Contributions
234 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNHS: Anti-obesity MedicationMy Lords, I have recently become a user of a weight-loss injection, on medical advice and in order to improve my diabetic control. Does the Minister not think that we need to move…18 Nov 2024HANSARDVoter Registration and ParticipationMy Lords, only 65% of 18 to 25 year-olds are registered to vote, compared with more than 95% of the over-65s. Will the Government now act urgently on the unanimous cross-party…14 Nov 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, we are hearing in this Chamber from some Members—often hereditary Members—who are unhappy that we are considering ending completely the principle of hereditary…12 Nov 2024HANSARDDiets: FatMy Lords, I am a type 2 diabetic. I overcome some embarrassment about my weight to say that I have lost more than 30 kilos over the past 30 years. More importantly, I have kept it…31 Oct 2024HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, a key test of this Government in five years’ time will be whether we are a more civilised country, a more tolerant society and a healthier democracy, with greater public…23 Jul 2024HANSARDRepresentation of the People (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2024My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Hayward, has once again demonstrated the essential truth of one of his major campaign pledges during the 1993 Christchurch by-election—that he would…13 May 2024HANSARDRepresentation of the People (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2024My Lords, the Minister has referred to the Electoral Commission’s website and to the excellent work done by local authorities in registering people to vote. How does she explain…13 May 2024HANSARDCouncillors: Publication of AddressesMy Lords, according to the Local Government Association’s recent survey, 70% of local councillors reported experiencing abuse or intimidation. Aggressive behaviour which goes well…08 May 2024HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024At end insert “but this House regrets the Government’s decision to lay the draft Regulations, given the large scale of the proposed increases, the proximity of elections on 2 May,…19 Mar 2024HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024My Lords, I thank the Minister for bringing this statutory instrument before us. We have shown in this short debate that it was worthy of greater consideration than the 16 minutes…19 Mar 2024HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024My Lords, I begin by welcoming the clarification in election law that necessary security costs for candidates must not be constrained by being included as part of their campaign…19 Mar 2024HANSARDElectoral Commission Strategy and Policy StatementMy Lords, I too apologise for my slightly late arrival in the Chamber; earlier business finished more rapidly than might have been expected. I thank the Minister for her briefing…06 Feb 2024HANSARDSmokingTo ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards the ambition of creating a “smokefree” generation by 2030.25 Jan 2024HANSARDSmokingMy Lords, all parties have agreed on the need to reduce the prevalence of smoking in this country to below 5% by 2030, so the Bill to prevent young people ever becoming smokers is…25 Jan 2024HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2024My Lords, the Minister need not fear that I will ask any particularly difficult, tricky or awkward questions on this legislation. There is a simple explanation for that: I could…23 Jan 2024HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023My Lords, there are real concerns about these measures. They include the security of our electoral processes, the risk of undermining confidence in them and, above all, our…12 Dec 2023HANSARDGeneral Elections: Party-political SpendingTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for increasing the maximum limit for political parties to spend at general elections.29 Nov 2023HANSARDGeneral Elections: Party-political SpendingMy Lords, none of the last five Governments has seen fit to increase these spending limits for political parties, so I wonder what was different about this Government? In the last…29 Nov 2023HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, in the seven minutes in which we are asked to speak today, seven people will have hospital appointments because of their smoking habit. The Department of Health and…09 Nov 2023HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023My Lords, our debates on the Elections Act last year highlighted a number of inconsistencies with the franchise. The rights of Irish citizens, and, for example, Maltese and…18 Oct 2023