LabourBlackley and Middleton South
Graham Stringer MP: speeches
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Hansard records words spoken in Parliament. A contribution does not by itself show that policy changed.
Most recent 12 months, since 29 Sept 2025. Newest first within each group. Follow the original source for full context.
Speeches
- 14 Jul 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source
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T4. The waiting time to see a cardiologist in the Manchester University NHS foundation trust is an unacceptable 66 weeks. What will the ministerial team do to reduce that waiting time?
- 6 Jul 2026 · Police Leadership Commission Report · Hansard source
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I am fully supportive of Stephen Watson, the chief constable of Greater Manchester. It is the first time I can say that about a chief constable since the 1970s. We have had chief constables who were mad—James Anderton, who carried out his prejudice against the gay community because he had a line to God—and who were bad—Peter Fahy, who refused to take action on Pakistani and Kashmiri rape gangs because he was frightened of damaging relationships, and Ian Hopkins, who made it more dangerous for police officers to go to crime scenes and into houses, because the computer system did not work and they did not know whether they were going into a dangerous situation. Over those years I have come to believe that the most important decision is getting the right person in the position of chief constable. I hope that the report the Minister has referred to, which I have not read, will lead to that; the chief constable is the most important person by far.
- 6 Jul 2026 · Rochdale Grooming Gang: Offender Deportation · Hansard source
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We cannot call ourselves a civilised society while Shabir Ahmed is walking the streets of this country. I agree with the thrust of the question by the hon. Member for Weald of Kent (Katie Lam), but surely there is another approach to get him off the streets of our country: to put him back in prison and change the law that reduces the tariff for uncivilised wretches like him, so he can be put straight back in prison?
- 1 Jul 2026 · Astronomy and Space Science: Funding · Hansard source
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Particle physics and astronomy have had a rough deal since the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council—PPARC—was abolished about 19 years ago. I understand that the justification being put out by the Science Minister and other Ministers is that there has been a change to mission-driven research as opposed to fundamental blue-skies research. This is a mistake: most practical applications of science have come from scientists asking fundamental questions that had no relevance at the time. Does the Minister agree that the policy is a mistake?
- 23 Jun 2026 · Fly-tipping: Residential Areas · Hansard source
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Any hon. Members who wish to take off their jackets have permission to do so. I call Melanie Onn to move the motion.
- 23 Jun 2026 · Fly-tipping: Residential Areas · Hansard source
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Order. I remind hon. Members that if they want to participate in the debate, they should bob at the end of every speech. I will call the Front-Bench spokespeople at 10.30 am. Doing the simple arithmetic, that means there will be a time limit of four minutes on speeches.
- 23 Jun 2026 · Fly-tipping: Residential Areas · Hansard source
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Order. Your time is up. Before calling the Front-Bench spokespeople, I remind hon. Members that although there are often good reasons for being late to a debate, it is a courtesy to both the Chair and other hon. Members participating in the debate to put in a note explaining those reasons. I call Sarah Dyke.
- 23 Jun 2026 · Fly-tipping: Residential Areas · Hansard source
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Order. I ask the Minister to leave a couple of minutes for the proposer of the debate to wind up.
- 2 Jun 2026 · Murder of Henry Nowak · Hansard source
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In the ’80s and ’90s in this country, many police officers carried out their duties in a prejudicial and racist way. I am proud of having worked alongside many others to eliminate that racism as much as we could. However, we are now left with what is perhaps a more difficult problem to deal with, because many police officers and other public servants are now frightened that they will be accused of racism in carrying out those duties. What actions can the Home Secretary and the Cabinet take to reassure people who are accused of racism that proper process will be followed and that they will not just be left out of a job forever?
- 21 May 2026 · Women’s Health and Wellbeing: Online Censorship · Hansard source
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I did not want to interrupt the hon. Lady in what has been an interesting debate, but I remind hon. Members that if you say “you”, that is me—
- 21 May 2026 · Women’s Health and Wellbeing: Online Censorship · Hansard source
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I did not want to interrupt the debate, but it is worth remembering for future debates. Question put and agreed to . Resolved , That this House has considered the matter of the censorship of women’s health and wellbeing content online.
- 14 Apr 2026 · National Suicide Prevention Standard · Hansard source
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I remind hon. Members that they may make a speech only with the prior permission of the Member in charge and the Minister. I have received no information that such permission has been given. As is the convention for 30-minute debates, there will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up.
- 14 Apr 2026 · Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives · Hansard source
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Order. Two hon. Members have intervened after coming late to the debate. As a courtesy to the Chair and Members, they really should send a note. I have had a note from another hon. Member who wishes to intervene, who has done things properly and has not yet intervened. I say that to hon. Members for this debate and for future reference.
- 14 Apr 2026 · Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives · Hansard source
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Order.
- 14 Apr 2026 · Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives · Hansard source
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Order. Before the Minister starts his speech, I remind him to leave a couple of minutes at the end for the Member in charge to wind up.
- 14 Apr 2026 · Ground-mounted Solar Panels: Alternatives · Hansard source
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Order. I call the shadow Minister.
- 14 Apr 2026 · “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First Anniversary · Hansard source
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Order. I remind hon. Members that interventions should be short and to the point. We have had two quite lengthy interventions. The business is not oversubscribed, so if hon. Members wish to bob, they may well catch my eye.
- 14 Apr 2026 · “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First Anniversary · Hansard source
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Order. I remind Members that they should bob if they wish to speak, as it is very helpful in determining whether to put a time limit on. Given the number of Members standing, however, I will not be putting a time limit on now.
- 14 Apr 2026 · “For Women Scotland” Court Ruling: First Anniversary · Hansard source
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Order. Can the hon. Lady bring her comments to a close, having answered the hon. Gentleman’s question?
- 23 Mar 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source
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The Home Secretary has been commendably robust in her response to antisemitism and attacks on Jewish institutions, particularly since the two members of the congregation at Heaton Park synagogue were killed. After that attack, the Macdonald inquiry was set up to look into hate crime and public order. I think this afternoon is the first time that we have heard that that inquiry is not going to report until May, when it was promised for February this year. Can the Home Secretary speed it up, please?
- 23 Mar 2026 · Puberty Blockers Clinical Trial · Hansard source
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The hon. Member is making great efforts to be balanced in his presentation on behalf of the Petitions Committee. He says this is a complex area, but surely it is actually quite simple: we should not be experimenting on children, particularly as we cannot do double-blind experiments. Those are two fundamental reasons why these so-called experiments should not go ahead.
- 18 Mar 2026 · Student Loans · Hansard source
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It is a long time since I went to university, but there was a belief then that the least important things we got out of it were degrees and job prospects. There was a value in education itself. The right hon. Lady seems to think that the only reason to go to university is mercenary.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Rural Roads · Hansard source
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Order. The hon. Gentleman has secured a debate that has attracted a lot of attention—I have 16 Members who have put in to speak. The rules say that I must call the Front-Bench spokespeople at 5.10 pm. At the moment, that means that those who have put in to speak will have a minute, or fractionally over. The hon. Gentleman is entitled to carry on with his speech, but I ask him to bear that in mind.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Rural Roads · Hansard source
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Minister, if you could, please leave a minute or so at the end of your contribution for the Member in charge to wind up.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Rural Roads · Hansard source
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Can hon. Members leave quietly, please? We wish to start the debate.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Rural Roads · Hansard source
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Order. I am going to put a one-minute limit on speeches. If there are interventions, some people will simply not get in to speak.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Rural Roads · Hansard source
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Order. I noticed that the hon. Lady arrived very late to the debate. It is not allowed, particularly in a massively oversubscribed debate like this, to come in and intervene.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Child Maintenance Service · Hansard source
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I will call Vikki Slade, but I want to hear from the Minister because this is an important debate. I am going to restrict the hon. Lady to two minutes.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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Order. Members who wish to speak should bob. I have taken a rough count of those who have, and we will start with a four-minute limit, which I might have to reduce later.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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It is guidance, as opposed to a rule. With the exception of yourself, I did put to the end of the list those people who had intervened.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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Order. I am going to reduce the time for speeches to three minutes.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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Order. We must move on to the next debate.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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Order. The flurry of interventions that we have had over the last three speeches has meant that we have gone two or three minutes over time. I will reduce the time available to the spokespeople for the three parties by a minute each, and ask each of them to take nine minutes.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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Order. We must start the next debate. Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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We have little time, Minister, so please try to leave a minute or two at the end of your speech for the winding-up speech.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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Order. I remind Members of two things: first, interventions should be brief; and secondly, if you say “you”, you are referring to me.
- 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source
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Order. I am going to have to reduce the time limit to two minutes. That speech lasted longer than I expected.
- 16 Mar 2026 · Member Defections: Automatic By-elections · Hansard source
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I was following the hon. Gentleman’s arguments closely and agreeing with them until he got to the point about Prime Ministers, because is it not a consistent position that if a hon. Member changes their political party there should be a by-election, therefore if there is a change in leader, as the Conservatives have got into the habit of doing, there should be a general election?
- 16 Mar 2026 · Member Defections: Automatic By-elections · Hansard source
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I am rather surprised that nobody has mentioned that there is a constitutional precedent for by-elections when situations change. It used to be the case that when Members were appointed to the Cabinet, they had to face a by-election. In my city, Manchester, there was a famous by-election when Winston Churchill had to stand again, and he lost. I think that was just before the first world war. Then, a change of circumstances meant a by-election. It is a very serious change of circumstances if somebody changes political parties. I am interested in the hon. Gentleman’s view on that constitutional precedent.
- 16 Mar 2026 · Member Defections: Automatic By-elections · Hansard source
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I am sure that everybody in this room is familiar with the arguments for and against PR. In moving the motion, the hon. Member for South Cotswolds (Dr Savage) gave a very balanced speech. There was only one thing that I thought was unbalanced: the argument that somehow there would be less tactical voting in a PR system. A PR system is actually set up and designed for tactical voting. I would be grateful if the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Lisa Smart) gave an opinion on that.
- 16 Mar 2026 · Member Defections: Automatic By-elections · Hansard source
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I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving away again and I do not wish to push this point too far, because I personally do not think that there should be a general election if the ruling party changes its leader. However, the thrust of his argument was that what is in people’s minds when they vote is the political party and the name of the leader; he said it was about the difference between Boris Johnson and the right hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn). If that is important, and the leader changes, and so does the party’s political programme—that relates to the wording on the ballot paper of the political party and has been there since the Representation of the People Act 1969—I think there is a solid argument for holding a general election. It is not an argument that I completely agree with, but I would be interested to hear his response to it.
- 11 Mar 2026 · Engagements · Hansard source
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Q12. The National Audit Office report on Northern Powerhouse Rail, which came out on Monday, surprised none of us in its conclusion that the Department for Transport’s lack of engagement with mayoral authorities, local authorities and other involved parties in the north of England was leading to poor programming and a lack of investment in the rail system. We in the north of England deserve a rail system fit for the 21st century, not the 19th century. Investing in the rail system will enable growth in the north of England, which will benefit the whole country. Will the Prime Minister take a personal interest in the slowness of investment in the rail system so that we can get that growth?
- 25 Feb 2026 · Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory · Hansard source
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Risking the accusation of creeping, Mr Speaker, may I say that it is a great pity that you are not in charge of these negotiations? The deal we have come to, or are coming to, is inexplicable both in principle and in relation to the costs to my constituents. I very much doubt that at the time of the next general election, most Labour candidates, or indeed our manifesto, will point to the yearly cost of £100 million and us giving up ownership of these islands. I am sure that my hon. Friend knows it off by heart, but I will just remind him of page 120 of the Labour manifesto, which states: “Defending our security also means protecting the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, including the Falklands and Gibraltar. Labour will always defend their sovereignty and right to self-determination.” We have not even consulted the Chagossians. Will my hon. Friend not reconsider?
- 4 Feb 2026 · Nurseries and Early Years Providers: CCTV · Hansard source
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I remind Members that they may make a speech only with the prior permission of the Member in charge of the debate and of the Minister. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up, as is the convention for 30-minute debates.
- 4 Feb 2026 · Armed Conflict: Children · Hansard source
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Order.
- 4 Feb 2026 · Armed Conflict: Children · Hansard source
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Order. I intend to call the Front-Bench spokespeople at 5.10 pm. That gives us just under 30 minutes, and seven Members are standing; I think three and a half minutes each would be appropriate, but please try to keep interventions brief. I remind Members to keep bobbing before I call somebody to speak.
- 4 Feb 2026 · Armed Conflict: Children · Hansard source
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Order.
- 4 Feb 2026 · Armed Conflict: Children · Hansard source
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Order. I remind Members that the time for this debate is tight, so interventions should be short and to the point.
- 4 Feb 2026 · Postal Services: Rural Areas · Hansard source
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Minister, I would be grateful if you could leave a couple of minutes at the end for a wind-up speech from the mover of the debate.
- 4 Feb 2026 · Postal Services: Rural Areas · Hansard source
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I remind Members that they need to bob at the end of every contribution if they wish to be called to speak. There are 12 people standing; I intend to call the closing speeches at 3.30 pm, so I will impose a time limit of three minutes, which does not leave very much time for interventions.