the six million Jews murdered for being Jewish and honour the survivors. As witnesses grow fewer, we must bridge generations and ensure their memories are never forgotten.
I asked the Government to commit to a new Medium Lift Helicopter contract. This is a vital capability, with Leonardo in Yeovil the only bidder. Ministers should stop waiting for the Defence Investment Plan and commit now so production can begin.
It's time to get serious about funding defence.
Everyone is saying we 'must do more' but it's all talk.
Our plan to issue bonds for funding defence will raise £20bn and give our allies the reassurance that Britain is serious about defending Europe.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“Trump announces plan to hit UK, Denmark and other European countries with extra tariffs over Greenland”.
Starmer’s US policy lies in tatters. Trump is now punishing the UK and NATO allies just for doing the right thing.
Time for the PM to stand firm against the bully in the White House, and work with European and Commonwealth allies to make him back down from this reckless plan.
Donald Trump just falls back on this behaviour every time he doesn't get what he wants.
Greenland is not for sale and it is high time for the PM to stop pandering and work with our European friends to stand up the bully in the White House.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...
Deeply concerned by reports from Uganda about the conduct of elections and treatment of opposition leaders and election officials. UK Government must work w/ election observers, regional organisations and other partners to ensure a fair outcome of votes.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Russia’s shadow fleet keeps Putin’s war machine funded. Stopping that matters.
Today the MoD has assured me this operation is taking place in line with international law – unlike US actions in Venezuela.
The rules exist for a reason, and the UK must not be complicit in breaking them.
I asked the Foreign Secretary about what she is doing to ensure the US does not violate international law from British bases.
She told me British forces always uphold international law (which I am glad to hear) but made no comment about the US or their use of our bases.
The Government should be worried about young people leaving Britain. They are our future. A youth mobility scheme with the EU would let young people live, work and travel across Europe without being forced to emigrate for opportunity.
German Chancellor Merz is right when he says: "We are seeing more and more clearly that Russia’s aggression was and is part of a plan targeted against the whole of Europe,"
It's critical we are in lock step with our European friends to protect ourselves.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Security shouldn’t be about political posturing. It should be about capability, cooperation, and deterrence.
The UK has rejected access to the EU’s €150bn SAFE defence fund — a serious mistake.
At a time of increased aggression from Russia and other hostile powers, turning away from coordinated European rearmament is deeply short-sighted.
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The UK has rejected access to the EU’s €150bn SAFE defence fund - a serious mistake.
At a time of increased aggression from Russia and other hostile powers, turning away from coordinated European rearmament is deeply short-sighted.
🧵
It is great to see the govt inching in the right direction on Europe.
Joining the Erasmus scheme is just common sense and is something the @libdems.org.uk have been calling for.
The next step is to establish a new Youth Mobility Scheme with the EU.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
