My Views
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Oral Contribution: 20th December, 2018

It is a great pleasure to follow Bob Stewart, whom I have got to know quite well through serving together on the Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs. He brought a very important matter to the House’s attention with his characteristic compassion and worldly-wise experience.

There have already been several good speeches. I fear that Sir David Amess is leaving, but his was a tour de force, a lesson to us all. I understand that in Southend, his Christmas address to the nation is viewed much as the state of the union speech is seen in the United States. I cannot possibly comment on all the matters mentioned, so I will refer to one, which was the rise of Southend United—Bradford City are in the same division. They are beginning to win games, and I note that our fixture at Valley Parade against Southend is on 19 January. The hon. Gentleman will be most welcome if he can escape from Southend for the weekend.
 
I intend to put three matters before the House. On the sporting theme, I will discuss Keighley Cougars, the rugby league team in Keighley. At this time of year, many of us visit primary schools, whether as the local MP, or as a parent or grandparent, and I will discuss one school in particular which has been improving over the past few months, Oldfield Primary School. Then I want to bring to the attention of the House a couple of early-day motions that might have passed people by...
 
 
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Written Question: 20th December, 2018

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to give statutory force to his Department's guidelines to school's governing bodies on exclusivity arrangements for the sale of school uniforms.
 
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EDM Supported: 19th December, 2018

That this House congratulates Gareth Southgate and the England men's football team for qualifying to the UEFA Nations League finals in Portugal in June 2019 by beating Spain and Croatia; notes that this new official UEFA competition has significant standing as a major competitive international trophy; further notes that the tournament has gripped the public imagination after an already successful year for the England men's football team; notes that the team could win its first trophy since 1966 in next year's finals...

Read the Early Day Motion

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Oral Contribution: 19th December, 2018

It is a great pleasure to follow Kevin Hollinrake, who spoke thoughtfully and forensically about the rail issues across Yorkshire, and my hon. Friend Paula Sherriff, who spoke with great passion and vigour. I will just make a few remarks very quickly.

There are two main lines throughout the Keighley constituency, the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, which were electrified in 1994. Many people built their lives—their journeys into work and their children’s journeys to school, and so on—around those lines. Traditionally, they have been high performing, which makes it even more frustrating for so many people that over the last year the performance levels have sunk abysmally low...
 
 
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EDM Sponsored: 17th December, 2018

That this House believes the public has a right to know how Members would vote on the different choices facing the country regarding the UK leaving the EU; believes that Members should have an opportunity as soon as possible to register their vote on a range of options including a reformed Northern Irish backstop, leaving the European Union with no deal, extending Article 50, entering into a future Norway-style relationship with the European Union, entering into a future Canada-style relationship with the European Union, and holding a new referendum...

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EDM Supported: 17th December, 2018

That this House congratulates the All Party Parliamentary Group for Disability for its work with Changing Places; further congratulates Zack Kerr from Accrington for his petition calling on Government investment to help fund the building of more Changing Places toilets in motorway service stations which received 145,000 signatures; welcomes the Government's response to invest £2 million to build Changing Places toilets in motorway service stations; notes that there is more to do ensure everyone has the dignity in accessing adequate toilet facilities outside of the home...

Read the Early Day Motion