Contributions
991 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDScotland’s FutureSNP Members have had their chance this afternoon and they have missed it. I am going to respond to the points they have made. The SNP ignores the fact that Scotland has been at…14 Dec 2022HANSARDScotland’s FutureI want to make a little more progress, if I may. We have heard a lot from SNP Members, including the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Tommy Sheppard), the right hon. Member for…14 Dec 2022HANSARDScotland’s FutureI happily give way.14 Dec 2022HANSARDScotland’s FutureThat is a useful reminder that, while the SNP advocate breaking away from the rest of the UK and breaking away from Westminster and London, it wants even closer ties with Brussels…14 Dec 2022HANSARDScotland’s FutureI encourage the hon. Gentleman to exercise some patience. His debate today is about Scotland’s future. Those of us who represent Scottish constituents are concerned about schools,…14 Dec 2022HANSARDScotland’s FutureThe SNP is simply not very good at respecting referendum results—whether it is the 2014 independence referendum result or the 2016 Brexit vote. The SNP seems to like election…14 Dec 2022HANSARDScotland’s FutureMy hon. Friend is right. When we speak to employers, businesses and investors, they tell us that the last thing they want is further constitutional upheaval, which is exactly what…14 Dec 2022HANSARDScotland’s FutureI apologise, Madam Deputy Speaker, although I think you would use the powers much more effectively than some SNP colleagues. I challenge the whole SNP group, especially its new…14 Dec 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandI think our constituents would rather that this place, the Government and the Scottish Government concentrated all their attention and resources on the issues that matter to Scots…30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandIt is a privilege to respond to this debate with you in the Chair, Mr Bone. I congratulate the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Neale Hanvey) on securing this debate. I…30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandI shall make some progress, if I may. The hon. Member had quite some time to make his points, and I want the opportunity to—30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. This is about securing consensus, not just between the UK and Scottish Governments, but across all parts of society in Scotland. We are lacking…30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandI am grateful for that clarity, Mr Bone. I am keen to make the strong and positive case for Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom. We have heard much nonsense from…30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandThank you, Mr Bone. Another divisive referendum is the wrong priority, at the worst possible time, and would be a complete distraction from the very real challenges that people…30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandI am grateful for that clarification, Mr Bone. I fully understand and recognise the real pressures that people are facing just now with the rising cost of energy. We all know that…30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependence Referendum for ScotlandThe hon. Member for East Lothian shakes his head; I would like to know what evidence he has to suggest that the war in Ukraine is not causing rising energy prices. That is why…30 Nov 2022HANSARDEnergy Bills: Support for Households in ScotlandThe UK Government’s energy price guarantee will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas so that typical households across Great Britain, including in Scotland, save around…16 Nov 2022HANSARDTrust in the UK GovernmentThere are no current plans to do so. However, trust is important, and I hope that Members opposite share my concerns at the use of inaccurate or misleading statistics covering…16 Nov 2022HANSARDPublic Expenditure and the Cost of LivingAs I said earlier, the focus of this Government is on supporting the most vulnerable people in our society, and we will always take this responsibility seriously. The Government…16 Nov 2022HANSARDTrust in the UK GovernmentI struggled to hear parts of that question, but the people of Scotland can always trust this United Kingdom Government to be upfront and honest about the challenges that we face,…16 Nov 2022