Business of the House

Mark Ferguson Excerpts

Thursday 3rd July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I take this opportunity to congratulate my hon. Friend on his leadership on this issue and on getting Wortley’s Wembley—what a great title—back into use. I thank Leeds United and all those in the local community who have been involved, because I know just how important this project will be for his community. What a great achievement in his first year as a new Member of Parliament to get it off the ground.

[Mark Ferguson (Gateshead Central and Whickham) (Lab)]

Charlie Rogers was a unique chronicler of my community. He was a friend of L. S. Lowry and the pitman painter Norman Cornish, and his paintings and illustrations of working-class life in central Gateshead and central Newcastle are incredibly powerful and deserve a wider audience. My constituent, Brian Rankin, is hoping to bring his work to a wider audience with this fantastic collection “Pursued by Bulldozers”, which it will be possible to view next week. Will the Leader of the House provide Government time for a debate on the art and culture of Gateshead, which we are incredibly proud of?

[Lucy Powell]

My hon. Friend has given a great advert for the remarkable work of Charlie Rogers and the upcoming exhibition, “Pursued by Bulldozers”. I am sure that his advert will encourage many people to come and look at it.