To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 Jan 2022
Elections Bill

"I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind remarks. It was a pleasure to serve on the Bill Committee with him. He and his colleague the hon. Member for Glasgow North (Patrick Grady) did as much as to scrutinise every line of the Bill as I and my hon. Friend …..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 Jan 2022
Elections Bill

"Has my right hon. Friend read the transcript of our Committee hearings? I hope that the Minister has had a chance to read the Russia report, because it is imperative for all of us to be well aware of the security threats that face our democracy...."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 Jan 2022
Elections Bill

"I begin by disagreeing with the hon. Member for Broadland (Jerome Mayhew). I do not feel that the Bill has had sufficient time to be properly scrutinised by the House. This is the first time that we have had the opportunity to discuss the legislation since the publication of the …..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 Jan 2022
Elections Bill

"I completely agree with my hon. Friend. This should have been a Bill to solidify and make our electoral laws more simple and straightforward, but it actually adds an extra layer of complexity.

Criminalising political protest through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, removing the 15-year rule, which opens …..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill
Written Question
China: Uighurs
Wednesday 15th December 2021

Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the treatment of Uyghur Christians in Xianjaing, China.

Answered by Amanda Milling

We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in China, including the persecution on the grounds of their religion or belief. The freedom to practise, change or share ones faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right that all people should enjoy.

We regularly raise our concerns about human rights with the Chinese authorities. The Prime Minister did so in a telephone call with President Xi on 29 October, as did the Foreign Secretary in her introductory call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 22 October.

Speech in Public Bill Committees - Tue 26 Oct 2021
Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)

"When we heard the intervention from the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme, was the hon. Gentleman reminded, as I was, of Desmond Tutu’s words:

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river…We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in”?

…..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)
Speech in Public Bill Committees - Tue 26 Oct 2021
Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)

"Can the Minister answer a very simple question? Will there be a UK general election by 26 October 2022? That is 12 months from today...."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)
Speech in Public Bill Committees - Tue 26 Oct 2021
Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)

"On the point about transparency, does the Minister not recognise that the Government are not being transparent with charities or third party campaigners? How are they ever meant to know when the regulated spend period is kicking in when we do not have scheduled, regular general elections for the UK …..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)
Speech in Public Bill Committees - Tue 26 Oct 2021
Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)

"Can the Minister confirm for the benefit of the charities that are watching our proceedings that we are not currently in a regulated spend period?..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)
Speech in Public Bill Committees - Tue 26 Oct 2021
Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)

"Thank you, Mr Pritchard. I welcome not just clause 26, but the whole of part 5 of the legislation. As shadow democracy Minister, I have had the unfortunate pleasure of having to take part in many debates about intimidation of candidates; I am sure all Members will be aware of …..."
Cat Smith - View Speech

View all Cat Smith (Lab - Lancaster and Wyre) contributions to the debate on: Elections Bill (Eleventh sitting)