Recall welcomed but Parliament's role in conflict decisions needs formalising
26 September 2014
The Chair of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee welcomed recall of the House of Commons to consider a motion on UK’s possible involvement in air strikes in Iraq against Islamic State. However there is still a need to clarify and formalise the process through which Parliament is consulted on the use of armed force.
Graham Allen MP said
"The decision to take military action is the most momentous a Government can make, and I welcome the fact that the House of Commons has been recalled to consider the possible use of armed force in Iraq against Islamic State. It is inconceivable that such action be taken without the consent of Parliament.
However, there is still no clear process in place for how Parliament is consulted on the use of armed force. The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee has repeatedly called for the process whereby Parliament is consulted on the use of armed force to be formalised, but so far the Government has failed to make progress on this.
Whatever decision the House takes on the possibility of UK involvement in air strikes against Islamic State, it is vital that the process for consulting Parliament on such matters is clarified and formalised."
The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee has produced several reports on Parliament’s role in conflict decisions, the most recent of which, Parliament’s role in conflict decisions: a way forward, was published on 27 March 2014, calling for a draft resolution clarifying and formalising Parliament’s to be considered by the House of Commons. The Government has yet to respond to the Committee’s report.