Business of the House

Nickie Aiken Excerpts

Thursday 6th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

I can give an answer very directly: Her Majesty’s Government have no intention of riding roughshod over the devolved settlement.

[Nickie Aiken (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con)]

When I met the National Deaf Children’s Society recently, it outlined the challenges that many deaf children have had to deal with during the pandemic. It is those children, as well as Rose Ayling-Ellis, who won “Strictly Come Dancing” last month, who have inspired me to learn British Sign Language as my new year’s resolution. Would the Leader of the House like to join me, and if not—because time probably does not allow—what is his new year’s resolution?

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

I am afraid I have never been very good at learning languages—even English I only just about manage to get by with. [Interruption.] No, I am afraid my Latin is absolutely hopeless. I therefore think that my new year’s resolution, in support of my hon. Friend, should be to campaign more in Westminster for the local elections that are coming up in May, because the council that she used to lead with such distinction is one of the great Conservative councils in the country. It keeps the council tax down; it keeps good services running; it is a model of its kind. We even managed to hold it in 1990, and I can assure her that I have forgiven the council for the 20 mph speed limits.