Christine Jardine MP: speeches 2025

Speeches

• 23 Apr 2025 · Higher Education · Hansard source

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  I associate myself with the Secretary of State’s comments about the death of Pope Francis. In a rare consensus, I agree with much of what has been said by both the Secretary of State and the shadow Secretary of State. Many universities are extremely concerned about the funding situation. Many of my constituents who are employees of universities or who have children at Scottish universities are concerned, particularly following the news of the 600 job cuts at the University of Dundee. I have spoken to the principal of the University of Edinburgh and he is also concerned about the funding model in Scotland, which is failing everyone. Will the Secretary of State discuss with the Scottish Government how they can make changes and put pressure on them to do so? The national insurance changes are not helpful, so it would help Scottish education if we had some changes there as well.

• 22 Apr 2025 · “For Women Scotland” Supreme Court Ruling · Hansard source

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  I thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of her statement. Of course, I respect the independence of the Supreme Court and the ruling it has made, interpreting the law as it stands, just as I respect the concerns of many women, and the now increased fears of the LGBT community. I also respect what the Minister had to say about her experience of working in a refuge, and I agree that there is no length to which we should not go to ensure protection for women who are in the situation that she describes. However, given what she said, I am sure that she will agree with me that that should not come at the cost of the human rights and the security of another vulnerable group in society, which is what this ruling threatens to bring about. Could she explain where transgender people fleeing violence can now go for refuge, if they are to be completely excluded from refuges? For years, we have had this intolerable debate, in which two vulnerable groups have been pitted against each other. Those two groups are afraid of the same thing—violence, mostly from men. The challenge for this Labour Government is to live up to the spirit of perhaps one of the proudest achievements of a previous Labour Government—the Equality Act—and protect everyone. If this Government are not able to do that, does the Minister think it would be acceptable to see trans women forced into men’s toilets, to face goodness knows what sort of aggression, and potentially violence, there? Will she confirm what she says about protecting trans rights? We need some leadership from this Government. I have written to the Minister and asked her if we will see legislation that gives that protection, because we must remember that what we are dealing with here is not hypothetical. It is about real lives, real fears and real concerns among the LGBT community. Equality and human rights should never be the preserve of one—

• 12 Apr 2025 · Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill · Hansard source

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  Does the right hon. Member agree that there is a wider issue at stake: our energy security and national security? We have seen what can go wrong with a Chinese company that we do not trust, and we see Chinese influence increasing in other vital sectors, particularly our energy industry. Should that not underline our concern and act as a warning that we do not want the Chinese to have control of our energy supply?

• 2 Apr 2025 · Gaza: Israeli Military Operations · Hansard source

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  I welcome the Minister’s reply to the urgent question, but I am sure he will forgive me when I say that we have heard all this before. There is a sense of hopelessness in this place at the downward spiral we seem to be on, but it must be nothing compared with the hopelessness being felt by the Gazans and also the Israeli population. The Israeli regime is not listening to us or to its own population, who are protesting and simply want the hostages home. The region needs some hope, and it has already been suggested that if we are to go down the route to a two-state solution, we need a breakthrough. That breakthrough might come if this Government recognise Palestine as a state.

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that someone sitting at home watching this will be worried by the argument that it is more important to stick to some anti-EU dogma than it is to protect their children from dangerous products, or to keep dangerous electric bikes off the market and regulate for their safety?

• 1 Apr 2025 · Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords] · Hansard source

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  Although I cannot speak immediately for all Liberal Democrats, it puzzles us that the official Opposition do not seem to recognise that if they had legislated properly when we left the European Union, this legislation would not be necessary. Do they not accept any responsibility for where we are today?

• 31 Mar 2025 · People Smuggling · Hansard source

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  14. What steps she is taking to help tackle people smuggling.

• 31 Mar 2025 · People Smuggling · Hansard source

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  I thank the Minister for that response and welcome the increased co-operation with allies on this vital issue. It is critical that we stop the dangerous crossings, but without tackling the problem at its source, with aid to tackle famine and conflict and by providing safe legal routes, do we not risk the crisis continuing? How will the Minister work with colleagues across Government to address those factors to ensure that we tackle the crisis fully?

• 26 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T4. I recently spoke at a United Nations event hosted by the French that looked at how pornography and extreme content are contributing to misogynistic and toxic behaviour towards women. Will the Secretary of State tell us what proposals this Government have to implement the recent recommendations of the report commissioned by the previous Government?

• 25 Mar 2025 · Nutrition for Growth Summit · Hansard source

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  We have 42 minutes left for this debate. I call Liberal Democrat spokesperson Monica Harding to continue, please.

• 25 Mar 2025 · Nutrition for Growth Summit · Hansard source

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  Because of our delayed start, the debate may now continue until 4.47 pm. I call David Mundell to move the motion.

• 25 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  For eight years, I have seen how a young constituent has been able to completely control his previously life-threatening seizures with medicinal cannabis, but at huge cost to his family—a cost that is prohibitive for other people. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can make access to such treatments more affordable, accessible and safe, so that we can help more people?

• 25 Mar 2025 · Construction Standards: New Build Homes · Hansard source

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  Order. Our time is up; I am sorry. Question put and agreed to. Resolved , That this House has considered construction standards for new build homes.

• 25 Mar 2025 · Construction Standards: New Build Homes · Hansard source

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  I call Michelle Welsh to wind up briefly.

• 25 Mar 2025 · Construction Standards: New Build Homes · Hansard source

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  Because of the various interventions, we can now continue until 7.47 pm this evening.

• 25 Mar 2025 · Construction Standards: New Build Homes · Hansard source

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  Order. We have to move on to the Front Bench contributions in 12 minutes, so please keep your remarks to five minutes each.

• 25 Mar 2025 · Seriously Ill Children: Financial Support for Parents · Hansard source

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  I will call Chris Hinchliff to move the motion, and I will then call the Minister to respond. As is the convention for 30-minute debates, there will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up.

• 19 Mar 2025 · Health and Disability Green Paper · Hansard source

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  We all know that life is more expensive for someone who is disabled, and that investing in mental health and social care would give disabled people the support that they deserve. Liberal Democrats believe that if the Government were serious about cutting welfare spending, they would get serious about fixing health and social care, and the broken Department for Work and Pensions. By fixing that, we would reduce the benefits bill in the long term, but yesterday’s changes, which slash the support offered to vulnerable people, will leave many people facing difficult choices. Can the Minister assure disabled people, including the 80,000 in Scotland who are still receiving PIP, that they will be listened to, their needs will be taken into account, and they will somehow continue to get the support that they need?

• 18 Mar 2025 · Military Co-operation with Israel · Hansard source

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  Order. Sorry—time’s up. I call Jim Shannon.

• 18 Mar 2025 · Military Co-operation with Israel · Hansard source

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  Order. We are very short of time, so I ask Members to refrain from interventions, in order to get through every speaker.

• 18 Mar 2025 · Military Co-operation with Israel · Hansard source

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  I remind Members that they should bob if they wish to be called in the debate, and I ask them to keep to an informal limit of about three and a half minutes, please.

• 18 Mar 2025 · Military Co-operation with Israel · Hansard source

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  I am afraid we are out of time for Back Benchers now, but perhaps Brendan O’Hara would like to intervene on the Minister. I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

• 18 Mar 2025 · Military Co-operation with Israel · Hansard source

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  I am afraid I have to impose a formal time limit of three minutes so that we get through everybody.

• 18 Mar 2025 · Military Co-operation with Israel · Hansard source

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  I call Luke Akehurst—please keep it brief, as you have had several interventions.

• 18 Mar 2025 · Shipyards: Economic Growth · Hansard source

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  Order. I remind Members that they should bob if they wish to be called in the debate and, if possible, keep to an informal five-minute time limit to allow everyone to get in. I call Edward Morello.