Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

Debate between Paul Holmes and Luke Pollard

2nd reading
Tuesday 9th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Luke Pollard]

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman wants to show me his draft deal, and there is a very good reason for that: this deal, this treaty and this Bill improve on that deal.

[Paul Holmes (Hamble Valley) (Con)]

rose—

--- Later in debate ---

[Luke Pollard]

I have a lot of time for the right hon. Gentleman. The provisions of those judgments affect the operations of the base—that is what is important here. It is also about the extension of the judgments, because other powers could be used on the basis of those judgments. That is the reason that the Conservatives started the negotiations. [Interruption.] If they would like to explain that there was a better reason that they started the negotiations—if it was not to ensure the security of this vital base—they are welcome to do so.

[Paul Holmes]

Will the Minister give way?

[Luke Pollard]

If the hon. Gentleman would like to explain why the Conservatives started the negotiations, I am happy to give way.

[Paul Holmes]

I thank the Minister for giving way, and I welcome him to his new position. He keeps saying “could”, “if” and that things “might” have happened. Will he accept that the legal judgments that have been cast down, which he is using as evidence, are not binding? Does he accept that when he talks about our deal—in other words, the last Government’s deal—he is actually being a bit duplicitous? There was no deal, because we ended the negotiations.

[Luke Pollard]

I think the Opposition have got their attack line sorted, but not the reasons why they started the negotiations.

[Paul Holmes]

We ended them!