Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Melanie Ward

Thursday 21st May 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am appalled to hear of the comments of the Reform candidate. As for Reform coming together with the local Conservative group to run the council, I just advise both of them: be careful who you get into bed with.

[Melanie Ward (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy) (Lab)]

There has been some talk about football. I think we should all be celebrating the glorious victory of Raith Rovers in the Challenge cup.

Results from a survey of Burntisland residents that I conducted suggest that 87% of people experience difficulties using Burntisland station, due to the lack of step-free access. For railway users across my constituency, including those in Cowdenbeath and Kinghorn, who face similar barriers, that is unacceptable. It makes life harder for those with mobility issues, luggage, buggies and bikes. Does the Leader of the House agree that Network Rail should prioritise accessibility upgrades at those stations, and will he make time for a debate on railway accessibility?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government are absolutely committed to improving the accessibility of the railway, including through the Access for All programme, and I am sure that Network Rail will have heard my hon. Friend’s comments. The Railways Bill makes it a legal requirement that the interests of passengers, including those with accessibility needs, are at the heart of decision making on the railway. I am sure that my hon. Friend will want to make her voice heard during proceedings on that Bill.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Melanie Ward

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will absolutely join the hon. Lady in praising Mr John Mildmay-White on his achievement and considerable initiative. It just goes to show what remarkable people we have in our constituencies.

[Melanie Ward (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy) (Lab)]

Under the SNP Scottish Government, police numbers in Fife have fallen by an average of one a month. Results from my new antisocial behaviour survey show that four in 10 Cowdenbeath residents are afraid to go out after dark, and more than half witness antisocial behaviour every single week. This is unacceptable. Does the Leader of the House agree that Cowdenbeath has been badly let down by the SNP, and that we need change, and will he grant Government time for a debate on antisocial behaviour?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I absolutely join my hon. Friend in her analysis of the situation. This Government are committed to making our streets safer by delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing roles and introducing new respect orders to deter and drive down antisocial behaviour. As for what happens north of the border, I would remind the House that we have delivered Scotland’s largest settlement since devolution. I hope that the SNP has heard my hon. Friend’s contribution and will take action. I encourage her to apply for a Westminster Hall debate on these matters, so that she can set out the failure of the SNP Government in this regard in even more detail.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Melanie Ward

Thursday 29th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Yes, I will.

[Melanie Ward (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy) (Lab)]

After beaches in Burntisland and Kinghorn recently had their water quality downgraded, many of my constituents will be angry that Scottish Government-owned Scottish Water are hiking bills by almost 10%. Both beaches were closed for periods last summer due to pollution, and people became sick from exposure to it. That is particularly galling after the chief executive of Scottish Water was handed a £50,000 pay increase. Does the Leader of the House agree that it is long past time for the SNP Scottish Government to get a grip and to clean up our coasts? Will he make time for a debate on water quality?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Yes, I agree that it is time, and I encourage my hon. Friend to apply for an Adjournment debate so that she can raise these matters directly with the Minister.

Business of the House

Debate between Alan Campbell and Melanie Ward

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Notwithstanding the comments I made to the right hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Wendy Morton) about the importance of housing, I understand from a constituency perspective, but also from the experience of colleagues across the House, that there is concern, particularly in rural areas that are seeing their communities transformed—albeit in a necessary way, in many cases. I think the hon. Gentleman would be able to make an excellent case for a Backbench Business debate, so that he can expand on the views he has expressed today.

[Melanie Ward (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy) (Lab)]

As I have said before, the fact that the railway stations at Burntisland, Cowdenbeath and Kinghorn are not fully accessible causes many of my constituents a great deal of trouble. In June, Network Rail told me that it would have the first stage of a feasibility study into how to make Burntisland station accessible complete by the end of the summer. Despite repeated requests, it still has not given me a date by which that will happen. Does the Leader of the House agree that Network Rail needs to make this a priority, and will he make time for a debate on accessible transport?