The Football Governance Bill had its second reading on Tuesday 23 April 2024. This is a landmark bill which establishes a regulator which will ensure clubs are regulated with a light touch but with sanctions if necessary. There will be a fit and proper test for Directors and the regulator will be able to intervene on behalf of the fans for example if the name , colours are changed and the Stadium is moved. However, the Bill does not mandate or change the parachute payments which are paid to clubs as they go down from the Premier League to the Championship and back up. 

The Bill has cross-party support. I made 3 interventions in the debate. 

I asked the Secretary of State: 

"I am not going to mention my local football clubs—oh, all right, I will: Walsall football club and Darlaston Town 1874 FC, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The shape of the Bill at the minute is due to the Minister sitting next to the Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Pudsey (Stuart Andrew), who has engaged with all Members. I pay tribute to him for including all of us. It is a pity that the Secretary of State is looking at the Bill in a party political way, because the Government have been in power for the last 14 years. Let us all pay tribute to the right hon. Member for Pudsey, who has done a fantastic job."

"Do the regulators have sufficient power to intervene if some of the owners are servicing debts in other areas of their company?"

I asked the Shadow Secretary of State: 

"My hon. Friend mentioned the fan-led review. Does she agree with me that the women’s game, which is out of scope of the Bill, is growing exponentially, and that there is scope for the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Dame Tracey Crouch), in a new role, to look at the women’s game and see whether we could have some regulation there?"

 

 

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill returned to the Commons for Consideration of Lords Messages.

1.  That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 3G. Division No. 130. I voted No.

Ayes: 306 Noes: 229  and the Question was agreed to and the Lords Amendment 3G accordingly disagreed to.

As it was more than one hour after commencement of proceedings on the Lords Message, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on the Lords Message to a conclusion , the following Question was put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83G). 

2.  That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 10F and the House divided. Division No. 131. I voted No

Ayes: 305   Noes: 234  Question agreed to and Lords Amendment 10F accordingly disagreed to.

3.  That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments 3G and 10F;

That the Committee do withdraw immediately; the House divided for Division No. 132. 

Ayes: 309 Noes: 37 Question agreed to.

4.  The House proceeded to consider forthwith the Lords Message received today relating to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration Bill and Lords Amendment 3J

Motion made and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 3J. The House divided; Division No. 134. I voted No.

Ayes: 312 Noes: 237 Question agreed to and the Lords Amendment 3J accordingly disagreed to.

There were no further votes on the Bill.

 

 

On Monday 22 April I attended an event to highlight the work of Muslim Aid a well know charity that works to support people to help them with education for the children, food and water. the event was hosted by Afzhal Khan MP.  there was a video presentation of the work that is done by Muslim Aid.

I am joined by colleagues left to right,  Naz Shah MP, a representative from Muslim Aid,  Chi Onwurah MP, Afzhal Khan MP, Jeff Smith MP and to my left Lord Alf Dubs.

A motion was made and the Question put, that the period on the expiry of which proceedings on the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill shall lapse in pursuance of paragraph (13) of Standing Order No. 80A shall be extended by 177 days until 12 December 2024.

The House divided on division No. 133  Ayes: 304 Noes: 222 : the Question was agreed. 

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Peter Madeley, Political Editor at the Express and Star. I attended his funeral service which took place at The Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God which is in Sun Street Palfrey  Walsall WS1 4AL which is in my constituency. 

Pete was an engaging political Editor and it was always good to have conversations about politics with him. He supported Aston Villa and it was a nice touch to see the colours picked out on the shields on the order of Service. Fr Samuel conducted the Service. My deepest condolences to Pete's wife Marina and his young children Thalia and Elias, his father John, mother Pat and sister Liz.  May he rest in peace.