"Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I pay particular tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Anthony Mangnall) for the passion that he displayed in making his argument just now. I imagine that he will not be terribly happy …..." Lee Rowley - View Speech
"But. The hon. Lady anticipates me, but perhaps I can start with some shared principles.
I shall start my contribution today by reaffirming some of the things that have already been spoken about with some eloquence—namely, that support for those in need is part of what makes us human, that …..." Lee Rowley - View Speech
"On the hon. Lady’s second point, I hope she will accept that different polls are saying different things. I may just leave that one there. On her first point, I absolutely accept that I stood on a manifesto commitment. There is a broad philosophical discussion to be had with every …..." Lee Rowley - View Speech
"My right hon. Friend raises an important point, which I know he has pursued relentlessly; I am sure that he will continue to do so beyond the confines of my very limited contribution to today’s debate. I am sure that he can take the point up with a representative of …..." Lee Rowley - View Speech
"If I may, I will make some progress, but I would be delighted to give way to my hon. Friend in a moment.
Probably what makes today’s debate so frustrating for people out there who may be watching and who do not share the consensus that is generally coming across …..." Lee Rowley - View Speech
"My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we have arbitrary targets everywhere; I do not doubt that. One reason that I sought election to this place was to try to get under the skin of those arbitrary targets. Some of the shibboleths that have not been challenged for a number …..." Lee Rowley - View Speech
"If my hon. Friend does not mind, I will try to make a little more progress.
I do not think that righteousness should be outsourced to an international sector that I have been really disappointed in in recent weeks as regards this debate. All the emails coming into my inbox, …..." Lee Rowley - View Speech