Business of the House

Johanna Baxter Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

This matter has been raised constantly in previous sessions, particularly more recently as what is happening in the other place has become clear. As I have said previously, nobody benefits from legislative deadlock. The other place has a duty and a responsibility to scrutinise legislation. It has the right to scrutinise legislation, clearly, but it has a duty and a responsibility, too. There are conventions about the way it does so, so I urge the other place to do everything it can to expedite these matters and respect the view—the clearly expressed view—of the elected Chamber.

[Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (Lab)]

A very merry Christmas to you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

My constituents would have been forgiven for thinking that Christmas had come early last weekend, because we were treated to not one, but two major sporting achievements. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating Stephen Robinson and everyone at St Mirren football club for their historic achievement in winning the Scottish Premier Sports cup, after their 3-1 victory over Celtic, the first club in the UK to win a major trophy under fan ownership; and Johnstone Burgh FC on its excellent 2-0 victory over Renfrew in the Scottish Communities cup?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating St Mirren football club and Johnstone Burgh FC on their achievements. I hesitate to go further, because what I am quickly learning in this job is to tread carefully where the often tribal matters of local football are concerned.