Malcolm Bruce

Latest speeches

1. House of Lords · House of Lords · 17 September 2026

   • Oral questions: Welfare budget, fraud and funding defence

     “Isn't it unfortunate that the Conservatives, who were in no way blameless for the parlous state of our public finances, are arguing the case for defense on the basis of saying the people who should bear the burden of topping…”

     Watch from 28:03

   • Oral questions: Israeli filmmakers’ citizenship and media freedom

     “The military initially responded to Noa's by saying it categorically rejects the allegations, but in a later statement, the military said the allegations require a detailed evidence-based response rather than a blanket dismissal, which I think most people would agree…”

     Watch from 49:31

2. International Relations and Defence Committee · House of Lords · 16 September 2026

   • Lord Bruce: AI, development offer and capacity-building tools

     “Well, I was going to say you've answered a lot of those, but a couple of things. In the July GDP report, unexpectedly GDP rose by 0.4% and this was attributed to productivity improvements delivered by AI. Now that may…”

     Watch from 46:19

   • Lord Bruce: AI, development offer and capacity-building tools

     “That's very helpful. I'm just really asking for a comment. We have the capacity, but maybe we need to produce a more coherent, joined-up approach to our external relations. Is that essentially what you're saying? We can do it, but…”

     Watch from 54:02

3. House of Lords · House of Lords · 14 September 2026

   • Employment Rights Act assessment and Scottish youth unemployment

     “My Lords, does the Minister acknowledge that there are numerous actions of tax and regulation by both the UK Government and the Scottish Government that have an impact on job prospects for young people in Scotland? Yet both governments operate…”

     Watch from 1:21:15

4. House of Lords · House of Lords · 10 September 2026

   • Oral question 2: Defence budget targets and priorities

     “My Lords, there's understandable frustration that the government set out a target but... but delayed how they're going to implement it. So can he address two specific urgent questions? With the phasing out of our destroyers and their current lack…”

     Watch from 28:28

5. International Relations and Defence Committee · House of Lords · 2 September 2026

   • Middle powers, US–China rivalry and recasting 0.7%

     “Thank you very much. Thanks for your insights into how the thinking moves around in the Foreign Office. Um, I I'm just concerned that debate seems to be accepting somehow or other that the world is now dominated by two…”

     Watch from 1:07:37

   • Middle powers, US–China rivalry and recasting 0.7%

     “I think that's very clear and very helpful and it's probably another line of inquiry to be honest. Just a final comment though, isn't the behavior of America in particular, but to some extent China, creating a different response? I…”

     Watch from 1:14:55

6. House of Lords · House of Lords · 1 September 2026

   • Oral Question 2: Saudi nuclear programme and US deal

     “My Lords, Russia is building nuclear power stations in Turkey and in Egypt. Isn't the concern about proliferation real? Isn't Lord Lamont right to say that the problem with this agreement is lack of transparency compared with the UAE agreement,…”

     Watch from 34:31