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Wed, 22 January 2025

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Iain Duncan Smith MP

Iain Duncan Smith MP

Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green

We must call off the Chagos Islands deal
Foreign affairs
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
We must call off the Chagos Islands deal
The sovereignty of the Chagos Islands over the last few months has excited emotions on all sides of the Commons, for good reason. The islands have been part of Britain since 1810/14 and the islands have been of vital strategic importance ever since.
Ex-Security Advisor Warns Whitehall Lacks Expertise To Deal With China
Defence
Ex-Security Advisor Warns Whitehall Lacks Expertise To Deal With China
Lord Ricketts, the UK's former national security advisor, believes there is not enough institutional knowledge in Whitehall to support Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pursuit of a more "pragmatic" relationship with China.
Tribute to the Marquess of Lothian
Obituaries
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
Tribute to the Marquess of Lothian
As deputy leader of the Tory Party and Northern Ireland secretary Michael Ancram was a pragmatic and courageous politician. A disarming man and good company, the country has lost a fine servant
Government Confirms Two Cyber Attacks Linked to Chinese State Affiliated Actors
Foreign affairs
Government Confirms Two Cyber Attacks Linked to Chinese State Affiliated Actors
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has criticised "malign" cyber attacks made by China-state affiliated actors, which he said had targeted UK institutions in two separate attacks.
Government Accused Of A 'Wishy Washy' Stance On China
Foreign affairs
Government Accused Of A "Wishy Washy" Stance On China
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith has described the government’s stance on China as “wishy washy”, after the government responded to a damning report by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC).
Government Warns Against Shutting Out China After Spy Allegations
Foreign affairs
Government Warns Against Shutting Out China After Spy Allegations
Conservative MPs have stressed the importance of continued dialogue with China, with the deputy prime minister saying it was important to "look the Chinese in the eye" and one backbench MP warning that “fear” could affect the UK’s ability to compete with other nations and defend itself.
Tory row over China pressure group
Foreign affairs
By Sophie Church
Tory row over China pressure group
Exclusive: A new front has opened up in recent inter-Tory squabbles over China, after comments were made to The House by the Conservative chair of the China All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) about his colleagues’ membership of a pressure group.
Foreign Committee Chair Wants MPs To Be 'Less Obsessed' With Russian Sanctions
Foreign affairs
Foreign Committee Chair Wants MPs To Be "Less Obsessed" With Russian Sanctions
Chair of the foreign affairs committee Alicia Kearns has said “we need to become less obsessed with sanctions” as a tool to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, arguing that they are only a temporary measure.
Labour Demands Government Plan For Seizing 'Dirty Russian Money'
Foreign affairs
Labour Demands Government Plan For Seizing "Dirty Russian Money"
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said Labour will use the Ukraine Recovery Conference this week to press the government on seizing and repurposing Russian assets in the UK towards the rebuilding and recovery of Ukraine.
MPs Face TikTok Ban On Government Devices But Critics Say It's 'Too Little, Too Late'
Technology
MPs Face TikTok Ban On Government Devices But Critics Say It's "Too Little, Too Late"
The government is set to ban TikTok on government devices after a security review is believed to have identified data risks associated with the Chinese-owned company.
Should MPs Be Worried About Using TikTok?
Technology
Should MPs Be Worried About Using TikTok?
MPs’ use of TikTok to bolster their personal brands is on the rise, and it’s not just younger parliamentarians on it – Energy Security and Net Zero secretary Grant Shapps is as enthusiastic about posting on the short video app as millennial MPs he shares the green benches with.
More Labour Than Tory Voters Want To See Tax Cuts In Jeremy Hunt's Budget
Economy
More Labour Than Tory Voters Want To See Tax Cuts In Jeremy Hunt's Budget
A new poll has found Conservative voters would prefer Chancellor Jeremy Hunt prioritise debt reduction over tax cuts if the UK economy improves, while a significant number of Labour voters are keen to see taxes reduced.
Downing Street Plays Down Chance of Tax Cuts Despite Budget Surplus
Economy
Downing Street Plays Down Chance of Tax Cuts Despite Budget Surplus
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is facing pressure to increase spending or offer tax cuts at next month's budget after gaining additional fiscal headroom following a bumper January tax take.
Former Tory Leader Says Government Is 'Asleep At The Wheel' On China Risks
Foreign affairs
Former Tory Leader Says Government Is "Asleep At The Wheel" On China Risks
Iain Duncan Smith has accused the government of being “asleep at the wheel” over international security concerns relating to China, after days of speculation over possible spy balloons in Western airspace.
Iain Duncan Smith Says Liz Truss Has 'Done The Most To Deliver Benefits Of Brexit'
Brexit
Iain Duncan Smith Says Liz Truss Has "Done The Most To Deliver Benefits Of Brexit"
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith has said he was backing the Foreign Secretary in the Conservative leadership race because he believes she has the strongest record over Brexit.
China-Sceptics Are Confident Government Will Impose Ban On Goods And Services From Xinjiang
Foreign affairs
China-Sceptics Are Confident Government Will Impose Ban On Goods And Services From Xinjiang
Government appears to be acceding to the demands of Chinasceptic MPs, indicating support for a legislative amendment seeking to ban UK government departments from procuring goods in regions of the world “tainted by slavery and human trafficking”.
With costs rising, Rishi Sunak should be doing more to help people reliant on benefits
Economy
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
With costs rising, Rishi Sunak should be doing more to help people reliant on benefits
On 1 April the Ofgem price cap soared by 54 per cent, costing the average household an eye-watering extra £693 in energy bills this year.
Government 'Spooked' By Attempts To Block Medical Equipment From Regions With 'Genocide Risk'
Health
Government "Spooked" By Attempts To Block Medical Equipment From Regions With "Genocide Risk"
An amendment to the Health and Care Bill, seeking to ban the Department of Health from procuring medical equipment made in regions of the world at “serious risk of genocide” is believed to be causing unease within government.
Senior Conservative MPs Say UK-China Ministerial Trade Talk Plans Should Be Suspended Amid The War In Ukraine
Economy
Senior Conservative MPs Say UK-China Ministerial Trade Talk Plans Should Be Suspended Amid The War In Ukraine
Senior Conservative MPs have warned that amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, British officials should suspend organising high-level ministerial trade talks between the UK and Chinese government.
Prince Michael Of Kent Confirms He Will Return His 'Order Of Friendship' Kremlin Honour
Foreign affairs
Prince Michael Of Kent Confirms He Will Return His 'Order Of Friendship' Kremlin Honour
Prince Michael of Kent has confirmed that he will be returning the Russian state government 'Order of Friendship' award, one of the Kremlin’s highest honours.
Sanction Stations: Battling Back Against Chinese Oppression
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
Sanction Stations: Battling Back Against Chinese Oppression
Far from being cowed, those subject to retaliatory sanctions by China remain determined to shine a light on violations against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and hold China to account.
We must not restart trade talks with China
Foreign affairs
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
We must not restart trade talks with China
The government would be wrong to re-start trade talks with China. We cannot offer tough rhetoric on the importance of defending human rights while also cosying up to a country that commits genocide against its own people.
Former Tory Leader Says Partygate Has Been 'Hugely Damaging' For Boris Johnson
Energy
Former Tory Leader Says Partygate Has Been "Hugely Damaging" For Boris Johnson
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has described the fallout from ‘partygate’ as “hugely damaging” for both Boris Johnson and the Tory party.
MPs Want To Block Sourcing Of Medical Equipment From Regions With 'Genocide Risk'
Coronavirus
MPs Want To Block Sourcing Of Medical Equipment From Regions With "Genocide Risk"
MPs are planning to back a new amendment to the Health and Care Bill to prevent the sourcing of healthcare equipment from regions of the world where a “serious risk of genocide” is believed to be taking place.
The government must set an example and stage a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics
Foreign affairs
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
The government must set an example and stage a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics
The Olympic Games should be an opportunity for people across the world to unite in a shared celebration of sport, transcending national and political divides. Yet, less than three months from now, the Beijing Winter Olympics will take place amidst a brutal campaign of repression against the Uyghur people.
Keeping the Universal Credit uplift is critical to deliver on our pledge to level up
Economy
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
Keeping the Universal Credit uplift is critical to deliver on our pledge to level up
Instead of seeing the £20 uplift as a problem to be solved, we should see it as an investment in a system that can turn people’s lives around.
MPs must back the genocide amendment and stand up for the Uyghurs
Foreign affairs
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
MPs must back the genocide amendment and stand up for the Uyghurs
The government backed Neill amendment has significant flaws and would do nothing to help the systematic abuse and repression of the Uyghurs.
Government Averts Tory Rebellion After Complaints 'Genocide Amendment' Is Blocked In Parliament
Foreign affairs
Government Averts Tory Rebellion After Complaints "Genocide Amendment" Is Blocked In Parliament
The government held off a Tory rebellion over putting into law rules around trade with countries committing genocide by just 15 votes.
Vote Over Anti-Genocide Trade Laws Will Be 'Tight', Claims Senior Tory
Foreign affairs
Vote Over Anti-Genocide Trade Laws Will Be "Tight", Claims Senior Tory
Tory whips are attempting to head off another large rebellion among their own MPs over the rules around striking trade deals with countries that are judged to have committed genocide.
The review must make radical changes to protect people from the harms of gambling
Economy
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
The review must make radical changes to protect people from the harms of gambling
Government must ban so-called VIP schemes and get rid of the Gambling Commission altogether. Now is the time to make bold moves and urgently prevent any more devastation to peoples’ lives.
Boris Johnson Is Braced For Another Backbench Rebellion Over Covid Tiers
Coronavirus
Boris Johnson Is Braced For Another Backbench Rebellion Over Covid Tiers
Boris Johnson is today facing another humiliating rebellion from his own backbenches on the coronavirus tier system as former party leader Iain Duncan Smith weighed in to blast the winter restrictions as “ridiculous”.
Britain must send a strong message to China and stand up for Hong Kong’s democracy
Foreign affairs
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
Britain must send a strong message to China and stand up for Hong Kong’s democracy
Magnitsky style sanctions should be applied immediately to officials and politicians in Hong Kong and China, or we risk defaulting on our promises to the people of Hong Kong.
We must stand up to China’s ‘repulsive’ persecution of the Uyghurs
Foreign affairs
By Iain Duncan Smith MP
We must stand up to China’s ‘repulsive’ persecution of the Uyghurs
This week, I joined almost 140 of my Parliamentary colleagues in a cross-party letter to the Chinese ambassador, condemning his government’s repulsive behaviour against the Uyghurs.
Number 10 says Whitehall needs to be ‘fit to cope’ with future pandemics amid reports Public Health England facing the axe
Coronavirus
Number 10 says Whitehall needs to be ‘fit to cope’ with future pandemics amid reports Public Health England facing the axe
Downing Street has said Whitehall needs to be “fit to cope” with future pandemics amid reports Public Health England will be scrapped and replaced after criticism of its handling of Covid-19.
Tory MPs tell Boris Johnson Huawei’s role in UK telecoms should end ‘altogether’ as decision looms
Defence
Tory MPs tell Boris Johnson Huawei’s role in UK telecoms should end ‘altogether’ as decision looms
Boris Johnson has been urged to end Chinese firm Huawei’s role in UK telecoms “altogether” as the Government prepares to perform a u-turn on Britain’s 5G network.
Conservative pressure mounts for Boris Johnson to ditch ‘impossible’ two metre coronavirus rule
Coronavirus
Conservative pressure mounts for Boris Johnson to ditch ‘impossible’ two metre coronavirus rule
Boris Johnson is under growing Conservative pressure to reduce the two metre social distancing rule in a bid to save the hospitality industry and allow schools to reopen.