🗣️ Speeches and Debates
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The right hon. Gentleman is making the entirely valid point that democracy is not just what happens in either Chamber, whether it is the Lords or the Commons, and democracy cannot be reduced to a number, whether it is an electoral number at a general election or a number in the Chamber. Democracy is what we do between times. I keep hearing that we Conservatives had 14 years in government—I...
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It is always a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Sir Edward. The challenge this case brings up has been seen over and again in this place. It is not just about the legitimacy of the Commons. The hon. Member for Sunderland Central (Lewis Atkinson) said this is about not just parliamentary democracy, but constitutional reform. That is a perfectly acceptable position to hold, but it is...
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I will not be giving way on that. If the hon. Member for Sunderland Central does not like that position, or the way in which the Lords run their business, that, again, is a perfectly legitimate thing to say, but then he is asking for very fundamental constitutional reform. Again, that is completely okay, but to do it on the basis of a petition of 140,000 names strikes me as a somewhat...
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On the contrary, I think what the hon. Gentleman is arguing, although he may not think he is arguing it, and he is perfectly entitled to ignore what he is arguing—it happens all the time in this place, it is absolutely standard, for Members on our Benches to make one argument and mean another—[Laughter.] Members on all of our Benches. Come on! Let’s not have the hypocrisy; we all know...
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I will not be giving way again. That is a perfectly acceptable argument for those who can afford to fail, but the problem is that the hon. Member is not dealing with the investment of a few people, which may or may not start a business or software company that fails or succeeds; he is playing with the lives of thousands, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people.
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I will not be giving way again. The hon. Member for Sunderland Central is instead saying that the role of democracy is to behave like the private interest group of a small cabal. I do not believe that is the case. I believe that the role of democracy is to measure, to weigh and to take matters slowly. If, on a matter of life and death, that is not the case, when are we supposed to be...
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The hon. Member may think it is long, but she really has no idea of time if that is her perception. The reality is that Government Bills take time because they have to be got right. This Bill is wrong. The only thing that stopped it was the Lords. If the hon. Member for Sunderland Central wants to abolish the Lords, that is fine, but if he could make that argument, I think we would all be a...
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Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
More of Thomas Tugendhat's speeches and debates
✍️ Written Questions and Answers
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To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will provide an update on reintroducing a direct train service between Kent and Gatwick Airport.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department scrutinises South East Water’s performance in providing alternative water to vulnerable customers following the loss of water supply.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what targets the Department gives water suppliers for the delivery of alternative water to vulnerable residents following the loss of water supply.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to set out a timetable and a strategy for expanding the number of National Landscapes.
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings of the Water Delivery Taskforce have been held to discuss South East Water's performance since 13 November 2025.
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what target figure for asylum dispersal has been given for a) Tonbridge and Malling borough, and b) Sevenoaks district.
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many properties are being used for asylum dispersal in a) Tonbridge and Malling borough and b) Sevenoaks district.
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many properties a) her department, and b) Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd have acquired in i) Tonbridge and Malling borough, and ii) Sevenoaks district, since the 2024 General Election.
More of Thomas Tugendhat's written questions
