Oral Answers to Questions

Ed Davey Excerpts

Wednesday 10th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

[Ed Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD)]

I join the Prime Minister in sending our condolences to the families of those killed in last week’s helicopter crash. I associate myself with his remarks about the horrific knife attack in Belfast; our thoughts are with the victim and his family. I join the Prime Minister in condemning the disorder last night.

In Carer’s Week, I celebrate the millions of family carers who make huge sacrifices to look after their loved ones. I also look forward to an England versus Scotland world cup final, and wish you, Mr Speaker, a happy birthday.

As the chaos over the defence investment plan goes on, I am sure that Members across the House were shocked to read yesterday’s reports that the Government are considering slashing the hospital programme to fund the shortfall. Surely in 21st-century Britain people can expect both a decent local hospital and armed forces that keep them safe, so will the Prime Minister rule out any cuts to the NHS budget to fund defence?

[The Prime Minister]

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman about the amazing work of our carers.

I will take the measures necessary to defend our country—the first duty of any Prime Minister. The Government will also take the measures to invest in our public services, as we have done already. Forgive me, but I was running a public service when the Government that the right hon. Gentleman’s party was part of were stripping them bare under austerity. We are really not going to take lectures on austerity from him.

[Ed Davey]

I was hoping we were going to hear more about defence investment. I urge the Prime Minister to look at our plans for defence bonds to get £20 billion into defence.

I will turn to the horrific scenes in Belfast. We have seen the same pattern too many times: an appalling crime is committed, making us all feel immense pain and anger, and then extremists exploit that grief and anger to spread hatred and violence, aided and abetted by social media barons like Elon Musk and their divisive algorithms. Does the Prime Minister agree that this is not who we are as a country, and that it is not free speech if it is controlled by tech billionaires and their algorithms? Will he therefore crack down properly on platforms like X that are fuelling violence and hatred?

[The Prime Minister]

We will crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division. I agree with the right hon. Gentleman: we are heading into a very difficult situation in Northern Ireland. I have spoken to the chief constable, First Minister and Deputy First Minister this morning, and they were united in saying that we should all be calling for calm. The police are on the frontline, and it is our duty as politicians to call for calm. Nobody who is a politician should be whipping up division and hatred.