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4,303 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEngagementsHe does not want to engage in a culture war and point scoring—give me a break. Football is a game and racism is not, Prime Minister. That is why many of us have been involved in…14 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateI will in a moment. This has been providing education for women and girls; fighting poverty; providing sanitation, healthcare and vaccines; building resilience and infrastructure;…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateI have to say that it is a bit rich from someone who may break the manifesto commitment to say that the vote today and the words today are hollow, but just to take that straight…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateI am going to summarise my argument— [ Interruption. ] I am going make my argument, and when I get to the relevant part, I will take interventions. The case that we make is this:…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateI start by thanking you, Mr Speaker, and hon. Members from across the House for ensuring that this debate took place today. In particular, I thank the right hon. Members for…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateI will in just a moment. Let me quote page 53 of the Conservative manifesto, which says: “We will proudly maintain our commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GNI on development”. Do…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateWell, that is a very good point. I think it is once in 20 years. However, there are two points here and, if there is a contrary argument, the Prime Minister can make it. On the…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateThey more than doubled it; they set the goal, and then successive Prime Ministers implemented that goal. That is such a weak argument—11 years into this Government that is such a…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateLet me make this point, and the Prime Minister can intervene if he wants. On the former point, the Office for Budget Responsibility does not predict public debt falling as a…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateYes and yes. It was not ambivalent in the manifestos and it was not conditional; it was clear. On the first part of the argument—the national interest—British aid saves lives, it…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateI am going to develop that argument. When I get to it, I will give way so that that argument can be tested, in the usual way. But if the motion is rejected, “the Government would…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateThey doubled it, actually. Let me turn to my second point, which has already been debated: the economic argument behind the Government’s position. The Prime Minister and…13 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Aid: Treasury UpdateI am aware of that, and it exposes the false economy argument in the Prime Minister’s case. This cut will also reduce UK influence just when it is needed most, and of course it…13 Jul 2021HANSARDEngagementsWe should open up in a controlled way, keeping baseline protections such as masks on public transport, improving ventilation, making sure the test and trace system remains…07 Jul 2021HANSARDEngagementsWe know that the link between infection rates and deaths has been weakened but it hasn’t been broken, and the Prime Minister must, and certainly should, know the answer to the…07 Jul 2021HANSARDEngagementsThe question was simply how many people are going to be asked to self-isolate if there are 100,000 infections a day, and the Prime Minister will not answer it. We know why he will…07 Jul 2021HANSARDEngagementsMay I join the Prime Minister in his remarks about the 7/7 anniversary? I remember where I was on that day and will never forget it, and I am sure that is the same for everybody.…07 Jul 2021HANSARDEngagementsThe Prime Minister agrees it is common sense because it protects the public, but he will not make it mandatory—it is ridiculous. It is clear what this is all about: he has lost a…07 Jul 2021HANSARDEngagementsIf the Prime Minister stopped mumbling and listened, he would have heard the answer the first time. We want to open in a controlled way and keep baseline protections that can keep…07 Jul 2021HANSARDEngagementsMay I join your comments and sentiments about Ian Davis, Mr Speaker, and wish him the very best from all of us in this House? I also congratulate the England team on yesterday’s…30 Jun 2021