Dame Harriett Baldwin

Dame Harriett Baldwin

Conservative — West Worcestershire

Speaking in the House of Commons on 26 January 2026

Debate

Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

Contribution

I think it is unprecedented at such an event for only one Government Back Bencher to speak, and the hon. Member for Liverpool Walton (Dan Carden) very bravely spoke against the deal. It is very important that the sovereignty of these islands remains British. That was highlighted in the Labour manifesto, which stated: “Defending our security also means protecting the British Overseas Territories…Labour will always defend their sovereignty and right to self-determination.” May I suggest a gentle down ramp for the Minister, for whom I have a lot of admiration, which is simply to just not find the time in the other place to progress things and allow Prorogation to gently wash this particular piece of proposed legislation out to sea?

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