Contributions
1,226 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillIn respect of the hon. Gentleman’s bloodline getting to the House of Lords, I am sure it is only a matter of time before we see that. In terms of the antics of the Opposition, I…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI am glad to hear that—there is the real voice of the Conservative party. We have also therefore heard a lot of protestations that there is no attempt from the Conservative party…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillAbsolutely not, because the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is a Member of Parliament who enjoys the confidence of this House. That is entirely different from the situation…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillWe have a modern constitutional monarchy that enjoys very wide popular support. It is a completely different matter. I do not think a monarch has blocked an Act of Parliament…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI can help the hon. Gentleman out on one issue: I can reassure him that he is most definitely awake; this is most definitely reality. Where I am afraid I will fail is in…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillQuite simply, the amendment is trying to create the title as an honour without the actual membership. That is the difference. I had an exchange earlier about there being no…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Billrose —04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillIt is a consequence of the interaction between the existing statute and this statute. I was not arguing for that; I was saying that that would be the effect of the Lords amendment.04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillWith the leave of the House, I will close the debate, and it is a privilege to close this wide-ranging and well-natured debate. The shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster,…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillLet me just repeat that point to the hon. Gentleman, because it is important. He claims to respect precedent and the rights of Parliament, but the position he takes in supporting…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillFine, let me put it this way: the hon. Gentleman is supporting the position that his peers are taking, which is in breach of that convention. I will give the hon. Gentleman…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillIt is not my decision; it was the decision of the British people at the last general election in supporting our manifesto. If the Bill gets on to the statute book, hereditary…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI will give way, then I need to make some progress.04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillThe manifesto was clear that the reform would be staged, and that this would be the immediate first step. The Government remain in favour of a House of Lords that is more…04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillBefore I conclude my remarks I will certainly give way.04 Sept 2025HANSARD House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI will just come to the other points that we are raising. I have made clear that Lords amendment 1 guts the purpose of the Bill, which is why the Government oppose it. On the…04 Sept 2025HANSARD Infected Blood Inquiry: Additional ReportMy hon. Friend speaks very powerfully about his own personal experience. He is entirely right about a consistent failure on behalf of the state over many decades on many scandals…21 Jul 2025HANSARD Infected Blood Inquiry: Additional ReportThe infected blood inquiry’s additional report was published on 9 July, and today I would like to provide the House with an initial response. I am grateful to Sir Brian Langstaff…21 Jul 2025HANSARD Infected Blood Inquiry: Additional ReportMy hon. Friend is absolutely right, and that is why I have changed the scheme in respect of affected estates. Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendation was for those who sadly pass…21 Jul 2025HANSARD Infected Blood Inquiry: Additional ReportI entirely agree on the need for a Hillsborough law, and I say to my hon. Friend that this Government are absolutely determined to get it right and to lead that culture of change…21 Jul 2025