Jeremy Corbyn calls for law to limit PM’s powers to deploy special forces

Last Updated: August 1, 2016By
Corbyn says David Cameron bypassed the Commons by sending the SAS instead of regular forces [Image: Mat Heywood for the Guardian].

Corbyn says David Cameron bypassed the Commons by sending the SAS instead of regular forces [Image: Mat Heywood for the Guardian].

Here’s another new policy proposal from Jeremy Corbyn.

Good idea?

The prime minister’s ability to send special forces on secret missions without a parliamentary vote should be constrained, Jeremy Corbyn has said, reiterating calls for a US-style war powers act.

The Labour leader said David Cameron had circumvented the need for a Commons vote to send regular British forces to war by deploying the SAS instead, and the loophole had been used to approve covert British military involvement or arms supply in Libya, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

“I’m very concerned about this because David Cameron – I imagine Theresa May would say the same – would say parliamentary convention requires a parliamentary mandate to deploy troops,” Corbyn said in an interview with Middle East Eye. “Except, and they’ve all used the ‘except’, when special forces are involved.”

Source: Jeremy Corbyn calls for law to limit PM’s powers to deploy special forces | Politics | The Guardian

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4 Comments

  1. Roland August 1, 2016 at 11:31 am - Reply

    Jeremy is right cameron as used the back door to do what the US want

  2. Richard Eastell August 1, 2016 at 12:21 pm - Reply

    I’m not sure that there should be a full debate in parliament given that Special Forces operations, by their very nature, tend to be secretive. If we’re going to provide arms or training teams to a country then yes, by all means have a vote. Maybe, in those cases where Special Forces are to be deployed, an “in camera” committee hearing with representatives from all parties should receive a briefing from the MOD and HQ UKSF presenting the arguments for SF involvement. If a majority believe the intervention is necessary then it proceeds.

  3. Kenneth Billis August 2, 2016 at 12:33 am - Reply

    ” Secretive” Special Forces operations are by their very nature susceptible to gross misuse if not restrained in some way. The logical conclusion should really be that the UK should not participate in secret operations and insisting on a parliamentary vote makes that the case by default.

  4. NMac August 3, 2016 at 9:21 am - Reply

    Every day that goes by I support Jeremy Corbyn more and more.

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