Contributions
1,118 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVotes at 16The hon. Gentleman makes the point about extending the franchise and about democracy being a progressive, ongoing process. On that basis, would he rule out extending the franchise…03 Apr 2019HANSARDVotes at 16No, I do not think that. Of course, it is right to recognise that opinion polls do not determine everything that happens in this place, but I would hate for the impression to…03 Apr 2019HANSARDVotes at 16Let me make one last point. Before I came into this place, I spent a lot of time as a barrister, and when I go into schools in my constituency such as Pate’s Grammar School,…03 Apr 2019HANSARDVotes at 16Of course, they can join the Army, but they are not entitled to serve on the frontline in a way that might put them at risk of losing their life. In some ways, I respectfully…03 Apr 2019HANSARDPersecution of Christians Overseas17. What steps his Department is taking to help tackle the persecution of Christians overseas.02 Apr 2019HANSARDFurther Education FundingDoes my hon. Friend agree that FE is at its most successful when it is provided locally, in communities? Gloscol—Gloucestershire College—provides services in both Cheltenham and…02 Apr 2019HANSARDPersecution of Christians OverseasThe UK has a proud history of standing up for the rights of minority faith groups, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. As the Secretary of State says, we have a budget of…02 Apr 2019HANSARD Business Ratesrose —02 Apr 2019HANSARD Business RatesNurseries in Cheltenham provide a vital public service for parents, enabling them to go to work, but they are marginal businesses, and it is very hard for them to make money.…02 Apr 2019HANSARDFurther Education Fundingrose —02 Apr 2019HANSARDUnited Kingdom’s Withdrawal from the European UnionThe fact is that the withdrawal agreement would be accepted by the European Union—that is the first point. The second point is that it sorts out the implementation period and the…29 Mar 2019HANSARDDisclosure of Youth Criminal RecordsThe right hon. Gentleman is making an excellent speech, as is his wont, but we need to keep our feet on the ground. I understand the point when it comes to 13 and 14-year-olds,…28 Mar 2019HANSARD HousingIn Cheltenham, the overwhelming majority of the house building taking place in the town centre is for retirement apartments. Does my hon. Friend agree that if we want to maintain…28 Mar 2019HANSARDDisclosure of Youth Criminal RecordsMy hon. Friend is making a powerful speech, and I pay tribute to his leadership of the Select Committee. He has not touched so much on the conclusions in the report about people…28 Mar 2019HANSARDDisclosure of Youth Criminal RecordsFor people who perhaps did not have the most advantaged background, let us suppose there is a fight in a school playground that leads to the police being called. That might lead…28 Mar 2019HANSARDEuropean CouncilIf the Prime Minister’s deal is not to come back before the House, it is vital that this House has the opportunity to consider what it can agree on a cross-party basis. The Prime…25 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillMy hon. Friend is making some important points. On the point he has just raised, does he agree that we would need to be satisfied that, in the event of an allegation of electoral…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillMay I gently suggest that my hon. Friend is uncharacteristically proposing unnecessary bureaucracy? The reality is that if something were perceived to have gone wrong, he has…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Gaza Border Deaths: UNHRC InquiryThe use of force, including the robust use of force in self-defence, is the legitimate right of every sovereign nation, and that applies to Israel and the United Kingdom. However,…22 Mar 2019HANSARDSpecial Educational NeedsMy hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Ben Bradley) makes a really important point about the extent of the budget. Do we as a community not have to recognise that needs are much…20 Mar 2019