Parliamentary Speech on the National Health Service

On 26 October I spoke in the House of Commons on the National Health Service complete with interventions from other members.  It is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter). I do not want to impugn his integrity, or to suggest that what he wants for [...]

Localism Bill: the speech that never was…

After burning the midnight oil to write a speech for the third reading of this Bill time ran out and I wasn’t called! So, here is the speech that never made it into the public domain…until now! THIRD READING, LOCALISM BILL, 18TH MAY 2011 Thank you, Mr Speaker. I’m grateful to you for calling on [...]

Education Bill

On 8 February I spoke in Parliament on the Education Bill.  You can read the text below and you can read the full debate here. This Bill fails our children and young people. In spite of what the Secretary of State claims, many of its measures are grossly unfair, and I will not support it. [...]