False-patriot Reform MPs are incapable of standing up for British values
3 min read
Reform MPs reject British values and spew Kremlin propaganda. The British people will see through their dangerous rhetoric.
The green benches of the House of Commons have witnessed many historic moments in British history unfold. They have seen capitulation and chaos; bravery and boldness.
This week, we were proud to watch Prime Minister Keir Starmer demonstrate true leadership and courage as he announced his decision to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, with a future target of 3 per cent in the next parliament.
The House of Commons united behind the Prime Minister: this was surely a truly significant moment in our nation’s history.
This government’s clear and unwavering commitment to the defence of the realm is vital. As we have said time and time again, Labour’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable. This week we put our money where our mouth is.
This decision to increase defence spending is the right course of action. We recognise that the decision to reduce international development spending to fund our defence commitment is a difficult decision.
But in an increasingly uncertain, contested world, we were left with no choice. The defence and security of the British people must always come first. That is the number one priority of the Labour government.
We are resolute in stating that the democratically elected Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is not a dictator.
We are clear that Vladimir Putin, an autocrat running a regime which kills its political enemies both at home and abroad, is the dictator.
Neither do we shy away from the truth of Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine: an illegal act for which there can be no justification.
These are key truths, and it is deeply troubling to see the Reform Party and its MPs reject them, and the very British values that we hold dear.
During the recent statement in parliament on Ukraine, Reform MPs were nowhere to be seen. At this week’s historic statement on defence spending, just one Reform MP decided to show up.
But it gets worse: Nigel Farage has openly stated that he admires Vladimir Putin. He has claimed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a consequence of EU and NATO expansion.
Farage also repeated Putin’s demands last year that President Zelenskyy should hold elections before the conflict is over. This is openly parroting the Kremlin’s talking points. The truth is, we already know the timetable for elections in Ukraine. It’s after Russia withdraws its troops and the war is finished.
Regrettably, we are witnessing a malevolent influence creeping into our parliament — a group of MPs who reject British values, who seek division, and who spew Putin’s propaganda. Reform MPs simply fail to grasp that strength without decency is nothing but weakness.
They are out in the cold, isolated and indifferent to this barbaric regime.
Our Labour government has put a line in the sand in defence of British values. We put defence of the realm and national security above all else. And we know the British people will see through the irresponsible and dangerous rhetoric of Reform.
Mike Tapp, Will Stone, Helena Dollimore, Fred Thomas and Paul Foster are Labour MPs with military backgrounds elected in July 2024.
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