Category: Speeches

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on Sweden and Finland’s Application to Join NATO

    Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on Sweden and Finland’s Application to Join NATO

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, on 17 May 2022.

    The UK strongly supports applications for NATO membership from Finland and Sweden. They should be integrated into the Alliance as soon as possible; their accession will strengthen the collective security of Europe.

    We look forward to working with them as new NATO Allies and stand ready to offer them our every assistance during the accession process.

    Our mutual security declarations signed with Sweden and Finland last week by the Prime Minister demonstrate our steadfast and unequivocal commitment to both countries during this process and beyond.

  • Boris Johnson – 2022 Comments on Government’s Beating Crime Plan

    Boris Johnson – 2022 Comments on Government’s Beating Crime Plan

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 17 May 2022.

    While neighbourhood crime and serious violence is falling, the sad reality is that too many people are still growing up in communities blighted by criminals. That is why this government is determined to crack down on violence and restore confidence in our justice system, in order to truly level up the country.

    Through our Beating Crime Plan, we are putting thousands more police on our streets, getting tougher on violent criminals and cracking down on county lines drugs gangs – so that everyone can have the security and stability that comes from having safer streets.

  • John Brady – 2022 Comments on Raising the Irish Protocol with the US Administration

    John Brady – 2022 Comments on Raising the Irish Protocol with the US Administration

    The comments made by John Brady, the Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, on 16 May 2022.

    I am travelling to the United States this week for a series of meetings in Washington and New York. I will be using this opportunity to brief members of the US administration and the representatives of the Republican party on developments around the British government’s actions on the Irish Protocol.

    The support for the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in the US cuts across party lines, and there is zero tolerance for the antics of the British government, who are threatening to tear up an international agreement. The Biden administration has been very strong in their support for the GFA.

    I will also be meeting with representative of the Irish emigrant community and will be raising the issue of the undocumented with the administration.

    During my visit to the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, I will be meeting with the members of the Irish Permanent Mission to the UN. I will also be attending a public session of the UN Security Council, on conflict and food security- an issue I raised with Minister Coveney last week.

    I will also be participating in a debate at UN on the Future Agenda for Global Diaspora Engagement: paving the way to achieving Objective 19 through regularisation and further inclusion, which will focus on the issue of the undocumented Irish emigrants in the US.

    It is my intention to use the opportunity of this visit to brief law makers in the US on the situation in Ireland in respect of the Irish Protocol, and the importance of their continued support. I will also be raising the issue of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US.

  • Grant Shapps – 2022 Comments on Nigel Steven’s Appointment as Transport Focus Chair

    Grant Shapps – 2022 Comments on Nigel Steven’s Appointment as Transport Focus Chair

    The comments made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, on 16 May 2022.

    As we roll out the biggest reforms to rail in a generation and put passengers at the heart of the network, we must ensure that the industry stands ready to deliver these changes.

    Nigel has years of experience championing the needs of passengers within the transport industry and I look forward to working alongside him as we continue revolutionising our railways.

    Nigel Stevens brings decades of experience working in senior roles within the transport industry, particularly focusing on passengers, including as CEO of Transdev UK and Ireland and COO of UK and Ireland at Keolis Group.

  • Vicky Ford – 2022 Statement on the Elections in Somalia

    Vicky Ford – 2022 Statement on the Elections in Somalia

    The statement made by Vicky Ford, the Minister for Africa, on 16 May 2022.

    I welcome the conclusion of the electoral process in Somalia and warmly congratulate Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as President.

    After the protracted electoral process, the UK encourages Somalia’s leaders to work together with a new focus on issues of urgent national importance such as tackling al-Shabaab, responding to the devastating drought, maintaining fiscal stability, and constitutional reform.

    At this critical juncture, the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting all the people of Somalia, and to working alongside President Hassan Sheikh and his government as they seek to build greater stability, security and prosperity. I look forward to continuing to strengthen the UK – Somalia relationship.

  • Kerry Law – 2022 Statement on the Personal Conduct of Jeremy Webster

    Kerry Law – 2022 Statement on the Personal Conduct of Jeremy Webster

    The statement made by Kerry Law on behalf of the University of Leicester on 16 May 2022.

    The University of Leicester has a longstanding history of supporting art, fostering creativity and protecting creative freedom. It does not condone any form of defacement and takes any act of defacement extremely seriously. This matter will be addressed in line with the university’s own procedures.

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on Government’s New International Development Strategy

    Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on Government’s New International Development Strategy

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, on 16 May 2022.

    In an increasingly geopolitical world, we must use development as a key part of our foreign policy. Malign actors treat economics and development as a means of control, using patronage, investment and debt as a form of economic coercion and political power. We won’t mirror their malign tactics, but we will match them in our resolve to provide an alternative.

    The new strategy, launched today, will ensure that our international development work brings benefit across the globe and here at home. Our strategy will deepen economic, security and development ties globally, while delivering jobs and growth in both the UK and partner countries.

  • Steve Rotheram – 2022 Comments on Bradford’s City of Culture Bid

    Steve Rotheram – 2022 Comments on Bradford’s City of Culture Bid

    The comments made by Steve Rotheram, the Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, on 16 May 2022.

    Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year was a catalyst for transformation across our whole city region, and we’re still reaping the rewards almost 15 years on. Bradford’s bid could be a boost for the whole North.

  • Simon Lightwood – 2022 Comments on Selection as Labour Candidate for Wakefield

    Simon Lightwood – 2022 Comments on Selection as Labour Candidate for Wakefield

    The comments made by Simon Lightwood on 15 May 2022 following his selection as the Labour candidate for the Wakefield by-election.

    I’ve lived, worked and studied in Wakefield. Twenty years ago, I joined the Labour Party right here in the city.

    It is the privilege of my life to be selected by local members as Labour’s candidate for the Wakefield by-election.

    Thank you for your support.

  • Colm Gildernew – 2022 Comments on Bank Closures in Northern Ireland

    Colm Gildernew – 2022 Comments on Bank Closures in Northern Ireland

    The comments made by Colm Gildernew, the Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, on 16 May 2022.

    These latest closures are a hammer blow to rural communities which will be deprived of banking services and I would urge Dankse Bank to listen to customers and maintain services.

    It is Sinn Féin’s view that there should be no bank branch closures and planned closures should be paused to evaluate customer behaviour post-pandemic.

    While the trend is towards increasing digital banking, for some customers this is not convenient or possible and for rural communities, important services are disappearing.

    Sinn Féin would like to see a future banking forum so that policy makers, banks and other stakeholders can discuss issues including banking in a digital age and how banks and other service providers can best respond to serve customers and communities that rely on their services.