Recall of MPs Bill

Debate between Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park and John Bercow

Monday 27th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Zac Goldsmith]

I shall not seek to persuade my hon. Friend on the fundamental issue of principle that he is discussing. I think that he has correctly identified the line in the sand. People will have to take a view based on what he has said, or on what I and others have said, in relation to that fundamental principle. However, I have a question for him. He fears that my amendments open up the possibility of Members being held to account for things that they say in the Chamber, but surely that is even truer of the Bill. Plenty of Members have been sanctioned, thrown out of the House and suspended for considerable periods as a result of things that they have said and done in the Chamber. The Government’s programme would, at that stage, require a petition to be signed by only 10% of their constituents for them to be thrown out altogether. They would cease to be Members of Parliament. Yes, they might be able to fight back in a by-election, but they would be thrown out of their jobs. That is surely a greater threat to the principles that the hon. Gentleman is guarding.

[The Temporary Chair (Mr Jim Hood)]

Order. That intervention was too long.

[Zac Goldsmith]

I apologise, Mr Hood.

Leveson Inquiry

Debate between Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park and John Bercow

Thursday 29th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman was present in the Chamber at the start of this statement. If he was, of course we will hear from him. If not, the nation will have to wait for another occasion.

[Zac Goldsmith]

For the record, I was here for both statements—but I moved around.

[Mr Speaker]

I am glad to hear it. Let us hear from the hon. Gentleman.

[Zac Goldsmith]

Given that my party appears to be split on this issue—judging by recent letters submitted to Lord Justice Leveson—given that the coalition is clearly split on it and given that the House is split, too, does the Deputy Prime Minister share my hope that the various measures we will be discussing over the coming weeks will be put to the House, preferably in a free vote?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park and John Bercow

Tuesday 7th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Zac Goldsmith—[Interruption.] Order. The House must calm down. Let us hear Mr Goldsmith.

[Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con)]

The proposals for a register of lobbyists will require lobby groups to list their members, but when those groups meet Ministers, will they be required to list on whose behalf they are meeting them?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park and John Bercow

Thursday 10th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Zac Goldsmith]

I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on his welcome return to the Communities and Local Government brief. I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Minister, not only for his recent work in developing the Government’s ambitious low-carbon economy programme, but for his long-term battle to give communities the power they need to stand up for themselves against inappropriate development.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for his answer, but will he reassure the House and my constituents that he intends to repeal perverse rules that prevent local councillors from standing up for their constituents—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry, but I must now cut off the hon. Gentleman. From now on, questions and answers must be briefer.