by Oui
Wed Aug 18th, 2021 at 10:37:56 AM EST
We need to rethink NATO ...
A restless House of Commons with exquisite role by former PM Theresa May 🙏🏽
MP Theresa May concluded that Islamic terror has not been mitigated, but has spread across the Middle East.
The Commons seems particularly restless, with MPs from all sides trying to intervene and ask the prime minister a question during his statement.
Several former Conservative ministers have already expressed their concerns in the debate.
Boris Johnson does, however, get a chorus of "hear hear" when he stresses that the UK's allies have agreed not to immediately recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
May: Politicians responsible for consequences
Theresa May says she fears the situation in Afghanistan will embolden those who do not share Western values and "wish to impose their way of life on others".
"I am afraid I think this has been a major setback for British foreign policy," she says. "We talk about global Britain but where is global Britain on the streets of Kabul?"
She says all military personnel who served in Afghanistan should be proud of what they achieved.
"The politicians sent them there, the politicians decided to withdraw, the politicians must be responsible for the consequences," she concludes.
Incomprehensible the UK didn't do more for Afghanistan - May
Theresa May moves on to considering how the move by the US to withdraw support from Afghanistan will be viewed around the world.
She asks what message it sends about the UK's capabilities and willingness to defend our values - and what does it say about Nato if we are entirely dependent on a unilateral decision taken by the US?
"We all understand the importance of American support but I do find it incomprehensible and worrying that the UK was not able to bring together an alternative alliance of countries to continue to provide the support necessary to sustain a government in Afghanistan."
She says there needs to be a reassessment of how Nato operates, adding that neither Russia nor China will be blind to the implications of this withdrawal decision.
Tom Tugendhat gave a powerful speech, an example of a excellent representative of the people.
[Update-1]
Tom Tugendhat’s speech in the Afghanistan debate was one of the most electrifying moments I’ve seen in the Commons.
“This last week has been one which has seen me struggle through anger and grief and rage”
Take eight minutes to watch the whole thing
