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1,953 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsLast week I was in Bromsgrove, a rural constituency facing an 85% increase in its housing target. Neighbouring Labour-run Birmingham, which has significant brownfield capacity,…13 Apr 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Secretary of State cannot answer—he does not have an answer. Perhaps he can give the answer that he failed to give in response to a written question, because he has once again…13 Apr 2026HANSARDLocal Government Reorganisation(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government if he will make a statement on local government reorganisation.26 Mar 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationPeople will ask whether this is an act of gross gerrymandering and political opportunism or an act of gross incompetence and stupidity, but I can inform the House that it is both.…26 Mar 2026HANSARDForeign Financial Influence and Interference: UK PoliticsI thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement. I echo his thanks to Mr Rycroft for the work that he has done on a very important report. We began work in this…25 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillI need to make some progress, otherwise I will be told off by Madam Deputy Speaker. Integrity is not just about integrity at the door of the polling station. At the time of the…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillI will give way, but then I will move on.02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillI beg to move an amendment, to leave out from “That” to the end of the Question and add: “That this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Representation of the People…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillI am not sure that that addresses the point I was making, but I will come to votes at 16 in a moment. This Government have chosen political advantage over consensus, and that is…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillThe hon. Gentleman makes a not unreasonable point, but it is a point of debate. Registration in the UK is not difficult, and the fact that some people have not registered is not…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillI will move on in a moment, but my hon. Friend makes an important point. If the Government’s contention is that auto-enrolment increases turnout, then turnout should be increased…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillI value the contribution of people in this country whether they are or are not able to vote, but again, that does not address the point. I am going to move on now, because it is…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillIt is easy to vote. Everyone has the right to vote. The right hon. Lady says that voting should be as easy as breathing; she is advocating for the removal of all electoral…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillWell, let me at least make the point! I can see that the hon. Gentleman is itching. Calm; calm; calm. Either the Government are intending to give votes to children, or the…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillThe hon. Gentleman is factually wrong. We do have a legal definition of childhood, and there is an international definition of childhood. The Children Act defines 16 and…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillSixteen and 17-year-olds can only join the armed forces with parental consent, and they cannot be deployed. Sixteen and 17-year-olds in the armed forces are children, which is why…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillPerhaps the hon. Gentleman has the answer.02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillIt seems that no Labour Members are willing to address the point that I have raised. This is a really simple binary choice. As I have said, both domestically and internationally,…02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillPerhaps the hon. Lady will have a go. Go on!02 Mar 2026HANSARD Representation of the People BillI have tried on a number of occasions, but I have not received an answer either the Benches opposite or from the Benches to my left.02 Mar 2026