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Written Question
Turkey: Politics and Government
Wednesday 11th March 2026

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Egyptian counterpart on the detention of opposition mayors in Turkiye, including Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu; and what steps she is taking to help improve the situation in that country for opposition parties.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government does not routinely discuss matters relating to Türkiye with the Egyptian Government.


Division Vote (Commons)
10 Mar 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 203 Noes - 311
Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 10 Mar 2026
Technology Sovereignty

"The Minister knows that the Computer Misuse Act 1990 criminalises a lot of legitimate cyber-resilience and vulnerability research. I think that the Government are minded to introduce a statutory defence for such research, but can he share whether that defence will be introduced as part of the cyber Bill?..."
Ben Lake - View Speech

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Technology Sovereignty

Written Question
India: Christianity
Monday 9th March 2026

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 90911 on India: Christianity, what assessment she made of the potential impact of her Department's discussions with civil society organisations, faith leaders and the Government of India on the protection of Christian minority communities in Andhra Pradesh; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to support those communities.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to track these issues closely and engage wherever possible to promote religious freedom and tolerance. Our High Commission in New Delhi, along with our network of Deputy High Commissions, monitors the human rights situation closely. We also engage with civil society and faith leaders to support efforts to promote tolerance and respect between communities. We will continue in these efforts and keep the House updated as this work progresses.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 09 Mar 2026
Middle East: Economic Update

"Some 72% of households in my constituency have no connection to the mains gas grid. For those who filled their tanks over the weekend, the consequences of the Iran crisis have become very real, and those who are still to do so are anxious to learn when any potential support …..."
Ben Lake - View Speech

View all Ben Lake (PC - Ceredigion Preseli) contributions to the debate on: Middle East: Economic Update

Division Vote (Commons)
9 Mar 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 4 Plaid Cymru No votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 181
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Mar 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 4 Plaid Cymru No votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 173
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Mar 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 321 Noes - 106
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Mar 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Ben Lake (PC) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 4 Plaid Cymru No votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 306 Noes - 182
Written Question
Egypt: Religious Freedom
Monday 9th March 2026

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Egyptian counterpart on religious expression online in Egypt; and what steps her Department is taking to help protect freedom of religion or belief in that country.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to regularly raise rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities where appropriate.