STEPHEN WILLIAMS MP TO VOTE IN PRIVATE ARMED FORCES BILL
October 21, 2005 10:53 AM
Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, will be staying in parliament this Friday to vote on the Private Armed Forces Bill. The Bill, which is being introduced by Labour back bencher Claire Short and supported by Sir Menzies Campbell, would require all military action to be approved by a voting parliament.
Ahead of the event Stephen Williams MP said:
"I have signed EDM 85 calling for the introduction of this Bill. The position of Parliament with regards to military action is still an unresolved constitutional matter. With the recent military involvement in Iraq in mind, it is a matter that demands attention more than ever.
"Ministers currently have the power, via the royal prerogative, to deploy British armed forces as they see fit. I believe this absolutely critical course of action should not lie with a few central government figures but should be approved by elected representatives in Parliament in advance, or in cases of emergency retrospectively.
Therefore I would support any part of an Armed Conflict Bill that would make Parliamentary approval necessary for military action. I have cleared my diary for Friday 21st October in order to sit in the House to support the Bill proceeding to the next stage and my decision to do so has been reinforced by the amount of correspondence from constituents I have had on this matter".
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