All 7 Debates between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson

Syria

Debate between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson
Monday 16th April 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I gently say to the hon. Gentleman that that was, of itself, not disorderly—if it had been, I would have intervened straight away—but I want to say this to the House. “Erskine May” underscores the importance of moderation and good humour in the use of parliamentary language. Very politely, I say that it is all very well for Members to nod approvingly when someone says that we should respect each other’s motives—and to either imply or say, “Hear, hear”—only for someone effectively to attack someone else’s motives a few minutes later. I say to the hon. Gentleman that that is a technique to be used very sparingly, if at all. We are democrats in this place, and we attack each other’s political positions but we should not impugn each other’s integrity—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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No, no! No response is required from the hon. Gentleman. I have said what the position is, and I suggest that we leave it there.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson
Tuesday 10th January 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Progress, apart from anything else, has been glacial—far, far too slow—so we need to speed up.

Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)
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2. What recent representations the Government have made to authorities in northern Cyprus on the killing of George Low in Ayia Napa in August 2016.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson
Wednesday 7th September 2016

(7 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. If the House were as courteous to the Minister as the Minister is to the House, that would be a great advance for all of us.

Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)
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T3. Our electoral system needs to be both user-friendly and watertight if it is to command the respect of the British public. The Minister previously alluded to the report produced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Sir Eric Pickles). Will the Minister commit today to implementing at least the broad thrust of the report, so that trust in our system can continue?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson
Tuesday 17th March 2015

(9 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I realise that the Minister is not a prisoner, but I am not sure that being forced to answer so many questions will aid his rehabilitation when he is obviously struggling with a very sore throat. That seems to be a considerable unkindness.

Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson
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I welcome the measures that the Ministry of Justice has taken to work with short-term prisoners. I think that this is the first time we have ever seen that happening, and it has become possible only because of the pioneering approach of the Ministry. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is vital to work with short-term prisoners, who often have more deeply rooted offending behaviour than many other types of offenders?

Simon Hughes Portrait Simon Hughes
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I am grateful to you for your concern, Mr Speaker. The Secretary of State offered me the chance to opt out, but I volunteered to come here and do my duty, so I hope I am forgiven. I might have to curl up and hide in the corner in a minute, however.

I would say to the hon. Member for Dartford (Gareth Johnson) that in the year ending last March, 57% of all adult offenders released from custody after serving a sentence of less than 12 months reoffended within a year. They are the largest group of reoffenders. They are the people who cause the most victims the most grief and the criminal justice system the most cost. We have never had a Government who have dealt with this issue, but we have been determined to do so and I believe that the way in which we rehabilitate those people will be transformational.

BBC

Debate between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson
Monday 12th November 2012

(11 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I am keen to accommodate remaining colleagues as there is but a sprinkling of them.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Mr Johnson, you can take your seat and be comfortable. Brevity would assist us in this process. You can rise again now.

Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson
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There is no doubt that “Newsnight” broadcast a car crash of a television programme or that changes are needed at the BBC, but does the Secretary of State agree that it would be a mistake to use the problems emanating from that “Newsnight” programme and the current difficulties at the BBC to rubbish everything it does and all it stands for?

House of Lords Reform Bill

Debate between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson
Tuesday 10th July 2012

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson
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My hon. Friend makes a valid point. Very few Members of this House think that the House of Lords is perfect in every way, but we do not want radical overhauls and an elected House of Lords, as suggested by this fundamentally flawed Bill.

Governments are currently created by single elections—general elections—and the reviewing Chamber acts as a check and balance without—[Interruption.]

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. There are a lot of very noisy conversations taking place in the Chamber. These are serious matters, and I think we owe the hon. Gentleman whom I have called first the courtesy of a fair and decent hearing.

Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson
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The reviewing Chamber acts as a check and balance without the necessity of playing to the gallery. The contradictory nature of the two Houses of Parliament ensures that genuine revision of legislation takes place, and it is that essential difference between the two Houses that the Bill seeks to eradicate.

I oppose the principle of an elected second Chamber, but the details of the Bill are also wrong. Fifteen-year terms fly in the face of democracy. Even Robert Mugabe has not tried a term of office for that length of time. Fifteen years without any possibility of facing the electorate gives a mandate to that senator without any kind of accountability. The wealth of expertise that exists in the Lords will go, to be replaced by people who really wanted to be Members of this House.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Bercow and Gareth Johnson
Tuesday 14th September 2010

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con)
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Is my hon. Friend aware that Israel has recently altered its approach to the blockade of Gaza and ensured that there will be an increase of genuine aid—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I am sorry, but I am trying to be helpful to the hon. Gentleman. He was standing in relation to a question about Zimbabwe.

Gareth Johnson Portrait Gareth Johnson
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I apologise, Sir.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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It is okay, but another time. We are grateful to the hon. Gentleman.