Carolyn Harris MP: speeches

Speeches

• 22 Jun 2026 · UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence · Hansard source

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  Order. I call Iqbal Mohamed.

• 22 Jun 2026 · UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence · Hansard source

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  Order. I think that your clarification has been made. Thank you very much.

• 22 Jun 2026 · UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence · Hansard source

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  I remind hon. Members that “Rules of behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons” notes: “The privilege of freedom of speech in debate…allows us to conduct our debates without fear of outside interference. But it is a freedom which should be exercised responsibly, in the public interest and taking into account the interests of others outside this House.” Additionally, paragraph 21.21 of “Erskine May” states: “Good temper and moderation are the characteristics of parliamentary language.” The rules of behaviour further note: “There is no hard and fast list of unparliamentary words. Whether something said is a breach of order depends on the context…Any abusive or insulting language used in debate will be required to be withdrawn immediately.” I remind members of the public that they are here to observe proceedings, not to participate or comment. Demonstrations of approval or disapproval are not permitted and any interruption of proceedings will result in removal from the Public Gallery. The debate is very oversubscribed and there will be limited time. If a Member’s name is not on my list to speak, they will not be called. I still expect anyone who is on my list to bob, and any interventions will be minimal, in response and in asking. I hope I have made myself perfectly clear.

• 22 Jun 2026 · UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence · Hansard source

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  Order. The clock displays are broken, but we are working on fixing them. I will notify Members by coughing just before their three minutes are up.

• 22 Jun 2026 · UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence · Hansard source

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  Thank you for your point of order and for notifying me of it in advance, but decisions relating to the publication of e-petitions and the scheduling of e-petition debates properly sit with the Petitions Committee. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to make direct contact with the Chair of that Committee regarding your concerns. I reiterate that, as Mr Speaker and the Deputy Speakers regularly remind Members in the main Chamber, there is a need for “good temper and moderation” in parliamentary language, as set out in “Erskine May” paragraph 21.21. The same rules and courtesies apply in Westminster Hall, and you can be assured that I will exercise all my authority to make sure they are complied with.

• 22 Jun 2026 · UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence · Hansard source

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  Order. I call the Minister.

• 22 Jun 2026 · UK Politics: Pro-Israel Influence · Hansard source

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  Minister.

• 11 Jun 2026 · Legacy of Jo Cox · Hansard source

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  I certainly do. Jo’s vision is something I have tried desperately to live up to in all my political career. In Jo’s memory, 10 years on from her tragic and untimely death, I urge colleagues from all parties—even those who are not with us today—to remember what she stood for, to amplify her message and to encourage others to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our country.

• 11 Jun 2026 · Legacy of Jo Cox · Hansard source

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  What an honour it is to be here in the Chamber, alongside 2015 friends—my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Yardley (Jess Phillips) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Ilford North (Wes Streeting) —and obviously my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater), to share my memories of Jo and talk about her legacy in a world that, quite honestly, could do with a lot more people like Jo in it right now. On 7 May 2015, I was one of 177 new MPs elected for the first time. Fifty of us were Labour MPs, and 11 years later, 36 out of those 50 remain, but I have no doubt that, if it were not for the tragic and senseless act that day, there would be 37 of us now. Jo was a fellow newbie back in 2015, a respected colleague and someone I was proud to call a friend. She stood for everything that is right, and she was never afraid to share her beliefs or call out injustice. My final and lasting memory of Jo is of just two days before, when she invited those of us in the 2015 intake to her houseboat to celebrate our first year in this place. I do not understand why—I have never quite understood it—but I am almost certain I won the prize for the best accessories and earrings. What I do remember is that we were greeted by a beautifully decorated chalkboard that the children had written, welcoming us—I’m getting choked thinking about it—to their home. None of us could have known that in less than 48 hours she would be gone. The memories of that evening are so precious and remind me of what an exceptional woman she was, opening up her home despite already juggling her responsibilities in Westminster and in Batley and Spen with being a devoted wife, daughter, sister and, most importantly, mother to two wonderful children. She was remarkable: passionate about everything she stood for and determined to make our country a better place for everyone who called it home. It feels inconceivable that 10 years have already passed since we lost Jo. Returning to Parliament just days after her death and sitting on the Opposition Benches listening to the shock and horror felt across the House is something I will never, ever forget. Voices from every party spoke of how Jo was the very best of us, how her values were shared by us all and how important it was that we all lived by her words. Jo truly believed what she said in her iconic maiden speech: that in our diverse communities, right across the country, we have far more in common than the things that divide us. It is a message that perhaps even needs to be told more today than 10 years ago. Much of my work in this place over the last 10 years has been on things that I know Jo would have taken an interest in: the ongoing campaign to encourage more women to stand for office and achieve a 50:50 Parliament; standing up against abuse in public office, particularly of female MPs; and our campaign to improve menopause support and services in healthcare, in the workplace and across society. I wish she had had the opportunity to fight those causes with us, because her voice would have been one well worth listening to. Jo always spoke with real conviction about the things that mattered most, and she cared immensely about those who felt targeted, isolated or alone. She celebrated diversity, she believed in the value of community, and she used her platform to be a voice for those who felt marginalised and silenced. Jo’s legacy has already written itself. Indeed, the very words she herself spoke in this Chamber and beyond are just that. Hate and division should not be tolerated. Nobody should feel comfortable knowing that others are experiencing loneliness. If Jo’s one voice on its own could get that message across so clearly, imagine the impact if we all used our voices together to spread those words of love and hope.

• 11 Jun 2026 · Transport Hubs: UV Index Alerts · Hansard source

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  11. What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing UV index alerts on public information boards at transport hubs.

• 11 Jun 2026 · Transport Hubs: UV Index Alerts · Hansard source

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  One of the key findings of the recent beauty, hair and wellbeing all-party parliamentary group UV safety report was that the public do not fully understand the UV index. With evidence showing that over 86% of skin cancer is entirely preventable, the report recommends that daily UV ratings be widely advertised across communities, including transport hubs. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how that could help to educate and protect the public, and ultimately save lives?

• 14 May 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  The Welsh, known for our singing, are united in concern for Swansea’s global superstar Bonnie Tyler, who has been hospitalised in Portugal due to ill health. Will the Leader of the House join me in wishing Bonnie a safe and speedy recovery? As the song that she first recorded in ’88 says, she is simply the best.

• 23 Apr 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  In May 2025, the all-party parliamentary group on beauty and wellbeing, which I chair, launched an inquiry into ultraviolet safety in the UK. Over nine months, we have taken evidence from the industry, academics, clinicians and those with lived experience to understand the dangers of overexposure and what more can be done to improve protection and reduce risks. Will the Leader of the House join me in thanking all those who contributed and encouraging Ministers, brands and retailers to read our report very carefully when it is launched next month and to consider our very sensible recommendations?

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  I call Alex Ballinger to wind up briefly.

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  Order. Can we not have debate across the Chamber, please? Can you finish your wind-up, Mr Ballinger?

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  Order. These are very long interventions. Some Members have given a speech and others will have an opportunity to speak later and will be able to make their points. We need to make progress.

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  Thank you. Mr Ballinger, if you want to intervene, can you do it appropriately?

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  Order. Dr Beccy Cooper, you will be making a speech. There will be an appropriate time for you to make your points.

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  Order. No talking across the Chamber.

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  If we are to allow Front-Bench speakers to have ample time, we should bear that in mind with any interventions.

• 23 Apr 2026 · Gambling Advertising · Hansard source

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  Order. Mr Ballinger, please sit down. Shadow Minister, please speak through the Chair.

• 22 Apr 2026 · Cost of Living · Hansard source

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  12. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Wales.

• 22 Apr 2026 · Cost of Living · Hansard source

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  With almost 170,000 workers in Wales benefiting from Labour’s successive increases to the national minimum wage and the living wage, families across the country—including many of my constituents—will now be better off. Despite resistance from Opposition parties, this Government have shown their commitment to tackling the cost of living crisis and supporting working people. Could the Secretary of State update the House on how those changes and the Employment Rights Act 2025 will benefit people in my constituency and across Wales?

• 21 Apr 2026 · Peter Mandelson: Government Appointment · Hansard source

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  I will be very brief, as I am not attempting to audition for a BAFTA, unlike some colleagues. Neither am I trying to attempt any factional point scoring, as some colleagues have done today. The Prime Minister himself said yesterday that Peter Mandelson should never have been appointed as our ambassador to the US, so let me ask simply this: can the Chief Secretary tell the House how the Prime Minister has changed the way due diligence and security vetting will be conducted before appointments are announced in the future?

• 15 Apr 2026 · Access to Work Scheme · Hansard source

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  I remind hon. Members that they may only make a speech with the prior permission of the Member in charge of the debate and the Minister. As is the convention for 30-minute debates, there will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up. The debate will end by 5.40 pm.