Contributions
416 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Overseas Electors BillClearly, I have more faith in the amendment tabled by the hon. Member for City of Chester that the hon. Gentleman does. I do not seek to take over the responsibility of people who…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillThe new clause does not exclude that category of people, and the same principle applies. My hon. Friend seems to suggest that perhaps the new clause does not go far enough, and I…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI had not looked at it that way, and I would be slightly horrified if that is how it was perceived. New clause 1 is merely enhancing my reputation as a moderate; I will put it no…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI do not know whether the hon. Gentleman is in need of some medical attention, but I fear for his wellbeing. Perhaps he was not listening, or perhaps it was not even here—he is in…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillThe hon. Gentleman raises a good point. He spoke earlier about the importance of polling stations and things like that, and I have points to make about them later. Wherever…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI do not want to get sidetracked from the Bill, but the point I make to the hon. Lady is that many of the new clauses I have proposed and will go on to propose are about making…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI have given up on the hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton; he is certainly not taking my advice on how to get on to his amendment, so I will save him from himself and give way…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI understand the hon. Gentleman’s point. Personally, I see a difference, which is that people can quite legitimately register in different places in the UK because they can vote…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI absolutely agree. I genuinely think that the points the hon. Gentleman made in Committee were very reasonable and worthy of consideration again today. We should think very…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillThe hon. Gentleman will forgive me if I do not know the precise problem in Reading, but I am sure it exists in other places too. He is right to raise that. As I made clear…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI will press on. I did not realise at the start of this morning how difficult it would prove to get through my modest amendments in the first group. I am determined to do so, even…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillYes, I take that point, which is a good one. These points are all worthy of further consideration. I do not disagree at all. Equally, however, democracy is precious, and when…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillYes, I agree. My hon. Friend is absolutely right. These are serious offences, and the criminal justice system should see them as such, so I very much share his sentiments.22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillThank you, Mr Speaker. I certainly do not object at all to my right hon. Friend the Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois) interrupting me with his point of order, with…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, which has a great deal of merit. I am not entirely sure that a private Member’s Bill was the best route for this legislation,…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillYes, I understand my hon. Friend’s point, and it is a good one. New clause 12 is more probing than one that I intended to push to a Division. The point that I was trying to make…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillNo. I would rather eat up the time of the House looking back on whether something is necessary and should be brought back rather than use up its time inventing new laws, which are…22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillThe hon. Gentleman makes a good point, for which I thank him. Again, that is why we need detailed scrutiny of these matters in the House. I do want to press on, Mr Speaker.22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillI must give way to the hon. Gentleman, because I have been referring to him so much.22 Mar 2019HANSARD Overseas Electors BillThe hon. Gentleman makes a good point. When there is a tight contest, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a result could be delayed until everything has been checked.…22 Mar 2019