Conflict in Iran and the Gulf 

What is your position on the Iranian regime? 

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I am unequivocally opposed to the Iranian regime and to its nuclear ambitions. But it is essential that we do not conflate the actions of the regime with those of the Iranian people, many of whom have spent years bravely campaigning for change at great personal risk. I have raised this directly with the Prime Minister, and I believe Iranian voices must be heard when decisions are being made about the country's future. 

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What is your view on military action in the Gulf? 

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I oppose any unilateral and unlawful military action in the Gulf. Rather than delivering the freedom and security the Iranian people deserve, such action risks unleashing further bloodshed and undermining the brave protest movements within Iran seeking reform from within. 

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I have also raised serious concerns about the UK finding itself drawn further in. It is vital that the Government is able to monitor and confirm that any US strikes launched from UK bases remain defensive in nature. The UK has a duty to defend British troops and citizens in the region, but must not become complicit in illegal military action. 

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What are you doing to support the Iranian people? 

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In January I sponsored Liberal Democrat Early Day Motion 2617, which applauds the courage and resilience of the Iranian people in standing up to their country's tyrannical leadership. The motion calls on the Government to use the UK's satellite capabilities to document and preserve evidence of human rights abuses, in support of potential investigations by the International Criminal Court. 

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What does the conflict mean for people here at home? 

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The instability in the Gulf is already being felt in Chichester. Soaring petrol prices and rising energy costs are the direct result of volatility in global energy markets, and the impact on wholesale gas markets is affecting fertiliser prices for our local farmers, with wider cost increases likely to follow in our supermarkets. This is why the Liberal Democrats have set out a package of measures totalling £2bn over three months to support people across society with rising costs.