Mark Menzies MP: In defence of the Union - a cause for common concern

Mark Menzies is the Member of Parliament for Fylde.

The Prime Minister travelled to Scotland last week to set out the Conservative Party’s case for the defence of the United Kingdom. As a Scottish MP serving an English constituency, I have a dual interest in this referendum: Scottish independence matters as much to my constituents as it does to my compatriots. David Cameron understands this and deserves credit for consistently supporting the Union out of conviction rather than convenience.

The referendum campaign will be a long one. It is currently focused on procedure rather than substance. As the SNP’s vision for Scotland’s future is examined from all angles on the political spectrum, I have no doubt that many swing voters will begin to question how much they have to gain from breaking away from the UK. Which single fault with devolution as it stands is so insurmountable that it requires closing the chapter on three hundred years of history? Do Scots really have more in common with Scandinavians than they do with the Northern English, Welsh or Northern Irish? Scottish people get this. A Scotland that votes for the SNP is a very different beast from a Scotland which votes for independence.

However, that does not mean that Unionists have any reason to be complacent. A strong cross-party campaign is required to represent all the different voices in favour of keeping the UK together. The recent ‘No to AV’ campaign, while not directly analogous, offers a useful example of how politicians can unite on issues of constitutional importance to defend what has been proven to work from populist whims.

All Unionists have an interest in defending the UK. It is natural that Scottish politicians, particularly those with Scottish seats, should play a leading role – but not an exclusive one. I would encourage all Members of Parliament, and especially those with experience of Scotland, to speak up in favour of the Union in order to demonstrate its strong non-partisan support.

Mark Menzies MP: Britain is helping Haiti during one of the most challenging humanitarian emergencies of our time, but we need to do more

Mark Menzies is the Member of Parliament for Fylde.

On the 12^th January, 2010, a huge earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale ravaged the already fragile state of Haiti. It resulted in more than 220,000 deaths (according to Haitian Government figures), 96 of who were UN peacekeepers.  Following this event, countries all over the world pledged their support; indeed, the UN Security Council, by resolution 1908 of 19^th January 2010, endorsed the Secretary-General's recommendation to increase the overall force levels of their Stabilisation Mission (MINUSTAH), so as to support the immediate recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts in the country.

Two years to the day after this tragic event, a look at what has been achieved in this devastated region, and more importantly what still needs to be addressed, is appropriate.

Britain’s Disaster Emergencies Committee insists the £107 million donated here has allowed their member agencies to provide assistance to 1.8m survivors. Over the last two years this has paid for almost half the quake rubble to be removed and has allowed 270 miles of new roads to be paved.  These represent fantastic achievements and highlight the contribution from our great nation.  However, Haiti remains in the midst of a humanitarian disaster.

According to a report by Oxfam, released on Tuesday, the reconstruction of Haiti continues “at a snail’s pace”.  In a country where 520,000 people still remain homeless, more needs to be done.  As Cecilia Millan, Oxfam’s country director in Haiti, said, “With a new government in place and billions of aid dollars pledged, Haitians are left asking why there has not been more progress in rebuilding the country... Haiti must move forward not backward.”  According to the UN, by September last year, donors had only disbursed 43 per cent of the $4.6bn pledged for reconstruction in 2010 and 2011.  Haitians should not be forgotten – they are an incredibly creative people, who need not the sympathy, but the support of the international arena.