Lord Cameron urged to answer questions in the House of Commons amid global conflicts

22 Apr 2024

EMBARGO: 22:30 SATURDAY 20TH APRIL

Liberal Democrats call on “unelected and unaccountable Foreign Secretary” to take questions from MPs
Layla Moran MP writes directly to the Foreign Secretary demanding accountability

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Layla Moran MP, has written to the Foreign Secretary urging him to appear in the House of Commons this week.

The letter to Lord Cameron follows escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, a G7 Summit, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Last week, the government blocked a request by cross-party MPs which called on Lord Cameron to be accountable for the question.

In the letter, Layla Moran MP writes:

“The public are demanding answers from you about the government’s response to these situations.

“Every day thousands of people write to their MPs, wanting to know what the government is doing to ensure aid can reach the people of Gaza, why we haven’t proscribed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps or wanting to know how we are combatting Russia’s expansionist exploits into our allies’ territory.

“In the 21st century, it should not be the case that our Foreign Secretary is both unelected and unaccountable.

“You speak on behalf of the United Kingdom as our most senior diplomat. Yet you refuse to speak to your own elected Members of Parliament.

“Our constituents must have the ability to have their concerns put directly to the Foreign Secretary.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Full letter

Dear Foreign Secretary,

We live in unprecedented times, with dangerous conflicts around the world having lasting repercussions on global and domestic security.

The British public watch the news each night with dread and horror, as we witness scenes of suffering around the world.

From the devastating situation in the Middle East, through to war on Europe’s border in Ukraine, the world is a more hostile place than it has been for generations.

The public are demanding answers from you about the government’s response to these situations. Every day thousands of people write to their MPs, wanting to know what the government is doing to ensure aid can reach the people of Gaza, why we haven’t proscribed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps or wanting to know how we are combatting Russia’s expansionist exploits into our allies’ territory.

That is why I was shocked and deeply disappointed that this week the government refused the wishes of MPs across the House, and indeed the Commons’ Procedure Committee, to ask you to come to the House of Commons to answer questions.

In the 21st century, it should not be the case that our Foreign Secretary is both unelected and unaccountable.

In recent weeks you have been touring the world, speaking to leaders about British foreign policy. Yet MPs are powerless to ask you about those conversations, or even what you are requesting of other countries.

I urge you to listen to MPs from every political party, and come to the House of Commons next week to take questions on the government’s response to global conflicts.

You speak on behalf of the United Kingdom as our most senior diplomat. Yet you refuse to speak to your own elected Members of Parliament. Our constituents must have the ability to have their concerns put directly to the Foreign Secretary. That is the most basic pillar of our British parliamentary system.

I urge you to put politics aside, to do the right thing, and speak to Members of Parliament whose constituents demand their voices are heard.

Yours Sincerely

Layla Moran MP