Dr Al Pinkerton MP
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alpinkerton.bsky.social
Dr Al Pinkerton MP
@alpinkerton.bsky.social
5.8K followers 43 following 44 posts
MP for Surrey Heath, Northern Ireland spokesman, geopolitics.

Published and promoted by the Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats, Station House, 1 Pembroke Broadway, Camberley, GU15 3XD.
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Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
libdems.org.uk
The Prime Minister talks the talk on supporting an independent BBC, but he refuses to walk the walk.

Robbie Gibbs must go.
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
For all its faults, the BBC isn’t just a broadcaster — it’s part of our national culture and a pillar of our resilience in the information wars. Those who seek its destruction do our enemies’ work. We’d lose it at our collective peril. #BBC
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Frimhurst is one of the hidden gems of Surrey Heath. It was a privilege to introduce Ed to the incredible staff and clients, who always make me so welcome.
eddavey.libdems.org.uk Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · Oct 10
Got stuck into some gardening at Frimhurst Enterprises, based at Frimhurst Family House, with @AlPinkerton.bsky.social, a fantastic social enterprise helping those with learning disabilities build new skills and have some fun.

Big thanks to Peter for showing us around and keeping us busy.🪴
October 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Operation: Take Back Our Flag. Because plastic patriots don’t get to define who we are and what our national symbols mean. 🇬🇧
September 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
My response to today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the Troubles Legacy Deal.
September 19, 2025 at 1:11 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
The shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah is a despicable tragedy. Violence must never be the response to political disagreement.

My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all in public life shaken by this attack. We must stand together to defend democracy and freedom.
September 10, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
calummillerld.bsky.social
As famine deepens and hostages remain in captivity, the Israeli Government expands settlements and escalates its assault on Gaza.

I’ve written to the Foreign Secretary urging sanctions, an arms ban and a ban on trade with illegal settlements.
Dear David, As the world's attention shifted in August to the war in Ukraine, conditions in Gaza have only worsened. I am writingtoday, before Parliament returns on Monday. Much has happened since your statement on 21 July and none of it has been in the direction we hoped for. Last week, we saw Israeli forces begin an assault on Gaza City and the IPC declaring famine in Gaza for the first time. Meanwhile, the 5 September will mark 700 days of captivity for the hostages still held by the Hamas terrorists. This situation is utterly intolerable. In the context of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe and the plight of the hostages in Gaza, we must redouble our focus on empowering the moderates in both Palestinian and Israeli society, while drawing power away from the extremes. That task is all the more important as we now look towards the UN General Assembly Session in September. Opposition politicians in Israel have roundly condemned the new military operation in Gaza City. They state their belief that it will endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, despite the claims of the Netanyahu cabinet that the operation has their release and recovery as an objective. Meanwhile, the restarting of settlement building in the E1 area of the West Bank will further erode the territorial basis for the Palestinian state - recognition of which the Government has made conditional on steps by Israel to alleviate suffering in Gaza. It is clear that the Netanyahu cabinet continues egregiously to violate international and humanitarian law, across both Gaza and the West Bank. Yet the UK has been reluctant to apply any genuine pressure on the Israeli Government to stop these violations across the Occupied Territories - or to publicly call on President Trump to do the same. In light of these continuing violations, I ask you - once again - whether you will consider implementing Liberal Democrat calls to: • Sanction Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Cabinet Ministers for continuing to block the full reopening of aid into Gaza and expanding the military campaign there? • Ban the export of all UK arms to Israel, including taking steps to isolate and withhold those UK-produced F-35 components that are being used to supply or service jets used by the Israeli Government? • Ban trade with all illegal Israeli settlements across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, ensuring that UK businesses cannot contribute to supporting the development of these settlements? Liberal Democrats have consistently said that the remaining hostages must be released without condition. We have also been clear that Hamas can have no part in the future government of Palestine. The future of a Palestinian state depends on steps to strengthen governance by the Palestinian Authority and a government that rejects the use of terrorism to achieve its goals. I look forward to your response, as well as the opportunity to raise these issues with you at next week's Foreign Office oral questions. Yours sincerely, Calum Miller MP Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
August 27, 2025 at 11:51 AM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
A visitor to the garden today.
July 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
🗳️ Tonight I abstained on the vote to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group—by walking through both the Aye and No lobbies.

Why?

[1/3]
July 2, 2025 at 10:27 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
We’ve heard this before: a rogue state, WMDs, talk of regime change.

In 2003, it led to 100,000+ civilians dead, 179 British troops lost, and chaos that birthed ISIS.

Now the drums beat again—this time for Iran. We must remember. And we must ask: what comes next?

#IraqRedux #Iran #Iraq
June 18, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
calummillerld.bsky.social
The world's attention is on the new conflict between Israel and Iran and Tuesday's UN conference has been postponed.

Yet the UK should still recognise Palestine to safeguard conditions for a two-state solution. All 72 Lib Dem MPs co-signed a call for this.
Dear Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, As I know you will agree, the suffering and carnage we have witnessed in the last 18 months across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have shown - beyond any doubt - that only a political resolution can end the bloodshed and support a long-term peace in the Middle East. This was clear long before Hamas unleashed its horrific terrorist attack on Israel on 7th October 2023 and the Netanyahu Government's response: its devastating military campaign in Gaza and proposals for total annexation, its abhorrent blockade of aid to the Strip and its illegal expansion of settlements across the West Bank, all of which are devastating the lives and hopes of Palestinians. In the face of these realities, the Government can no longer sit on its hands and simply hope for the conditions for peace to emerge spontaneously. Indeed, while we delay, the policies advocated by extremist elements in Israel's cabinet might remove the chance of there being any Palestinian state to recognise. In these circumstances, it would be wrong to force the Palestinians to meet certain conditions to "earn" recognition. Instead, we should recognise the Palestinian right to a state. British Ministers have a unique and historic obligation to play an active role in contributing to a just, political resolution to the conflict. The durability of that resolution will depend entirely on the extent to which it can deliver justice and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. As we have stated forthrightly over many years, Liberal Democrats believe that only a two-state solution - based on 1967 borders - can provide the framework for a sustainable peace. Next week's summit in New York - co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia - presents a unique opportunity to take a vital step towards building a two-state solution through issuing a joint declaration of recognition for Palestine. We were encouraged by the Foreign Secretary's statement in the House on 20 May, stating that the UK was in active discussions on this point with France and Saudi Arabia and that this had been discussed with the Saudi Arabian Prime Minister. But we are deeply concerned by reports that the ambitions of the summit have been watered down. It would be highly concerning were the UK making the case against recognition at this crucial time. For many years, Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to accept and shoulder our responsibility to the Middle East; to recognise our historic obligations to the region and act - decisively - to help deliver the conditions for peace. Reflecting these obligations, will the Government commit at next week's summit to take the step already made by several of our allies across Europe - including Spain, Norway and Ireland last year - and formally recognise the state of Palestine along 1967 borders? Taking this step would not only give hope to millions of Palestinians and wrest control away from the extremists in Hamas but also reflect - in law - a realistic and just vision for the future of the region. There is Liberal Democrat-proposed legislation already making its way through Parliament - including Layla Moran MP's Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill - which the Government could quickly move to support and pass. It should take this step without delay, to support a formal recognition of Palestine at next week's meeting. The time for delay and hesitation is over. Now is the moment to act with courage and to do all we can to bring about that political condition of two states which we know offers the only realistic prospect of peace. And the co-signatories: all 72 Lib Dem MPs
June 16, 2025 at 8:39 AM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Today in Parliament, I called out false claims about a so-called grooming gangs inquiry. The Tory “wrecking amendment” on 8 Jan couldn’t deliver an inquiry—only block a child protection bill and scrap vital safeguards from the Jay Inquiry. Misleading the public on this is reckless and wrong.
June 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Not on your nelly.

After years of pumping sewage into our rivers—and £billions plundered by investors—Thames Water should now slip quietly into receivership and be refashioned as a Public Benefit Company. One that serves people and planet, not shareholders.

#PlanetBeforeProfit
June 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
calummillerld.bsky.social
Yesterday, I sent a letter to the Foreign Secretary urging the UK to take stronger action if Israel continues its military assault on Gaza - including a total arms export ban, the recognition of Palestine and sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers.
Dear David, I write to underscore my deep concern over the Israeli Government's stated objectives for Gaza and to urge you and the Government to take stronger action against Israel if it does not change course. As my colleague Monica Harding described in the House of Commons earlier this week, Liberal Democrats consider the Israeli Government's decision to approve plans for "the conquest of Gaza" to be disgraceful. It will wreak more devastation and displacement on Palestinians after months of bombardment, while also narrowing the path back to a ceasefire. It will only harm the chances of getting the remaining hostages in Hamas' captivity back to Israel. I understand that the Government shares this view and strongly opposes Israel's actions. Yet, despite our many debates and statements at each turn of the development of this crisis, Israel has not changed course. Instead, it has hardened its position and extended its war aims in Gaza. The time has come for the UK to take a much firmer position and to make clear to the government of Israel that, if it continues on this path, there will be serious consequences. Can you please confirm that the UK Government regards the military strategy for Gaza adopted by the Israeli Cabinet on Sunday as a flagrant breach of international law and therefore utterly wrong and completely unacceptable? If you can, I urge you to work with colleagues across the House to develop a robust UK response to Israel's actions. The UK is most effective when we present a united front. The Liberal Democrats have proposed a series of policies aimed at building a path to a sustainable peace in the region. These have never been more needed. So, I urge you now to implement the following proposals: • Ban the export of all UK arms to Israel, ensuring that no UK weapons can be used in the perpetration of human rights abuses in Gaza. • Immediately recognise the state of Palestine - ideally in concert with other allies like France - to show our support for Palestinian self-determination and a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. • Sanction the extremist Ministers Ben-Givr and Smotrich, who actively promote expansion into the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The Israeli Government's proposals bring into sharp focus the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. The intention to capture Gaza sits alongside the pattern of violent settler expansion in the West Bank that has been advocated by some members of the Israeli Cabinet. Can you confirm when the Attorney General will provide his view on this opinion? Has he already provided guidance to you on how the Government should proceed in its relations with Israel to ensure it does not aid and abet actions that breach international humanitarian law? And, in view of the expansion of violent settler activity in the West Bank, will you also agree to implement the Liberal Democrat proposal to ban UK trade with the illegal settlements? This past week also marks 60 days since the start of the Israeli Government's latest blockade of Gaza. In that time, we have seen the humanitarian crisis on the ground only intensify. Lack of access to essential supplies and medicines is compounding the suffering of Palestinians who have already endured months of military bombardment, while the announcement by the World Food Programme that its food stores in Gaza have been entirely depleted are generating grave fears about mass starvation. Given the urgency with which action is required, I would welcome your responses on the following questions: • How is the Government working with international partners to pressure the Israeli Government to allow aid to reach Gaza? • Are contingency measures being considered to ensure aid reaches those suffering in Gaza, even if the Israeli Government continues to block the direct supply of aid into the Strip? I know you share my frustration wi…
May 9, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
calummillerld.bsky.social
Utterly wrong for Israel to have denied UK MPs entry to the country. Authoritarian states have sanctioned MPs for exercising their free speech. But this a very worrying move by a democracy and ally. Foreign Secretary should summon the Israeli Ambassador to explain.

news.sky.com/story/labour...
Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed denied entry and deported from Israel
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy reacted to news of the MPs being deported saying he had made it "clear" to his Israeli counterparts that it's "no way to treat British parliamentarians".
news.sky.com
April 6, 2025 at 8:45 AM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Is what Brexiteers meant by ‘sovereignty’?
April 1, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
implausibleblog.bsky.social
LibDem's Callum Miller, "Donald Trump represents a real threat to the United Kingdom"

"Reform and the Conservatives are kowtowing to Donald Trump rather than facing up to the challenge"
March 26, 2025 at 9:21 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
First the US ceases offensive cyber-ops against Russia. Then the top political brass in US openly share sensitive intel while plugged into Russian networks.

It was in this context that I asked Luke Pollard about the UK’s sovereign cyber readiness…
March 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Just when you thought the United States couldn’t sink any lower, this:
March 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Definitely one to listen to!!
noamleshem.bsky.social Noam Leshem @noamleshem.bsky.social · Mar 3
First podcast on my book now out with @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social.

A great conversation with @robbyref.bsky.social about #Palestine, #Jerusalem, the Black Panthers and even my own childhood!
March 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
This weekend, while the world was distracted by the ambush in the Oval Office, the United States quietly scrapped their offensive cyber operations against Russia, leaving the United States and its allies more susceptible to future cyber attacks and intelligence breaches.
March 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
calummillerld.bsky.social
The UK should insist that the Israeli Govt reopens routes for humanitarian aid to reach the population in Gaza who are trying to live amid the destruction. Withholding essential food, shelter and medicine contravenes international humanitarian law.

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Israel blocks entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza
Netanyahu is demanding Hamas agree to a US plan for a ceasefire extension, the Palestinian group says blocking aid is "cheap blackmail".
www.bbc.com
March 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP
eddavey.libdems.org.uk
If Ukraine is forced to surrender its sovereign territory to Russia, it will be the greatest betrayal of a European ally since Poland in 1945.

The UK must lead in Europe in defence of Ukraine. We cannot stand back and watch as Zelensky is bullied by Trump.
February 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
Debate on Special Educational Needs in Parliament this afternoon. SEND is the biggest issue in any MPs inbox, especially in counties like Surrey where the system is at its most dysfunctional.

Revealing who turns up to represent their constituents. And those who don’t. #SEND
MPs in Westminster Hall, overcoloured to show party affiliation.
January 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
alpinkerton.bsky.social
What a bizarre moment earlier this evening in the House of Commons. Led by their chief whip, Reform MPs shouted “No” in order to trigger a vote on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - but then appear to have failed to put up any tellers, so the vote collapsed and was called off.
January 8, 2025 at 9:27 PM