Contributions
1,082 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessPerhaps we can achieve some consensus on this: yet again, we are debating defence, our armed forces, and the people who keep us safe, but the plastic patriots of Reform cannot be…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessIt is a privilege to sum up this debate on behalf of His Majesty’s Opposition in Armed Forces Week, when the nation pays particular attention and gives thanks to our armed forces,…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessDoes my right hon. Friend recall he and I and others having multiple meetings in the Northern Ireland Office when we were Back Benchers, going through the detail of the…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI have great respect for Lord Robertson, an accomplished former Defence Secretary and a former Secretary-General of NATO, who joined the Labour party in 1961. He is a Labour…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessOn that point, will the hon. Gentleman give way?23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI thank my hon. Friend for his generosity in giving way. The Finns have what they call a total defence concept, which is that in the event of an attack from Russia—they have much…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessWhen I served on the Defence Committee, just before the election, we went to RAF Marham and spoke to two F-35 pilots. We asked them how long it had taken since they first walked…23 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillIn a moment. I come back to the Defence Housing Service. Ministers have promised us ad nauseum that their plan will include £9.2 billion of investment in military accommodation…22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillWe were told multiple times—loads of times—over five months that the Government would invest £9.2 billion over 10 years to achieve the objectives of the Defence Housing Service,…22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillI suspect that this might be about the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, in which case I am very happy to give way.22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillI am old school, and I was taught that in a debate, it is polite to refer to the Member who moved the lead amendment. That is what I was seeking to do. As I think the House would…22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillI thank my hon. Friend him for his intervention. As patron of the Rayleigh branch of the Royal British Legion, I too am very glad to pay tribute to the amazing work that it does…22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillYes, the armed forces covenant should apply equally throughout the four nations of the United Kingdom. The hon. Gentleman and I know that some local authorities in Northern…22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillI thank the hon. Lady for a very helpful intervention. I will come to the NHS in a moment, but during the Bill’s earlier stages we have suggested that if the Government do not…22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillWe would reduce welfare spending and spend it on the defence of the realm. That is our policy.22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillIt is a privilege to follow the hon. Member for Birmingham Selly Oak (Al Carns), who I may refer to again in a few minutes. It is important to place on record the respect he has…22 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillI thank the hon. Lady very much for referring to me as the Minister. I was the Minister once and—who knows?—I may be one day again. I must say, in fairness to the previous…22 Jun 2026HANSARD Russian Shadow FleetWhy?15 Jun 2026HANSARD Legacy of Jo CoxOn a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Today an honourable man has resigned, on a matter of principle, from a Government in disarray. The former Defence Secretary, as he now…11 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReformIt is very clear from my hon. Friend’s powerful speech that his constituents in Leicestershire do not want local government reform, and my constituents in Rayleigh and Wickford in…10 Jun 2026