Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Leigh Ingham and Keir Starmer

Wednesday 26th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The right hon. Gentleman is right to highlight this very serious case: a long sentence for pro-Russian bribery in the Reform party—at the highest level. You would think a leader of a political party would want to get to the bottom of that and ask the question, “How on earth did that happen in the Reform party, and what other links are there between Reform and Russia?” But no, the leader of Reform does not want to do it. We know he does not want to know the answer to the question, because Reform is riddled with pro-Putin propaganda.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

Q9. After eight years of traffic chaos and increasingly creative traffic diversions, residents of Parkside and Marston Grange in my constituency are beginning to wonder whether the A513 at Beaconside is a permanent monument to the traffic cone. In the time that Staffordshire county council and Taylor Wimpey have taken to complete one stretch of road, we have had six Prime Ministers—not to mention Notre Dame having burned down and been rebuilt using medieval building techniques. What can be done to hold developers and local authorities properly to account so that essential infrastructure is delivered on time, with minimum disruption?

[The Prime Minister]

It is staggering that an important upgrade for drivers to improve their journeys has been delayed for eight long years, and I understand that the scheme is currently being held up by the Reform-led council—quelle surprise! Reform is proving as hopeless in local government as everybody anticipated. We have invested £24 billion in our roads, and I call on Staffordshire county council to end the delay, get on with the job and get this scheme started for my hon. Friend’s constituents.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Leigh Ingham and Keir Starmer

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

We have put more money into colleges and, as the hon. Lady knows, it is for them to deal with these disputes.

[Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)]

Q13. From Stafford to Eccleshall and Loggerheads, my constituents are sick and tired of having their properties and businesses devastated by flooding. The last Conservative Government did not invest enough in flood prevention measures to stop this happening. Can the Prime Minister assure me and my constituents that he will prioritise flood prevention investment before the homes and businesses on Sandon Road in Stafford disappear completely into Sandyford brook?

[The Prime Minister]

My sympathies go to my hon. Friend’s constituents; far too many are experiencing terrible flooding. I visited Stafford last year, and they talked me through the misery of their experience. We inherited flood defences in their worst condition on record. We are now investing £2.4 million in flood defences to better protect communities, and we have committed £60 million to support farmers impacted by extreme weather.