MP Welcomes War Powers Rethink

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, has welcomed a change of heart by the Government on giving the House of Commons a role in decisions on military action.

“Two years ago I introduced a Private Members Bill to ensure that the House of Commons would in future be guaranteed a vote on decisions to send British troops into action” said Mr Gerrard. “At the time the both the Government and Opposition leaderships were against the proposal.”

“Motions I put down in the House of Commons on the subject in 2005 and then in 2006 gained the support of well over 200 MPs across Parties. Now it seems that both the Government and the Tory leadership have changed their minds. In a debate last week, initiated by the Tories, there was near unanimity that Parliament must have a defined role in decisions about military action. There is now going to be a period of consultation involving all the Parties to look for an agreed proposal as to how this should be done.”

“I predicted when my Private Members Bill was opposed that it was only a matter of time before things changed because of the number of MPs supporting my proposals. I am perhaps a bit surprised that it has happened in only two years, but very pleased that what I was arguing for is now going to happen.”

Read my speech during the debate.

May 2007

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