Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill: Section 35 Power

Karl McCartney Excerpts

Tuesday 17th January 2023 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Flynn]

You will be unsurprised to know, Mr Speaker, that I very much agree in that regard.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

[Stephen Flynn]

No.

Let me return to the points I was making about democracy, on the right to strike, EU legislation, Brexit, but also, importantly, on Scotland’s right to choose. As we found towards the end of last year—if the Father of the House wishes to awaken from his slumber—[Interruption.] No, Mr Speaker, he does not appear to awaken from his slumber. It is very distracting to see that in front of you in a democratically elected Parliament.

If we are to reflect on democracy, last year Scotland was denied its right to choose by this UK Government. The Supreme Court was clear that we do not have power under the constitutional settlement to have a second independence referendum, irrespective of the views of the people of Scotland. Yet the only answer that the UK Government can give to any question in relation to that is, “No. You cannot have your say.” No matter which way we turn or what the issue of the day is, this UK Government are not interested in Scotland’s democracy. Let us look in closer detail at the Conservative party position on that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Karl McCartney Excerpts

Wednesday 9th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There is now far too much noise. I am sure the House will want to hear Mr Karl MᶜCartney.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

7. What assessment his Department has made of the effect of policies announced in the autumn statement 2012 on Scotland.

[Gemma Doyle (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab/Co-op)]

11. What assessment he has made of the effect on Scotland of the autumn statement 2012 .

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

Against a difficult economic backdrop, the autumn statement set out a range of measures to protect Scotland’s economy, to help equip Scottish businesses to compete in the global race and deliver growth, and to ensure that businesses and households in Scotland are treated fairly.

[Karl MᶜCartney]

Would my right hon. Friend confirm that one disastrous consequence of any hypothetical independent Scotland would be a disjointed transport system? Although my Lincoln constituency might benefit from more capacity on the east coast line, does the Minister agree that many people in Scotland would not be happy to see direct rail services on the line from London to Edinburgh and beyond curtailed in any way?

[Michael Moore]

My hon. Friend makes an important point about the importance of keeping Scotland within the United Kingdom, to the benefit not just of Scotland but of the whole United Kingdom.

--- Later in debate ---

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 9 January.

[The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron)]

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this House I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Karl MᶜCartney]

May I wish you, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister and the rest of the House a prosperous, positive and happy new year?

Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that if public servants are having a 1% pay rise, it is only fair for those on benefits to be given the same increase?

Oral Answers to Questions

Karl McCartney Excerpts

Wednesday 18th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The right hon. Gentleman will not take any lectures on the fuel strike because he is in the pockets of the people who called the fuel strike. That’s right. They vote for his policies, they sponsor his Members of Parliament, they got him elected. Absolutely irresponsible—that is what we have heard once again from the right hon. Gentleman. Not good enough to run the Opposition, not good enough to run the country.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

Has my right hon. Friend noted that Standard & Poor’s, the rating agency that downgraded both the US and France, affirmed a stable outlook on the UK’s triple A rating on Friday and said:

“We could lower the ratings if we came to the conclusion that the pace and extent of fiscal consolidation was slowing beyond what we currently expect”—

in other words, if the discredited policies of the Opposition were adopted?

[Mr Speaker]

That was far too long. I call the Prime Minister.

Oral Answers to Questions

Karl McCartney Excerpts

Wednesday 4th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

11. What progress he has made on measures to prevent the coincidence of elections to the House of Commons and to the Scottish Parliament in May 2015.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)]

Government amendments to the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill deferring the 2015 Scottish Parliament elections until 5 May 2016 were agreed by the other place on 29 March.

[Karl MᶜCartney]

In addition to outlining those measures, will my right hon. Friend update the House on progress towards the establishment of the commission to examine the West Lothian question, on its membership and on when we might expect to see its conclusions and recommendations?

[David Mundell]

As my hon. Friend knows, the coalition’s programme for government promised to establish a commission to consider the West Lothian question. A commission will be established this year to consider it, and the Government are committed to addressing the issue. We are continuing to give careful consideration to the timing, composition, scope and remit of the commission. It will need to take into account our proposals for reform of the House of Lords to create a wholly or mainly elected second Chamber, the changes in how this House does its business, and amendments to the devolution regimes such as those in the Scotland Bill, which is now before the House.