Category: Speeches

  • Tom Pendry – 1988 Speech on Strip Searches at Greenham Common

    Tom Pendry – 1988 Speech on Strip Searches at Greenham Common

    The speech made by Tom Pendry, the then Labour MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, in the House of Commons on 6 July 1988.

    On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to bring to your attention and to the attention of the House what I consider to be a serious breach of ministerial and parliamentary conduct. On 24 May 1984 I asked the Secretary of State for Defence

    “for what purposes the Ministry of Defence police are carrying out strip searches at Greenham common; how many strip searches have taken place there; what was found; and if he will make a statement.”

    The answer was supplied by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Mr. Stanley), who is now the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office. He stated:

    “No such strip searches have been carried out at RAF Greenham common.”—[Official Report, 24 May 1084; Vol. 60, c.552.]

    I was prompted to ask the question by a constituent of mine who alleged that six months earlier she had been strip-searched at Greenham common. As I believed that the Minister’s word was honourable, I told her that I could not pursue the matter in a parliamentary sense.

    Fortunately for her, she persevered. Yesterday, at Newbury county court, she was awarded £2,000-plus damages and about £6,000 costs at the expense of the Ministry of Defence because she had been strip-searched at Greenham common.

    I believe that the Minister should account for his misleading answer from the Dispatch Box. He should apologise to me, and, more importantly, to my constituent, Stella Mann-Cairns, and all other women who have had to put up with this indignity. Although he has moved to another Department, he should assure the House that the Government no longer pursue that policy.

    I have given notice of this matter to the Minister and to the Leader of the House, and I am surprised that neither of them is present. I hope that the Minister will apologise. If he does not, he should do the honourable thing and resign.

  • David Martin – 1988 Speech on the Abolition of Gazumping

    David Martin – 1988 Speech on the Abolition of Gazumping

    The speech made by David Martin, the then Conservative MP for Portsmouth South, in the House of Commons on 5 July 1988.

    I beg to move,

    That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prevent gazumping in connection with buying and selling homes.

    The disgraceful practice of gazumping has been raised in the House on several occasions over the years, notably by my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle). It has also been the object of attention by the Law Commission and, from time to time, by the legal profession’s magazines and the press. A remarkable number of right hon. and hon. Members have shared with me the experiences of their constituents, and I have been helped by them.

    The word “gazump” is based on “gazoomph,” which is a graphic Yiddish word meaning to swindle or to cheat. It applies when the purchaser and the vendor of a home have agreed on a definite price and then, before contracts are exchanged, the vendor raises the price to that purchaser or sells at a higher price to someone else. It does not apply to the converse case of the purchaser withdrawing before exchange of contracts. That is a nuisance and the breaking of an agreement, but it is not gazumping. I have some ideas on that, too, but I have only 10 minutes in which to speak, so they must be developed at another time.

    Gazumping has been described as a method of parting rich men from their money—and it certainly does that. The greater problem is that it also parts the relatively less well off from theirs, especially young people and first-time buyers.

    Scottish law and practice is far nearer to what I would like to see happen in England and Wales. It has been said that nothing stops us operating the same system. That may theoretically be true, but it will never happen without legislation.

    First, my main aim it to give 14 days to a purchaser to exchange after the price has been agreed. During those 14 days, if the vendor backs out, the vendor would have to pay the purchaser 5 per cent. of the agreed price, plus any specific and reasonable costs incurred by the purchaser during that time. Any sum less than 5 per cent. would not be a deterrent, because gazumping is in multiples of thousands of pounds these days, even on less expensive property. Therefore, as in Scotland, the price would be fixed at the outset. In England and Wales exchange would follow in a short time and certainly would exist at an earlier stage. The parties could then agree either a long or short period for completion, depending significantly on the need for the purchaser to sell his or her home in the meantime.

    Secondly, considerations of time would be more important. My Bill would promote a speeding up of the all too ponderous and needlessly mystifying processes of conveyancing. For all the welcome increases in home ownership in recent years, in many respects we are still in the age of the quill pen when it comes to law and practice. Solicitors, in particular, must grow more used to the idea that they are in a commercial world. Their negative attitude to advertising is revealing. The advent of licensed conveyancers has helped to bring the profession face to face with commercial reality. Many have recognised and seized the opportunities to co-operate with or to operate property shops, but more needs to be done.

    Thirdly, home purchase would be helped by insisting on more, and more accurate, information in the agents’ particulars. That is a subject in itself. I have seen particulars offering me

    “a modern system of central hating”,

    “gilt” spelt “guilt” and even

    “rent and rat free accommodation”.

    Fourthly, the vendor would be required to provide far more information to a purchaser when he puts his property on the market. He would be required to provide a survey from a surveyor with proper professional qualifications. No honest vendor should object to that. If the purchaser wished to be more thorough, he could obtain a further survey on his own. At the same time, the vendor would also be required to provide the usual standard searches and inquiries.

    Local authorities should be able to produce all the relevant information quickly and efficiently. This week, Portsmouth city council is pioneering a new computer system, as too is Wigan. The system will be part of a national network, where solicitors, estate agents, banks and others will be able to obtain direct answers to the usual searches and inquiries. One third of Portsmouth property is now held on computer, and the aim is for complete coverage by the end of 1989. We have tolerated for far too long too many expectations of delay in what ought to be a quick and simple process.

    I understand that the current ministerial response is that law reform should stay out of this area, that the remedy lies in the hands of those involved in house buying rather than in the law, and that there is nothing to stop people in England and Wales using the Scottish system if they want to. The trouble with that line is that it is far too complacent. Unless we have legislation, ordinary house buyers will never be able to bring about any significant change in the practices and customs of professionals, just as they could not tackle the scandal of the conveyancing monopoly without legislative help.

    All that is lacking is the political will to legislate. I hope that my effort today, added to those of many others of all parties, will have its effect. My system is not perfect, but it would make things better. That is no more or less than most legislation can hope to achieve.

    A gazumper is a swindler, a cheat and a racketeer. The present state of the law and practice allows him or her to operate without sanction of any kind and regardless of the damage caused to innocent parties. That is neither ethical nor just. It cannot be right. My Bill would provide some redress. I commend its introduction to the House.

    Question put and agreed to.

    Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. David Martin, Mr. Matthew Carrington, Mr. Barry Field, Mr. Ian Gow, Mr. John Heddle, Mr. George Howarth, Mr. Richard Livsey, Mr. Ian McCartney, Mr. Keith Mans, Mr. Rhodri Morgan and Miss Ann Widdecombe.

  • Allan Roberts – 1988 Speech on the Privatisation of Girobank

    Allan Roberts – 1988 Speech on the Privatisation of Girobank

    The speech made by Allan Roberts, the then Labour MP for Bootle, in the House of Commons on 5 July 1988.

    I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,

    “the privatisation of Girobank in the light of the Government’s recent refusal to allow parliamentary scrutiny of the proposals and the circumstances of purchase.”

    This is a specific matter, because on 7 June the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced that Girobank would be privatised by tender, and I raised on a point of order the fact that to privatise Girobank no legislation or parliamentary scrutiny was necessarily required. You pointed out, Mr. Speaker, that it was not for you to advise on tactics, but went on to say that there were ways of raising these matters.
    We took your advice, Mr. Speaker, and sought at the request of the Bootle work force a meeting with the Secretary of State or the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. We were refused a meeting with the Ministers. We were able to secure agreement from the Trade and Industry Select Committee that it would inquire into Girobank’s future, but today Ministers have made it clear that they intend to privatise Girobank before the Select Committee reports.

    It was in the light of assurances about the Select Committee inquiry and parliamentary scrutiny of the privatisation proposals that the work force voted against strike action but wished to obtain through Parliament assurances about their job security and the safeguarding of Girobank’s separate and continuing entity. The Government’s refusal to debate or discuss the issues and the details of their privatisation proposals is an insult to Parliament, and gives credence to the belief that Ministers have already earmarked a specific financial institution to take over the bank. Why else will they not give assurances that the bank will not be sold and then asset-stripped?

    The matter is urgent because it is not just about the future of 6,000 jobs on Merseyside. Giro is a national employer with regional centres. This is a national issue. It is also about the future of the nation’s network of post office counters, which depend on Girobank business and are also at risk.

    It seems, Mr.Speaker, that the only chance of parliamentary scrutiny is for you to grant a debate. The Government are playing Wall street roulette with 6,000 jobs on Merseyside by the way in which they are dealing with Girobank’s privatisation, and they should be called to account.

  • William Harcourt – 1884 Statement on the Explosion at Victoria Station

    William Harcourt – 1884 Statement on the Explosion at Victoria Station

    The statement made by William Harcourt, the then Home Secretary, in the House of Commons on 28 February 1884.

    Sir, last night, at Charing Cross Station, in consequence of the information that had been received, the clerks particularly observed and searched the luggage there. That was about half-past 11 o’clock at night. I had better, perhaps, read the words of the Report on the matter which I have had from the police— 11.30 P.M. yesterday.—James Chamberlain, second cloak-room clerk, when looking over the stored luggage, lifted up a shabby black American-leather portmanteau, two feet by twelve inches, and finding that the weight of the contents was all on one side, he became suspicious, and opened the portmanteau with a duplicate key, finding, on the right hand side, well covered by some newspapers, a quantity of dirty white-looking cakes of an oily nature, four inches by two inches, packed closely around a tin box in the centre, the box being about four inches square, and the edges hermetically sealed with black sealing wax, and parts of an old pair of trousers pushed in between to fill up the space. The left-hand well only contained half an old coat, torn down the middle of the back. This having been discovered, the box and the material were sent to be examined by Colonel Majendie. I have seen it myself to-day. The tin box was about 6 or 8 inches square. It was a small japanned tin box. It appears it contained a clock—one of the ordinary small clocks that are to be seen in the shops—of American manufacture. It had arranged behind it a small pistol, which was so arranged that by the clock-work it should explode a cap. In proximity to this was placed a cake of a species of dynamite which is unknown in this country, and which is not used here, nor manufactured here, called Atlas Powder. In that cake of dynamite were six of the detonators for exploding dynamite, and loosely arranged round the box, in the portmanteau, were 40 of these cakes, amounting to about 20 lb. weight of dynamite. It appeared that the clock-work had let off the pistol, but the cap had missed fire, in the midst of this dynamite. It is a remarkable circumstance that Colonel Majendie has discovered, at the Victoria Station, in a state of semi-fusion, but quite sufficient to identify it, a mainspring of an exactly similar clock, so there cannot be smallest doubt that the two attempts were made identically in the same way. This dynamite was deposited at the Charing Cross Station on the same night as the explosion at Victoria Station, and the ticket on the portmanteau shows that it was deposited between 7 and 9 on Monday the 25th instant.

    Since I came to the House I received the following Report from the police:— Mr. Hart, of the Great Western Railway, has just called on me to say that a portmanteau has been found at their station, containing what appears to be similar cakes of dynamite to that found at Charing Cross, and a clock-work arrangement, which, from the description, appears to be the same as that at Charing Cross. So that there are clearly three deposits of this character, all evidently of the same sorts, and olearly with the same object. The most significant part of the matter, as I have already stated, is that the explosive used is one which is not known, or manufactured, or used in commerce in this country. It is one with which, unfortunately, I am very familiar, because it has been discovered many times in connection with attempted explosions—some of which succeeded, and some did not—at Glasgow, at Liverpool, and in London. It is a ligneous composition of dynamite. Is is manufactured, as we know, in America, and, as far as Colonel Majendie knows, it has never been seen here except in connection with these explosions in this country.

  • Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Speech on the Conservative Leadership Contest

    Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Speech on the Conservative Leadership Contest

    The speech made by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, on 20 July 2022.

    It was brilliant to see Glasgow voted 4th best city to visit in the world last week in an influential survey which helps people explore and experience the best places around the world.

    As well as 4th overall (Edinburgh was number 1), Time Out’s ‘World’s Best City’ Guide also ranked Glasgow as the friendliest city in the world – a fact which comes as absolutely no surprise to those who of us live here or visit regularly.

    It is a reminder that Scotland has so much to offer anyone who wants to visit. This is true, not just of Glasgow and Edinburgh, but all parts of our beautiful country – as proven by the immensely successful hosting of the 150th Open Championship in St Andrews over the weekend.

    I was glad to have the opportunity to visit the ‘Home of Golf’ on Friday, to acknowledge such a huge and welcome boost to our tourism and hospitality industries, especially after more than two years of disruption caused by the pandemic.

    It was great to see so many visitors from across the world once again enjoying Scotland’s beautiful scenery and top-class food and drink.

    Much has happened in UK politics in the past weeks, including the resignation of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. It won’t come as a surprise to anyone to hear my view that this did not come a moment too soon.

    Although many in Scotland will have felt a sense of relief that the chaos of Boris Johnson’s tenure as Prime Minister is coming to an end, the fact remains that one Prime Minister Scotland did not vote for is about to be replaced by yet another.

    It is also extremely concerning that the change of Tory leader seems certain to be accompanied by a shift even further to the right.

    And, of course, a shift to the right from the Tories means a shift even further away from the mainstream of Scottish opinion and values.

    So far, we have seen the candidates for Prime Minister promise tax cuts for the rich, cuts to public spending and public services. They have also launched blatant attacks on devolution and the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

    While families and households across the country are trying navigate a severe cost of living crisis, caused by rising inflation and stagnant wages, we have heard next to nothing from any of these potential Prime Ministers on what they will do to alleviate these pressures.

    Every minute the Tories spend squabbling over who gets to 10 Downing Street comes at the cost of support and investment to help people across the country who are struggling now.

    It’s not good enough for UK Government Ministers to promise an update in due course – energy bills are sky-high and rising now, and with every day that passes, people become more anxious about how to pay these bills and feed their kids.

    Action is needed – and it must be both significant and immediate.

    The fact is that this cost of living crisis, which is the worst in living memory, has been made worse by decisions of Boris Johnson’s government, not least Brexit and its many damaging consequences.

    No changing of the Westminster guard will reverse those decisions, nor will it set the UK on a better track.

    The problems Scotland faces as a result of Westminster control run far deeper than any one individual, and the latest Tory leadership pantomime has brought into focus the significant and increasing democratic deficit that Scotland suffers as part of the UK.

    No matter who becomes the next Prime Minister, it will be someone Scotland did not vote for, and they will impose policies we don’t support.

    The issues that people here are focused on – tackling child poverty, supporting the recovery of our NHS, building a fairer economy, and making a just transition to net zero – will be hindered, not helped, by whoever becomes Prime Minister in the weeks ahead.

    All of that underlines the necessity, in my view, of Scotland moving from Westminster control to independence.

    Finally, a word about COVID. Cases have been rising over the last six weeks, and while vaccines are helping reduce the risk of serious illness, the sheer volume of cases is putting a strain on our NHS and the economy.

    If you haven’t yet been vaccinated with your first, second or booster dose – for whatever reason – you can still visit drop-in clinics across the country.

    A further booster vaccination will also be offered from September to those at highest risk of severe disease. This will include residents in care homes, frontline health and social care workers, adults over 50 and pregnant women.

    The key message though is this – if you are eligible for any dose of vaccine, make sure you get it. It could save your life, and it will help protect those around you.

    Controlling Covid will be key to alleviating pressure on our NHS as we move back into a busy winter period, so please continue taking care when in busy public spaces, and stay at home if you have symptoms.

  • Greg Clark – 2022 Comments on Yorkshire Day

    Greg Clark – 2022 Comments on Yorkshire Day

    The comments made by Greg Clark, the Levelling Up Secretary, on 1 August 2022.

    Yorkshire Day 2022 is an historic one. It marks the return of powers and resources from London to much of the historic North Riding.

    Levelling up – driving prosperity and opportunity in all parts of Britain – is done best when people locally can forge the future of their area. This deal is a big step in that direction.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2015 Article on Farming

    Rishi Sunak – 2015 Article on Farming

    The article written by Rishi Sunak, the then Conservative PPC for Richmond, in February 2015.

    Farming is very significant to our rural economy and communities – from the Upper Dales to Great Ayton, from sheep to dairy to arable, through Auction Marts at Hawes, Leyburn and Northallerton, farming touches every part of the constituency.

    Through visiting farms and auction marts and speaking with dozens of farmers, I have worked especially hard to understand the issues facing the farming community today.

    I will fight to relieve the costly burden of EU regulation. Farmers have to contend with complicated new greening requirements, standstill rules, helpful pesticides being banned, burdensome electronic sheep tags that don’t even work and burial requirements that are outdated. It can’t be fair that our farmers follow the rules and watch European competitors flount them to their advantage.

    Food labeling standards should be stricter – when shoppers want to “Buy British” they should “Get British”. I will also support efforts to encourage businesses to source locally – this would be beneficial for local farmers. We must do a better job educating consumers about the long term of impact of discount priced milk on our British dairy industry.

    Also, I will do everything I can to help our farmers can capitalise on the great opportunities ahead. As global food consumption rises, efficient and competitive farms can grow and export around the world. Farming is already a great British industry and I will ensure it has every opportunity to flourish in the years ahead.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2015 Comments on AV Dawson

    Rishi Sunak – 2015 Comments on AV Dawson

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the then Conservative PPC for Richmond, on 4 February 2015.

    I had the great pleasure of driving a locomotive to open a new facility at AV Dawson!

    The Dawson family founded the business 77 years ago. Today is it is a leading multi-modal logistics firm with a world class facility on the River Tees. The business is run by Gary Dawson, whose grandparents Vernon and Eleanor established the buisness. All they started with was a horse called Dina, a cart and a barrel load of coal! After some incredibly hard work by them and Gary’s father Maurice, the business now has revenues of almost £20m, 250 employees and global customers like Tata Steel and Nissan.

    The government set up a £3 billion Regional Growth Fund to help create jobs in areas where they are needed the most. AV Dawson benefitted from a multi millions pound RGF grant to help them build a state of the art new steel warehouse – the largest investment in their company’s history. The company also increased employment significantly. The new facility sets the standard in service, environmental sustainability and innovation. Nationally the RGF is predicted to help create half a million jobs!

    This is a fantastic example of investment in the North helping drive job creation and prosperity. Congratulations to everybody on AV Dawson on building such a great business. Thanks for giving me the fantastic opportunity to drive the train and blow that horn so loudly!

  • Rishi Sunak – 2019 Comments on Armed Forces Champions

    Rishi Sunak – 2019 Comments on Armed Forces Champions

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury, on 20 September 2019.

    I’ve been honoured to spend time with many veterans and service personnel, and I’m constantly humbled by their service. They deserve our support to ensure they never find themselves out of work and without help.

    That’s why we are spending up to £6 million to increase the number of Armed Forces Champions in our jobcentres. They’ll be a vital extra help as our former soldiers, sailors, airmen and women take the first steps into a new career.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2019 Comments on the Troubled Families Programme

    Rishi Sunak – 2019 Comments on the Troubled Families Programme

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the then Local Government Minister, on 28 March 2019.

    The success of the Troubled Families Programme is down to the tremendous efforts and tireless work of all those involved including the families themselves.

    I have seen first-hand how the programme has made a real difference for families up and down the country, with fewer children going into care, fewer adults going to prison and more adults back in work.

    When we strengthen our families, we strengthen society; because when families thrive, we all thrive.

    This government will continue to champion families at every turn, helping them play their part in a society where no one is left behind.