Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood faces criticism for remarks on state of Afghanistan under Taliban
Tobias Ellwood, a senior Conservative MP, has faced criticism for his remarks about the state of Afghanistan under the Taliban.
In a video posted on social media, Ellwood claimed that corruption was decreasing and security had improved vastly in the country.
However, his comments were met with skepticism by other Conservative MPs, with former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith stating that the video was "not welcome." Ellwood defended his assessment of the situation in Afghanistan, saying that stability in the country had improved to a level that was different from during times of conflict.
He also called for the UK to establish diplomatic ties with the Taliban, instead of just shouting from afar.
The former defence minister, who is currently on a trip to Helmand province with a landmine clearance charity, posted the video on Twitter.
He claimed that Afghanistan was "a country transformed," with solar panels appearing everywhere and the opium trade "all but disappearing." However, other MPs disagreed with Ellwood's assessment.
Mark Francois called the video "bizarre," stating that it made no mention of the Taliban's attempts to identify and kill Afghan citizens who helped the armed forces, or the lack of rights for female workers and students in the country.
In the Commons on Tuesday, Sir Iain Duncan Smith echoed Francois's sentiments, stating that the video was "not a very welcome statement to have made" given the "persecutions that have taken place in Afghanistan." Ellwood argued that reopening the British embassy in Afghanistan would be a way to "incrementally" encourage progressive changes in the country, particularly in the areas of girls' education and rights for female workers.
Despite the criticism, Ellwood said he was pleased he had "shone a light on a country that we ran away from," and that he wanted to ensure that terrorism did not "flourish" in Afghanistan.
In conclusion, Tobias Ellwood's remarks about the state of Afghanistan under the Taliban have sparked a debate among Conservative MPs, with some criticizing his assessment of the situation while others support his call for the UK to establish diplomatic ties with the Taliban.
However, his comments were met with skepticism by other Conservative MPs, with former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith stating that the video was "not welcome." Ellwood defended his assessment of the situation in Afghanistan, saying that stability in the country had improved to a level that was different from during times of conflict.
He also called for the UK to establish diplomatic ties with the Taliban, instead of just shouting from afar.
The former defence minister, who is currently on a trip to Helmand province with a landmine clearance charity, posted the video on Twitter.
He claimed that Afghanistan was "a country transformed," with solar panels appearing everywhere and the opium trade "all but disappearing." However, other MPs disagreed with Ellwood's assessment.
Mark Francois called the video "bizarre," stating that it made no mention of the Taliban's attempts to identify and kill Afghan citizens who helped the armed forces, or the lack of rights for female workers and students in the country.
In the Commons on Tuesday, Sir Iain Duncan Smith echoed Francois's sentiments, stating that the video was "not a very welcome statement to have made" given the "persecutions that have taken place in Afghanistan." Ellwood argued that reopening the British embassy in Afghanistan would be a way to "incrementally" encourage progressive changes in the country, particularly in the areas of girls' education and rights for female workers.
Despite the criticism, Ellwood said he was pleased he had "shone a light on a country that we ran away from," and that he wanted to ensure that terrorism did not "flourish" in Afghanistan.
In conclusion, Tobias Ellwood's remarks about the state of Afghanistan under the Taliban have sparked a debate among Conservative MPs, with some criticizing his assessment of the situation while others support his call for the UK to establish diplomatic ties with the Taliban.
