There are two problems with retrospective votes. The first is that the action would already have happened, so if the House has voted against it, what would we do about it? The second is that they emasculate this House, because if we voted for military action, how could we then criticise it? Only if we do not vote for it can we do what we are doing today and scrutinise what the Government are doing.
Situation in the Red Sea
Proceeding contribution from
James Gray
(Conservative)
in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 24 January 2024.
It occurred during Debate on Situation in the Red Sea.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
744 c395 
Session
2023-24
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Librarians' tools
Timestamp
2024-07-30 14:14:57 +0100
URI
http://hansard.intranet.data.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-01-24/240124114000044
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