Business of the House
Samantha Dixon Excerpts(2 weeks ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
On the matter of the extra Labour Backbench Business Committee member, it is good that the hon. Gentleman has nudged me. I recommit to doing something about it. He will understand that we have just had a major reshuffle, so we are trying to fill a number of vacancies. We are making progress on that, but it is no excuse for not having the extra person on his Committee; it is just an explanation of where we were. I give him my word that I will go away and have a look at that.
I should have started by saying thank you to the hon. Gentleman and the Committee for their work. I will confirm the future business as soon as possible—I try to give as much forward notice as possible. I particularly note the possible debate on the battle of the Somme, which I understand is timely for many Members. My relative, Sergeant Matthew Brown of the Durham Light Infantry, fought and died in the battle of the Somme—oddly enough almost to the day on which the debate might well be scheduled. I am sure other Members from across the House will want to have an opportunity to reflect on that battle.
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise the situation in Nepal. We announced £5 million in humanitarian assistance to support immediate relief efforts, including helping those affected by the devastating floods. We are considering how our expertise in these matters can support Nepal’s longer-term recovery, reconstruction and resilience. I join him, and I am sure other Members, in congratulating the fantastic efforts of Benji and Nic. We thank them for their fundraising for that very good cause.
Samantha Dixon (Chester North and Neston) (Lab)
On Tuesday, I was pleased to join more than 150 people to celebrate the Chester One City plan, an ongoing project that has underpinned Chester’s redevelopment since 2012. In this Chamber, we often focus on the decline of our town centres and high streets, while exemplary work by local champions, such as Councillor Richard Beacham and officers at Cheshire West and Chester council, remains unnoticed. Will the Leader of the House advise how we can showcase excellence, like the Chester One City plan, in this place?
Sir Alan Campbell
I join my hon. Friend in commending the Chester One City plan and the work of all the councillors involved. Characteristically, she hides her light under a bushel, because she was a very distinguished leader of that local authority. I am sure that a lot of the work that she is now seeing may well have started under her fantastic leadership. If she wants to highlight this issue and to reflect on the importance of local councillors working for their communities, I would encourage her to apply for a Westminster Hall debate, because I am sure other hon. Members will want to reflect on similar issues and councillors in their own areas.
Business of the House
Samantha Dixon Excerpts(2 months ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I will indeed, because it is important that we recognise that not all of the country is covered by devolution in the way that the Prime Minister has set out. It is important that no area is left behind, and I will seek to arrange that meeting.
Samantha Dixon (Chester North and Neston) (Lab)
I am beyond pleased that Chester North and Neston will be hosting this year’s world town crier tournament at the end of this month. I am sure that with the talent, showmanship and sheer vocal power of this year’s contestants, who hail from 15 UK towns and eight nations, audiences will be able to hear their cries of “Oyez!” from our city’s Roman walls and beyond. Will the Leader of the House join me in raising his voice to wish all 25 contestants the best of luck?
Privilege: Conduct of Right Hon. Boris Johnson
Samantha Dixon Excerpts(3 years, 4 months ago)
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Samantha Dixon (City of Chester) (Lab)
Every time another news story breaks about the conduct of the former Prime Minister during the pandemic, I am reminded of the quote attributed to Sir Douglas Bader:
“Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools.”
I have never agreed with that sentiment and I certainly do not now, because while our constituents followed the rules, frontline workers risked their lives and people lost their lives to the deadly virus, the former Prime Minister misled this House and our constituents and took us all for fools.
I echo the thanks expressed by hon. Members across the House to the members of the Committee, who have worked diligently to bring us this report, often under the most difficult circumstances. The report could not be clearer. People feel angry, betrayed and let down. I could stand here all day and talk about the anger and injustice felt by so many people.
Last week, I met the landlord of a pub in the heart of my constituency. Like so many other businesses in Chester, he closed up shop as soon as the former Prime Minister instructed him to do so. He observed all the lockdown rules and guidance, and, like thousands of other small businesses, the price paid was a heavy one. Some are still feeling the impact to this day.
Chester Zoo fought tooth and nail to keep going and caring for the thousands of animals and plants, with the mission of preventing extinction, with no money coming in. Workers at the zoo thought No. 10 was working hard to help them; they are now disappointed and saddened at what the Committee has discovered was actually going on.
Finally, two of my constituents, whom I met at the service of remembrance at the covid memorial wall, just across Westminster bridge, stood in tears remembering their late parents, who died within 24 hours of each other during the pandemic. They pointed at the Houses of Parliament and said, “We will never forget and we will never forgive.”
As the report spells out, if the Prime Minister cannot be trusted to tell the truth, then Parliament cannot do what it should do. The public’s confidence in democracy has been undermined and the public want him to be held accountable for undermining our democracy. On behalf of my constituents and everyone who did follow the rules, I will be voting for the motion. The Government, including our current Prime Minister, should follow precedent, approve the report and endorse the sanctions in full.