The speaker of the House of Commons has paid tribute to the UK and France’s relationship, saying the countries’ shared history went back more than 900 years.

“Our shared history goes back now over 900 years. But the Entente Cordiale began relatively recently, going back 120 years”, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said.

“Since then, our states have had a broad and deep partnership working together on European and global security. Together with peaceful ties we have cooperated on defence in the past.

“We have fought side-by-side with France in the First World War. In every town and every village, our memorials remember those who went to war and did not return.”

Sir Lindsay went on to recall “the Chorley Pals” in his own constituency, who went to France to fight and “do what had to be done”.

He added: “Again, in the Second World War we were proud to form a base for the French government-in-exile. The beginning of the end of the war came on the beaches of Normandy. In 1944, speaker Clifton Brown led a parliamentary delegation to visit Allied troops on the frontline in Normandy, and France has never forgotten how we fought together.”

Turning to Emmanuel Macron, Sir Lindsay said: “Like you, Mr President, I am a big sports fan. When people think of French sport they often think of cycling, rugby union, fencing, of football.

“My own team Bolton Wanderers had a fantastic French player, Youri Djorkaeff, when we were a good team.”

Sir Lindsay recalled how French rugby league was formed following a visit to the UK in 1934.

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Commons speaker introduces Macron with tribute to Britain and France’s shared history appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

A Labour MP has said she “cannot accept” welfare plans that will mean 150,000 more Britons end up in poverty.

Dr Marie Tidball, who is disabled, told the House of Commons that she planned to vote against the bill with a “heavy broken heart”.

She added: “I am proud that our Labour government has done much already to promote the rights of workers and opportunities for disabled people.

“This Labour government now has the chance to build on the positive aspects of its Pathways to Work green paper, to bring in a new era of policy-making for disabled people which takes a laser focus in closing this employment gap.”

Tidball said there was an “alternative approach” to allow reform with “Labour values of fairness”.

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post ‘With a heavy broken heart’: Disabled Labour MP says she will vote against welfare cuts appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

A Labour MP has said that the government’s welfare bill will impose “Dickensian cuts” on disabled people, and that it belongs to a “different era and a different party.”

Rachael Maskell, who tabled a “reasoned amendment” aimed at halting the progress of the government’s welfare reforms, said MPs must recognise “the ableism within our systems.”

She referenced a recent meeting with a constituent who said “he wouldn’t get through this. He just about manages now… as his mental health is failing, he can’t work.

“Everything else has been taken from him and now this little bit of funding… to give him just one ounce of dignity.”

“Then the words came: ‘It would be better if I wasn’t here’. That was also his expectation.”

She added: “These Dickensian cuts belong to a different era and a different party. They are far from what this Labour Party is for – a party to protect the poor, as is my purpose, for I am my brother’s keeper, these are my constituents, my neighbours, my community, my responsibility.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Labour MP: ‘These Dickensian cuts belong to a different era and a different party’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

A long-serving Conservative MP has symbolically “withdrawn” his support for Israel over its actions in Gaza.

Mark Pritchard, the MP for The Wrekin since 2005, noted that over twenty years as a parliamentarian he had supported Israel “pretty much at all costs.”

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, he said: “The fact is that 13,000 children have been killed, 25,000 have been injured, maimed, wounded, orphaned – some of them.

“And for many years – I’ve been in this House twenty years – I have supported Israel pretty much at all costs, quite frankly.

“But today, I want to say that I got it wrong and I condemn Israel for what it is doing to the Palestinian people in Gaza and indeed in the West Bank, and I’d like to withdraw my support right now for the actions of Israel, what they are doing right now in Gaza…

“Of course, the hostages should be released; of course, the Israel has a right to exist; of course, the Israeli people, the Jewish people should have the right to live in peace, but so do the Palestinian people.”

He added: “We’ve had lots of statements over the last 18 months… I’m really concerned that this is a moment in history when people look back, where we’ve got it wrong as a country.

“Can the minister stand up to our friends and allies in the United States and make a strong stand for humanity? For us to be on the right side of history, for having the moral courage to lead – not just to follow the United States and to make a difference?”

The minister on duty commended Pritchard for his “very powerful intervention”, adding: “I hear his words and I feel their force”.

Hamish Falconer, the Foreign Office minister, added: “And I will, of course, endeavour to stand up on the international stage, and here in this despatch box, equal to the strength of some of these contributions.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post ‘I got it wrong’: Conservative MP ‘withdraws’ support for Israel over war in Gaza appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Anneliese Dodds has urged the government to “reassess” its fiscal rules and pledges on taxation in her first commons speech since her resignation.

Dodds, the former international development minister, expressed her “deep regret” that she could not continue to serve in the government she campaigned to elect, after resigning over the cuts to foreign aid earlier this year.

Speaking from the House of Commons backbenches for the first time in years, the Labour MP reflected on the current moment of “unprecedented geopolitical and economic flux.”

She said: “There’s no muscle memory in government, or indeed in politics, for the instability we are currently seeing.

“And as democracy backslides globally, instability is the new normal. It demands a strategic, not a tactical, response.

“Economically, I believe, as I set out in my [resignation] letter, that we must be prepared to reassess shibboleths, whether they be the fiscal rules, as Germany has done, or on taxation, especially when the very best-off have seen so little impact on their well-being from economic headwinds.”

Dodds went on to address looming threats to the UK’s democratic norms.

She said: “Now, I believe, that we need the same strategic, not tactical approach when it comes to the protection of our democracy. Last summer, saw the worst racist riots in our country since the Second World War.

“None of us can forget those appalling scenes when racist thugs set fire to hotels, knowing people remained inside. And all in the name of three poor, beautiful little girls. May they rest in peace.”

She added: “In that vein, paralleling the prime minister’s push for a UK-EU defence partnership, we surely also need a UK-EU structured dialogue on digital policy and the defence of our democracies.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Anneliese Dodds says government must ‘reassess’ fiscal rules in first speech since resignation appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Sue Gray has suggested No 10 should be “careful” about civil service cuts and derogatory language about the work of Whitehall.

Delivering her maiden speech in the House of Lords, Baroness Gray called out political terms often used in reference to the civil service, such as the “blob” and “pen-pushers”, and talk of cuts with “axes” and “chainsaws”.

She said: “What these and other civil servants are doing is central to the government’s and the nation’s mission to bring back growth into our economy and security to our society.

“That is why I would caution all of us to be careful not just about our decisions, but about our language. When we hear the phrases of ‘blobs’, ‘pen pushers’, ‘axes’, ‘chainsaws’ and other implements, they hear it too.”

She added: “Difficult decisions are needed, of course, and the civil service will be keen to be part of any reform journey. But we need them and other public servants to succeed.

“I will continue to support a progressive civil service. I hope others will do the same.”

Speaking from the upper chamber’s red benches for the first time since her ennoblement, Gray also spoke of growing up in north London as the daughter of Irish immigrant parents.

At one point during her maiden address, Gray’s voice broke with emotion as she recalled her mother’s suicide some years after her father’s sudden death.

She also referred to her “challenging” recent period in and around Downing Street “whether working in it or investigating it”, a joint reference to her role as No 10 chief of staff and as Partygate investigator.

She quipped at one point: “I am not sure what it is about the mention of my time in Downing Street that brings me to the issue of job security and employment.

“But more seriously, I want to return to my first set of jobs in what was the Department for Social Security, working in employment support.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post ‘They hear it too’: Sue Gray urges caution over civil service cuts and hits out at insults appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

A senior Labour MP has accused Keir Starmer of setting a “dangerous course” for the UK with the government’s foreign aid cuts, announced last week in order to fund a defence spending uplift.

Sarah Champion, chair of the House of Commons international development committee, said the prime minister is “taking the axe to our most effective tool for reducing global conflicts and for increasing our own national security.”

Speaking in a commons estimates debate on the government’s spending plans for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Champion also alerted MPs to the fact that a “scandalously large amount of ODA [official development assistance] has been diverted primarily to the Home Office to support asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.”

She told the House: “The former US defence secretary General James Mattis was asked in congress whether it is wise to properly fund international development work. He replied, ‘If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.’

“It pains me to say, but the prime minister is setting exactly this dangerous course for the UK. By planning to take 40 per cent out of ODA, he’s taking the axe to our most effective tool for reducing global conflicts and for increasing our own national security.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Starmer setting ‘dangerous course’ with cuts to UK aid budget, says senior Labour MP appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Reform UK’s deputy leader has stated that his party stands “united” in support of Ukraine and against the “monstrous tyranny of that most evil, evil villain, [Vladimir] Putin.”

Addressing the House of Commons in a debate to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Richard Tice delivered his party’s strongest statement yet in support of Ukraine.

His comments come in a week in which Reform has been labelled “Putin’s poodles” and accused of “fawning over Putin”.

Tice said: “We at Reform stand united with the whole of this House in support of Ukraine and all brave Ukrainians against the monstrous tyranny of that most evil, evil villain, Putin.”

During his speech, Tice also responded to remarks delivered by Reform leader Nigel Farage in 2014, when he said he admired Putin as an “operator”.

Tice said: “The issue is that Putin is a vile dictator. We all know that. And my leader has also confirmed that it is Putin that is the aggressor in this war.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Richard Tice: Reform UK stands united against tyranny of ‘evil villain’ Putin appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Tom Tugendhat has said Labour tried to “nationalise the future” in his first commons speech since the appointment of the new shadow cabinet, of which he is not a part.

According to reports, the former security minister was offered a role in Kemi Badenoch’s top team but turned it down. He therefore joins other senior Conservatives such as Andrew Mitchell, Jeremy Hunt and James Cleverly on the backbenches.

Speaking as MPs debated the budget on Tuesday afternoon, Tugendhat rubbished the government’s fiscal measures, especially the proposal to subject independent schools to VAT.

Tugendhat said: “Sadly, what this government has done is try to nationalise the future, to shorten the time horizon and to make us all pay for it.

“And that’s why, Madam Deputy Speaker, that’s why growth is falling, taxes are rising, and the future is made worse again and again under Labour.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Tom Tugendhat: Labour has tried to ‘nationalise the future’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Angela Rayner has declared that the “pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth” Employment Rights Bill will mark the beginning of a new chapter for workers’ rights in Britain.

Opening the bill’s second reading debate in the commons on Monday afternoon, Rayner rubbished what she called the last government’s “scorched earth approach to strikes”.

The deputy prime minister outlined the ways in which the government is seeking to strengthen workers’ rights, including by repealing legislation passed under the last fourteen years of Conservative government, such as the Minimum Service Levels Act 2023 and Trade Union Act of 2016.

Rayner told MPs: “We know the valuable contribution that trade unions make, and that is why we’re resetting industrial relations. The Conservatives presided over strike Britain with their scorched earth approach to strikes.”

She added: “We know the party opposite will oppose this [legislation] every step of the way.

“We know because they have history — just like they opposed Labour’s minimum wage and now shamefully want to take us back to the dark ages when women were denied maternity pay. But it is clear that they’re out of step with modern Britain. Our plans mark a new way forward: a new deal for working people.”

Rayner closed: “This is a pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth bill and a pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth government. And today, after 14 years of failure, we are starting a new chapter and decisively delivering a better Britain for working people.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Angela Rayner hails ‘pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth’ Employment Rights Bill appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

The SNP’s Westminster leader has described his “great personal sorrow” that Alex Salmond “will not live to see an independent Scotland.”

Stephen Flynn led tributes at Westminster to the former first minister, who died on Saturday aged 69.

During his tribute in the commons, Flynn recalled the night that Salmond lost his commons seat during the 2017 general election.

“It is a moment that I will never forget”, Flynn said, “not because of the nature of his defeat but for what happened next.

“Within just a few moments Alex Salmond took to the podium and gave a speech which despite the despair that all of us in the SNP felt in the room that night, made us feel 10 feet tall.”

Flynn described Salmond as “the most talented, formidable and consequential politician of his generation”.

He added: “It’s of great personal sorrow to me that Alex Salmond will not live to see Scotland become an independent nation.

“The challenge for all of us now in the nationalist movement is to make sure that we put good his legacy and deliver the future that he so badly fought for throughout his distinguished parliamentary career.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post ‘Great personal sorrow’ that Salmond will not see an independent Scotland, says Flynn appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell said that the Treasury had choices about how to balance the books but poor pensioners often have “no choice”.

Maskell, who has repeatedly expressed concerns about the cut to winter fuel payments, said for many pensioners the “sums aren’t adding up”.

She outlined that she would not vote for the measures and urged ministers to delay its introduction to allow for a rethink.

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post ‘Let’s get this right’: Labour MP Rachael Maskell says she cannot vote for winter fuel cuts appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Mel Stride has urged Labour MPs to “look to your conscience” and vote to stop the cut to winter fuel payments.

Speaking in a debate on the government’s plans, the Conservative leadership hopeful argued the policy will lead to “untold hardship” for millions of people.

The shadow work and pensions secretary told the House of Commons: “Can I make an impassioned plea to those sitting opposite. Look to your conscience. These measures you know in your heart that these measures are wrong.

“You know in your heart that you have, the party opposite has broken their promises and that these measures are going to lead to untold hardship for millions of elderly and vulnerable people right up and down this country.

“You now have an opportunity to join with us and put a stop to it”, he added.

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.

The post Mel Stride says winter fuel cut will cause ‘untold hardship’ for millions of pensioners appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Speaking in a debate on a government-backed plan to ban MPs taking second jobs, a Green Party MP has called for a commons rules overhaul.

Ellie Chowns, the MP for North Herefordshire, said it was “extraordinary” that the commons continues to rely on MPs physically casting their vote, as she urged the government to modernise House rules.

Chowns said: “It’s extraordinary to me that we do not have electronic voting…. While I’ve been here, I’ve participated in five votes and that’s taken at least an hour and a quarter.

“If you add up each of those votes, it adds up to basically a month’s worth of MP time.”

Summing up her remarks, Chowns concluded: “So let’s get rid of the voting lobbies. We could double the physical size of the chamber if you got rid of the voting lobbies. That’s a genuine, practical suggestion.

“[Let’s] take the opportunity of the decanting process and the newbie MPs to really modernise how we operate here.”

She added: “And my final point, if we want to be a truly modern House of Commons: proportional representation.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest election news and analysis.

The post Green MP calls for commons overhaul, with electronic voting and electoral reform appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Nigel Farage called for a referendum on leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in his maiden House of Commons speech on Tuesday.

The Reform UK leader said quitting the ECHR was the only way the UK would be able to end “small boat” Channel crossings.

The MP for Clacton said: “We will only stop this if we start deporting people that come illegally. Then they won’t pay the smugglers. But we will only do that by leaving the ECHR.

“But I have got a fun suggestion that I think would liven up politics, engage the public and see a massively increased turnout. Why don’t we have a referendum on whether we continue to be members of the ECHR?”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest election news and analysis.

The post Nigel Farage calls for referendum on the ECHR in maiden House of Commons speech appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

In his second King’s Speech as monarch on Wednesday, Charles III told assembled MPs and Peers in the House of Lords that his government “will be mission led and based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all”.

The Speech from the Throne — the first under a Labour government in 15 years — featured a heavy emphasis on securing economic growth, the first of Keir Starmer’s five “missions for national renewal”.

Charles III said: “Stability will be the cornerstone of my government’s economic policy and every decision will be consistent with its fiscal rules. It will legislate to ensure that all significant tax and spending changes are subject to an independent assessment by the Office for Budget Responsibility.”

He added: “Securing economic growth will be a fundamental mission. My Government will seek a new partnership with both business and working people and help the country move on from the recent cost of living challenges by prioritising wealth creation for all communities. My Ministers will establish an Industrial Strategy Council. It is my Government’s objective to see rising living standards in all nations and regions in the United Kingdom.”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest election news and analysis.

The post King’s Speech 2024: Economic growth will be ‘fundamental mission’ of Labour government appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday, calling on MPs to unite in a “common endeavour of national renewal”.

The prime minister began by congratulating Sir Lindsay Hoyle on his re-election as speaker and paying tribute to former Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay, who had his limbs amputated due to sepsis.

Starmer went on to say: “Now, as in any new parliament, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to put an end to a politics that has too often seem self-serving and self-obsessed, and to replace that politics of performance with the politics of service.”

He added: “It’s now time to turn the page, unite in a common endeavour of national renewal, and make this new parliament a parliament of service”.

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest election news and analysis.

The post ‘A parliament of service’: Keir Starmer addresses commons for first time since election appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Theresa May delivered her final speech as an MP on Friday, as she stands down after 27 years in the House of Commons.

The long-serving Conservative MP had already stated her intention to quit parliament ahead of the prime minister’s speech last Wednesday, in which he announced the election.

May, 67, was first elected in 1997 and served as home secretary between 2010 and 2016 before becoming prime minister.

She used her final speech to reflect on her time as PM and thank her constituents, parliamentary staff and her husband, Philip. 

She also criticised politicians who put “their ambitions” ahead of “the people they serve”.

The former prime minister said: “I worry that today there are too many people in politics who think it is about them, their ambitions, their careers, and not about the people they serve”.

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website, providing comprehensive coverage of UK politics. Subscribe to our free daily newsletter here.

Theresa May joins the Conservative exodus

The post Theresa May reflects on time as PM, criticises careerist politicians in final commons speech appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Harriet Harman delivered her final speech as an MP on Friday, after more than 40 years in the House of Commons

Harman, 73, was first elected in 1982 and holds the record as the longest-ever continuously serving female MP, hence the “Mother of the House” title.

The long-serving Labour MP had already stated her intention to stand down from the commons ahead of the prime minister’s announcement on Wednesday, by which an election was triggered.

Harman used her final speech to encourage more women to enter politics and to pay tribute to her late husband, Jack Dromey, a former Labour MP.

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website, providing comprehensive coverage of UK politics. Subscribe to our free daily newsletter here.

The post ‘Mother of the House’ Harriet Harman delivers final commons speech after 42 years as MP appeared first on Politics.co.uk.