Contributions
267 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I hope it was clear in my remarks, but for the avoidance of doubt or ambiguity I want to say that the Opposition do not criticise our judges. Indeed, as my hon. Friend the Member…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)My hon. Friend clearly said that judges are doing the best they can with the rules and precedents that they have been set. I have described our judges as unaccountable to the…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)New clause 34 prevents any foreign national who is convicted of any offence from remaining in the UK. It should be a fundamental principle of our system that immigration never…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This is a probing amendment tabled by the Father of the House, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Eleventh sitting)It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Murrison. After years of broken promises, it should come as no surprise that the public do not trust politicians in Westminster…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Eleventh sitting)How can I begin my remarks without repaying the Minister’s kind words about my clothing? This is one of my favourite jackets and I am delighted to see that it might also be one of…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Eleventh sitting)I will gladly.18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Eleventh sitting)As Professor Brian Bell said in evidence to this Committee—in a session to which the hon. Member for Bournemouth East has referred a couple of times— “It is actually extremely…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Eleventh sitting)I will come back briefly. If I have properly understood the hon. Member’s question, he is asking what we think the impact will be on the number of people who would still apply for…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Eleventh sitting)I have already acknowledged that the margin for error is massive—that is clearly true. If everything that the hon. Member is saying is correct, I would like to see Government…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)The new clause maintains the Home Secretary’s ability to judge whether or not a country is being unco-operative. If it is unable to help, that is different from being…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I will happily come to the second question in a second, but I am a little confused. Is the hon Gentleman suggesting that I did not write my speech myself?18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Question proposed, That the Chair do report the Bill, as amended, to the House.18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)Throughout our long history, Britain has been an unusually compassionate place. From time to time, people have come to this country to seek sanctuary from tyranny and…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I thank the Minister for responding to me earlier. The Opposition’s view is that the various ways by which people come here illegally and stay is fundamentally important to…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I welcome the Minister’s response, particularly her words about the importance of settlement and citizenship being earned. The Opposition are excited to see the immigration White…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question—yes, I think it is fundamentally important that decisions about who can be and remain in our country are made by people who are…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)In November 2024, a Congolese paedophile who sexually assaulted his own stepdaughter was allowed to remain in the UK despite the Government’s attempts to deport him, out of…18 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Tenth sitting)To quote my right hon. Friend the Member for North West Essex (Mrs Badenoch), British citizenship is—or at least should be— “a privilege to be earned not an automatic right.”…13 Mar 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (Ninth sitting)The fundamental question of safe and legal routes seems to be that of how many people the hon. Member for Perth and Kinross-shire thinks Britain might need to let in to achieve…13 Mar 2025