Contributions
281 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillI made the Liberal Democrat position on this very short Bill, and on this issue more widely, abundantly clear in the last debate that we had on this matter: we believe in equality…30 Apr 2025HANSARDEngagementsEastbourne war veteran Staff Sergeant Pauline Cole sustained injuries while serving our country. She was awarded military compensation, but because military compensation is…30 Apr 2025HANSARDViolence against Women and GirlsI asked the Government via a written parliamentary question how many domestic abusers there are in prison in Wales, and what their reoffending rate is. The response was: “It is…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillI do not agree that vilification is the right approach from any side of the argument. This debate should be conducted with respect and courtesy, and I feel that that was missing…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillOne problem with the proposals is that consultation has been minimal. They come from a rushed place. They come from a place of responding to a culture war. We are voting on…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillI refer the hon. Member to the comments the shadow Justice Secretary made at the last Justice questions—I think the hon. Member was not in attendance for that—when he named a…30 Apr 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillIf the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Sir Ashley Fox) was making the point that these reports should exist come what may, the cash should be ringfenced and earmarked for the use of…30 Apr 2025HANSARDViolence against Women and Girls2. Whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of creating a new offence of domestic abuse to help tackle violence against women and girls in…30 Apr 2025HANSARDCriminal Injuries CompensationI could not agree more with the hon. Member. As someone who has used an ISVA service myself—I am not sure that I could have gone through the process without it—I think that the…29 Apr 2025HANSARDCriminal Injuries CompensationI could not agree more that the burden of bureaucracy should not be on the victim. Having spent almost two years going through a police process as a victim, and then a very…29 Apr 2025HANSARDCriminal Injuries CompensationI congratulate the hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield (Laurence Turner) on securing the debate. I commend him on behalf of my party, and I am sure everybody in this room, for…29 Apr 2025HANSARDPupil Referral UnitsMy constituent—a child who attends alternative provision—was physically restrained by his passenger assistant on school transport, which caused significant distress to him and his…28 Apr 2025HANSARDHospitalsI start by declaring an interest that will prejudice me in this debate: I was born in Eastbourne district general hospital; I have said farewell to cherished folks there; and I…23 Apr 2025HANSARD Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillLiberal Democrats believe in equality before the law, Liberal Democrats believe in the rule of law, and Liberal Democrats believe that no one is above the law, so it has been…22 Apr 2025HANSARDStandard Determinate Sentences: Early ReleaseOne of the dying acts of the last Conservative Government was to shake hands with Serco on an electronic tagging contract that Channel 4’s “Dispatches” found was completely…22 Apr 2025HANSARDPrison ReformKey agents of reform in our prisons are prison officers. Unlocked Graduates is an amazing scheme that supports the production of prison officers with new innovations, but it has…22 Apr 2025HANSARD Court Waiting Times: KentIt is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I congratulate the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tristan Osborne) on securing this debate. As I have said…08 Apr 2025HANSARD Road MaintenanceDoes my hon. Friend agree with me and the Eastbourne seniors forum that the state of the pavement outside the Halifax—which is like the moon, causing lots of trips and falls—is a…07 Apr 2025HANSARDNon-disclosure AgreementsI would love to study that particular dimension. We must defend the rights of pregnant women and new mums, who have been so let down by our legislative framework, including the…02 Apr 2025HANSARDNon-disclosure AgreementsDoes the Minister agree that the purpose of an NDA is, for example, to protect the identity of the 11 spices that KFC uses in its chicken, and not to protect sex pests? If so,…02 Apr 2025