Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 24 Jul 2025 Tributes
"My Lords, I begin by placing on record our thanks to the doorkeepers. Their consistent and reliable presence is a key part of the daily functions of this House. Their professionalism and courtesy ensure that our proceedings are conducted in an orderly and dignified manner.
"My Lords, in the interests of her husband’s care, my noble friend Lady Walmsley has not been able to stay until this late hour; she sends her apologies to the House. I will speak on behalf of these Benches.
"My Lords, we have spent a lot of money on the entrance and another lot of money on the fencing, but we still have the bag searches being done inside that secure area, in a centre where a lot of people gather. When is somebody going to address the security …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech
"My Lords, my noble friend Lord Goddard is disappointed that he is unable to speak on this group this evening. Given the multiple groups of amendments concerning the fair work agency, we will restrict our comments to this group. The Department for Business and Trade has set out the rationale …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech
"My Lords, in my experience, it is not helpful to comment on the complexities of a dispute from a distance. However, I am sure everybody in this House supports the view that this dispute should be resolved soon in the interests of the residents of Birmingham and the reputation of …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech
"My Lords, my noble friend Lady Brinton should be speaking on this Statement on our behalf, but, unfortunately, she has been unwell and so cannot be with us.
From these Benches, I begin by paying tribute to the victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation—individuals who, for far too long, …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech
"My Lords, I am pleased to follow the noble Lord, Lord Kerr, but let me just point out to him that politicians do not want elections when they know they are going to lose, and they like elections when they know they are going to win. The fact behind this …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech
"My Lords, on these Benches we welcome the encouragement the Government are giving to improving apprenticeships, reforming jobcentres and investing in the health service to cut mental health and other health problems affecting labour activity rates. The long-term sickness at the end of this Parliament, projected to be 2.8 million, …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe, to his new Front-Bench role. The Post Office organisation is another problem area left by the previous Government. The Horizon compensation payments are still moving too slowly; there is confusion over the new IT systems in the Post Office; and the …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech
"My Lords, I join in congratulating the noble Lord, Lord Kennedy, on his appointment. I look forward to working with him on the Government Benches. I also pay tribute to the former Government Chief Whip, the noble Baroness, Lady Williams. Over the last couple of years, we have had a …..." Lord Stoneham of Droxford - View Speech