Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Heather Wheeler and Oliver Dowden

Wednesday 17th May 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I will proudly defend our record in office: crime down 50%; near record levels of employment; and a record minimum wage. What is the Labour party’s record? Four general election defeats; 30 promises already broken; and one leader who let antisemitism run wild. That is why the British people will never trust the Labour party.

[Mrs Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con)]

Q3. Will my right hon. Friend please send his condolences to the family of Hilton ward Councillor Gillian Lemmon, who at the young age of 52 tragically died part way through the election count on Friday? That means that the whole election for all three councillors has had to be voided, even though the returning officer was ready to declare three Conservative councillors for the Hilton ward. Following that dreadful experience, will my right hon. Friend confirm that the best way to thank Councillor Gillian Lemmon for her service is for the good people of Hilton ward in South Derbyshire to vote again three times for the three Conservative candidates on Thursday 15 June?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

May I extend my deepest sympathies on behalf of the Government Benches and the Conservative party to Councillor Gillian Lemmon’s family? We all know how incredibly hard local councillors work and she was a strong representative of South Derbyshire. Like my hon. Friend, I hope that the people of Hilton ward will reflect on this by voting for Conservative candidates at the forthcoming election.