Public Bodies Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2)

Stephen Phillips Excerpts

Tuesday 25th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Charlie Elphicke]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that helpful intervention. As so often happens, he sparkles in the Chamber and puts across his fabulous point of view in trying to give me problems with my own party. Had there been time, I would have explained to him that, just as Rome was not built in a day, so the port of Dover was not sold—[Hon. Members: “Sold?”] I mean that it was not saved in a day. Work in progress takes a long time, and it is not always easy to get straight into the harbour to safeguard oneself from the storm. I am confident, however, that the ship is heading in the right direction—

[Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

The ship of state.

[Charlie Elphicke]

Indeed, the ship of state is moving in the right direction, and I am confident that a safe harbour and place of safety will be found, and that the people of Dover will find great contentment with the end result. I am grateful to have had the time to make those few points, and to make the case for my constituency.