Cancer (Reporting and Strategy) Bill

Lee Pitcher Excerpts

Friday 13th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

Head and heart—that is what it is all about. My head says I should not be saying what I am going to say in a second, but my heart tells me that I absolutely can. If I could swear in the Chamber today, I know what I would tell cancer to do. If I could signpost to cancer from the Chamber with my hands, I know what message I would like to send. However, I will say it in a way that works for this place.

Sometimes a guest will arrive uninvited. They will outstay their welcome and will not take the hint to leave. I say to that particular visitor, who turns up nowadays in almost one in two people’s lives: your departure is long overdue—we will find a way to kick you out, and I will make sure that the bloody locks are changed as well. In Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, we would say, “Cancer, you can do one.” Any legislation that will facilitate or enable an improvement in waiting times, late diagnosis and survival rates, and that will address the gaps between our least and most deprived communities, has to be taken seriously, and I thank the hon. Member for Wokingham (Clive Jones) for championing the Bill.

When this private Member’s Bill, which includes screening, research and preventive measures to improve survival rates, was listed for today, that was a call for me to be here on a Friday, when I would normally be at home in my constituency. Today is especially important to me, because although this Bill focuses on governance, statistics and annual reporting, I want to speak about Peter Robinson—a person, not a number.

Peter, my best friend of 20 years, who I said goodbye to for the final time the week before last following his lengthy battle with bladder cancer, was a fiercely independent hero of mine with a thirst for life and a love of his family, especially his son Noah—and a weird love for S Club 7. If he was here now, he would talk to you, just as we did nearly every day over the last number of months. He would talk about regular surveillance and follow-ups, about the importance of symptoms and side-effect management, and about specialist nursing support for that particular cancer. He would talk about stoma care, lifestyle guidance around diet, help at home and work adjustments.

I note that today’s Bill contains measures on accountability, but I have also looked at the Government’s work on cancer. I have reviewed the national cancer plan, which includes a structured governance reporting and clinical data framework to monitor the various measures that we are trying to introduce. Moreover, it also covers all the things that I discussed with Peter on a regular basis: treatment and clinical care, skills and training, and personalised bespoke cancer plans. I will push to make sure that the national cancer plan is implemented in full. I will take on board all the things around accountability that are mentioned in the plan as we go forward, but the national cancer plan goes further than just governance. I need to make sure that what we do works for everybody, so that every single person who hears that horrible, horrible message—it happens once every 85 seconds in England—will go on to make many more cherished memories.

I say to Peter, my best Wakefield Trinity and Marvel-loving mate: I miss you, but every day I will fight in your memory to ensure that this Government do all that they must for everyone out there who has lost a Peter. I know that you will be with me all the way. Together, mate, we will reach for the stars.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Mr Pitcher, you have done a great service to your friend Peter.