"My Lords, I thank the Minister for identifying my involvement in the passage of the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023, but may I say that it was passed with all-party support throughout this House and the other Chamber? That was very important. In relation to family voting, it should be recognised …..." Lord Hayward - View Speech
"My Lords, I have had reason to visit St Thomas’ Hospital on a number of occasions recently to visit the noble Baroness, Lady Fookes, and I assure the Chamber that she is progressing well and thanks everybody for their messages of support, which have come from all sides. Just across …..." Lord Hayward - View Speech
"My Lords, I have enormous respect for the Minister and what he has been doing on this scheme, but there is a sense among the former service men and women that the rules are being applied far too narrowly, with no flexibility whatever. That was not the intention of the …..." Lord Hayward - View Speech
"My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Sikka, on obtaining this debate, although I am going to follow a substantially different tack. I should add that my first declaration in the register of interests in the House of Lords was a ticket to the rugby World Cup final in …..." Lord Hayward - View Speech
"My Lords, may I raise a specific point in relation to Tower Hamlets, where the Metropolitan Police has provided cover at every polling station, at every election, since 2014? The returning officer in Tower Hamlets cannot get that guarantee that every polling station will be covered by police for the …..." Lord Hayward - View Speech
"My Lords, I apologise for not participating at Second Reading and speaking on this occasion, but the circumstances between Second Reading and now have changed very substantially. I intend to concentrate on the amendments relating to delayed elections.
"Between 8 and 18 December, was there no consideration whatever of the possibility of delaying the elections? If that is the case, what changed between 8 and 18 December that resulted in the letters going to the 63 councils?..." Lord Hayward - View Speech
"Can the Minister indicate what proportion of fines are collected across society in general? The questions are related specifically to the water industry, and I understand why, but is it not the case that a very high proportion of fines across the whole of society are completely unpaid?..." Lord Hayward - View Speech
"My Lords, in the spirit of the offer of the noble Lord, Lord Kennedy, when this Bill is enacted will the noble Lord buy everybody present a round?..." Lord Hayward - View Speech