Contributions
965 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationGiven the number of times buses have been raised with me when I have been door-knocking during elections, I am surprised that they do not lead the news more often. I congratulate…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI thank the hon. Gentleman for the points he raises. I have set out the way in which we are consulting with local authorities, and the Secretary of State will take the decision…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI do not know about agreeing with the right hon. Member for Newark, but I certainly agree with my hon. Friend, who gets to the point we are trying to make. We are acting in…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationMy hon. Friend is right, of course: elections are taking place up and down the country. I am sure there are lots of people who are looking forward to participating.19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationLet me thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I do not agree with him on the substantive point he makes, but I have heard his views and will pass them on to the Secretary of…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for relaying the words of Councillor Kevin Bentley, whom it has been a pleasure to meet on a number of occasions. Getting a clear position is…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationNo, you’re fine. The Secretary of State will take into account those representations and others, and make a decision without any undue delay.19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationWe are in regular contact with local authorities. The Department and the Secretary of State will have heard what the hon. Gentleman has said, and we will make sure that those…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationAgain, we have moved quickly. We are getting the information that we need, and the Secretary of State will move as quickly as he can to take the decision. It is good to know that…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI have said on a number of occasions that we want the elections to go ahead unless there is a justified reason. The hon. Gentleman makes his point on behalf of his constituents,…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question, which I take in the serious terms in which it was meant. The vast majority of elections are going ahead. It is very important…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationAs I have said to other Members, where councils want to go ahead, and they have the capacity and there are no issues, that is fine. Elections go ahead unless there is a strong…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationElections will be happening up and down this country in May. We are committed to democracy and it is very important that people have their say.19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI thank the hon. Gentleman for the attention and care that he gives to these issues. He gives me the opportunity to come back to the underlying reason for this whole process,…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationPotholes are probably second only to buses in the list of important issues. We will not have any undue delays. The Secretary of State will have more to say quite soon.19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationMy hon. Friend mentions how important it is for elections to take place. As she knows, large numbers of people will be voting in May. We are talking about a relatively discrete…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. We are undertaking a once-in-a-generation reorganisation of local government. We have now received proposals from all areas, and…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI thank the right hon. Gentleman for making those points, which I will certainly relay to the Secretary of State so that he can take them under advisement. We wrote to notify the…19 Jan 2026HANSARDLocal Elections: CancellationI thank the hon. Lady for powering through, despite commentary from the Opposition Front Bench. She asks about the importance of democracy. It is, of course, very important. The…19 Jan 2026HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27: Greater ManchesterAs I have said in this Chamber a number of times, we can provide substantial increases to councils, as we need to, and it is very important that we do in places like Manchester,…12 Jan 2026