Jo Swinson
Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire
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Jo Swinson Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire |
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| 31st July 2010 | Jo Swinson | <jo@joswinson.org.uk> |
Global AffairsIraq
Like thousands of people in this country and millions around the world, I took to the streets in February 2003 to March against the US-UK invasion of Iraq. The Liberal Democrats are the only party to have opposed the war from the start, joined only by few rebels from other parties. Since the Government's illegal invasion of Iraq the following month, 179 British servicemen and women and 100,000 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives. The war has cost the British tax payer £8billion. My Liberal Democrat colleagues have since lobbied for a full public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the decision to go to war, and conduct of the war itself. The Labour government misled Parliament and the country, and it is vital that we determine exactly how and why this occurred so that it may never happen again. Gordon Brown has set up a new inquiry, launched at the end of July 2009 and led by Sir John Chilcot, however it will not issue a report until - conveniently - after the next General Election. We are campaigning to for televised hearings, and for the inquiry to have real clout so that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are not able to escape the spotlight. For more information, updates and analysis of the Iraq war inquiry, please follow the link below. Jo talking about Iraq in ParliamentCamp Ashraf (Geneva Convention), 25th March 2009 Christians in Iraq, 16th December 2008 Jo's news stories on Iraq21/01/10 Voters deserve to know PM's role in Iraq war 16/06/09 Swinson condemns secret Iraq inquiry 25/03/08 Jo slams 'cynical' Tories over Iraq inquiry 24/01/08 Foreign Office must not block publication of Iraq secrets 10/05/07 Iraq will be Blair's overriding legacy Afghanistan
The UK has had a military presence in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in October 2001, and around 9,000 British troops are currently based in Helmand province in the south of the country. Although the Liberal Democrats believe that the deployment is in Britain's security interests and is a tough but necessary mission, we the absence of any coherent international political strategy is putting our soldiers at unnecessary risk and prolonging the suffering of the people of Afghanistan. A clear military strategy and adequate resources are required so we can achieve the desired military and political objectives and work towards a regional peace settlement. Our strategy must focus on people and not just political leaders, and we must pay more attention to economic development as well as security. Jo talking about Afghanistan in ParliamentAfghanistan and Pakistan, 5th February 2009 Jo's news stories on Afghanistan15/10/08 Jo Swinson interviews youngest Afghan woman MP Malalai Joya EuropeIn the midst of globalisation Britain's membership of the EU remains vital. Our country's potential influence in the international arena is much greater when we lead in Europe. We must focus on issues such as tackling climate change, taking on cross border criminals and building economic prosperity for all Europeans. We are stronger together and weaker apart. Jo talking about Europe in ParliamentEuropean Commission Annual Policy Strategy, 2nd July 2009 European Affairs, 16th June 2009 European Affairs, 9th December 2008 European Affairs, 18th June 2008 Treaty of Lisbon, 27th Feb 2008 Western Balkans, 26th Feb 2008 Jo's news stories on Europe05/03/08 Labour and Tories denying real debate on Europe 31/01/08 Jo challenges Government and Conservatives to support "in or out" referendum on Europe External news stories on Europe19/06/09 Tony Benn vs Jo Swinson on the EU Trade JusticeTrade injustice plays a fundamental part in maintaining our unbalanced world economy. To reduce levels of poverty in developing countries it is essential that governments in developed countries such as our own trade on fair terms, respecting rather than exploiting poorer communities. The Liberal Democrats seek to remove the subsidies and tariff barriers that prevent the poorest countries in the world selling their goods on fair terms. Aside from government policy, local communities can also play an important role in promoting fair trade. I have been supporting local businesses who sell Fair Trade products in East Dunbartonshire (an area which thanks to its Fair Trade Movement has become an official 'Fair Trade Zone') and I hope that more local businesses will do the same. You can read more about this in the stories below. 
Jo's news stories on Trade Justice18/02/10 Jo joins Jason Donovan to support Vulture Funds Bill 19/08/08 Lenzie resident with an Interest in fair trade 25/04/08 Atholl pupils getting into the Fairtrade habit 28/02/08 Jo praises Fairtrade in East Dunbartonshire shops 28/02/08 Jo Swinson Champions Fairtrade Schools in East Dunbartonshire 11/10/07 Jo delighted with East Dunbartonshire Fairtrade triumph 15/09/06 Local schools recognised for their fairtrade credentials 31/03/06 Jo calls for more Fairtrade in Parliament 06/03/06 Oxfam Bishopbriggs welcomes Jo for the start of Fairtrade Fortnight 01/03/06 Jo leads local Fairtrade delegation to meet Minister 20/01/06 Trade rules as important as aid targets - Jo 16/11/05 Jo Swinson leads fair trade debate calling for strong EU leadership 03/11/05 Jo meets local Trade Justice supporters Human RightsAs members of the international community it is important to respect human rights and uphold international human rights law. As Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats I regularly speak on issues of human rights effecting countries such as Iran, Iraq and Latin America in order to put pressure on the government to fulfil its obligations in the global arena. Here are some of my articles and speeches on related topics and below are links to relevant organisations that campaign on human rights. Jo talking about Human Rights in ParliamentColombia (Human Rights), 27th January 2010 Death Penalty (Global Abolition), 28th October 2009 Human Rights (Iran), 8th July 2009 Promoting Democracy and Human Rights, 13th October 2008 Jo's news stories on Human Rights04/06/10 Aid must be allowed to reach Gaza - Jo 01/06/09 Bearsden Baha'i community concerned for imprisoned leaders External news stories on Human Rights22/02/10 Britain angers Kremlin over Chechnya visit (Telegraph) 18/02/10 British MPs ask Chechnya to solve rights murder (Reuters) 04/02/2010 Silence on British Army link to Colombian mass grave (Tribune) 01/04/09 Way paved for Red Crystal symbol Nuclear ArmsThe Liberal Democrats are firmly committed to working towards the global elimination of nuclear weapons. We support the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1970 and believe we must reduce our stock pile. The government's new plan to scale back Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent (reducing the UK's fleet of Trident missile-carrying submarines from four to three) is a positive start, however it is by no means a new idea and it needs to go a lot further. Radical action is required: we urge the government to scrap plans to replace Trident entirely. Jo's news stories on Nuclear Arms17/04/09 Jo highlights importance of nuclear disarmament 15/03/07 Premature Trident decision places next nuclear talks in jeopardy External news stories on Nuclear Arms29/11/09 Revealed: how UK's nuclear bombs are built by America Jo's other stories on global affairsJo talking about global affairs in ParliamentCluster Munitions, 17th March 2010 Chagos Islands, 10th March 2010 Conflict Prevention, 9th February 2010 Colombia (Human Rights), 27th January 2010 Death Penalty (Global Abolition), 28th October 2009 China and the West, 13th October 2009 Israeli Settlements, 21st July 2009 Global Security (Iran), 9th July 2009 Amendments of the United Nations Personnel Act 1997, 10th June 2009 Overseas Territories, 23th April 2009 Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Bill, 1st April 2009 Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism, 15th July 2008 Burma (Cyclone Nargis), 8th May 2008 Global Security (Russia), 3rd April 2008 Global Security (Middle East), 24th Jan 2008 Pakistan (Terrorism), 16th January 2008 Jo's news stories on Other Issues12/02/10 Jo supports Kirky's Good Samaritans 03/02/10 Jo meets PM to discuss terrorist threat 02/02/10 Jo praises local generosity to Haiti 20/11/09 Jo delivers speech to UN conference on global economy 12/11/09 Government action needed on Cyprus 19/05/09 "EU leaders are failing poor countries on climate change" - Swinson 23/04/09 Swinson slams government misconduct in British Overseas Territories 06/01/09 Urgent Gaza ceasefire needed - Swinson 01/12/08 Jo set to meet US Senators on Stateside visit 05/11/08 Obama victory a historic moment of change 05/06/08 World Environment Day: Government wasting time on climate change 30/04/08 Fair deals needed for developing countries 17/01/08 Fresh elections needed in Kenya 07/01/08 Jo Swinson appointed Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister 01/12/08 Jo pledges support on World AIDS Day 29/11/07 African adventure is an education for both sides 20/06/07 Local refugee contribution to Glasgow celebrated by Jo 15/06/07 Bishopbriggs G8 messages reach Secretary of State 29/05/07 Jo signs up to World Can't Wait campaign 15/12/06 Jo backs Blue Peter shoe appeal 03/11/06 Jo attempts to juggle 'three planet' lifestyle 20/10/06 Give old mobiles a new life in Africa 01/09/06 Jo shares secrets of success with Kiev audience 11/05/06 Availability of anti-AIDS drugs must improve - Jo 02/12/05 Jo Swinson joins with Milngavie campaigner in supporting World AIDS Day 04/07/05 Make Poverty History march makes history External news stories on Other Issues23/04/09 'Name and shame' tax havens under fire LinksPublished and promoted by Jo Swinson, 4 Springfield House, Emerson Road, Bishopbriggs G64 1QE The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |