Contributions
1,006 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVotes at 16I absolutely agree. The world of information and knowledge-sharing has changed so much in the time I have been involved in local and national politics. Social media, and the…03 Apr 2019HANSARDVotes at 16The 2004 Electoral Commission report also recommended that a further review be carried out in four to five years, but that review has not yet taken place. Will the Minister commit…03 Apr 2019HANSARDVotes at 16I thank all hon. Members who have contributed to this important debate. It is more fundamental than extending the franchise; it is about our whole democracy and the value of our…03 Apr 2019HANSARDVotes at 16I beg to move, That this House has considered votes at 16. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Howarth. In November 2017, I brought this subject forward in a…03 Apr 2019HANSARDVotes at 16That is a fair point, and I will come on to how diverse the franchise is becoming across the UK. How many of us, as parliamentarians, receive emails about local council issues,…03 Apr 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseThe hon. Gentleman’s real objection is not that Parliament is trying to balance control away from the Government, but that his power has been seriously weakened by Parliament…01 Apr 2019HANSARDUnited Kingdom’s Withdrawal from the European UnionCan we have a bit less of the holier-than-thou grandstanding from the SNP on this issue? Let us be honest: the SNP would be completely happy for the current deal—with all its…29 Mar 2019HANSARDUnited Kingdom’s Withdrawal from the European UnionI will take no lectures from the SNP, who failed to vote for a customs union that could have created the conditions for a compromise. Can my hon. Friend confirm that it is…29 Mar 2019HANSARDUnited Kingdom’s Withdrawal from the European UnionIt is entirely conceivable that the motion could be voted through today, but then when we are required to bring forward the meaningful vote, the exact same legislation could be…29 Mar 2019HANSARD Sittings of the House (29 March)There are plenty of people in the Gallery today who will be here to see the magnificent historical features of this building. They should pay particular attention to the parts…28 Mar 2019HANSARD Local Government FundingIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Main. I declare an interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for…27 Mar 2019HANSARD Local Government FundingWill the hon. Member give way?27 Mar 2019HANSARD Local Government FundingThat is a fair point, but the Minister will recognise that that is nowhere near enough. Because of the threshold that is in place, a local Marks and Spencer would not benefit from…27 Mar 2019HANSARD Local Government FundingThe Minister is correct that councils have £1 billion more to spend on public services today than they did this time last year, but that is because of the pressure that has been…27 Mar 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal) ActThe reason the Prime Minister’s statement last Wednesday was so disappointing—and we are hearing it today—is that this is not about the 17 million any more than it is about the 16…25 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI say this advisedly, but can the hon. Gentleman confirm that he wrote the amendments he has tabled? With almost every intervention, he has been unable to answer a single question…22 Mar 2019HANSARD European Council: Article 50 ExtensionThe last few years have been extremely difficult for parliamentarians. The referendum divided the country, but we have desperately tried to respect the result and find a way…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors Billrose —22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillOne thing I do know about is the amendment tabled in my name and those of many others who support votes at 16. I can answer in a great deal of detail on that, because of course it…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI am very happy to explain myself in more detail, but I should also say that my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Christian Matheson) has many friends in this place. In…22 Mar 2019