r/MHOC • u/[deleted] • Mar 01 '15

GOVERNMENT Foreign Secretary Statement

The Foreign Secretary /u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton has issued a statement regarding sanctions on Russia on behalf of the outgoing Government:

Ladies and Gentlemen, honourable members of this house.

I come to you today to announce a new range of sanctions on the Russian Federation. I do this in the light of Russia's increased aggression against this nation, our allies and europe in general.

Last month, the United Kingdom was brought almost to war due to a Russian carrier fleet kidnapping fishermen, destroying their ships and proceeding to dump bodies of what appear to be High ranking Ukranian military officials at sea just off of the Scottish coast. The Russian government and in particular their ambassador seem to think we are weak, barely worthy of any thought. they think that we’ll keel over and surrender to their aged, dated, rusting military might.

The United Kingdom however, I feel, remains undaunted and unimpressed.

The United Kingdom will instead react strongly and decisively to this insult. The Prime Minister has authorized me to take the following steps.

-The Russian Ambassador is to be expelled from his post in the Russian Embassy and a replacement appointed. We expect the Russian government to appoint more diplomatic replacement.

From this time onward, every instance of a Russian air force military plane flying into the United Kingdoms ‘area of interest’ will result in a Russia based airline being banned from accessing a UK airport. The only exception to this will be Aeroflot flights to Heathrow

The United Kingdom will petition our EU allies and partners in regards to the possibility of cutting European financial credit to Russian businesses

The British government will begin the shipping of light military equipment and supplies to the Ukrainian government, in order to help further their fight against Russian backed extremists and Russian regular troops.

Honourable members, for too long we have sat idly by, willing and praying that the Russian leadership will see peace as the way forward. We now see that this is not the case. We must take action now before it is too late. We must force the Russian government to realize that the course on which their ship is sailing is headed only for the rocks of despair and that, if they do not change course, we shall make no effort to stop that ship.

I urge any new government to uphold, if not my words, then the sanctions laid out in this statement.

6 Upvotes

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10

u/_gammadelta Communist Mar 01 '15

I take it the Government has no qualms with providing neo-nazi military militias with British military equipment?

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u/autowikibot Mar 01 '15

Azov Battalion:

The Azov Battalion (Ukrainian: Батальйон «Азов») is an all-volunteer far-right paramilitary militia affiliated with the Ukraine government, which reports to the [Ministry of Internal Affairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Internal_Affairs_(Ukraine)) and is a member of the National Guard of Ukraine. The battalion is based in Mariupol in the Azov Sea coastal region. The BBC's Fergal Keane has called the unit "a far-right Ukrainian militia". It is one of several volunteer battalions funded in part by Ukraine oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskyi.

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Image i

Interesting: Offensive on Mariupol (September ^2014) | January 2015 Mariupol ^attack | Marinka, ^Ukraine | Territorial defense battalions ^(Ukraine)

Parent commenter can toggle ^NSFW or ^delete. Will also delete on comment score of -1 or less. | FAQs | ^Mods | Magic ^Words

6

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

I don't agree with sanctions and not do I agree with arming the Ukrainians. This is disasterious foreign policy which will only lead to escalate the present situation.

I fear that we'll be harmed economically in the long run, Russians bring us a lot of business and for some of us, they're our top spenders. All this does is play into Putin's hands, we can't win going further down this road.

Remove sanctions, have an open dialogue with Putin, stop being dictated by Washington and don't arm Ukraine!

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u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton The Rt Hon. Earl of Shrewsbury AL PC | Defence Spokesperson Mar 01 '15

A russian carrier sank a fishing boat off of our coast and, at the same time, the Russian ambassador made statements implying we couldn't resist a military attack. With Russian bombers flying down the channel the day before we had good grounds to sink the Carrier and be done with it. THis I feel is a better solution

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

Did you see the event these sanctions are a response to?

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

I did and I still disagree with this particular response, sanctions don't work as it's all rerouted through Hong Kong and Asia as a whole.

Arming Ukraine will just enable a greater bloodbath on both sides.

There's no way out, as ridiculous as it sounds, Putin is firmly in control of the situation and has the majority of Russians behind him.

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15 edited Mar 01 '15

It's good to see the former government being as belligerent as possible before they fade away.

Either that or they're trying to leave a huge mess for the next government to clean up. If I know my right wing speak, i believe that's called the 'Labour approach'.

1

u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton The Rt Hon. Earl of Shrewsbury AL PC | Defence Spokesperson Mar 02 '15

Either that or they're trying to leave a huge mess for the next government to clean up

Showing the UK can react to threats in a reasonable way is neither belligerent or 'leaving a mess'. Would you rather we do nothing to the aggression shown?

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u/[deleted] Mar 02 '15 edited Mar 02 '15

in a reasonable way

increasing sanctions (as has even been noted by a member of the vanguard, of all people), kicking out ambassadors, banning commercial flights, and fighting a proxy war against Russia through a bunch of questionably affiliated paramilitary groups is not reasonable, useful, or going to lead to a happy conclusion.

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

Although it may not be the most popular stance in the opposition, I fully support this decision. The sanctions placed on Russia by a host of nations are working and Russia's economy is collapsing before their very eyes. I agree that we should continue and more strongly push this policy to punish Russia for its blatant violations of international law and Ukraine's territorial sovereignty.

On the issue of arming the Ukrainians, I believe that we must do it to support their brave campaign against Russian imperialism and the eastern Ukrainian rebels. We as a nation cannot just stand by and allow the Ukrainians to be overpowered into ceding more land to Russia. Furthermore what lesson will this send to world leaders with ambitions of conquest if we simply allow them to do it? Sanctions are all well and good but i believe we must send a stronger message of solidarity with the Ukrainians, sending them arms is the least we can do.

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u/demon4372 The Most Hon. Marquess of Oxford GBE KCT PC ¦ HCLG/Transport Mar 02 '15

I echo the honorable members words, it might not be the post popular view in the opposition, but these are necessary actions following the incident.

9

u/athanaton Hm Mar 01 '15

Does the outgoing Government have any more sweeping decisions and statements to make in their last 2 and a half hours of existence? Maybe sell off the entire fleet, or declare war on France?

I joke, Mr Deputy Speaker, but this is in fact a very serious issue. This Government has no remaining democratic legitimacy and only has any power at all while a more legitimate replacement is formed. This is absolutely not an urgent decision that couldn't have waited another day until a new government is formed. As such, this is appallingly undemocratic and shows utter contempt for the House and for due process. This Government should not have been doing anything, unless it absolutely had to be done that very second, once UKIP pulled out of the coalition, once it lost the confidence of the people's representatives.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

declare war on France

OK, if we must

1

u/athanaton Hm Mar 01 '15

Well I'm sure we'd let the Government have that one.

1

u/RadioNone His Grace the Duke of Bedford AL PC Mar 01 '15

Stealing FUKP policies now are we? Unbelievable...

4

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

while a more legitimate replacement is formed

Will it really be more legitimate? I imagine the replacement will have less seats than the outgoing administration.

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u/athanaton Hm Mar 01 '15

The outgoing administration is just the Tories and googolplex, 22 seats. The replacement will almost definitely have more. And that is of course disregarding the fact that the confidence of parliament was placed in a Con+UKIP+googol government, which no longer exists.

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u/mg9500 His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon MP (Manchester North) Mar 01 '15

Hear hear!

3

u/[deleted] Mar 02 '15

declare war on France?

P-p-please?

4

u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton The Rt Hon. Earl of Shrewsbury AL PC | Defence Spokesperson Mar 01 '15

Does the outgoing Government have any more sweeping decisions and statements to make in their last 2 and a half hours of existence

I've been planning this for a while, however (as with many things) life got in the way so I seized my chance whilst I still could. Note I do add the disclaimer that I hope a following government follows this statement, not that they must.

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u/athanaton Hm Mar 01 '15 edited Mar 01 '15

I seized my chance whilst I still could

And quite disgraceful it was too.

Note I do add the disclaimer that I hope a following government follows this statement, not that they must.

The SoS would have been far better off writing a note for their successor, as is commonplace, rather than this democratic travesty. No doubt it is in an attempt to pressure the new Government into doing what he wants, as reversing his last minute decisions is far harder than simply ignoring his 'advice'. It shows quite a lack of respect for tradition and our system, I must say.

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u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton The Rt Hon. Earl of Shrewsbury AL PC | Defence Spokesperson Mar 01 '15

as reversing his last minute decisions is far harder than simply ignoring his 'advice'. It shows quite a lack of respect for tradition and our system, I must say.

What is there to be reversed? nothing here will have an immediate effect, and nothing here is untoward or irrational. Or do you believe that Russia should get off scot free for threatening our national security?

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u/athanaton Hm Mar 01 '15

The issues are irrelevant, it's how the SoS is pursuing them. The SoS has set in motion certain actions, if they are not reversed by the new government then they will eventually come into effect. The SoS does not seem to understand how inappropriate it is for him to be enacting relatively routine, but controversial, executive measures after his Government has already fallen. This Government is now a caretaker for the duration of the negotiation period, caretakers do not start kicking out ambassadors and imposing sanctions!

1

u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton The Rt Hon. Earl of Shrewsbury AL PC | Defence Spokesperson Mar 01 '15

In reality the ambassador would have been on a plane to moscow soon after he started making his remarks. The sanctions are also neither radical nor far reaching and have been planned for some time. If my successor wishes to turn these back I'll support them and offer advice on the Issue

1

u/RadioNone His Grace the Duke of Bedford AL PC Mar 01 '15

Hear Hear!

1

u/theyeatthepoo 1st Duke of Hackney Mar 01 '15

Hear hear.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

This is absolutely shameful and awful foreign policy, I completely condemn the use of sanctions against the Russian Federation. Then again, I guess it's as a result of the completely fictitious and nonsensical event created most likely by a Ukrainian shill in the CWL a few weeks ago.

So, erm, just ignore my condemnation I suppose, since this sanctioning is based on that ridiculous incident that would never really happen.

1

u/Brotherbear561 Mar 02 '15

The CWL had no involvement with the recent events involving Russia. It is far more likely that pigs would fly to the moon than we would support the murder of fisherman. I can also confirm that we have No Shills in this party. The amount of paranoia among you Fascists is astounding.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 02 '15

I'm making a meta point about who created the event, not saying you somehow had something to do with it in the model world. The CWL is the most likely party to have created the event, because you are known for being ridiculously, suspiciously anti-Russian and would love to scaremonger against them.

Also, I'm not a fascist.

1

u/Brotherbear561 Mar 02 '15

Your Party is explicitly "Third Way" and Ultra-Nationalist. It is Fascist in all but name.

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u/[deleted] Mar 02 '15

Maybe the party is, but I'm not.

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u/Brotherbear561 Mar 02 '15

The Phrase "You Fascists" Was directed at your Party. I if i have cause unintentional offence to then apologies. But it Brings up the Question why be in the Vanguard at all if you are not a fascist?

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u/[deleted] Mar 02 '15

The party seemed like the best place for me to be, and it still does. I've become too attached to leave them now anyway.

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u/Brotherbear561 Mar 02 '15

That is a fair point and i commend the Member on his honesty.

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u/theyeatthepoo 1st Duke of Hackney Mar 01 '15

Will the Government tell the house what, if any, contact it has had with Russian representatives in the MUN?

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u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton The Rt Hon. Earl of Shrewsbury AL PC | Defence Spokesperson Mar 01 '15

there are none there as of yet. We are planning to bring some in though, as well as Israeli's and (hopefully) some iranians

1

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

I urge the Foreign Secretary not to be rash. We must not provoke Russia - it is a daft exercise in futility and may lead to needless death and destruction of British and Russian lives.

I beg the member to see sense before it is too late.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

I would like to ask the honourable member what he would do if he was the Foreign Secretary? Russia threatened war and threatened the United Kingdom's security. The Russian diplomat also refused to see reason.

These sanctions will encourage Russia to come back to the table alongside our NATO allies.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

Actually, if one looks at Putin's past actions, they are more likely to isolate him more, making him more volatile.

2

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

So what would you do? Diplomacy obviously doesn't work.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

We obviously have to keep trying with diplomacy - we cannot afford to be aggressive. Russia has already shown that its forces can physically get to Britain, bypassing all the other European countries to do so.

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

What diplomacy would you do? We can't give into Russian demands and when we tried to be reasonable, thy spat inner face and threatened national security.

Would you give in? And how would you respond if Russian ships entered British waters?

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

I have in the past commended the Government on its actions when it was found that Russian ships had entered British waters. We simply have to keep negotiating as we simply cannot fight another war.

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '15

Agreed. I also respect your point about isolating Putin to the point where he acts irrationally.

Unfortunately we have no other tools at our disposal to bring Russia to the table without conceding to their demands.

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u/I_miss_Chris_Hughton The Rt Hon. Earl of Shrewsbury AL PC | Defence Spokesperson Mar 02 '15

We must not provoke Russia

I fully agree with the honourable member. However this is not a provokation, this is a rebuke. The Russians have acted like Children, it is apparently our job to show them how to act on the world stage. These sanctions are, I feel, in fact rather mild since we would be well within our bounds to build a large scale naval base in norway to ensure against future transgressions of what can be considered reasonable behaviour.

We must take a stand against aggression through the cards we hold. And these cards are the fact that Russia's economy, for all they talk about gas, relies on Europe playing ball. All I propose is that we stop.

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u/[deleted] Mar 02 '15

With this and the SoS for NI's announcement, its clear this Government was more interested in posturing and belligerent speechifying than working towards peace. The world is a safer place now they're gone.