Contributions
1,333 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLocal Government ReformMy right hon. Friend is quite right, and he has also pre-empted something I was about to say. The Government are pressing on with “big is beautiful”—they have expanded Norwich,…10 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReformI completely agree with the hon. Gentleman, who is absolutely right. The local nature of local government is critical. The other problem with these giant councils is how remote…10 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReformI am very sorry to hear that. It is bad when people feel that the goalposts are being moved because it erodes trust in the process even further. Crucially, nobody asked for this.…10 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReformThank you for your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. The irony of all this is that the Minister’s only argument is that we must avoid a two-tier system, but what the Government want is…10 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReformI am very sorry to hear that. I was just about to make that point: as well as the loss of local accountability and identity, the argument is just wrong. Ministers believe that big…10 Jun 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReformI beg to move, That this House has considered local government reform. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. I would particularly like to thank Mr…10 Jun 2026HANSARDLord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble AddressThe House gave the Government a clear instruction that the only documents that could be redacted were those that might prejudice UK national security or international relations,…19 May 2026HANSARDStudent LoansJust one moment. Analysis by the IFS found that total returns on going to university will be negative for about 30% of both men and women—and that is based on the cohort from the…18 Mar 2026HANSARDStudent LoansWe have already talked about that. If the hon. Gentleman wants a full list, he can go on my Substack and see a whole bunch of different institutions with low returns. He can also…18 Mar 2026HANSARDStudent LoansIn January, the Chancellor was saying that the student loans system was “fair and reasonable”. She now admits —as of yesterday—that it is broken. In one sense, we have won this…18 Mar 2026HANSARDStudent LoansYes, and I am grateful for that question. Under our proposed reforms, four fifths—80%—of plan 2 graduates would benefit and pay less over their lifetime. The hon. Gentleman can…18 Mar 2026HANSARDStudent LoansPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will tell me why he thinks that is fair.18 Mar 2026HANSARDStudent LoansIf the hon. Gentleman reads to the end of the IFS report, he will see that it costs our proposal in single-digit billions, and we have explained exactly how we will pay for it—I…18 Mar 2026HANSARD Rural Mobile ConnectivityOn a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. For the last 18 months, the Government have been sitting on the guidance relating to gender-questioning children in schools—a very…12 Feb 2026HANSARD Standards in Public LifeI thank the Chief Secretary for advance sight of his statement. The Prime Minister’s authority is gone and his Government are starting to collapse. The Prime Minister’s decision…09 Feb 2026HANSARDLord MandelsonThis has been an absolutely extraordinary day in British politics. It is not often that there is an audible intake of breath in this Chamber, but we all heard it earlier—that gasp…04 Feb 2026HANSARDLord MandelsonI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and I want to know whether the Minister agrees that the ISC should be able to give the gist of documents, even if they are not fully…04 Feb 2026HANSARDLord MandelsonMy hon. Friend makes an excellent point—he is completely correct. Today, I actually feel quite a lot of sympathy for Labour Back Benchers. Once again, they have been put in a…04 Feb 2026HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness StatementsI should declare an interest as I am named in the witness statements. As someone sanctioned by China, I was shocked to learn that the Prime Minister knew that this case was about…16 Oct 2025HANSARD Official Secrets Act Case: Witness Statements(Urgent Question): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the three witness statements in relation to the alleged breach of the Official…16 Oct 2025