All articles written by James Gray on PoliticsHome.com

02 Feb Defence

Giving MPs a say before sending troops to the frontline emasculates both Parliament and the executive

At PMQs on 7 January, Keir Starmer pledged some very welcome military support for Ukraine. He said that in the event of a peace deal that involved UK forces he “would put that matter to the House for a vote”.

30 Nov 2022 Defence

The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme has brought deeper understanding of our services across the House

The large number of frontbench graduates of the scheme is a testament to its value

26 Jan 2021 Culture

We need to think right now about what the Commons should look like after the pandemic is over

Parliament must review the best innovations offered by the latest technologies – or it risks a blind return to the old ways

29 Sep 2020 Political parties

Parliament has seized up. We must takes steps to get it functioning again

Parliament thrives on the exchange of ideas, on people arguing, socialising, plotting. All that has been replaced by tumbleweed. We must takes steps to get it functioning again

05 Jul 2020 Coronavirus

The Mother of Parliaments is not doing its job

We must admit that Parliament is not functioning – it’s time to stop providing supine cover for the Government and instead self-isolate until we can scrutinise properly again

27 May 2020 Coronavirus

Every Conservative MP who has condemned Dominic Cummings as lockdown row escalates

A rolling list of every Conservative MP that has broken party ranks to condemn Dominic Cummings. There are widespread calls for the senior aide’s resignation after it was revealed over the weekend that he had travelled from London to Durham during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

28 Jan 2020 Environment

Parliamentarians must keep up the pressure on Governments to act on threats to Antarctica

Ahead of COP26, we must learn from the successful international diplomacy used to agree The Antarctic Treaty, to tackle the climate crisis, writes James Gray MP.

27 Jan 2020 Defence

I will not use the Defence Committee post as a personal soapbox

The Defence Committee demands a strong and experienced chair who will speak up without fear or favour, writes James Gray MP

12 Apr 2018 Defence

If Parliament votes on Syria strikes, we emasculate ourselves

MPs do not have the secret intelligence, the military assessments, nor the legal advice which is available to the Prime Minister. If she decides to take action, she should not shield her decision by seeking a Parliamentary vote, writes James Gray

27 Mar 2017

Brexit can revive our weak and idle Parliament

Leaving the EU can provide the stimulus our emasculated Parliament needs to reclaim its role in holding the government to account

22 Feb 2017 Home affairs

Parliament is a beacon of hope. Let us not destroy it by salami slicing our traditions

The decision to do away with wigs worn by the clerks in the House of Commons risks adding to the erosion of parliament's authority