"There has been quite a lot of chat about future generations throughout this Budget debate. I feel like I have aged a lot over the last four months in this place, but I want to speak today on behalf of a younger generation and, more importantly, the young people who …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
"Scotland is on the frontline of defending the High North, yet despite the very real threats we face, the UK Government spend seven times more on defence in south-east England than in the whole of Scotland combined. Given the very real threats that we face, and given that our coastland …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
"It is always very obvious when a Labour Government are in place, because the first thing a Labour Prime Minister will do is take a swing at pensioners—so it is not at all surprising that the Prime Minister is already abandoning his promises to WASPI women. How can pensioners, WASPI …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
"We cannot have this debate without making it explicitly clear that the situation in Scotland is different. Many Members have noted the disagreements in their constituencies, but England and Wales voted to leave while Scotland voted to remain by more than 60%. Given the consequences of what has happened since, …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
Yet although the decision made in Westminster and by Westminster in 2016 is apparently now up for relitigation —in what form seems as yet unclear—Scotland has been told that that same democratic privilege does not apply to us. But we …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
Now the Prime Minister has acknowledged that economic and social situations have changed. So many of the promises made ahead of the Brexit referendum turned out to be false, aimed at pursuing the agenda of those who did not truly have the interests of the people …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
"I want to start by congratulating the latest iteration of the Labour Government for finally growing a backbone and doing what anybody with a moral conscience would and should have done years ago. While I genuinely welcome the statement and the sanctions that were announced last week—I really do—it is …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
"Monifieth in my constituency is home to over 9,000 people and is the central connection point for a vast rural community across Angus. Despite an application in 2023, a banking hub was denied because the regulations are not fit for rural communities. Will the Minister commit to meet me to …..." Lara Bird - View Speech
"Scotland is not a region, and nor should it be treated as one. Those in Scotland are hurt and frustrated at the way the Prime Minister has conducted the conversation around devolution and so arrogantly dismissed the pro-independence mandate that the Scottish people gave. Why does the Prime Minister think …..." Lara Bird - View Speech