Politics

How Has Jo Swinson Voted On Defence?

Cover Image: Jo Swinson making a speech in November (Picture: PA).

The Liberal Democrats have appointed the party's deputy leader Sir Ed Davey and president Baroness Sal Brinton as joint acting leaders, after Jo Swinson lost her seat.

The Conservative Party secured a majority in the House of Commons following the General Election.

Jo Swinson had been the Member of Parliament for East Dunbartonshire between 2005-2015 and 2017-2019.

The 39-year-old, who was born in Glasgow, had vowed to stop Brexit and support the Armed Forces during her election campaign.

She is now set to stand down as Lib Dem leader.

Here is how her voting history looks on defence matters.

Use Of British Military Forces In Combat Operations Overseas

According to voting records website theyworkforyou.com, Ms Swinson has generally voted for the use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.

In September 2014, she voted for UK air strikes in Iraq to support Iraqi forces' efforts against so-called Islamic State (IS).

In 2013, she voted against requiring conditions be fulfilled before any military action involving UK forces in response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

She also voted to agree a strong humanitarian response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria was required from the international community and if necessary, use military action.

Ms Swinson was absent for a vote on the role of the UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan in August 2010.

Ms Swinson has generally voted for the use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas, according to theyworkforyou.com (Picture: Royal Navy).

Iraq War Investigations

Ms Swinson has consistently voted for investigations into the Iraq War, voting records show.

In October 2006, Ms Swinson voted for a further inquiry into the war in Iraq.

She also voted for an inquiry into the Iraq War by a select committee of Privy Counsellors.

In June 2007, she voted to support the principle that there should be an inquiry into the Iraq War by an independent committee of Privy Counsellors.

Trident

Ms Swinson has generally voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system.

In 2007, she voted against maintaining the UK's minimum strategic nuclear deterrent, Trident, beyond the life of the existing system.

In the Liberal Democrats' party manifesto, it pledged to maintain a "minimum nuclear deterrent", while "pursuing multilateral nuclear disarmament".

Trident is the UK's nuclear deterrent programme (Picture: MOD).

Armed Forces Covenant

Ms Swinson has consistently voted against strengthening the Armed Forces Covenant.

In February 2011, she voted against a legally binding Armed Forces Covenant being set out in law.

Ms Swinson also voted against public bodies and ministers considering the effects of people's service in the military when setting healthcare, education and housing policy.

In June 2012, she voted against calling on the Government to strengthen the Covenant.

In the Liberal Democrats' manifesto, they pledged to support the Armed Forces Covenant and work to support the mental health of veterans.