Commons
Westminster Hall
10 December 2025
Kashmir: Self-determination
The situation is exactly the same in respect of journalists. Does the Minister agree that journalists must always be allowed access to every part of the world so they can truly document the position, whether in respect of alleged terrorist camps or otherwise?
Commons
Westminster Hall
8 December 2025
2 contributions
Digital ID
In respect of the figures, the last time this was tried it was said that it would cost the Government £5.4 billion. Then, when independent organisations came to look at the actual figures, some said that it would cost up to £19 billion. Does the hon. Member agree that inflation goes up, not down?
On the topic of migration, does the hon. Member agree that the Government’s claim that digital ID will curb immigration is made a farce by the Afghan data loss, a catastrophic failure of data security that ended up expanding resettlement on a large scale, which shows exactly why centralising identit…
Commons
Proceedings
2 December 2025
Budget Resolutions
I have heard from many constituents that things just do not change for them. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that for real change in constituencies like ours, we need a needs-based, targeted funding approach?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
2 December 2025
Criminal Court Reform
I refer to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests; I am a practising barrister and a law firm owner.
Our centuries-old right to jury trial is not an ornament of the past. It is the living guarantee of a fair trial. It is the safeguard that ensures that no citizen is judged except …
Commons
Proceedings
1 December 2025
2 contributions
Budget Resolutions
Over 45% of children in Blackburn live in relative poverty. I congratulate the hon. Member on taking a principled stance. He has been proven right, so I thank him on behalf of the children of Blackburn.
Does the hon. Member agree that, in working-class towns such as Blackburn, where years of under-investment have taken a real toll, only targeted, needs-based funding will bring down the cost of living and lift real economic growth?
Commons
Westminster Hall
24 November 2025
4 contributions
Gaza: Humanitarian Obligations
I reiterate the right hon. Gentleman’s words: we cannot speak of recovery without first seeking and speaking of justice and accountability. Does he agree that all alleged breaches of international law, including accusations of genocide, must be investigated; that those responsible must be held to ac…
I recognise what the hon. Member says about past actions, but blocking food is also a war crime—does he agree?
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
18 November 2025
Warm Homes Plan
Will the Minister give way?
Commons
Proceedings
18 November 2025
Points of Order
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. May I seek your guidance, please? This is the second occasion on which I have sought to contribute to discussion of this extremely important and urgent matter, and have not been called to speak. I fully appreciate the pressures of time and the number of Mem…
Commons
Debate
17 November 2025
2 contributions
Asylum Policy
Stripping people of the very few belongings that they have left after fleeing war and persecution runs contrary to the very principle of asylum, which is rooted in protection and compassion. How do such measures help address the real root causes of displacement and the refugee crisis, which are war,…
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. After my earlier intervention, the Home Secretary stated that she “should not be surprised to see the hon. Gentleman indulging in misinformation” in here. I take my responsibilities in this House extremely seriously. I am confident that every point I have r…
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 October 2025
Mandatory Digital ID
The Minister says that we are “custodians of democracy”. On the back of that, and in the light of his comments, I ask this: will the Government commit to a direct vote in the House, a free vote on the digital ID scheme before it is rolled out and becomes mandatory in any form? The public and their e…
Commons
Debate
20 October 2025
Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy
I welcome the statement. In Blackburn I have been working with our college and jobcentre to help young people access real opportunities, but in towns such as mine, which is among the most deprived in the country, it is not talent but investment that is lacking. What strategy will the Secretary of St…
Commons
Debate
20 October 2025
3 contributions
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC: Away Fans Ban
The Government, politicians from across the House and the media establishment have condemned the proposed ban of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans as antisemitic, yet this group has a record of violent behaviour and racist chants, including “Death to Arabs” and the mocking of the killing of Gazan children. Give…
indicated dissent.
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 October 2025
Middle East
Does the Prime Minister agree that real and lasting peace can only be achieved if there is accountability and justice? Overwhelming international consensus, both legal and scholarly, concludes that Israel’s actions in Gaza were genocidal. Does the Prime Minister agree that the perpetrators of genoci…
Commons
Debate
13 October 2025
Digital ID
Let us be absolutely clear: a national digital ID system creates infrastructure for surveillance and control, not freedom or efficiency, and in the hands of future Governments it could be weaponised against the most vulnerable communities. That is not a hypothetical threat. History shows us how iden…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
1 September 2025
Middle East
The Foreign Secretary asks what more this Government can do to ensure that the genocide in Gaza is ended. Might I suggest that the doctrine of responsibility to protect is enacted by the United Nations, and that any and all means possible are exhausted to demand an end to genocide? Intervene to defe…
Commons
Proceedings
9 July 2025
Trial by Jury: Proposed Restrictions
As a member of the Bar, I say this plainly: removing the right to jury trials is a reckless constitutional shortcut. As the Criminal Bar Association puts it, is not reform but retreat. Does the Minister agree that the right to choose between a jury and a judge-led trial must never be denied, and tha…
Commons
Debate
2 July 2025
Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism
This heavy-handed approach threatens basic freedoms and sets a dangerous precedent for all political dissent in the UK. Does the Minister acknowledge that?
Commons
Debate
1 July 2025
3 contributions
Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill
The hon. Member talks about the previous Government. Does she agree that politics is about choices? This Government too have chosen cruelty: they came for the elderly, then the children and now the sick and disabled. Who is next?
I want to share the words of young disabled children from my constituency. They said to me this weekend, “Don’t speak for us, speak with us.” That struck me, because so often in this place decisions are made about people without ever really listening to them. Does the hon. Member agree that if we ar…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
18 June 2025
Post-industrial Towns
As Chorley, Rossendale and Darwen have had a mention, I feel it is only right that the Member for Blackburn should speak. Does the hon. Member agree that we need to invest in our people, in local business and in small businesses? Our people in Blackburn and the surrounding areas have the ability and…
Commons
Debate
16 June 2025
Air India Plane Crash
Will the Minister join me in expressing heartfelt condolences to my constituents, who have tragically lost three beloved members of their family—Adam Taju, Hasina Taju and Altaf Patel? I sincerely thank the Minister for his prompt support and action for the affected families, and I place on record m…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
16 June 2025
Iran-Israel Conflict
May I take the Foreign Secretary back and ask that he clarifies the nature of the Israeli military personnel training on British soil and whether those involved are participating in operations in Gaza? If so, how does that align with the UK’s international legal obligations given that Israel faces p…
Commons
Debate
12 June 2025
2 contributions
SEND Funding
Does the hon. Member agree that the problem begins even earlier? Nurseries receive no dedicated SEND funding, which means that essential early intervention is provided by schools and the funding is overstretched. That is neither sustainable nor fair for the children or for the schools trying to supp…
Does the Minister acknowledge that early support must be given to children when they are at nursery? If we identify those needs at that point, we could save money in the long run.
Commons
Ministerial Statement
12 June 2025
Spending Review: Health and Social Care
I welcome the Minister’s statement and this Government’s commitment to investing in the NHS, but she did not address how that funding will be allocated across the country. My constituency of Blackburn has one of the worst GP to patient ratios, with more than 3,200 patients per GP. That is placing im…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
10 June 2025
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
The Government’s decision to sanction two Israeli Ministers is certainly welcome, but does the Minister acknowledge that every limb of the Israeli state is carrying out a genocide against the Palestinian people of Gaza? Sanctions must be extended to the entire state of Israel—not tomorrow, not in a …