2017 March

We live in a free, democratic society which is something we take for granted. Yet the events of last Wednesday remind us sharply that we sometimes have to defend these values against attack. The cost can be high – PC Keith Palmer losing his life in the act of protecting Parliament and all of us who represent you there, and all the staff who work there. We mourn too Aysha Frade, Kurt Cochran and Leslie Rhodes who were killed whilst crossing Westminster Bridge.

I support the National Union of Journalists’ Local News Matters campaign calling for investment in quality local journalism. Local newspapers are champions of democracy and a vital part of the community. They also inspire young people to be the journalists of the future.

Following the trigger of Article 50, I raised various issues with the Leader of the House, Rt Hon David Lidington MP. My speech is below:

It was a pleasure to meet with pupils and staff at Moorcroft Wood Primary School on Friday 24 March 2017. I wanted to show Year 6 how we debated in the Chamber. So they prepared a topic and the class divided into For the motion and Against. The motion was that there should be no more zoos. The proposer started the debate and then everyone stood as ewe do in Parliament to “catch my eye”. I acted as the Speaker and moderated the debate.

At Business Questions I paid tribute to PC Keith Palmer, the police, the security service and emergency services, before I raised various issues with the Leader of the House, Rt Hon David Lidington MP. My speech is below: