Counter-Daesh Campaign: Iraq and Syria

Desmond Swayne Excerpts
Thursday 3rd November 2016

(8 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Boris Johnson Portrait Boris Johnson
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We are looking at that. It will not surprise the hon. Gentleman to know that the advice I have had so far is that that would almost certainly not work, but I have asked our officials to go back and see what they can do. I have studied the proposal with interest and with care. The hon. Gentleman should not get his hopes too high, but we should rule nothing out.

Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
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How likely is reform in Iraq, which is so vital to this enterprise?

Boris Johnson Portrait Boris Johnson
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My right hon. Friend asks the fundamental question. Everybody who has talked to Prime Minister Abadi or Foreign Minister al-Jaafari, as I have, will feel that they understand what they need to do. They get the scale of the problem and the credibility that they need to build with their own people. Whether they will achieve that is a matter for them. It is vital that they do not shirk their responsibility, and we will give them every possible support.