Contributions
525 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSt George’s Day and English AffairsI have the utmost respect for the hon. Lady, and she makes an extremely valid and important point. Nobody wants to break up the United Kingdom, and I did not intend to cause…08 May 2025HANSARDSt George’s Day and English AffairsThe hon. Lady speaks passionately about the importance of St George’s day, but will the Government consider making St George’s day a public holiday in England? We can learn from…08 May 2025HANSARDSt George’s Day and English AffairsI rise to take part in this very important debate on St George’s day and English affairs. I commend the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Adam Jogee) for securing the debate.…08 May 2025HANSARD Havering Borough and Essex DevolutionThat is when our problems began. Rather than Romford borough council and Hornchurch urban district council being retained as part of the Essex county council administrative area,…07 May 2025HANSARD Havering Borough and Essex DevolutionIndeed, Madam Deputy Speaker. Let me say this to my hon. Friend. I do hope that the current Prime Minister will uphold that proud tradition and, later this month, fly the…07 May 2025HANSARD Havering Borough and Essex DevolutionI have proudly represented my home town of Romford in this House for some 24 years. An historic market town since 1247, it has been part of the county of Essex, formerly the…07 May 2025HANSARD Havering Borough and Essex DevolutionThe hon. Gentleman is completely right: any type of devolution has to have the consent of the people. I have to say to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, that I do not believe that the…07 May 2025HANSARD Havering Borough and Essex DevolutionThe hon. Gentleman is completely right. Havering and Thurrock are neighbouring boroughs, and we are Essex through and through. He is very lucky, because his constituency does not…07 May 2025HANSARD Havering Borough and Essex DevolutionI am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that point about the flying of historic county flags. Middlesex Heritage, an organisation established by Russell Grant which has…07 May 2025HANSARD Havering Borough and Essex DevolutionAbsolutely. My hon. Friend is completely right. The people of Romford feel the same as the people of Bromley, Ruislip and other parts of outer Greater London who are disenchanted…07 May 2025HANSARDTrade NegotiationsToday’s news of a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and India is wonderful—some of us have argued for greater free trade arrangements with Commonwealth countries for…06 May 2025HANSARD Prisoners of ConscienceI begin by extending my thanks to the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) for securing this important debate. He is a tireless defender of human rights and his dedication to…01 May 2025HANSARD Business of the HouseI am sorry that Mr Speaker has just left the Chair, because I wanted to commend him for hosting such a magnificent St George’s day celebration in Speaker’s House last week, on…01 May 2025HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansMy right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. We have to get tough with countries that behave in this way, and we have to uphold the freedoms of these people. That is part of our…08 Apr 2025HANSARDBlair Mayne: Posthumous Victoria CrossOn a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Thank you for allowing me to make this point of order. We are about to retire for the Easter recess—indeed, the Adjournment debate is…08 Apr 2025HANSARDPersecution of ChristiansIt is, as always, a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Butler. I commend the hon. Member for Newport West and Islwyn (Ruth Jones) for raising this vital issue in the…08 Apr 2025HANSARD East Midlands: Local Authorities and Economic GrowthI commend the hon. Member for what he is saying. The east midlands are a vital region of our country, but I caution him slightly about wanting a regional mayor to take power…07 Apr 2025HANSARD Road MaintenanceThe hon. Gentleman says we are finally giving tools to mayors, but does he not agree that it is surely better to give funding directly to local councils to spend on their local…07 Apr 2025HANSARD Road MaintenanceI have huge sympathy with what the hon. Lady is saying about the underfunding and lack of support from the Scottish Government, but would she sympathise with me? In the London…07 Apr 2025HANSARDMauritius Treaty: Chagos IslandsIt is a sell-out.01 Apr 2025