Meeting of the Parliament 13 March 2013
This Parliament should have the opportunity to discuss the reasons why, and to recognise the service that those veterans have given.
Ten years on, Ed Miliband has recognised that the Iraq war was wrong. The debate will provide all members with a chance to reflect—it will perhaps give Johann Lamont the opportunity to admit that she was wrong when she supported the illegal war in Iraq.
I am not surprised that Labour opposes a debate on Trident, on a day when an opinion poll shows that 80 per cent of Scots are against having its replacement on our shores—and only a day after the UK Labour defence spokesperson joined the Conservatives in confirming that his party was in favour of its renewal.
I am not surprised that Labour opposes a debate on Scotland’s financial strength, in a week when it was shown that this country, if we were independent, would be relatively better off than the UK to the tune of £4.4 billion, which is £824 for every man, woman and child in Scotland.
I believe that the people who elected us to represent them expect no less than that the Parliament will debate such issues—issues that affect the lives of those who live here. The Government will continue to do that.
Opposition to such debates represents just three of the many reasons that prove that the Labour Party is scarcely fit for opposition, let alone government. I urge the Parliament to support the business motion.