Contributions
345 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformClearly, we are a more pluralist society. I am unashamedly a new Irelander, and that is an important part of my identity. That is a factor in our politics, as is the legitimate…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformThe hon. Member is absolutely right. Those subsequent changes, particularly at St Andrews, have distorted the institutions away from a place of consensus and towards veto,…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformDoes the Minister acknowledge that at the time of the Good Friday agreement, the parties did not arrive together at consensus, and nor did they with the likes of the St Andrews…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: Reformrose—13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformThe hon. Gentleman asked me to intervene. Unfortunately, the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister) would not take my intervention, and I am sad about that. I was…13 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland ExecutiveThe Minister will be aware that for a number of months, I have been raising concerns about the local growth fund and its impact in Northern Ireland. Just before Christmas,…07 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Executive8. What recent engagement he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive.07 Jan 2026HANSARDEngagementsQ7. Even its strongest advocates acknowledge that Northern Ireland is trapped in dysfunction—not because reform is not possible, but because the DUP and Sinn Féin have not allowed…07 Jan 2026HANSARD Pension Schemes BillLike others, I was delighted to see in the Budget the pre-1997 indexing. The Minister will know that that softens but does not correct a wrong, and it leaves tens of thousands of…03 Dec 2025HANSARDEngagementsConversations about a new Ireland are deepening, with people from all sorts of backgrounds having serious, hopeful discussions about building something new. Yesterday in…03 Dec 2025HANSARDCommunity Groups: Northern Ireland and Great BritainCollaboration between groups across the Irish sea is very welcome. Those relationships will always be cherished. Unfortunately, Brexit really impacted the ability of those groups…19 Nov 2025HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles BillTime is short, but I hope that we can consider why, as well as how, pain is to be addressed in Northern Ireland. The Social Democratic and Labour party approaches legacy from a…18 Nov 2025HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles BillThe answer is 20.18 Nov 2025HANSARD Northern Ireland Troubles BillMany in this House believe in the rule of law and in the equality of every person in front of the law. Between 30,000 and 40,000 people were properly convicted of paramilitary…18 Nov 2025HANSARDIntertrade UKDoes the Secretary of State agree that one of the major deterrents to investment and growth in Northern Ireland is the absence, 20 months after the restoration of Stormont, of a…15 Oct 2025HANSARD Northern Ireland TroublesI thank the Secretary of State and his team for their work on this package, including the hon. Member for Putney (Fleur Anderson), who was so well regarded by everybody who came…14 Oct 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI do not think anybody could fail to be moved by yesterday’s scenes of hostages finally being reunited with their families and of Gazans being able to contemplate days and nights…14 Oct 2025HANSARD Middle EastLast month, along with eight party leaders across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, I wrote to the Prime Minister about the catastrophic situation in Gaza and the deficits in…01 Sept 2025HANSARDEU Trade Agreement: Economic ImpactThe EU-UK deal was warmly and broadly welcomed across Northern Ireland to begin to unpick and undo some of the damage and friction created by Brexit, which was championed by some…02 Jul 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025The SDLP’s priority continues to be funding Northern Ireland on the basis of need, and I urge the Government to take focused action, so that we can have sustainable public…11 Jun 2025