Contributions
189 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy hon. Friend is right. We have fought for the amendment consistently because rural communities are indeed overlooked too often, and it would put them at the heart of the Bill.…27 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI am happy to thank the Government for agreeing to put that on the face of the Bill. I turn now to the issue of brownfield development. We on the Liberal Democrat Benches continue…27 Apr 2026HANSARDChild Maintenance ServiceI thank the Minister for this and previous answers on the CMS. I hear the Government saying “when time allows”, but this really is important for the families who have suffered for…27 Apr 2026HANSARDUK-EU RelationsI wish the House and you, Mr Speaker, a happy St George’s day. I welcome the fact that the Government are taking steps to improve and deepen our trading relationship with Europe,…23 Apr 2026HANSARD Driver and Vehicle Licensing AgencyI am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Vikki Slade) for securing this important debate. I want to keep my contribution brief and focus on the…23 Apr 2026HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI would like to start by thanking colleagues across the House in the other place who have worked tirelessly to improve this Bill, in particular the Liberal Democrat peers Baroness…21 Apr 2026HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillThe hon. Member is absolutely right. We saw how the previous Labour Government imposed the cabinet structure on councils up and down the country. True devolution puts the power of…21 Apr 2026HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillWhen it comes to brownfield-first development in my constituency, there is an area in the town centre where we could deliver homes, but that is prevented by the fact that we do…21 Apr 2026HANSARD English Devolution and Community Empowerment BillI could not agree more. Across the country, we can see that giving parish councils power and community assets allows them to look after those assets for the community. I am a…21 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Ninth sitting)New clause 31 would require the Secretary of State to use regulations to ensure that the Electoral Commission established a fund to help disabled candidates meet additional…16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Ninth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Eighth sitting)It was very good to hear from the Minister setting out this group of clauses. The Liberal Democrats are very pleased it seeks to address the hostility towards those who administer…16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Ninth sitting)I hear what the Minister is saying, and I am really pleased that the Government are undertaking that process, but what concerns me is that we go through sets of elections again…16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Ninth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Clause, by leave, withdrawn .16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Eighth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw to withdraw the motion. Clause, by leave, withdrawn. New Clause 8 Overseas electors: Review of feasibility of proposals for facilitating overseas…16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Eighth sitting)I thank the Minister for her comments, but I sadly remain unconvinced that we are addressing the significant problems that overseas voters are encountering when they seek to be…16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Eighth sitting)New clause 6, tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Newton Abbot (Martin Wrigley), picks up on the 2024 voting reforms that expanded eligibility for around 1.4 million to 3.4…16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Ninth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. As has come up repeatedly in the Committee, trust in elections is in a very difficult place at the moment. As MPs, we really…16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Ninth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.16 Apr 2026HANSARDRepresentation of the People Bill (Eighth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.16 Apr 2026