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Speeches

Westminster Hall Debate - Middle East (Global Security)

Speech by Jo Swinson MP on 26th January 2008

I congratulate the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mike Gapes), and all its members on the authoritative and wide-ranging report that we are debating. We have heard from many esteemed hon. Members. The hon. Member for Ilford, South opened the debate very well with a summary, in as much as one can have a summary of the middle east. He took us on a rapid tour around the various countries involved and, crucially, provided an update on what has been happening since the report was published last July. It is obviously a part of the world where events move quickly. The right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir John Stanley) made an eloquent and passionate contribution about the situation in Gaza in particular. The hon. Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn) made a characteristically powerful speech. I commend his courage and that of others who went to monitor the elections in Gaza. The hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) made a brief but welcome contribution about minority rights in Egypt and the discrimination against the Baha'i, which picked up on the similar point that we heard about religious discrimination against Christian students. Obviously, both types of discrimination are appalling and need to be on the agenda of our Ministers and diplomats in their relations with the countries involved. Incidentally, he made a very good argument against identity cards in general.

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Articles

Be happy, Olympians. Aim low

Written by Jo Swinson MP and published on Guardian.co.uk Comment is Free on 9th August 2008

Our happiness often comes down to the comparisons we make. This is why it is sad that sections of the British media and, I'm sorry to say, politicians, ramp up expectations before major sporting events. Whilst it is great that there is enthusiasm for our medal prospects in Beijing and we will all be right behind our Olympic team, we should not seek to burden our athletes with excessive expectations.

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