MPs would get a vote before British troops were sent to Ukraine “if circumstances allow”, a cabinet minister has indicated.
The prime minister has declared he is prepared to put “our own troops on the ground if necessary” in Ukraine if there is a deal to end the war with Russia. Ahead of an “emergency meeting” of European leaders on Monday, the prime minister said he was “ready and willing” to send British troops as part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Keir Starmer insisted the UK was “ready to play a leading role” in Ukraine’s defence and security.
Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, was asked on Tuesday whether MPs would be given the chance to vote on the deployment of British troops in Ukraine.
She told Times Radio: “It is my understanding that before any troop deployment, it would be normal, if circumstances allow, for parliament to be consulted.
“But, as I say, I do think that we are some way away from this at the moment.”
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Alexander was also asked if the armed forces could be deployed for peace-keeping in Ukraine without the backing of other European countries.
The transport secretary responded that any such talks were in the very early stages.
She added: “The prime minister has been clear to date that he sees that partnership with the US as being absolutely essential, that any security guarantee must be worked through both with our European allies and with America.”
The Liberal Democrats have called for a vote in parliament “in principle”, with party leader Ed Davey pledging his support to the government.
The Lib Dem leader posted to X: “In principle there should be a vote in parliament when troops are deployed. I’m confident all sides of the House are likely to agree with the prime minister apart from those [Donald] Trump bootlickers in Reform.”
Rupert Lowe, the Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, responded by calling on Davey to “grow up”.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak is another senior parliamentarian who has committed to voting in favour of troop deployment in Ukraine. Speaking in the House of Commons last week, Sunak said Britain and Europe should consider providing Ukraine with a “military presence across land, air and sea”.
He added: “Can I assure the government that it will have my support if that’s what it decides to do?”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.
Rishi Sunak: UK and Europe must consider ‘military presence’ in Ukraine
Source: Politics
