Military Action Overseas: Parliamentary Approval

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Excerpts

Tuesday 17th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ian Blackford]

I find myself in strong agreement with the hon. Lady, because the fact of the matter is that everybody else was discussing the Syrian situation last week; hardly any other subject has been discussed in our media. When all our constituents are rightly concerned about the humanitarian situation, the only people—the only ones—who have not had a voice are Members of this Parliament. That is to be deeply regretted.

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is not acceptable and not good enough for the Prime Minister not to seek parliamentary approval before getting our brave servicemen and women involved in a military conflict? As he rightly says, thanks to the tweets of the stable genius, hundreds of millions of people were debating the issue in their house, but it seems that this House is the only one where we are not allowed to debate.

--- Later in debate ---

[Gavin Robinson]

I will give way, as I will get an extra minute.

[Mr Dhesi]

The substance of today’s debate is not the intention or voting record of the Leader of the Opposition; the debate is about process, and that is what the hon. Gentleman’s speech should concentrate on.