G7 and NATO Summits
Debate between Keir Starmer and Desmond Swayne(1 week, 2 days ago)
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The Prime Minister
No, it does not. It was frankly embarrassing to suggest that I should not have been at NATO or the G7, and I think the Leader of the Opposition’s Back Benchers recognise that. That is not the traditional position of the Conservative party, and the sooner the Conservatives get back to their former position, the better.
Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
Was there any discussion about the killing zones that currently constitute the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza?
The Prime Minister
Yes, there was. There is real concern about the intolerable position in Gaza and what we can do to alleviate it. We have repeatedly said that it is intolerable, and that the current arrangements for aid are never going to work and cannot be maintained. Urgent diplomacy is under way to alleviate that situation, and we will continue with those efforts.
NATO and European Political Community Meetings
Debate between Keir Starmer and Desmond Swayne(11 months, 1 week ago)
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The Prime Minister
Let me start by joining in that, and making it clear that this work, done in so many communities, is really important, in terms of the support given and the welcome shown to refugees.
The point about “NATO first” is important. As I say, we are proud to have been among the founding members of NATO, and the review that we have put in place has framework principles, one of which is “NATO first”. That will inform the way in which we conduct the strategic review.
Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
Why do we continue to limit Ukraine’s ability to take the fight to Russia?
The Prime Minister
The approach to capability taken by the UK remains the same as it was three weeks ago— no different decisions have been taken—and is based on the principle of recognising Ukraine’s right to self-defence and the parameters of international law. I think that is right, and that is why no new decisions have been taken.