Business of the House

Debate between Alex Mayer and Alan Campbell

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Railways Bill will come to this House shortly, and Great British Railways will come shortly, but the hon. Lady raises the frustration of a lot of people with the underperformance of parts of our railways. The reforms we intend to introduce are absolutely central to ensuring that there are real improvements. Again, I gently point her towards either a Backbench Business debate or an Adjournment debate, because I am sure that many colleagues would want to take part.

[Alex Mayer (Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard) (Lab)]

South Side Studios is a fantastic temporary custodian of the old Wilko shop on Leighton Buzzard high street. It has put on some brilliant events, such as salsa, more dancing, painting and Lego workshops—who does not like Lego? While it has had fantastic success in persuading commercial businesses to embrace meanwhile use, it has had rather less success with the local council, which has an old, disused care home that I am told costs £7,000 every week for security. Will the Leader of the House consider a debate on meanwhile use so that we can spread the news about the positive benefits it can bring?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Let me pay tribute to the interesting work that South Side Studios does. The Government remain committed to the rejuvenation of our high streets and to tackling vacancy, and we support innovative solutions to this issue, such as meanwhile use and rental auctions. It is a matter for local authorities to consider temporary planning permission, but I hope that my hon. Friend’s local authority has heard about this matter. Once again, she is right to raise these matters—she shows that on this issue, as on many others, she is on the side of her constituents.

Business of the House

Debate between Alex Mayer and Alan Campbell

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Yes, I am pleased to do both of those things.

[Alex Mayer (Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard) (Lab)]

A year ago, I delivered a petition to Downing Street calling for quieter fireworks, keeping the whoosh but getting rid of the bang. This year, fireworks night falls on a Wednesday. Will the Leader of the House consider having a debate on designating a specific weekend for bonfire night and fireworks, to reduce all the disruption to animals and people?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government are acutely aware of the concerns, particularly at this time of the year, not least around animal welfare. I encourage my hon. Friend to seek either an Adjournment debate or a Backbench Business debate, so that she can raise those concerns and we can ensure that legislation on fireworks is kept up to date.

Business of the House

Debate between Alex Mayer and Alan Campbell

Thursday 11th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Again, these are issues that affect constituents across the country. I am sure that if my hon. Friend sought a debate on these matters, either in Westminster Hall or a Backbench Business debate, he would find that it was well attended.

[Alex Mayer (Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard) (Lab)]

Sadly, last week in my constituency there was yet more flooding. This follows on from a very dry period and the hottest summer on record. Clearly, the weather is changing. Would the Leader of the House consider bringing forward a debate on building resilience to more extreme weather events, as he makes the political weather?