Category: Speeches

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Russian Attack on Keir Starmer

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Russian Attack on Keir Starmer

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, on 15 June 2026.

    Keir Starmer and I disagree on many things, but good people across the political spectrum will welcome today’s verdicts, condemn these appalling attacks which seem to have been sponsored by Russia, and wish the PM and his family well.

    Whatever our political differences, no one should face intimidation, threats or attacks because they hold public office.

    Democracy is settled at the ballot box, not through fear or violence and definitely not through foreign interference from hostile countries.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Second European Summit

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Second European Summit

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 16 June 2026.

    Today I’ve agreed with the European Council President that we will hold the second UK-EU summit on 22 July. My Labour Government is delivering on our promise to reset our relationship and put Britain at the heart of Europe. Together we will tackle the cost of living, boost jobs and create opportunities for young people.

  • Shabana Mahmood – 2026 Comments on 10 Years Since Jo Cox Death

    Shabana Mahmood – 2026 Comments on 10 Years Since Jo Cox Death

    The comments made by Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, on 16 June 2026.

    Today marks 10 years since the murder of Jo Cox. My thoughts today are with her beautiful family and her many friends.

    I remember Jo as a fearless campaigner, and a passionate voice for the people of Batley and Spen.

    In her maiden speech, she gave us those famous words that we will never forget: “we have far more in common than that which divides us”.

    Her words are more important now than they were even then.

    Political violence, and any attempt to harm those in public life, can never be tolerated.

    We owe it to Jo’s memory to ensure that anyone, from any background, can step forward to serve without fear.

  • Bridget Phillipson – 2026 Comments on Kemi Badenoch Referring to her as a Gestapo Office

    Bridget Phillipson – 2026 Comments on Kemi Badenoch Referring to her as a Gestapo Office

    The comments made by Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 16 June 2026.

    The Gestapo marched hundreds of thousands of innocent people to their deaths.

    I’ve ended private schools’ tax breaks to invest in state schools.

    No responsible leader makes vile comparisons like this. Kemi Badenoch is not fit to be Prime Minister.

  • Zarah Sultana – 2026 Comments on Prince George Attending Eton

    Zarah Sultana – 2026 Comments on Prince George Attending Eton

    The comments made by Zarah Sultana on 16 June 2026.

    What’s wrong with the local comprehensive?

    If state schools are good enough for everyone else, why not the future king?

    Meanwhile, we’re expected to keep footing the bill.

    One rule for them. Another for us.

    Abolish the monarchy.

  • Hamish Falconer – 2026 Comments on a US-Iran Deal

    Hamish Falconer – 2026 Comments on a US-Iran Deal

    The comments made by Hamish Falconer, the Minister for the Middle East, on 16 June 2026.

    The news of a US-Iran deal is a hugely significant moment and I am pleased to convey my personal thanks, and that of the UK, to Pakistan during my visit here in Islamabad. Pakistan has played a critical role in brokering this opportunity for regional stability and we stand ready to work together to support a path to lasting peace. 

    The UK-Pakistan partnership is critical for safeguarding global, regional and UK national security – working closely together to tackle terrorist threats, visa fraud and serious organised crime.  

    We are taking this partnership and our co-operation to a new level, with additional funding to deter illegal migration and target drivers from the source.

    We remain grateful for the role Pakistan has played in facilitating negotiations. The UK and our partners will continue to work together to see the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Switzerland – Olivia Ricketts [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Switzerland – Olivia Ricketts [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 June 2026.

    Ms Olivia Ricketts has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Principality of Liechtenstein in succession to Mr James Squire. Ms Ricketts will take up her appointment during January 2027.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Olivia Hope Ricketts

    YearRole
    2026FCDO, Full time language training (German)
    2025DSIT, Director, International and Economic Security
    2023 to 2025FCDO, Deputy Director, Science & Technology
    2019 to 2023FCDO, Geneva, Political Counsellor to the UN and WTO
    2019FCO, Full time language training (French)
    2016 to 2019FCO, Head of Section, Middle East political
    2002 to 2016Mars, L’Oreal, Lego
    1999 to 2002University of Oxford, MA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
  • Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    Yvette Cooper – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    The comments made by Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, on 16 June 2026.

    As the Kremlin resorts to ever more shady tactics to sustain its war, from its ageing shadow fleet to covert finance networks, the UK remains one step ahead in shutting them down. 

    These sanctions strike at the heart of these murky efforts, to starve Putin’s war machine and defend Britain’s security. 

    Shoulder to shoulder with our G7 partners, the UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on New Sanctions on Russia

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 16 June 2026.

    These sanctions target the vessels, the money and the actors propping up Russia’s war economy, and in turn, threatening European security.

    Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure in Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent.

  • Luke Pollard – 2026 Statement on the Government’s Defence Investment Plan

    Luke Pollard – 2026 Statement on the Government’s Defence Investment Plan

    The statement made by Luke Pollard, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, in the House of Commons on 15 June 2026.

    Before I turn to the matter before us, the whole House will want to join me in recognising the remarkable work of our armed forces this weekend. In the channel, UK forces bordered a sanctioned vessel from Russia’s shadow fleet to disrupt the flow of funds to Putin’s illegal war in the Ukraine. The Defence Secretary will be making a statement on that shortly.

    These are extraordinary times for defence. The threats are real and they are increasing. It is no secret that I worked in lockstep with the former Defence Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough (John Healey). He is a friend and mentor. I was his deputy and I am still standing at the Dispatch Box because he asked me to stay and because we need continuity in this complex and difficult operational environment.

    The DIP will be published before the NATO summit. Do we need to spend more on defence? Yes. Do the Prime Minister and the Chancellor agree with that? Yes. Are we spending more? Yes. This year the defence budget is £11 billion more than it was in the final year under the Conservatives. Are we learning the lessons from Ukraine? Yes. Are we retiring old kit to invest in new capabilities? Yes. Are we backing our people? Yes, with the biggest pay rise in 20 years and a £9 billion plan to fix the defence housing crisis that we inherited. It is working: intake is up 11.6%, outflow is down 8.9%, and morale is up.

    To answer the Leader of the Opposition’s question directly: if asked to fight tonight, could our forces defend the UK? Yes, and they already do every single day. Are we planning to increase their capabilities to deter and defend the UK and our allies? Yes, we are. Would I like to go further? Of course.

    The new Defence Secretary has stepped up to serve, as he has done before, sleeves rolled up and determined to meet the moment to get defence the best deal. Let me say plainly that I know the Prime Minister is committed to do so as well. He said in Munich:

    “To meet the wider threat, it is clear that we are going to have to spend more faster.”

    And at the weekend, he said

    “3% in the next Parliament…defence will be the number one priority at every spending review, including the next spending review.”

    The disagreement in recent weeks was never about whether we should fund our forces; it was about how fast we increase the spending for defence and on what capabilities. That is a serious argument to have—I make no apology for pushing hard within the Government to win it, because that is the job. But the job is also a team sport, and that is why the Ministry of Defence, with the new Defence Secretary, is working with the Treasury, other Government Departments and No. 10 to get this right.