Business of the House

Euan Stainbank Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this important anniversary. I remember those terrible events very well. The anniversary gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to the fantastic people across the communities of Carlisle and the way they responded to the challenges of the flooding. I join my hon. Friend in celebrating the extraordinary work of North Cumbria Search and Rescue and all those who run those vital services, and not just in her area but across the UK.

[Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) (Lab)]

Last month, during consideration of a Lords message on the Employment Rights Bill, I said:

“I have proportionate respect for the work of the other place”.—[Official Report, 5 November 2025; Vol. 774, c. 978.]

However, this House and the public—especially young, lower-paid and insecure workers—expect a popularly elected Government’s manifesto commitments not to be held up, compromised or rejected by the other place. Will the Leader of the House therefore schedule an urgent debate, in Government time and in this, the elected Chamber, on whether we should now abolish the House of Lords?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend will know that the Employment Rights Bill will return to this House before the recess, and he may wish then to raise this point. Of course, it is important that this House, as the elected House, ultimately gets its way, but the upper House has an important role to play on many matters. We have had debates about these matters in the past, and I am sure that the debate about not just whether we reform the House of Lords, but whether we actually need a second Chamber, will continue into the future.