Contributions
1,082 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAnimal Charities: Covid-19Does my hon. Friend remember, some years ago, jointly opening with me the Dogs Trust Essex rehoming centre at Nevendon? It was a multimillion pound investment, and its sole…19 Jan 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: Disruption to TradeGiven that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said “No, no, no” a few moments ago, may I remind him that Margaret Thatcher once famously said that Northern Ireland was as…13 Jan 2021HANSARD Global BritainOur new national security adviser, Lord Frost, who comes into the post on the back of a considerable success as our chief negotiator with the EU, said that leaving the European…11 Jan 2021HANSARD European Union (Future Relationship) BillThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to participate in this historic debate today. Thanks to this agreement, we will finally be leaving the European Union forever on…30 Dec 2020HANSARD European Union (Future Relationship) BillBriefly, is my hon. Friend aware that in a national opinion poll that was undertaken yesterday, 55% of the British public wanted MPs to vote for the deal, whereas only 15% did not?30 Dec 2020HANSARDHousing, Communities and Local Government: Departmental SpendingIt is a white elephant, but what is worse, it has been cooked up in private for two years by six council leaders—six chief executives. The Essex MPs are against it and did not…09 Jul 2020HANSARD Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife Sanctuaries: ReopeningI congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. I join him in welcoming the Government’s decision to allow zoos and aquariums to reopen on Monday. Does he agree…11 Jun 2020HANSARDRecruitment and RetentionAs a long-term critic in this House of Crapita—sorry, Capita—I very much welcome the Minister’s emphatic answer that there are no plans to outsource royal naval or RAF…16 Mar 2020HANSARD Roadworks: RayleighI have only been a Member of Parliament for 19 years, but I have learned when not to look a gift horse in the mouth. If there is a lacuna in the current legislation, I would be…13 Mar 2020HANSARD Roadworks: RayleighMadam Deputy Speaker, I thank you and Mr Speaker for granting me this Adjournment debate on a subject that, as you will see, is of pressing importance to many of my constituents.…13 Mar 2020HANSARDHuawei and 5GAnd can John Lewis bid for it?04 Mar 2020HANSARDHuawei and 5GMy right hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. One facet of living in a free country is that we are free to make our own mistakes. This is the first big mistake that we have…04 Mar 2020HANSARD Housing and PlanningMy hon. Friend is making a thoughtful speech. Does he agree that democratic accountability is fundamental to this process? Is he, like me, concerned about the rumours, which I…03 Mar 2020HANSARDMinisterial CodeI believe we have an excellent and dynamic Home Secretary who deserves our unwavering support. Does the Chancellor recall, just a few months ago, Labour MP after Labour MP going…02 Mar 2020HANSARDSupport for VeteransVeterans who served in Northern Ireland on Operation Banner will, along with many of their families, I am sure, welcome the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive—but…03 Feb 2020HANSARDPlanning System: Gypsies and TravellersI congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. Regarding his last point, he will know that although the Government did not use this phrase, they effectively…29 Jan 2020HANSARDPlanning System: Gypsies and TravellersI apologise for having a second bite at the cherry. It is true that the provision of sites varies around the country. Basildon Council has a number of sites, but part of the…29 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillI entirely endorse that tribute. Under the Bill, and specifically under article 50, we will leave the European Union at 11 pm GMT on 31 January. As we leave at a precise specified…09 Jan 2020HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillThank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me to speak in this historic debate. I have the privilege to follow the new hon. Member for Stirling (Alyn Smith), who I must say spoke…20 Dec 2019HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillI have given way once. We spent some 40 years in this House arguing over Europe. In the end, the only thing we could agree on was that we could not agree, so we voted…20 Dec 2019