All 3 Debates between Michael Ellis and Ed Davey

Downing Street Parties: Police Investigation

Debate between Michael Ellis and Ed Davey
Tuesday 25th January 2022

(2 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Ellis Portrait Michael Ellis
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My hon. Friend makes a powerful point about the pressing international situation, particularly as regards Ukraine and Russia. I know that the Prime Minister is focused on that matter.

I also understand the anxiety and indignation of many who are frustrated by the reports that have been emanating over the course of many weeks about alleged gatherings in the Downing Street area. The reality of the matter is that the Prime Minister is focused, as he has been focused, on delivering for this country as he has succeeded in delivering vaccines and on the manifesto commitments. He will continue that laser focus.

Ed Davey Portrait Ed Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD)
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It is clear that the Government are now in total meltdown. We have story after story about covid laws being broken in No. 10, revelations about hon. Members having constituency funding threatened by Government Whips, and now a Prime Minister and his staff under police investigation. In the midst of a pandemic and a cost of living crisis and with Europe on the brink of war in Ukraine, we cannot go on with this chaotic Government. Does the Minister accept that the Prime Minister’s authority is in tatters? Will he advise his boss to do the right thing in the national interest and resign?

Michael Ellis Portrait Michael Ellis
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I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his advice on propriety, but he will forgive me if I decline to follow it.

Downing Street Garden Event

Debate between Michael Ellis and Ed Davey
Tuesday 11th January 2022

(2 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Michael Ellis Portrait Michael Ellis
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I thank my right hon. Friend for her question. In fact, she is agreeing with the Leader of the Opposition, I think, because it was he who said:

“Let’s let the inquiry play out, let’s see what the findings are”.

Her point is a good one: we should wait to see the results of the investigation, rather than prejudging it.

Ed Davey Portrait Ed Davey (Kingston and Surbiton) (LD)
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Will the Minister set out what he thinks should happen if a Conservative MP is found to have flouted and broken a covid law?

Michael Ellis Portrait Michael Ellis
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It is not for me to pass judgment or pass sentence. The natural order of justice, as I am sure the right hon. Gentleman knows, is that a fair and impartial investigation takes place before there is a judge, jury and executioner. That investigation needs to take its natural course in an orderly way, rather than guilt or innocence being judged beforehand.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Ellis and Ed Davey
Thursday 13th January 2011

(13 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Ellis Portrait Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con)
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16. What representations he has received on his Department’s policy on the future of the post office network; and if he will make a statement.

Ed Davey Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr Edward Davey)
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I have received representations on the Government’s policy on the future of the post office network from a range of interested organisations and individuals. We are providing £1.34 billion of funding to modernise the network and to safeguard its future.

Michael Ellis Portrait Michael Ellis
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I thank the Under-Secretary very much for that answer. Under the previous Labour regime, many post offices in Northampton North and throughout the country were forced to close. Will my hon. Friend assure me that the Government will do everything that they can to protect that vital local service and allow it to continue to provide the assistance that it obviously does to so many people?

Ed Davey Portrait Mr Davey
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I can certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance, not just because we are putting in £1.34 billion but because we are developing new services. I hope that I will be able to make more information on that available to the House in due course. In our policy paper last year, we talked about several pilots, which will go ahead.