All 2 Debates between Chloe Smith and Paul Girvan

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chloe Smith and Paul Girvan
Wednesday 6th February 2019

(5 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chloe Smith Portrait Chloe Smith
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Yes, I do, which is why we support the private Member’s Bill promoted by my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire (Glyn Davies), which will redress that injustice and deliver votes for life.

Paul Girvan Portrait Paul Girvan  (South Antrim)  (DUP)
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T4. Northern Ireland has required voter ID for 13 years. Why is it necessary to run a pilot programme when we have already evaluated it and found that it works effectively and has not affected voter turnout?

Chloe Smith Portrait Chloe Smith
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I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s support on this matter. We should see such support throughout the House for a set of measures that are reasonable, proportionate and already used in countries around the world and in our own country, the United Kingdom, to help to protect voters and ensure that their vote is theirs alone.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chloe Smith and Paul Girvan
Wednesday 20th December 2017

(6 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Paul Girvan Portrait Paul Girvan (South Antrim) (DUP)
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Minister, in recent comments, the Irish Prime Minister, Mr Varadkar, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Coveney, have indicated that they will draw a border down the middle of the Irish sea. May I say that those sorts of comments do not give much confidence back to the people of Northern Ireland and the Unionist community that I represent, who want to be an integral part of the United Kingdom?

Chloe Smith Portrait Chloe Smith
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I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that we in this House want to see no new borders inside the United Kingdom. We think that the Union is a precious thing that must be preserved. I will also just note, as I did to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Tony Lloyd), that the relationship that we have with the Irish Government and that we want to continue to have with them should be one of close partners. We should work together to ensure the prosperity of the people in Northern Ireland, and I shall leave it to the Irish Government to continue to hold that strong relationship with us.