Contributions
271 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Energy System Operator: Blackout RiskI am curious about this mantra that there have not been any blackouts. Over the past six months, businesses in the St John’s area of Tunbridge Wells have complained of blackouts.…15 Jul 2026HANSARDFuture of Thames WaterDoes the Minister think that the Secretary of State exercised those duties well when, under the Blair Government, Macquarie was allowed to come into Thames Water and South East…14 Jul 2026HANSARD Public Office (Accountability) BillWe actually have examples of water companies lying. We had South East Water coming to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee in January and giving false evidence—so…14 Jul 2026HANSARDFuture of Thames WaterWe have a similar problem with South East Water, which is probably the second-worst water company in the United Kingdom after Thames Water. With South East Water, too, this Labour…14 Jul 2026HANSARD Extreme Heat: PreparednessMight the Minister comment briefly on the Government’s approach to water? In the recent heatwaves, South East Water reported that water usage went up by 15% because people were…14 Jul 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationThere are a number of options on the table for Kent, and no matter which one the Minister chooses, we will need to do some tidying up of ward and division boundaries, because…13 Jul 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum BillWill the right hon. and learned Lady give way?13 Jul 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum BillThe right hon. and learned Lady advocates leaving the ECHR. I assume that is after a process of analysis, so could she tell the House two good things that the ECHR does for…13 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessThe original sin is divorcing the strategic defence review from the DIP—divorcing the vision from the resources. For the past year, the Department has been arguing first with…08 Jul 2026HANSARDEuropean Entry and Exit SystemI thank the Minister for all his efforts in trying to sort out a Tory mess. As a fellow Kent MP, I like and greatly respect the right hon. Member for Herne Bay and Sandwich (Sir…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI beg to move, That this House recognises the danger that Russia’s renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine poses to European and British security; further recognises the threat to the…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessThis actually speaks to the delay. Had the DIP come out when it was meant to, in 2025, it would have been a 10-year plan, because it would have gone from 2025 to 2035. However,…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI think we have all heard stories of firms such as the one in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, whether in our own constituencies or in the conversations we have as Members of…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessAll I will say is that the defence of the realm is the most serious issue for any Government.08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI will give way to the former Minister.08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI agree with everything that the hon. Member has just said, and I thank him. However, all I am highlighting is that, on past performance, going from PowerPoints to ships at sea in…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI will make some progress because I am having eyes made at me by Madam Deputy Speaker. The DIP commits £8.6 billion to the global combat air programme, which is the…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI am afraid that I will not because I want to make progress. We are privileging a good diplomatic relationship, which would weather the storm of our pulling out of GCAP, over…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI specifically said that I am fully in favour of moving to autonomy as fast as we can. All I questioned was whether we could go from a PowerPoint concept for multiple vessels to…08 Jul 2026HANSARDRearmament and Warfighting ReadinessI will not list the constituencies of all the hon. and right hon. Members who have contributed; they know who they are and I thank them very much. Three themes came out of this…08 Jul 2026