Britain and Cuba – Building better relations

Britain and Cuba: candidates responses

4,797 letters have been sent

Each candidate was asked whether they would support better relations between Britain and Cuba. The responses were graded into 4 categories: Strongly yes, Yes, No, Dont know

471 Labour candidates have been written to

207 (44%) have so far responded.

Labour: 79% strongly yes; 16% yes; 4% no; and 1% didn't know.

468 Conservative candidates have been written to

185 (40%) have so far responded.

Conservative: 20% strongly yes; 68% yes; 11% no; and 2% didn't know.

457 Liberal Democrat candidates have been written to

205 (45%) have so far responded.

Liberal Democrat: 49% strongly yes; 43% yes; 8% no; and 0% didn't know.

247 Green candidates have been written to

145 (59%) have so far responded.

Green: 88% strongly yes; 10% yes; 1% no; and 1% didn't know.

214 UKIP candidates have been written to

44 (21%) have so far responded.

UKIP: 54% strongly yes; 30% yes; 11% no; and 4% didn't know.

219 Other candidates have been written to

88 (40%) have so far responded.

Other: 80% strongly yes; 13% yes; 3% no; and 3% didn't know.

List the other parties

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What they said

I agree with you that the UK has much to gain from better relations with Cuba and the Liberal democrats believe that continuing sanctions against Cuba should be brought to an end. The current blockade does not serve any purpose other than to exacerbate the poverty of millions of Cubans. You mentioned the Early Day Motion 1171 from the 2008/9 Parliamentary session and you may be pleased to hear that I signed that EDM at the time and fully lent my support to promoting relations between the UK and Cuba. Please be assured that my party will continue to press the Government to work on this issue.

Name Vince Cable MP   |   Party Liberal Democrat   |   Agree Strongly yes

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Thank you for your letter about UK relations with Cuba. I visited Cuba last year in my capacity as Shadow Foreign Secretary and would like to see better relations between Cuba and the outside world, as well as an improved human rights situation in the country and a transition to democracy in Cuba so that its citizens can enjoy the prosperity and liberty found in so many of its neighbouring countries. My party supports the EU Common Position adopted in 1996, which encourages a process of transition to democracy and commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. We believe that this can be achieved via continued dialogue and engagement with Cuba through a number of means, including trade. We do not support American economic sanctions, and believe that the US embargo should be lifted to open Cuba's economy for the benefit of the Cuban people, oppressed both by the Cuban domestic economic policy and by the embargo.

Name William Hague MP   |   Party Conservative   |   Agree Yes

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As you state in your letter, a number of Liberal Democrat MPs supported EDM 1171 in the 2008/2009 Parliament which welcomed the fresh approach to international relations with Cuba, including cultural and sporting links. Liberal Democrats support the European Common Position (adopted in 1996) on Cuba, and applaud the use, by the EU, of various diplomatic tools to encourage a transition to pluralist democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We recognise, and are deeply concerned by, serious failings on human rights and civil and political freedoms in Cuba. However we believe the approach of constructive engagement practiced by the EU is far more effective in tackling these issues than the policy of isolation used by the US. We therefore welcome the easing of restrictions on food and medicine trade between the US and Cuba, but believe the UK should use its influence in Washington to persuade the US to ally itself to the European Common Position. If elected I will therefore continue to support the constructive engagement with Cuba that is currently being pursued by EU countries

Name Nick Clegg MP   |   Party Liberal Democrat   |   Agree Strongly yes

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Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I understand your concerns and have conveyed them to my Cabinet colleagues. I have also written to Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead, Minister of State for Central America raising the point you mave made.

Name Harriet Harman MP   |   Party Labour   |   Agree Yes

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I am as perplexed as most at the US actions against Cuba based on what could only be described as paranoia. The Haiti disaster highlighted the hypocrisy of the Cuba US debacle, and the US failing to assist Cuban rescue services cost lives.

Name Aileen Orr   |   Party SNP   |   Agree Strongly yes

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