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Sat, 9 December 2023

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Tobias Ellwood MP

Tobias Ellwood MP

Conservative MP for Bournemouth East and chair of the Defence Committee

Climate change will soon overtake human conflict as the biggest global threat to life
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Climate change will soon overtake human conflict as the biggest global threat to life
In January 2023, the World Economic Forum listed climate change as the cause of the top six most severe risks to the planet over the coming decade. Tobias Ellwood MP, former chair of the Defence Committee, considers the role of climate change in future conflict.
Military Warned To Urgently Adapt To Climate Change Threats
Environment
Military Warned To Urgently Adapt To Climate Change Threats
The Ministry of Defence must adapt its strategic resilience to cope with changing demands from climate change, a new defence committee report has warned.
AI is a Pandora’s box that will completely reshape the rules of war
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
AI is a Pandora’s box that will completely reshape the rules of war
Finally, the impending dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are making the headlines. When the “Godfather of AI” Geoffrey Hinton quits Google – speaking out about the risks it poses to human civilisation – we should listen.
Time to give the lion its roar – better statecraft means Britain can punch above its weight again
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Time to give the lion its roar – better statecraft means Britain can punch above its weight again
In 2017, as a foreign office minister, I proposed 3 Commando Brigade should protect the key port of Hudaydah in Yemen under a UN mandate, allowing its huge port cranes to offload vital aid for the millions caught up in the civil war.
Senior Tory MP Warns Army Is Already 'Overstretched' As Soldiers Prepare For Ambulance Strike
Defence
Senior Tory MP Warns Army Is Already "Overstretched" As Soldiers Prepare For Ambulance Strike
Ministers have vowed to become less reliant on the Army to step in during strikes amid growing concern among military figures about the impact on soldiers and military resource.
Private Schools Spat At PMQs, Food Prices Rising, NHS Pay Rises Not On The Cards
Health
Private Schools Spat At PMQs, Food Prices Rising, NHS Pay Rises Not On The Cards
Keir Starmer challenged Rishi Sunak to address an ongoing row over private schools at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
We must boost defence spending to meet dangerous new threats
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
We must boost defence spending to meet dangerous new threats
We have entered a dangerous new era of aggression. The threats we face are broader and less predictable than ever seen before.
Tribal disunity could leave the Tory party out of power for a generation
Political parties
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Tribal disunity could leave the Tory party out of power for a generation
Our prime ministers fall into two broad camps.
Tobias Ellwood Says Boris Johnson Has “More Chance Of Becoming A Bond Villain” Than NATO Chief
Defence
Tobias Ellwood Says Boris Johnson Has “More Chance Of Becoming A Bond Villain” Than NATO Chief
Defence select committee chair Tobias Ellwood has dismissed reports that Boris Johnson could become the Nato chief once he steps down as Prime Minister.
Senior Tory Accuses Boris Johnson Critic Of “Very Serious Mistake” Over Missing Vote
Political parties
Senior Tory Accuses Boris Johnson Critic Of “Very Serious Mistake” Over Missing Vote
A senior minister has defended Boris Johnson’s decision to strip the Conservative whip from one of his biggest critics after they were stuck abroad and unable to take part in a Commons vote.
Boris Johnson Critic Tobias Ellwood Has Tory Whip Removed Over Missing Confidence Vote
Political parties
Boris Johnson Critic Tobias Ellwood Has Tory Whip Removed Over Missing Confidence Vote
Boris Johnson has been criticised for stripping the Tory whip from Tobias Ellwood over missing a vote on last night’s motion of confidence in the government, preventing him from voting in the leadership contest.
Rebel Tory MP Says Confidence Vote Result Is A “Stay Of Execution” For Boris Johnson
Political parties
Rebel Tory MP Says Confidence Vote Result Is A “Stay Of Execution” For Boris Johnson
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, who has been a vocal critic of Boris Johnson, has said Monday night’s confidence vote was a “stay of execution” and hinted that the PM could face another vote in under than a year.
We can upgrade Brexit and ease the cost of living by going back to the single market
Brexit
By Tobias Ellwood MP
We can upgrade Brexit and ease the cost of living by going back to the single market
With inflation soaring and the cost of living crisis biting, the Chancellor’s recent £15bn intervention was welcome – but more radical thinking is required if we are to energise our economy through these stormy waters and earn another five years of Conservative government.
Asda Chair And Tory Peer Calls For More Government Borrowing To Ease Cost Of Living Crisis
Economy
Asda Chair And Tory Peer Calls For More Government Borrowing To Ease Cost Of Living Crisis
Lord Rose, a Tory peer and chair of Asda supermarket, has said there is "no time to be wasted" and he called on ministers to consider further borrowing to provide financial support to struggling households.
Keir Starmer Urges Government To 'Look Again' At Defence Spending After Ukraine Invasion
Defence
Keir Starmer Urges Government To "Look Again" At Defence Spending After Ukraine Invasion
Keir Starmer has told the government it should put forward new proposals for defence spending in the wake of Russian invasion.
Senior Tory MP Says It's 'When, Not If' Boris Johnson Will Face A Confidence Vote
Coronavirus
Senior Tory MP Says It's "When, Not If" Boris Johnson Will Face A Confidence Vote
Tobias Ellwood has said the Prime Minister is causing "long term damage" to the Conservative party's "brand" and has urged him to resign.
Privatising Channel 4 would be a loss for democracy
Culture
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Privatising Channel 4 would be a loss for democracy
In August 2009, I was visiting Washington DC when TV channels interrupted their broadcasts with breaking news. Senator Ted Kennedy was dead.
Senior Tory Says UK Must Step Up Military Support For Ukraine
Defence
Senior Tory Says UK Must Step Up Military Support For Ukraine
A senior Conservative MP has called on the UK and its allies to step up their military support for Ukraine, warning that the government was being "too easily spooked" by Vladimir Putin's threats.
It’s time to increase UK defence spending to 3 per cent
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
It’s time to increase UK defence spending to 3 per cent
It’s time to review our defence posture and increase our defence spending.
Defence Committee Chair Wants UK Military Assets Sent To Moldova In A Shift To 'A Cold War Mindset'
Foreign affairs
By Kate Proctor
Defence Committee Chair Wants UK Military Assets Sent To Moldova In A Shift To "A Cold War Mindset"
Moldova should be offered UK military assets to protect itself from possible Russian aggression in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, chair of the Defence Select Committee Tobias Ellwood has said.
Senior Tory Says UK's 'Photo-Op' Diplomacy Over Russia Is A Sign Of Weakening Global Influence
Defence
Senior Tory Says UK's "Photo-Op" Diplomacy Over Russia Is A Sign Of Weakening Global Influence
The UK’s diplomatic efforts to stop Russia invading Ukraine have been heavily criticised by a senior Tory who believes their approach is a sign of the country’s diminishing global influence.
Backbench Tories Warn Of 'Last Days Of Rome' For Boris Johnson Over Downing Street Police Inquiry
Coronavirus
By Kate Proctor
Backbench Tories Warn Of "Last Days Of Rome" For Boris Johnson Over Downing Street Police Inquiry
The Conservative party has been plunged into fresh crisis this morning with the announcement that Downing Street will be investigated by the Metropolitan Police over potentially law breaking parties held during the pandemic.
Mistakes were clearly made in the Afghanistan withdrawal. We must not forget those left behind
Foreign affairs
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Mistakes were clearly made in the Afghanistan withdrawal. We must not forget those left behind
From a Military perspective, Operation Pitting, the emergency evacuation to airlift 15,000 Britons and at-risk Afghans was a formidable effort. Although lasting just a few days, I hope the MOD will not hesitate to express the nation’s gratitude by awarding a medal to all those involved.
We owe such much to our valiant armed forces – let’s not take them for granted
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
We owe such much to our valiant armed forces – let’s not take them for granted
Remembrance Day is an opportunity for a grateful nation to give thanks to our valiant armed forces past and present. To express our gratitude for the sacrifices they have made in keeping our nation safe.
While the West’s powers fight amongst themselves, China is rubbing her hands
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
While the West’s powers fight amongst themselves, China is rubbing her hands
Three months on from the G7, Western unity has taken two sucker punches - withdrawal from Afghanistan and the formation of Aukus - which have left the honeyed words of Carbis Bay looking empty, and given China no end of pleasure.
Defence Committee To Launch Review Into UK Military Operations In Afghanistan
Foreign affairs
Defence Committee To Launch Review Into UK Military Operations In Afghanistan
Exclusive: The Commons Defence Committee plans to launch its own inquiry into UK military operations in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, PoliticsHome has learned.
Military Veteran MPs Condemn 'Shameful' Afghanistan Crisis Response in Emotional Commons Speeches
Foreign affairs
Military Veteran MPs Condemn "Shameful" Afghanistan Crisis Response in Emotional Commons Speeches
Senior Conservative MP and former soldier Tom Tugendhat has led a cohort of Army veterans now serving in Parliament in scathing criticism of the international community's response to the crisis in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan will not see a peaceful transition of power – history will judge the West harshly for this failing
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Afghanistan will not see a peaceful transition of power – history will judge the West harshly for this failing
Afghanistan soldiers have melted away, the once busy streets now form a ghost town. Beauty salons closed, and their advertisements painted over signifying the erasure of a culture that offered female autonomy. There are no jeans or T-shirts being worn – traded for traditional dress.
Defence Committee Chair Says UK Must Take In 'At Least' Tens Of Thousands Of Afghan Refugees
Defence
Defence Committee Chair Says UK Must Take In "At Least" Tens Of Thousands Of Afghan Refugees
Defence select committee chair Tobias Ellwood has told PoliticsHome that Britain will need to accept “at least” tens of thousands of Afghan asylum seekers fleeing the Taliban.
Defence Committee Chair Criticises “Timid” Response From Government As Taliban Closes In On Kabul
Foreign affairs
Defence Committee Chair Criticises “Timid” Response From Government As Taliban Closes In On Kabul
Tobias Ellwood MP, chair of the defence select committee, has criticised the government for failing to take a strong stance on Afghanistan as Taliban forces look set to take control of the capital of Kabul.
Former Defence Minister Warns Of Inevitable Terrorist Attack In Britain After Troops Leave Afghanistan
Defence
Former Defence Minister Warns Of Inevitable Terrorist Attack In Britain After Troops Leave Afghanistan
A former defence minister has warned that a terrorist attack in the UK is inevitable unless Britain takes action to quash the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan.  
It would be a dereliction of duty not to ask what went wrong in Afghanistan
Defence
By Tobias Ellwood MP
It would be a dereliction of duty not to ask what went wrong in Afghanistan
Winning in Afghanistan was always going to be difficult but avoidable errors made it impossible. We should have the political courage to now hold an inquiry.
Labour Accuses Tories Of Going “Back To The Sleaze Of The 1990s” With David Cameron Lobbying Scandal
Coronavirus
Labour Accuses Tories Of Going “Back To The Sleaze Of The 1990s” With David Cameron Lobbying Scandal
Labour is accusing the Conservatives of returning “to the sleaze of the 1990s” amid fresh revelations over the Greensill lobbying scandal.
Halting UK arms exports linked to the conflict in Yemen would give real purpose to Global Britain
Foreign affairs
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Halting UK arms exports linked to the conflict in Yemen would give real purpose to Global Britain
Britain has become too risk averse, distracted by years of Brexit and reacting to international events rather than shaping them. But calling for global ceasefires to allow for Covid vaccinations is just the sort of leadership we traditionally excel at.
It would be an abject failure of statecraft to leave the EU with no deal
Brexit
By Tobias Ellwood MP
It would be an abject failure of statecraft to leave the EU with no deal
Britain's soft power has already been bruised by this government’s willingness to flout international law. We cannot afford to alienate relationships further by entertaining a no deal Brexit. If more time is required, then so be it
Britain's moral duty to end people trafficking
Foreign affairs
By Tobias Ellwood MP
Britain's moral duty to end people trafficking
Ending illegal Channel crossings will require long-term strategy and global leadership.