Contributions
158 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWelfare Reforms and Youth UnemploymentMy Lords, it is an honour to follow my noble friend’s excellent speech. As many pointed out, the Alan Milburn review was a wake-up call. I am not going to go through all the facts…11 Jun 2026HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationMy Lords, the United States has offered $100 million in aid to be administered by the Catholic Church, which the Cuban Government have not accepted, as they insist that all aid…09 Jun 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Amendment 169 is a very modest one. It simply proposes that, if the Bill proceeds, before any doctor raises the possibility of assisted dying, the patient should first receive…13 Mar 2026HANSARDResetting the UK-EU Relationship (European Affairs Committee Report)My Lords, today’s debate is ultimately about the national interest. Would a closer relationship with the EU best serve the UK’s economic and strategic needs as an outward-looking…26 Feb 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillMy Lords, Amendment 455 in my name seeks to preserve legal protection for unborn babies who could survive outside the womb. Clause 191 would fully decriminalise abortions by…02 Feb 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill02 Feb 2026HANSARDCrime and Policing BillMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have spoken today. I particularly welcome and support the speeches of the noble Baronesses, Lady Monckton, Lady O’Loan and Lady Foster of…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMay I say something?14 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I too oppose the removal of the defence of reasonable punishment. I realise that Amendment 97 from the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, no longer does that directly, but it…14 Jan 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, I support Amendment 32, to which I have added my name. Giving the Chagossian people a say before their homeland is transferred to Mauritius is not an unreasonable…05 Jan 2026HANSARDAutumn Budget 2025My right honourable friend Kemi Badenoch hit the nail on the head when she described this Budget as one “sold on a lie”. It is a house of cards built on misleading claims about…04 Dec 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillBut I allow my noble friend.18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, I shall speak in support of Amendments 14 and 25. This treaty and the Bill that will enact it is bad for our country, for our security and for British taxpayers. As we…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI presume that a referendum would actually ask the Chagossian people what they want for their future and self-determination.18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillYes, and they seem to approve what we are saying. Basically, these amendments are about asking the Chagossian people about the right to self-determination through a referendum. I…18 Nov 2025HANSARDEconomic and Taxation Policies: Jobs, Growth and ProsperityMy Lords, being 30th in the list is a problem, as I am bound to repeat what many noble Lords sitting on my Benches have said. But sometimes things need to be repeated time and…13 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, as I look at the empty Benches opposite, I wonder whether some Labour Peers are just realising how unnecessary and reckless the Bill is. First, the people of the Chagos…04 Nov 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillMy Lords, I will speak to all the amendments in this group to which I have added my name and all those in the names of my noble friend Lord Murray and the noble Lord, Lord…27 Oct 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, like many noble Lords in this House, I have wrestled with this Bill for weeks on end and have changed my mind several times. My father died at the age of 97, a proud and…12 Sept 2025HANSARDOnline Communication Offence ArrestsMy Lords, like the noble Lord, Lord Lebedev, I too consider freedom of speech very close to my heart for personal reasons. My mother was born the day before the Russian…17 Jul 2025