"My Lords, I completely agree that measuring the number of people who are applying to participate in politics is a vital mechanism to enable us to manage that process. Does the Minister have any thoughts on the emerging trends—including increased hostility online, for example —that might prevent women being involved …..." Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green - View Speech
"My Lords, I want to acknowledge and thank the Minister for the introduction of this amendment. It is a vast improvement on the amendment laid in the other place. We discussed it at Second Reading and in Committee, and it is great to see it on Report.
"My Lords, it is a source of pleasure and pride to follow the maiden speech of my noble friend Lady Neate and to welcome her to this House. We have truly just heard a speech of clarity, authority and lived experience, and many of us will feel that her presence …..." Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green - View Speech
"The Minister, the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, has said in answering the numerous questions on this topic that the code must be legally robust. In the absence of any significant leaks to the press over the last few weeks, can the Minister clarify what tests are being applied to reach …..." Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green - View Speech
"My Lords, on a number of occasions in this House the Government have outlined how they are carefully considering the draft code and following proper process. Can the Minister clarify how the Government understand the balance between the independence of the EHRC and the Minister’s statutory role in approving a …..." Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green - View Speech
"My Lords, I wish to speak briefly in opposition to this amendment, but I will resist the temptation to give a Second Reading speech. My understanding is that it would abolish the entire statutory framework relating to hate crime and hatred-based offending.
"I thank the noble Baroness for her intervention. It is a really important question, and I will try to remember to keep speaking in the third person, because I do want to just talk.
"My Lords, given that equality law operates across the United Kingdom, with devolved dimensions, can the Minister confirm whether the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have full access to His Majesty’s Government’s analysis of the draft code, so that their own Administrations can make informed and, crucially, …..." Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green - View Speech
"My Lords, I begin by congratulating the Minister on an exceptionally comprehensive introduction to what is, by any measure, a wide-ranging and ambitious Bill. In the time available, I will confine my remarks to three aspects of the Bill: the Government’s manifesto commitment to extend aggravated offences to all strands …..." Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green - View Speech