Contributions
140 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Local Government ReorganisationI welcome the model proposed for Hertfordshire, with four unitary authorities. Very importantly for me and my constituency, it keeps Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City together, and…16 Jul 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessWill the right hon. Gentleman give way?23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessIt is a privilege to follow the right hon. and gallant Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith), who gave an incredibly authoritative speech. I also commend…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am pleased that the hon. Member takes my point, but I am saying that the circumstances had changed. [ Interruption. ] I will make the point: that is why I intentionally picked…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessIs the hon. Member therefore excusing the lack of investment between 2014 and 2022? That is what I am not sure of, because there are Opposition Members who have been clear and…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI will make a bit of progress and then I will let other people in. This might really upset some Opposition Members, so they should brace themselves: this is also the 10-year…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessDoes the right hon. Lady not agree?23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am pleased that we were on the same side in 2016, and maybe we will be at some point again in the future. Let me fast-forward to 2024, because that was an important moment for…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am not sure that I would agree with the characterisation of sacrificing Ukraine, but I am also not saying that the European Union is blameless. I am saying that we had a period…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessBut the Prime Minister at the time had the full support of the then Leader of the Opposition and now Prime Minister, so we were united as a House on that. I agree with the hon.…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI will make some progress and talk about the record of this Government. [ Interruption. ] I know Opposition Members are enjoying it. It is important that we reflect on the…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am going to come to a conclusion. I recognise that this Government have lots more work to do, but under this Prime Minister’s watch, defence spending is up—it is higher than at…23 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT2. There are not one but two England teams that currently have a 100% record of success in world cups: not only did the men’s football team have a cracking result against Croatia…18 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Investment PlanThe past is a story of the Conservatives hollowing out our defence, the present is a story of this Government spending more than the Conservatives did at any time in their 14…15 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT3. It is a good time to be a commuter in Welwyn Hatfield. Trains from all five of our stations are now back under public control, and we have fast trains from Welwyn North to…11 Jun 2026HANSARD Business of the HouseHatfield is a vibrant town, and we have much to be proud of, but we have a serious antisocial behaviour problem in the Parkhouse Court area. There is daytime drinking and visible…11 Jun 2026HANSARDEnergy SecurityThe right hon. Lady talks of absurd positions. I did a little research before the debate today. I went back to 21 May 2024, just before the last general election, and in this…19 May 2026HANSARDEnergy SecurityIt is a real pleasure to see you back in the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker—the model of calmness and authority. After the week my party has had, there is virtue in the stability you…19 May 2026HANSARDReferral of Prime Minister to Committee of PrivilegesIn advocating for the motion, the Leader of the Opposition— [Interruption.] She is just returning to her place; I knew she was waiting for me. Her essential argument, I believe,…28 Apr 2026HANSARDReferral of Prime Minister to Committee of PrivilegesI remember the debate vividly. Members from both sides made the case. I said in my remarks that that was an example of the House at its best, because we came to a good decision to…28 Apr 2026