XClose

The Constitution Unit

Home
Menu

Should military action require parliamentary approval?

13 March 2024, 1:00 pm–2:15 pm

The event graphic.

An expert panel discusses the UK parliament’s role in approving military action.

This event is free.

Event Information

Open to

All

Cost

Free

Organiser

Edd Rowe

The UK’s recent air strikes on the Houthis in Yemen have renewed discussion about parliament’s role in approving military action. The government is not constitutionally required to consult parliament on military deployments, and can choose whether and when to seek MPs’ approval. So what is parliament’s current role? Should this be changed, as some opposition parties have suggested? If so, what are some of the possibilities and challenges?

In this webinar, an expert panel discuss parliament’s current role, and whether reform is desirable or feasible.

YouTube Widget Placeholderhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJH-Z0vWOD8

Listen to the event as a podcast

Speakers:

  • David Lidington – Chair of the Royal United Services Institute, former Conservative MP for Aylesbury, and former Minister for the Cabinet Office, Lord Chancellor, and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Dr Veronika Fikfak – Associate Professor in International Law, University College London
  • Dr James Strong – Senior Lecturer in British Politics and Foreign Policy, Queen Mary University of London

Chair: Lisa James – Research Fellow, Constitution Unit

Useful reading: