Syria

Debate between Gareth Johnson and John Bercow

Monday 16th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I gently say to the hon. Gentleman that that was, of itself, not disorderly—if it had been, I would have intervened straight away—but I want to say this to the House. “Erskine May” underscores the importance of moderation and good humour in the use of parliamentary language. Very politely, I say that it is all very well for Members to nod approvingly when someone says that we should respect each other’s motives—and to either imply or say, “Hear, hear”—only for someone effectively to attack someone else’s motives a few minutes later. I say to the hon. Gentleman that that is a technique to be used very sparingly, if at all. We are democrats in this place, and we attack each other’s political positions but we should not impugn each other’s integrity—

[Gareth Johnson]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

No, no! No response is required from the hon. Gentleman. I have said what the position is, and I suggest that we leave it there.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Johnson and John Bercow

Tuesday 10th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Progress, apart from anything else, has been glacial—far, far too slow—so we need to speed up.

[Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)]

2. What recent representations the Government have made to authorities in northern Cyprus on the killing of George Low in Ayia Napa in August 2016.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Johnson and John Bercow

Wednesday 7th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. If the House were as courteous to the Minister as the Minister is to the House, that would be a great advance for all of us.

[Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)]

T3. Our electoral system needs to be both user-friendly and watertight if it is to command the respect of the British public. The Minister previously alluded to the report produced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Sir Eric Pickles). Will the Minister commit today to implementing at least the broad thrust of the report, so that trust in our system can continue?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Johnson and John Bercow

Tuesday 17th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Simon Hughes)]

The coalition is committed to transforming rehabilitation in order to reduce reoffending and, consequently, to reduce the number of people who are victims of crime. Since 1 February under the new system, providers from the public, voluntary and private sectors have been providing the new transforming rehabilitation services. The crucial thing is that all those people who are currently sentenced to less than a year in prison will have support when they come out. They are the people who reoffend most and who cause the most victims. Payments to providers will be dependent on results.

[Mr Speaker]

I realise that the Minister is not a prisoner, but I am not sure that being forced to answer so many questions will aid his rehabilitation when he is obviously struggling with a very sore throat. That seems to be a considerable unkindness.

[Gareth Johnson]

I welcome the measures that the Ministry of Justice has taken to work with short-term prisoners. I think that this is the first time we have ever seen that happening, and it has become possible only because of the pioneering approach of the Ministry. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is vital to work with short-term prisoners, who often have more deeply rooted offending behaviour than many other types of offenders?

BBC

Debate between Gareth Johnson and John Bercow

Monday 12th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am keen to accommodate remaining colleagues as there is but a sprinkling of them.

[Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Mr Johnson, you can take your seat and be comfortable. Brevity would assist us in this process. You can rise again now.

[Gareth Johnson]

There is no doubt that “Newsnight” broadcast a car crash of a television programme or that changes are needed at the BBC, but does the Secretary of State agree that it would be a mistake to use the problems emanating from that “Newsnight” programme and the current difficulties at the BBC to rubbish everything it does and all it stands for?

House of Lords Reform Bill

Debate between Gareth Johnson and John Bercow

Tuesday 10th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Gareth Johnson]

My hon. Friend makes a valid point. Very few Members of this House think that the House of Lords is perfect in every way, but we do not want radical overhauls and an elected House of Lords, as suggested by this fundamentally flawed Bill.

Governments are currently created by single elections—general elections—and the reviewing Chamber acts as a check and balance without—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There are a lot of very noisy conversations taking place in the Chamber. These are serious matters, and I think we owe the hon. Gentleman whom I have called first the courtesy of a fair and decent hearing.

[Gareth Johnson]

The reviewing Chamber acts as a check and balance without the necessity of playing to the gallery. The contradictory nature of the two Houses of Parliament ensures that genuine revision of legislation takes place, and it is that essential difference between the two Houses that the Bill seeks to eradicate.

I oppose the principle of an elected second Chamber, but the details of the Bill are also wrong. Fifteen-year terms fly in the face of democracy. Even Robert Mugabe has not tried a term of office for that length of time. Fifteen years without any possibility of facing the electorate gives a mandate to that senator without any kind of accountability. The wealth of expertise that exists in the Lords will go, to be replaced by people who really wanted to be Members of this House.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Johnson and John Bercow

Tuesday 14th September 2010 Commons Chamber

[Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)]

Is my hon. Friend aware that Israel has recently altered its approach to the blockade of Gaza and ensured that there will be an increase of genuine aid—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry, but I am trying to be helpful to the hon. Gentleman. He was standing in relation to a question about Zimbabwe.

[Gareth Johnson]

I apologise, Sir.

[Mr Speaker]

It is okay, but another time. We are grateful to the hon. Gentleman.