Wednesday 10th December 2025

(1 day, 22 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I inform the House that I have selected the amendment in the name of the Prime Minister. I call the Opposition spokesperson to move the motion.

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Tom Tugendhat Portrait Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge) (Con)
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As my hon. Friend will remember, it was wonderful to see the King and the President of the United States sit down at Windsor recently. What was particularly striking was that, on the British side, only the King had run a business—he ran the Duchy of Cornwall. Nobody else had run a business. On the American side, everybody had run a business. Is that not quite a stark contrast?

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I was there, and I have run a business!

Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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My right hon. Friend is correct: having people who have run a business is good for Government. I am sorry to hear that Labour Members do not believe that their Cabinet would be better if there were a few more pro-business people in it. I can assure him that most of his constituents agree.

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John Slinger Portrait John Slinger (Rugby) (Lab)
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way. Hon. Members—

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Mr Hoare, your voice is carrying and I do not need to hear it.

John Slinger Portrait John Slinger
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It did not carry all the way to me.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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It carried to me. That is why I am defending you.

John Slinger Portrait John Slinger
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Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Conservative Members often talk about wealth creators. Of course business people and entrepreneurs are wealth creators, but does the hon. Gentleman agree that wealth is also created by the public services and infrastructure that we need, which has to be paid for?