Commons
Debate
9 July 2026
Israeli Settlements: Trade Ban
As well as the ban on trade with settlements that we are debating, does my hon. Friend agree that the Government now need to spell out exactly how they will seek to dissuade those who might engage in the E1 project, which would be so damaging to the prospects of a two-state solution?
Commons
Proceedings
25 June 2026
Sudan
The Minister is a good man, and I know that he cares deeply about this subject, but the time for calling on the belligerents and their backers to desist, for urging them to stop, or for raising matters with them, has ended. We did all of those things before El Fasher, and up to 60,000 people were sl…
Commons
Westminster Hall
23 June 2026
2 contributions
Environmental Sustainability: UK-Indonesia Collaboration
My hon. Friend will recognise that where there is such degradation, huge amounts of biodiversity are lost. Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and I am grateful to the Indonesian Government for the work that they have been focused on in this regard.
My hon. Friend will a…
My hon. Friend is making another important speech after that of my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy). Does he agree that it is concerning to hear from reports of eyewitnesses that around 40 indigenous people have been killed over the last couple of months, and that drones and …
Commons
Oral Questions
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
16 June 2026
Topical Questions
I recently visited Chad with the all-party group for Sudan and South Sudan, and in that connection we will shortly be registering an interest. Like the Foreign Secretary, I was moved by Chad’s willingness to accept 1.3 million refugees, but disturbed by the horrific scale of the crisis. Will the Pri…
Commons
Oral Questions
Housing, Communities and Local Government
15 June 2026
2 contributions
Building Safety Regulator: Critical Infrastructure
8. What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken by the Building Safety Regulator on critical infrastructure.
I am very grateful to the Minister’s Department for its work with me on unblocking a major housing scheme in my constituency. The Minister rightly mentions challenges with the BSR and major health facilities. I am pleased to hear what she says, but will she work as closely as possible with the Depar…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 June 2026
Russian Shadow Fleet
I commend our brave forces for their skilful action and welcome my right hon. Friend to his place. He spoke passionately about defending British values, but at the same time as our own brave forces were planning their decisive action against the Russian shadow fleet, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon was praisi…
Commons
Oral Questions
Science, Innovation and Technology
20 May 2026
Artificial Intelligence
The AI Security Institute’s pre-release analysis of AI models did not prevent Grok’s production of over 3 million sexualised images. Even Steve Bannon, of all people, is now calling for mandatory pre-release vetting of AI models, so has the time come for the UK to review our voluntary approach?
Commons
Westminster Hall
28 April 2026
Fire and Rescue Services: Funding
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is very important that any reorganisation of services involve the engagement of firefighters, because they know the service and its needs best? Does he share my relief that Oxfordshire county council has backed away from what would have been a botched reorganisa…
Commons
Oral Questions
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
21 April 2026
Topical Questions
On Sudan and the failing international response, will the Foreign Secretary consider further economic measures and sanctions, including against the nationals of the countries that support the belligerents? Will she encourage the Prime Minister to prioritise Sudan in his international engagements so …
Commons
Proceedings
20 April 2026
6 contributions
Community-owned Assets: Government Support
I rise to highlight the case of the Ultimate Picture Palace in my constituency, which shows the need for Government support for community assets.
The Ultimate Picture Palace is the only remaining independent cinema in Oxford. Founded in 1911, it shows an eclectic mix of independent, international a…
I absolutely agree with the hon. Member that community-owned assets are often targeted at those inequalities, because communities understand where the challenges are on their streets, in their backyard or, if we are talking about rural areas, down their lane. They really understand where the need is…
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Proceedings
25 March 2026
Foreign Financial Influence and Interference: UK Politics
I strongly welcome the report and the Government’s speedy and decisive response to it. Evidence from Germany and from Moldova shows how online attempts at foreign interference can combine with real-life attempts at foreign interference in the run-up to elections. First, was I right in hearing that t…
Commons
Proceedings
24 March 2026
4 contributions
Oil and Gas
I will start by thanking the North sea oil workers now and in the past. I recently read the book “Black Eden” by Richard T. Kelly—perhaps others have read it, too. On just about every single page, I was reminded of people I know, or people I knew in my childhood in Aberdeenshire—the incredible innov…
Well, I can answer that very quickly, because many of them are in my family and among my friends. The shadow Secretary of State said before that she had visited Aberdeen. I found it extraordinary that when the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Pippa Heylings), …
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 March 2026
Royal Mail: Performance
Unfortunately, in Oxford East, we have had a series of problems with the reliability of Royal Mail deliveries. Initially, there was an unwillingness to acknowledge those problems. I undertook one visit to a sorting office that had apparently been cleaned up in advance of my visit, with all the mail …
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 March 2026
2 contributions
Technology Sovereignty
My hon. Friend is making an important point. When it comes to AI, an enormous amount of investment is needed. There are many discussions at the moment about the impact of that huge investment in AI. It is very difficult for a smaller country such as the UK to compete in that regard. Does she agree t…
In one sentence, will the Minister say something about another geographical issue: collaboration with like-minded countries, especially in the EU?
Commons
Westminster Hall
25 February 2026
UK-German Relations
It is such a pleasure to speak in this debate with you in the Chair, Mr Twigg. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Sir Mark Hendrick) for securing this debate and to others who have supported it. As he says, it is taking place during a very important week: of the ratification in …
Commons
Westminster Hall
9 February 2026
2 contributions
Russian Influence on UK Politics and Democracy
It is a real pleasure to speak in this debate with you in the Chair, Mr Pritchard. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for South Norfolk (Ben Goldsborough) for so ably setting out the petitioners’ cause. I am above all grateful to the petitioners themselves for bringing to this House such a c…
The hon. Member makes an important point. My understanding is that the Government are alive to the threat to undersea cables and have been seeking to work with industry and, more broadly, with other countries that have experienced interference to try to ensure that we are properly protected, althoug…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
5 February 2026
Sudan
I am grateful to the Foreign Secretary for her impactful visit and for the sanctions that she has announced today. Earlier this week, the all-party parliamentary group for Sudan and South Sudan met the Somoud civilian coalition. It stressed, as she has done today, that it is often civilians who are …
Commons
Oral Questions
Justice
3 February 2026
2 contributions
Magistrate Recruitment
2. What steps his Department is taking to recruit magistrates.
After many years of Oxford magistrates court being in a terrible state, I am relieved that the leaks and other faults are finally being repaired. It is obviously harder to recruit and retain magistrates if they are serving in unacceptable conditions, so I am grateful that this is being sorted out, a…
Commons
Westminster Hall
2 February 2026
Indefinite Leave to Remain
Can the Minister clarify a previous point on which there was perhaps some confusion? It is most definitely not the case that all migrants go into social housing; in fact, it is pretty much the opposite a lot of the time, and none of those who have contacted me about this issue are living in social h…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
22 January 2026
Business of the House
Replacing Oxford’s Kennington bridge would secure critical transport links and unblock the Oxford flood alleviation scheme. Having OFAS named in the Government’s infrastructure strategy would protect jobs, homes and people. How can we ensure that Departments work with each other, including on the fo…
Commons
Oral Questions
20 January 2026
Topical Questions
Yesterday, the International Criminal Court’s deputy chief prosector said that atrocities in Sudan would be repeated from town to town unless impunity for belligerents ended. What measures have the UK Government been taking to make it clear to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North, as well as…
Commons
Proceedings
19 January 2026
Iran: Protests
Chillingly, the head of the Iranian judiciary has publicly called for the acceleration of executions of protesters. The killing in Iran is not stopping. Last week, when the Foreign Secretary talked of further sanctions and sectoral measures, she linked those to the nuclear industry. Will the Ministe…
Commons
Westminster Hall
14 January 2026
UK-France Relations
My hon. Friend will be aware that both our nations are currently subject to disinformation online, and we also face the challenges of artificial intelligence, as well as its promise. Does he therefore agree that we need to continue the work from the Bletchley and Paris summits on AI, and to really i…
Commons
Debate
12 January 2026
Social Media: Non-consensual Sexual Deepfakes
I agree with the Secretary of State. The production of these disgusting images amounts not to freedom of speech but to freedom to abuse, harass and commit crime. Will she condemn what seems to be an organised campaign of intimidation against female staff at Ofcom? After all, they are just carrying o…
Commons
Debate
6 January 2026
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill
I wish you, Madam Deputy Speaker, all parliamentary staff and all Members in this Chamber a very happy new year.
It is a real pleasure to rise to speak in favour of this crucial Bill, which I am pleased to see having its Second Reading. It is also a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Exmouth an…