Parliamentary Liaison - Armed Forces Bill - September 2005
Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval for Participation in Armed Conflict) Bill
Since the seventeenth century a slow democratic revolution has brought Prerogative powers under the control of Parliament. Powers exercised in the name of the Sovereign are now exercised by the Prime Minister and Cabinet but incredibly in the twenty first century there is still no constitutional provision requiring that the Government seek Parliament's approval prior to going to war. The Armed Forces (Parliamentary Approval for Participation in Armed Conflict) Bill is a cross party initiative introduced by Clare Short and supported by MPs Tony Wright, William Hague and Sir Menzies Campbell. The Bill provides that UK forces cannot be taken to war without the requirement of Parliamentary approval. By ensuring greater openness, accountability and democratic control of the armed forces it could be a constitutional expression for many of Friends` concerns regarding accountability in public affairs and the willingness of the UK Government to resort to armed force. If the Bill can gather the support of 100 MPs it will be debated and voted on in the Commons on Friday October 21st. Friends in contact with their MPs are encouraged to discuss with their MPs who can confirm their prior support for the measure by signing EDM 85.
Michael Bartlet, Parliamentary Liaison Secretary - September 23rd 2005
Link to the Early Day Motion 85 [offsite link]
Link to the full text of the Armed Forces Billl [offsite link]
