Jobs and Business

Debate between Chuka Umunna and Lord Beamish

Friday 10th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Kevan Jones]

Do we not also need a bit of consistency from the Conservative part of the coalition, which not only supported that Bill but in some cases, as with the Chancellor, wanted to go further with deregulation of the banking system?

[Mr Umunna]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I was just about to come on to that. The Business Secretary, soon after making that statement in favour of our regulatory framework, said:

“Like the Conservative Opposition, we shall approach the issues constructively. There is no reason to hold back the Bill.”—[Official Report, 28 June 1999; Vol. 334, c. 58.]

My hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr Jones) is absolutely right: neither the Conservative party nor the Liberal Democrats voted against that Bill in opposition, and yet we have had no expression of regret from them for supporting the regulatory framework that we put in place. It is about time that we heard some mea culpa from Government Members.

Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [Lords]

Debate between Chuka Umunna and Lord Beamish

Monday 30th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Umunna]

I could not agree more. That is precisely why we have tabled an amendment to ensure that working times on Sundays will be capped.

[Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab)]

In 2004, I promoted the Christmas Day (Trading) Bill, which became an Act later that year. One of the main supporters of the Bill were the Christian Churches in this country. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is a little ironic for the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues to introduce this Bill given that they talk about the importance of Christianity to the nation?

[Mr Umunna]

May I say how good it is to see my hon. Friend back in the House? He makes a very good point about the Churches.