Labour Together and APCO Worldwide: Cabinet Office Review

Debate between Brian Leishman and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 23rd February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Lab)]

When the Prime Minister came to power, promising to clean up politics, he declared:

“Journalism is the lifeblood of democracy.”

We all know that Labour Together helped to mastermind the Prime Minister’s rise to the highest office in the land, and that it stands accused of running an orchestrated campaign to smear and discredit journalists. I think the Prime Minister should be here in this House answering questions, but my prediction is that that day will come. In the meantime, does the Minister agree with me and an ex-founder of Labour Together that this is some “dark shit”?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Mr Leishman, you will withdraw that, won’t you?

[Brian Leishman]

I withdraw.

[Mr Speaker]

Stand up. I think I want a bit better—a bit more respect, please.

[Brian Leishman]

Please accept my apology, Mr Speaker. I withdraw the bad language.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brian Leishman and Lindsay Hoyle

Monday 3rd November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Ind)]

Two giants of the Labour and anti-nuclear arms movement would have been 100 this year: Tony Benn and Mick McGahey. I never had the pleasure of meeting either, but I think they would have recognised that an industrial strategy based on militarism is flawed. The defence sector is less than 1% of the UK workforce, so militarism is not a UK-wide industry and it serves war, not peace. What happened to choosing welfare over warfare, and to choosing jobs in sectors that will promote real economic growth and actual social benefit?

[Mr Speaker]

When I bring you in on a topical, it is meant to be short and punchy, not a “War and Peace” question!

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brian Leishman and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 1st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

This is topicals; we have got to get going. Brian Leishman will set a good example.

[Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Lab)]

T4. I want to ask about the £200 million national wealth fund commitment for Project Willow. How will it be accessed? What is the minimum and maximum amount that can be accessed by an applicant? If it is exclusively for businesses, will it be based on being positioned within the existing footprint of the Grangemouth site that is owned or operated by Petroineos or INEOS?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brian Leishman and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Can Members who are just roaming around the Chamber remember that there are other people here and have a little more courtesy?

[Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) (Lab)]

If the Grangemouth refinery closes in 2025 and the recommendations of Project Willow will not be ready for years to come, thousands of jobs will be lost—the very definition of an unjust transition. How can the Government possibly claim to have a credible industrial strategy for Scotland if they allow that to happen?