18 February 2019
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: NATO most effective way of keeping peace in Europe

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown calls on the Government to continue to put the focus on the primacy of NATO as the most effective way of keeping peace in Europe.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con)

May I, too, echo your generous words about Paul Flynn, Mr Speaker? He was a good socialist, and I therefore disagreed with nearly everything he said, but that is the nature of parliamentary debate.

As my right hon. Friend knows, the political declaration talks of co-operation with Europe on future defence operations. Surely, however, the most effective way of keeping the peace in Europe is to concentrate on the primacy of NATO, and in particular to encourage our American partners to keep paying 50-60% of the budget.

Gavin Williamson

We will always co-operate with all organisations right around the world, but my hon. Friend is so right: NATO is what delivers security in Europe. That is where our focus will be; that is what we will be focusing our time and resources on in delivering our security with our NATO allies.

Hansard