The dispute
Please note : this is an addendum to another story instead of a standalone post
Backbench Business– in Westminster Hall at 1: 30 pm on 17 July 2025
David Smith Work, North Northumberland 1: 30, 17 July 2025
I plead to relocate,
That this Residence has taken into consideration the duty of freedom of religion or idea in UK foreign policy.
It is an absolute enjoyment to offer under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I am grateful to the Backbench Business Committee for approving the argument, and to all associates that have joined me to review this immediate, important and powerful topic. A variety of Members who have actually funded my discussion are unable to go to due to pressing factors to consider, and I therefore give honourable states to my hon. Close friend Adam Jogee and to the hon. Members for York Central (Rachael Maskell), for South Northamptonshire (Sarah Bool) and for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron), and Sir Iain Duncan Smith– along with to the lots of Participants who have appeared. This is a cross-cutting and cross-party concern, and I hope the debate can proceed in that spirit.
Last week, I introduced the Government’s new freedom of religion or idea– FORB– method at the Foreign Office. It is a vibrant approach that benefits Britain, and I will certainly talk extra regarding it momentarily, but I wish to start with my own experience of promoting FORB, which began long before the Prime Minister asked me to be the UK special agent last December. Maturing, my parents were involved in …