Luke Murphy MP: speeches 2026

Speeches

• 22 Jan 2026 · Local Government Reorganisation · Hansard source

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  I take issue with the absolute brass neck of the shadow Secretary of State, who talked about the Government putting pressure on local government finances and then devolving the blame. Nothing could better describe the destructive austerity policies of the last Government, who devastated local councils across the country. On the matter in hand, I welcome the decision to go ahead with elections in Hampshire and Basingstoke. That was the will of local councillors, though I accept that different areas have different circumstances. Are we still on track for the local government reorganisation process in Hampshire and Basingstoke? Can I impress upon the Secretary of State the importance of reaching a decision that endorses the proposal from Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor councils for a north Hampshire authority?

• 21 Jan 2026 · Warm Homes Plan · Hansard source

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  The cost of living is the No. 1 issue for my constituents, so I welcome this record investment in warmer homes and lower bills. Measures such as zero-interest and low-interest loans for solar batteries and heat pumps, greater protections for renters, and solar on new homes will all make a huge amount of difference. When will my constituents be able to begin applying for those low and zero-interest loans? For many, there is no time to wait.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Town of Culture and City of Culture Competitions · Hansard source

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  11. What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the new town of culture and UK city of culture 2029 competitions support communities.

• 15 Jan 2026 · Town of Culture and City of Culture Competitions · Hansard source

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  Basingstoke has a rich cultural heritage, from world-class venues such as the Anvil and the Haymarket, to creative spaces such as Proteus Creation Space, heritage sites such as Basing House and wonderful museums such as Milestones and the Willis Museum. It has also been the home and shaped the lives of Jane Austen and Thomas Burberry. Does the Secretary of State therefore agree that Basingstoke would be a highly deserving winner of the town of culture 2029 competition? If she cannot endorse that, will she at least join me in calling on Basingstoke council to work with me in submitting a bid?

• 14 Jan 2026 · Offshore Wind · Hansard source

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  I congratulate the Secretary of State and his team on today’s announcement, not least because it draws such a stark contrast. He has announced the largest ever offshore wind auction in history, whereas one of his predecessors came to this House to announce the largest ever Government energy subsidy to households in history—those were the words from the previous Government’s press release. That £40 billion was necessary, but it was the result of the previous Government’s failure to secure our energy supply. That cost our households thousands and taxpayers billions. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that this announcement will secure our energy future and ensure that such a catastrophic failure can never happen again?

• 12 Jan 2026 · Call for General Election · Hansard source

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  On people not being told about things at a general election, I wonder how many people were told in the 2019 election that the Prime Minister—then Boris Johnson—would be replaced by Liz Truss and then the right hon. Member for Richmond and Northallerton (Rishi Sunak)? Is it not the point that things change over the course of a Parliament, and surely the change of a Prime Minister would be more merit for the calling of an election than the things that the hon. Member has cited?

• 6 Jan 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  T3. Since 2021, energy network firms have pocketed £4 billion in excess profits under the previous price control regime, known as RIIO-2, set under the previous Government. Those costs are borne by all our households through inflated energy bills. With Ofgem’s new price control regime, RIIO-3, now published, can the Minister confirm that robust safeguards are in place to both secure vital investment, but also protect from profiteering and deliver value for money for bill payers?

• 5 Jan 2026 · Community Policing · Hansard source

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  21. What recent steps her Department has taken to help increase levels of community policing.

• 5 Jan 2026 · Community Policing · Hansard source

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  Happy new year to you and your team, Mr Speaker. I welcome the Government’s neighbourhood policing guarantee, which puts named, contactable officers in every community, and indeed the increased presence of patrols in the Top of the Town in Basingstoke. However, as the Minister knows—we have corresponded on this issue—one of the issues that we in Basingstoke face is the retention of officers, with locally trained officers moving to higher-paid forces such as those in London. What more can the Department do, and what more can I do, to ensure we improve the retention of officers in Basingstoke, including to support community policing?