All articles written by James Heappey MP on PoliticsHome.com

06 Mar 2025 Defence

Former Armed Forces Minister "Not Confident" That Europe Will Rise To Defence Challenge

A former defence minister has said he is not confident that a "coalition of the willing" can deliver sufficient military protection for Ukraine due to the expense involved.

29 Apr 2024 Defence

Former Armed Forces Minister Says UK Must Boost Ukraine Aid For Decisive Victory

Recent military aid packages to Ukraine will not be enough to ensure a decisive victory in the war with Russia, former armed forces minister James Heappey has said.

29 Apr 2024 Defence

The UK must go further to help Ukraine to decisive victory

Resolving the stalemate in Congress over the latest US military aid package for Ukraine is a big moment.

30 Jan 2024 Defence

UK Set To Deploy Aircraft Carrier In The Red Sea In Response To Houthi Attacks

The Government's Armed Forces Minister has indicated that the UK could send an aircraft carrier to the Red Sea when the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower – an American carrier currently present in the region – returns home.

18 Oct 2022 Defence

Defence Minister Says He Would Quit Government If Department Spending Is Cut

Armed forces minister James Heappey has said he would quit government if plans to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030 are scrapped under the new Chancellor.

26 Apr 2022 Defence

Armed Forces Minister Says Ukraine Has A “Completely Legitimate” Right To Attack Targets In Russia

Armed forces minister James Heappey has said Ukraine has a “completely legitimate” right to attack military targets within Russia.

18 Mar 2022 Defence

Defence Minister Doesn't Know How Russian Ambassador "Sleeps At Night" After Ukrainian Theatre Bombing

Defence Minister James Heappey said he doesn't know how the Russian ambassador to the United Nations sleeps at night after he denied that the Kremlin was to blame for the bombing of a Ukrainian theatre where hundreds of civilians were sheltering.

10 Mar 2022 Foreign affairs

Minister Warns British Soldiers Not To Fight In Ukraine And Risk Dragging UK Into War With Russia

The Armed Forces minister has warned British troops not to go AWOL and fight in Ukraine as they risk the UK of being wrongly seen as "a belligerent" in the war with Russia.

25 Feb 2022 Foreign affairs

Downing Street Says “Nothing Is Off The Table” To Support Ukraine Against Russian Invasion

The UK government has said “nothing is off the table” when it comes to supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion as Putin's troops surround Kyiv.

19 Jan 2022 Political parties

Minister Says His Inbox Is "White Hot" With Furious Emails About Boris Johnson

James Heappey has urged the public to wait for the Sue Gray report as he admitted his inbox was "glowing white hot" with angry emails.

14 Nov 2021 Defence

James Heappey, Conservative MP for Wells and minister for the armed forces, recalls his tours of Afghanistan

Minister for the armed forces, James Heappey, reflects on his time in Afghanistan and delivers a message to veterans ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

02 Apr 2020 Coronavirus

Get ready to hand over 3,000 military reservists for coronavirus fight, businesses told

The Ministry of Defence expects 3,000 military reservists to be called up for duty as part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

15 May 2019 Environment

When it comes to energy efficiency, parliament should lead by example

Where there are opportunities to be more energy efficient, like the restoration of the Palace of Westminster, parliament should get its own House in order and lead by example, says James Heappey