http://www.nickharveymp.com/speecharchive.php Recent Speeches from Nick Harvey MP en-GB Nick Harvey MP http://www.nickharveymp.com/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Nick Harvey MP 2010-09-07T20:27+01:00 United Kingdom http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000016/future_maritime_conference_speech.html In July 2010 Nick Harvey made a speech at the Royal United Services Institute as Minister of State for the Armed Forces. The speech looks into the changing aims and role of British maritime capabilities and does so in light of the approaching strategic defence and security review. 2010-08-09T16:32+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000015/protecting_future_uk_security_and_defence_interests.html Ahead of the general election and forthcoming strategic defence review, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary Nick Harvey, Conservative Liam Fox and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth discussed how the UK can best address emerging and future threats in times of tightening budgets. This discussion with leading members of the three major political parties at Westminster was held as part of a Chatham House project, 'Rethinking the UK's International Ambitions and Choices'. 2010-03-29T19:15+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000014/future_defence_review__red_teaming_a_green_paper.html George, thank you very much. I'm sorry I haven't been able to be here throughout the day, so it is not possible to respond to things that have been said throughout. But I was here this morning to hear Tom McKane setting out the context for the green paper, and I have obviously taken notes of (RUSI's) Malcolm Chalmers' paper warning where this all might lead to. 2010-01-13T16:00+00:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000013/reaffirming_the_military_covenant.html (One minute silence) A silence speaks volumes when we are unable to put into words the debt we owe our service personnel. It is right that we pay tribute to the huge sacrifices made by our armed forces, past and present. To remember those who have fallen and the countless injured and wounded. 2009-09-21T16:40+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000012/this_house_would_rather_bomb_iran_than_allow_iran_the_bomb_speaking_against.html Mr President (Charlie Holt, Lady Margaret Hall), Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be back at the Oxford Union. James Langman (University College), in his excellent speech opening for our side of the argument, made the point that everyone here tonight agrees that we must try to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. The debate is about how best we can stop them doing so. 2009-03-05T22:00+00:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000011/defence_debate_armed_forces_personnel.html As ever, may I start by paying tribute to the men and women of our armed forces who work tirelessly and bravely, often in difficult, demanding and dangerous circumstances. 2009-01-29T16:55+00:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000010/rebuilding_a_consensus_over_the_uks_defence_policy.html When rebuilding a consensus where do we start? 2008-11-27T14:00+00:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000001/defence_policy.html Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): I start by echoing the words of tribute to the men and women of our armed services at every level, on the front line and at home, and to those who help and support them, those who equip and supply them, and those who look after them when they come back. In particular, I pay tribute to the constituents of my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Bob Russell), who have just returned from a gruelling tour of duty in Afghanistan, and to my own constituents, the marines and engineers who have gone out there to take over from them. We should all be very proud of what they are doing, often in very difficult circumstances. 2008-10-30T15:11+00:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000004/defence_in_the_uk.html Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): I want to start by echoing the words of tribute and condolence to those who have lost their lives or been seriously injured since we last debated defence matters in this House in July. In also paying tribute to the Ministers who have left their post, I should like to welcome the two who are with us today. I am glad that manpower shortages and overstretch in the rest of the military family is not going to extend as far as the Government Front Bench. 2008-10-09T15:31+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000002/members_expenses.html Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): I beg to move: That this House welcomes the Third Report from the Members Estimate Committee: Review of Members Allowances (House of Commons Paper 578), and endorses in particular the recognition of the need for a robust system of scrutiny for parliamentary allowances and the accompanying emphasis in the Report on improved audit. 2008-07-03T15:49+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000003/defence_procurement.html Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): I welcome this opportunity for a regular debate on defence procurement, but like others I begin by paying tribute to the service personnel who have lost their lives in Afghanistan. We have had a grim couple of weeks there, but that shows how important the fight is, and the battles must go on. 2008-06-19T15:22+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000005/defence_in_the_world.html Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): I welcome this debate, and I shall start, as others have, by paying tribute to the work of our armed forces, to the servicemen and women and the civilians who are currently on operations around the world, to those who have been injured and to those who lost their lives serving their country. Many of us from all parts of the House attended the city salute last night. We saw many of those who have served coming home, including the injured and their families. It was both humbling and uplifting to witness that spectacle, and we thank everyone for the service that they have put in for their country in different parts of the world. 2008-05-08T14:54+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000008/speech_opposing_the_motion_this_house_would_under_no_circumstances_fight_for_queen_and_country.html Madam President (Emily Partington, Jesus College), distinguished guests and Members of this great Union, it is an honour tonight to take part in such a historic debate, marking as it does the 75th anniversary of the original "King and Country" debate which caused such momentous waves in 1933. 2008-02-07T21:00+00:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000006/armed_forces_personnel.html Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): I welcome this afternoon's debate and the opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces for their courage, commitment and continuing efforts in operations around the world. 2007-06-27T13:55+01:00 http://www.nickharveymp.com/speeches/000007/trident.html Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): It is an honour to follow the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Nigel Griffiths) and I commend him for the courage of his actions and the clarity with which he explained them to the House today. I should like to address three points: the principle of the nuclear deterrent; the strategic context and the danger of proliferation; and the timing of the decision that we are asked to take today. 2007-03-14T14:23+00:00