Important to nurture our strong links with India - Dr Andrew Murrison

12:00pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in Latest News

David Cameron’s trip to India appears to have gone well. In truth we’re now supplicants to this fledgling world power and can hope that the better parts of our shared history and the presence of many people of Indian heritage in the UK will assist in forging a special relationship that will be mutually beneficial.

There was some talk of apologising for excesses of empire. It is indeed appropriate to express regret for past sins of omission and commission – the Queen did this so very well in Ireland last year, successfully taking our relationship to the next level. However, it would be a presumption for today’s politicians to assume the mantle of apologist for the actions of their distant predecessors. We should also be cautious in judging individuals long dead by the standards and mores of today. What we can do is be thankful for relative peace and concord and start laying down tomorrow’s good history today.

My travels took me to Dublin for the EU Defence Ministerial and the chance to explore with Irish politicians and officials the implications of the upcoming centenary of the Great War. Naturally, EU ministers were greatly exercised about the rapidly evolving situation in Mali where there is much support for the French-led initiative but little appetite for committing combat soldiers.

Then to Paris for talks with officials, a speech at our embassy about the defence industry and further discussion on the centenary. Finally home to deal with the constituency correspondence and everything else that amassed during the week.

I continue to get messages about the Same Sex Marriage Bill. I hope people will see that this measure is not about forcing churches to solemnise marriages they are uncomfortable with and that traditional society will not suffer as a result of the change.

Comments (9)

2:42am Sat 23 Feb 13

beetawix says...

Could the MP tell us why David Cameron dressed up to look like an Indian?
Could the MP tell us why David Cameron dressed up to look like an Indian? beetawix

11:04am Sat 23 Feb 13

Mrs Donnyfly says...

Did the MP dress up as an Irishman?
Did the MP dress up as an Irishman? Mrs Donnyfly

11:27am Sun 24 Feb 13

moonrakin wurzel says...

I suppose Dr. Murrison condones the government giving the Indians hundreds of millions of ££££ of our monies borrowed on our account to fund nuclear submarines, a space program, fighter jets and corruption on an epic scale?

Is this the same Dr. Murrison who said in a speech at at the inaugural meeting of the UK National Defence Association in Warminster 5 years ago that we would never do joint ops with the French and there will never be an EU army?
I suppose Dr. Murrison condones the government giving the Indians hundreds of millions of ££££ of our monies borrowed on our account to fund nuclear submarines, a space program, fighter jets and corruption on an epic scale? Is this the same Dr. Murrison who said in a speech at at the inaugural meeting of the UK National Defence Association in Warminster 5 years ago that we would never do joint ops with the French and there will never be an EU army? moonrakin wurzel

2:25pm Sun 24 Feb 13

Mrs Donnyfly says...

Bow and arrows to nuclear submarines. Those Indians have come a long way.
Bow and arrows to nuclear submarines. Those Indians have come a long way. Mrs Donnyfly

5:12pm Sun 24 Feb 13

notscot says...

Another of those "special" relationships, eh?
Does anyone REALLY believe we're going to be able to forge business relations with India?
No matter how much we now bribe - no matter how many of our mp's bow and scrape, (another photo-op for one of our toothy local representatives? perhaps from behind an attraxctive sari. Though some would prefer a burkha) India is NEVER likely to trust the UK.
With darn good reason, too.
Another of those "special" relationships, eh? Does anyone REALLY believe we're going to be able to forge business relations with India? No matter how much we now bribe - no matter how many of our mp's bow and scrape, (another photo-op for one of our toothy local representatives? perhaps from behind an attraxctive sari. Though some would prefer a burkha) India is NEVER likely to trust the UK. With darn good reason, too. notscot

10:33pm Sun 24 Feb 13

jigsaw 5 says...

They'll take our free money and give nothing in return....stop now and keep our money in our country, or we'll
turning into a third world country.
They'll take our free money and give nothing in return....stop now and keep our money in our country, or we'll turning into a third world country. jigsaw 5

7:25am Mon 25 Feb 13

notscot says...

jigsaw 5 wrote:
They'll take our free money and give nothing in return....stop now and keep our money in our country, or we'll
turning into a third world country.
Funny that - we did a lot of taking from them a few years ago.....
The govt. isn't really interested in what happens to the aid "we" give to India. The fact that India laughs as we donate - and many pockets are lined - has no effect on the decision to give the "aid", it's given in the firm belief that the "donations" allow us the right to have a say in India's decisions - and gives our businesses "priority" consideration in any deals.
They don't want us to notice or care that it isn't working. THEY'VE made the decision, based on their assumptions - so we'll KEEP paying.
And corrupt Indian officials will keep taking.
(Along with the 3rd-generation benefit-claiming wasters that would probably be first in line for the savings if we stopped the "aid" donations.)
There's a lot of money to be saved - time to start getting practical.
[quote][p][bold]jigsaw 5[/bold] wrote: They'll take our free money and give nothing in return....stop now and keep our money in our country, or we'll turning into a third world country.[/p][/quote]Funny that - we did a lot of taking from them a few years ago..... The govt. isn't really interested in what happens to the aid "we" give to India. The fact that India laughs as we donate - and many pockets are lined - has no effect on the decision to give the "aid", it's given in the firm belief that the "donations" allow us the right to have a say in India's decisions - and gives our businesses "priority" consideration in any deals. They don't want us to notice or care that it isn't working. THEY'VE made the decision, based on their assumptions - so we'll KEEP paying. And corrupt Indian officials will keep taking. (Along with the 3rd-generation benefit-claiming wasters that would probably be first in line for the savings if we stopped the "aid" donations.) There's a lot of money to be saved - time to start getting practical. notscot

12:05pm Mon 25 Feb 13

PO1234 says...

Dr Murrison says in his statement to the WT that "he hopes people will see the Same Sex Marriage Bill is not about forcing churches to solemnise marriages they are uncomfortable with and that traditional society will not suffer as a result of the change."
I wish Dr Murrison would realise that the Government's intentions and the actual outcome after intervention from Brussels are two very different things. Even if Churches gain freedom to opt out, individual Chritians will not be protected. For example, teachers who refuse to teach the new "anything goes" definition of marriage will have no protection from victimisation, job loss and prosecution.
I for one will remember Dr Murrison's position on this matter when he asks my support at the ballot box.
Dr Murrison says in his statement to the WT that "he hopes people will see the Same Sex Marriage Bill is not about forcing churches to solemnise marriages they are uncomfortable with and that traditional society will not suffer as a result of the change." I wish Dr Murrison would realise that the Government's intentions and the actual outcome after intervention from Brussels are two very different things. Even if Churches gain freedom to opt out, individual Chritians will not be protected. For example, teachers who refuse to teach the new "anything goes" definition of marriage will have no protection from victimisation, job loss and prosecution. I for one will remember Dr Murrison's position on this matter when he asks my support at the ballot box. PO1234

5:39pm Mon 25 Feb 13

jigsaw 5 says...

What do we get in return from India for our billions of "donations" ? oh yes, we gave them call centre jobs as well. Most of our stuff from china. Although we do get a mention in their space programme as a minor funding country lol
What do we get in return from India for our billions of "donations" ? oh yes, we gave them call centre jobs as well. Most of our stuff from china. Although we do get a mention in their space programme as a minor funding country lol jigsaw 5

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