Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gareth Snell and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 24th April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves]

As we set out in our manifesto, the Government are committed to encouraging participation in our democracy and believe that it is unacceptable when legitimate voters are prevented or discouraged from voting. Although we have no plans to remove the voter ID rules, at the elections in May the veteran card will be accepted for the first time, and we are conducting a thorough review of the voter ID rules, evaluating how they impacted citizens at the general election.

[Gareth Snell (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

Too many Government Departments and public bodies have foreign-made tableware purchased with British taxpayers’ money. May I invite the ministerial team to make a commitment to ensure that every Department replaces its foreign-made table set with a British-made one—preferably from Stoke-on-Trent?

Reporting Ministerial Gifts and Hospitality

Debate between Gareth Snell and Ellie Reeves

Monday 14th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves]

I thank the hon. Member for his helpful contribution. That is exactly what we seek to do through these changes.

[Gareth Snell (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

I welcome the conversion of the Conservative party to transparency and ethics. Whether it was wallpaper or weddings, or Pincher, Paterson or Benton, Conservative Members were sadly silent when they thought that one of their own should get away with things. May I suggest that my hon. Friend retrospectively apply the new rules to the last 12 months of every serving Member who was a Minister? They should have to declare every piece of hospitality and gift that they received as Ministers, so that we can see exactly what their own record was compared with our cleanliness.

[Ellie Reeves]

I thank my hon. Friend for his observations. That is certainly something that I can take back to be looked at.