David Reed MP

Conservative Member of Parliament for Exmouth & Exeter East 🇬🇧

[Kemi Badenoch @KemiBadenoch]

Today I have met Lucy, Mark and Katie, Henry Nowak’s mother, father and stepmother. Their courage is extraordinary.

They have endured the most appalling loss, it is a life sentence for them.

They have also faced the agonising decision to release the harrowing body-worn camera footage, knowing how painful it would be and how strongly people would react. They did so because they want truth, accountability and change.

They have asked that we work across political parties and religions to rebuild trust in the police. That trust has been broken because of what happened, and I agree with them on that.

We must also be prepared to examine, carefully and seriously, religious practices or exemptions that permit the carrying of dangerous weapons in public, and other activities that are not conducive to the public good. We also need to examine where the law needs to change.

Henry’s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a family who have friends across faith and race, and so did Henry. His family want his memory to help bring our society together.

Everyone knows I have strong views about how we should deal with equality under the law. What the family agreed with me on is that we need to bring common sense back, and that is what we should all be fighting for.

I promised the family that we will work to ensure there is a positive legacy for Henry out of this tragedy.

That is my focus now.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

It is with profound sadness that I learned of the tragic loss of three Royal Navy aircrew in a helicopter crash near Sourton, Devon, in the early hours of this morning. My heartfelt condolences go to their families, friends, and all who knew them.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

This is not scrutiny or accountability; it is point-scoring dressed up as outrage. The narrative they are pushing does not seek justice for Henry- it seeks to deepen mistrust, inflame resentment, and drive communities apart. That needs to be named for what it is. (2/2)

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

Disgust is a powerful word- but it is the right one. Reform’s leaders have cynically weaponised the tragic death of Henry Nowak, exploiting a family’s grief and a genuine police failure to fuel their own divisive agenda. (1/2)

[BFBS Forces News @ForcesNews]

"Tough rhetoric, no action"🗣️

A former Royal Marine MP has challenged the Government over Russian shadow fleet tankers, while ministers insist the UK is ready to act🔗⬇️
https://t.co/AEuh06Sxzy

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

Like you, I felt anger, grief, and disbelief watching the body cam footage of Henry Nowak’s final moments.

We need leaders who don’t look away - who confront hard truths and bring us together rather than drive us apart.

[Kemi Badenoch @KemiBadenoch]

I don’t want to hear about Black Lives Matter.
I don’t want to hear about White Lives Matter.
Everyone matters.
Henry Nowak matters.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

@mwgbanks1 https://t.co/UE7yjWzLDN

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

France proved this morning that seizing sanctioned shadow fleet vessels is legal and achievable.

The PM pledged action on 25 March. Since then- hundreds of vessels transited, zero interceptions.

Tough rhetoric. No action. In Moscow, that gap has one name: weakness.

[Kemi Badenoch @KemiBadenoch]

Enough is enough.

Conservatives will vote to FORCE Labour to publish the Defence Investment Plan.

It’s insane that with wars in Ukraine and Iran, Labour STILL haven’t published the plan promised a year ago. Conservatives will put our national security first.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

A busy day across Exmouth and Exeter East- from a farm visit to opening a new community book exchange. It was an early start with the national media round, where a wide range of topics came up, from defence to youth unemployment. You can find out what we discussed here:

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

3/ Our innovators and businesses are following the work. Who can blame them?

The government is placing British defence at the back of the queue at the precise moment the queue has never mattered more.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

1/ The time for excuses is over.

Next week, Conservatives will force a vote to compel the government to release the Defence Investment Plan- nine months overdue and still nowhere to be seen. This is the blueprint for how we spend taxpayers’ money on defence.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

2/ Its absence isn’t a bureaucratic delay. It’s a policy failure with real consequences.

Defence firms are going under or going abroad. Our allies-American and European- are rising to this moment, committing serious money to serious defence.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

To round off the King’s Speech debates, it was a great honour to make the final speech for His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition at the despatch box this week.

You can watch the speech here:

https://t.co/2Oqsc1F32f

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

Rather than focusing on delivering on Defence, in the national interest, Labour have descended into factional infighting and open warfare on Starmer’s leadership.

Britain and our Armed Forces deserve better.

Here’s my comment in the Daily Mail today:

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

The Prime Minister announced in March that we had legal justification to board Russian shadow fleet vessels in 🇬🇧 waters.

Now the Minister for the Armed Forces says we don’t.

Russia is laughing at our paralysis.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

@RestoreHoniton Good to know your party condones this type of behaviour.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

To the individual who vandalised my constituency office in Exmouth by graffitiing “F*** Tories”: perhaps next time you might take a moment to read the sign clearly stating that the premises are under constant surveillance.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

You will be identified, and I will ensure you face the full legal consequences of your actions.
My sincere thanks to Devon and Cornwall Police for their prompt and professional response to this matter.

[David Reed MP @David__Reed]

If you believe that this kind of behaviour will intimidate me or my staff, you are sorely mistaken. Acts like this do not weaken democracy- they only demonstrate a contempt for the civilised values that underpin it.