Tom Tugendhat

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Georg John Tugendhat MBE VR (born London, 27 June 1973) is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he has served as Minister of State for Security since September 2022. He previously served as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee from 2017 to 2022. Tugendhat has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tonbridge and Malling since 2015.

Quotes

 * This, if not an act of war, was certainly a warlike act by the Russian Federation…
 * Speech in the House of Commons (12 March 2018) concerning the Salisbury Novichok poisonings.


 * Fundamentally I think soldiering is pretty similar to politics. It's not about you, it's all about the people you serve with. It's all about the results, it's all about the operation, it's all about the mission. The reason we're here at all in politics is to serve the people.
 * Interview in The Times (28 July 2018).


 * We have a real choice: either we choose to shape events or we will be shaped by them. Over many centuries, the people of the United Kingdom have got into the habit of being actors in this world, rather than being acted upon by it.
 * Speech in the House of Commons (6 September 2018).


 * Leaders stand up for their men. They encourage them to try and defend them when they fail.
 * Said on Twitter about the failure of Boris Johnson to defend Kim Darroch after a diplomatic cable leak. Cited in "Sir Kim Darroch: UK ambassador to US resigns in Trump leaks row", BBC News (10 July 2019).


 * I'm interested in your answers to my questions, not to the questions you wished I'd asked.
 * To Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Liaison Committee (7 July 2021).


 * Those who have never fought for the colours they fly, should be careful about criticising those who have.
 * Speech in the House of Commons (18 August 2021).