Contributions
1,098 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformWell, it was collapsed by the parties that were in power at that stage, because they had the ability to keep it running—but they did not. It collapsed again when the distribution…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformI find it rather odd that the hon. Member has talked about how dysfunctional the Assembly is but wants more powers for it. Either it is dysfunctional or it is not. If it is…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformIf that is the case, the requirement for consensus rather than majority rule is even stronger, yet the proposed changes would remove those safeguards. The difficulty of getting…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformOf course, and we have seen how divisive some of the decisions made in the Assembly have been, whether on cultural issues or economic issues, as the hon. and learned Member for…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformThe hon. Gentleman asked why weighted majorities do not give the protection that the consensus requirement gives. There are two reasons. First, it depends at what level the…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformI will give way in a moment. They are now proposing that consensus be removed and—here’s the thing—that we go to majority rule, albeit with a weighted majority of 66%. That is not…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranI welcome the fact that—rather belatedly, two weeks later—the Government have made a statement to the House about the situation in Iran, giving particular attention and praise to…13 Jan 2026HANSARD Northern Ireland Political Institutions: ReformIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Vaz. We have had a catalogue of reasons why there need to be changes to the arrangements for government in Northern Ireland.…13 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillDoes the hon. Gentleman accept that regardless of whether we are talking about a small tax or a large tax, the Chancellor promised that there would be no tax on people who went…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillThe Minister is putting on a brave face because a manifesto commitment has been broken. People are going to pay more in income tax despite the promises that were made. Does he…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillTonight’s debate is not just an opportunity for the Opposition to have a go at the Government. Many people who are getting cynical about politics will say, “Well, of course you…12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) Billrose—12 Jan 2026HANSARDFinance (No. 2) BillOf course she does. That is one reason why I believe that the new clauses are important—they recognise the need for people to be made aware of the consequences, and the impact on…12 Jan 2026HANSARD VenezuelaThe Secretary of State is right that no one should shed any tears at the end of Maduro’s rule. Does it surprise her that Sinn Féin, first of all, defended the fraudulent election…05 Jan 2026HANSARDAgricultural Property Relief and Business Property ReliefI wish you and the staff of the House a happy new year, Mr Speaker. Regardless of the reason for the change in policy—whether it is simply fear of the electoral consequences of…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionThe Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner has said that this legislation will mean that those who serve in the armed forces are treated worse than terrorists. Former commanders…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Operation KenovaThe report makes quite clear the extent of IRA brutality and murder in Northern Ireland, including murders within their own republican community. Does the Secretary of State agree…09 Dec 2025HANSARDLow-income HouseholdsLow-income families have been hit by being dragged into tax bands that they were not in before and by energy costs, and now the chief executive of Aldi has said that unless the…09 Dec 2025HANSARDOffice for Budget Responsibility ForecastsThe Government have had a lucky break with the coincidence of the OBR’s confession and report on its leak of the Budget details, which has given the Minister an opportunity to use…01 Dec 2025HANSARD Budget ResolutionsMay I, on behalf of the whole nation, thank the Chancellor for advance sight of her statement over the last few weeks? I do not know what she hoped to gain by that—she may have…26 Nov 2025