Wera Hobhouse
Liberal Democrat - Bath
Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
(since September 2020)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)
(since September 2020)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Women and Equalities)
(since September 2020)7 APPG membership (as of 16 Dec 2020)
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Climate Change, Conception to Age Two - First 1001 Days, Eating Disorders, Future of Retail, Light Rail, TibetDebate information
Sparring Partners
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative) Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (35 debate interactions) View debates with Jacob Rees-Mogg Sajid Javid (Conservative) (34 debate interactions) View debates with Sajid Javid John Bercow (Speaker) (33 debate interactions) View debates with John Bercow View All MP Sparring PartnersDepartment Debates
Department for Exiting the European Union (131 debate contributions) View Department for Exiting the European Union debatesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (105 debate contributions) View Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government debates
Ministry of Justice (75 debate contributions) View Ministry of Justice debates
View All MP Department Debates
Legislation Debates
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - Government Bill (4,710 words contributed) View European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - Government Bill debatesVoyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 - Government Bill (3,220 words contributed) View Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 - Government Bill debates
European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 - Government Bill (2,885 words contributed) View European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 - Government Bill debates
View All MP Legislation Debates
Significant Bath Petitions
Highest Bath signature proportion
| Status | Signatures | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 899 of 170,118 (0.53%) |
Lower university tuition fees for students until online teaching ends Gov Responded - 30 Oct 2020 |
| Open | 81 of 16,958 (0.48%) |
Order an official probe into potential Russian interference in the EU referendum Gov Responded - 23 Sep 2020 |
| Open | 190 of 39,828 (0.48%) |
Revoke rules for refusing or cancelling permission to stay for rough sleepers Gov Responded - 18 Dec 2020 |
| Open | 82 of 18,274 (0.45%) |
Stop the plan to include calorie counts on menus Gov Responded - 28 Aug 2020 |
| Open | 231 of 52,402 (0.44%) |
Continue the ban on the use of Neonicotinoids |
Most Bath signatures
| Status | Signatures | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 2,812 of 1,109,572 (0.25%) |
End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry Gov Responded - 11 Nov 2020 |
| Open | 1,986 of 563,745 (0.35%) |
Reduce University student tuition fees from £9250 to £3000 |
| Open | 957 of 620,757 (0.15%) |
Prevent gyms closing due to a spike in Covid 19 cases Gov Responded - 28 Oct 2020 |
| Open | 929 of 479,977 (0.19%) |
Prioritise teachers, school and childcare staff for Covid-19 vaccination |
| Open | 899 of 170,118 (0.53%) |
Lower university tuition fees for students until online teaching ends Gov Responded - 30 Oct 2020 |
| Current Signatures | Final Signatures | Title | Petition Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
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125,196 c. 829 added daily |
186,803 (Estimated) |
Implement a two week school lockdown before 24 December to save Christmas Sign this petition Gov Responded - 1 Dec 2020 Debated on - 7 Dec 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
2 Apr 2021 closes in 2 months, 1 week |
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Schools should move to online learning from 9 December so that all students and school staff have a chance to isolate for two weeks and then can safely meet older relatives. |
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211,100 c. 941 added daily |
239,218 (Estimated) |
Cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021 Sign this petition Gov Responded - 20 Oct 2020 Debated on - 7 Dec 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
19 Feb 2021 closes in 4 weeks, 1 day |
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The Government should cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021 due to the disruption of Covid-19. By the time students go back to normal learning, 6 months will have passed since schools were closed to most pupils. This has already had a huge impact on the studying of so many. |
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427,330 c. 3,256 added daily |
625,780 (Estimated) |
Reclose schools and colleges due to increase in COVID-19 cases Sign this petition Gov Responded - 25 Nov 2020 Debated on - 7 Dec 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
22 Mar 2021 closes in 2 months |
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Close down schools and colleges due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. We are seeing cases of students and teachers catching the virus since schools have reopened. |
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70,337 Petition Closed |
Keep schools closed until Covid 19 is no longer a threat Gov Responded - 25 Nov 2020 Debated on - 7 Dec 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
5 Dec 2020 closed 1 month, 2 weeks ago |
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The threat of covid19 is real. Children can’t be expected to maintain sufficient social distancing to keep this virus from spreading. They are social creatures. Allowing them back to school could cause a new spike in cases. They could bring it back home, even if they are a-symptomatic. |
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200,271 c. 1,686 added daily |
316,110 (Estimated) |
Allow football fans to attend matches at all levels Sign this petition Gov Responded - 21 Oct 2020 Debated on - 9 Nov 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
29 Mar 2021 closes in 2 months, 1 week |
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Football is a powerful tool of which allows a range of benefits such as employment, and other important aspects of life. Football can be associated with passion, emotion, excitement and dedication across the community. With Fans attending football games a range of economic benefits are there too. |
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148,388 Petition Closed |
Reduce curriculum content for year 10 & 12 students who will sit exams in 2021. Gov Responded - 30 Jul 2020 Debated on - 12 Oct 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
1 Dec 2020 closed 1 month, 2 weeks ago |
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A significant number of students will sit their final 2021 examinations. The outcome of which undoubtedly will be their passport, for many of their future life chances and successes. In order for this to be done fairly, it is imperative that the amount of content they are tested on is reduced. |
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148,884 Petition Closed |
Review the decision to use previous data to calculate exam grades Gov Responded - 4 Sep 2020 Debated on - 12 Oct 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
27 Sep 2020 closed 3 months, 3 weeks ago |
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We want the Education Secretary and the Government to step in and review the exam board’s decision on how GCSE and A-Level grades will be calculated and awarded due to the current coronavirus crisis. We want a better solution than just using our previous data to be the basis of our grade. |
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238,884 Petition Closed |
Extend maternity leave by 3 months with pay in light of COVID-19 Gov Responded - 14 May 2020 Debated on - 5 Oct 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
20 Oct 2020 closed 3 months ago |
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In light of the recent outbreak and lock down, those on maternity leave should be given 3 extra months paid leave, at least. This time is for bonding and social engaging with other parents and babies through baby groups which are vital for development and now everything has been cancelled. |
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107,436 Petition Closed |
Extend the transition; delay negotiations until after the coronavirus outbreak Gov Responded - 9 Apr 2020 Debated on - 5 Oct 2020 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
10 Sep 2020 closed 4 months, 1 week ago |
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The government should consider delaying negotiations so they can concentrate on the coronavirus situation and reduce travel of both EU and UK negotiators. This would necessitate extending the transition period; as there can only be a one off extension, this should be for two years. |
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123,309 Petition Closed |
Demand the EU & UN sanction Brazil to halt increased deforestation of the Amazon Gov Responded - 30 Sep 2019 Debated on - 7 Oct 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
24 Jan 2020 closed 12 months ago |
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The government of Brazil led by Bolsonaro favour the development of the Amazon rainforest over conservation, escalating deforestation. Deforestation threatens indigenous populations who live in the forest, loss of a precious and complex ecosystem and a vital carbon store that slows global warming. |
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153,506 Petition Closed |
Make online homophobia a specific criminal offence Gov Responded - 28 Mar 2019 Debated on - 1 Jul 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
12 Aug 2019 closed 1 year, 5 months ago |
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As a gay man I find it devastating how members of the LGBT community are still subjected to homophobic abuse online. |
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183,422 Petition Closed |
Parliament must honour the Referendum result. Leave deal or no deal 29/03/19 Gov Responded - 4 Apr 2019 Debated on - 1 Apr 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
4 Sep 2019 closed 1 year, 4 months ago |
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The UK voted in a referendum in 2016 to Leave the EU....this wasn't dependent on a " deal" ....but rather just "Leave" |
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194,336 Petition Closed |
Hold a second referendum on EU membership. Gov Responded - 30 Jan 2019 Debated on - 1 Apr 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
16 Jul 2019 closed 1 year, 6 months ago |
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The Brexit process has been a failure. At the end of two years, our ruling party is bitterly divided, the main opposition not a viable replacement for it, and the deal we have negotiated is almost universally opposed. |
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6,103,056 Petition Closed |
Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU. Gov Responded - 26 Mar 2019 Debated on - 1 Apr 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
20 Aug 2019 closed 1 year, 5 months ago |
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The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is 'the will of the people'. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU. A People's Vote may not happen - so vote now. |
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113,825 Petition Closed |
Increase funding for schools Gov Responded - 5 Feb 2019 Debated on - 4 Mar 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
19 May 2019 closed 1 year, 8 months ago |
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Schools are having to make difficult choices on how to spend their limited funding as their income has not kept pace with the rise in costs since 2010. All schools are working very hard to “make ends meet” but this is becoming increasingly difficult and verging on almost impossible. |
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116,485 Petition Closed |
Brexit re article 50 it must not be suspended/stopped under any circumstances Gov Responded - 29 Jan 2019 Debated on - 4 Feb 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
31 Jan 2019 closed 1 year, 11 months ago |
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the full details are well known to everyone the media has covered it fully |
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72,241 Petition Closed |
Increase college funding to sustainable levels - all students deserve equality! Gov Responded - 25 Feb 2019 Debated on - 21 Jan 2019 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
10 Apr 2019 closed 1 year, 9 months ago |
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We call on the Government to urgently increase college funding to sustainable levels, including immediate parity with recently announced increases to schools funding. This will give all students a fair chance, give college staff fair pay and provide the high-quality skills the country needs. |
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52,148 Petition Closed |
Prevent avoidable deaths by making autism/learning disability training mandatory Gov Responded - 25 Jul 2018 Debated on - 22 Oct 2018 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
7 Dec 2018 closed 2 years, 1 month ago |
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My son Oliver was only 18 when he died in hospital on 11 Nov 2016. I believe his death could have been prevented if his doctors and nurses had received mandatory training. He had autism and a mild learning disability, and they weren't trained to understand how to make reasonable adjustments for him. |
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203,235 Petition Closed |
Rescind Art.50 if Vote Leave has broken Electoral Laws regarding 2016 referendum Gov Responded - 9 Jan 2019 Debated on - 10 Sep 2018 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
12 Jan 2019 closed 2 years ago |
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If Vote Leave has broken any laws regarding overspending in 2016 EU referendum then Art.50 should be immediately withdrawn and full EU membership continued. |
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113,612 Petition Closed |
Parliament's vote on the Brexit deal must include an option to remain in the EU. Gov Responded - 19 Dec 2017 Debated on - 11 Jun 2018 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
17 May 2018 closed 2 years, 8 months ago |
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A lesser of two evils choice between a bad deal and no deal is not acceptable. Our country deserves better than Hobson's choice, and our MPs should be allowed to vote with their conscience to deliver what they believe is best for the country. |
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156,835 Petition Closed |
Call on PM to take action to build public trust in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Gov Responded - 5 Jan 2018 Debated on - 14 May 2018 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
30 May 2018 closed 2 years, 7 months ago |
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Bereaved families & survivors call on PM to exercise her powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 to appoint additional panel members with decision making power to sit alongside Chair in Grenfell Tower Inquiry: to ensure those affected have confidence in & are willing to fully participate in the Inquiry |
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141,835 Petition Closed |
Leave the EU immediately Gov Responded - 17 Oct 2017 Debated on - 22 Jan 2018 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
14 Mar 2018 closed 2 years, 10 months ago |
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The Government should walk away from the Article 50 negotiations and leave the EU immediately with no deal. The EU looks set to offer us a punishment deal out of spite. Why wait another 18 months when we could leave right away and fully take back control of our country, lawmaking powers and borders? |
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145,118 Petition Closed |
Hold a referendum on the final Brexit deal Gov Responded - 28 Sep 2017 Debated on - 11 Dec 2017 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
12 Mar 2018 closed 2 years, 10 months ago |
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We, the undersigned, call upon HM Government to give the people of this country the final say on the Brexit deal negotiated by the UK and EU. This would be done through a referendum that would take place prior to the April 2019 exit date. |
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14,438 Petition Closed |
No referendum on the final deal for the UK to remain in the European Union. Gov Responded - 17 Oct 2017 Debated on - 11 Dec 2017 View Wera Hobhouse's petition debate contributions |
15 Mar 2018 closed 2 years, 10 months ago |
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We, the undersigned, herby call upon HM government to dismiss calls for a referendum on the final deal as the British people were asked an important question on the 23rd June last year, the choices were abundantly clear, remain or leave the European Union and leave won a decisive vote. |
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Most recent EDMs signed by Wera Hobhouse
| Date Tabled | Title | Signatures |
|---|---|---|
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7 Oct 2020 |
Wera Hobhouse signed this EDM on Thursday 8th October 2020Congratulating Prime Minister Ardern on New Zealand’s response to coronavirusTabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)That this House congratulates New Zealand’s Labour Government, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, on its 7 October 2020 declaration that the country has eliminated local transmission of coronavirus; notes that this comes after there were no new cases for 10 days in Auckland, its largest city, after a cluster … |
19 signatures (Most recent: 9 Oct 2020) Signatures by party: Labour: 12 Scottish National Party: 4 Liberal Democrat: 2 Independent: 1 |
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1 Oct 2020 |
Wera Hobhouse signed this EDM on Tuesday 6th October 2020Support for Further Education collegesTabled by: Robert Halfon (Conservative - Harlow)That this House recognises the unique role that colleges play in supporting people, employers and communities to thrive and central role in rebuilding the economy; endorses the vision of the Independent Commission on the College of the Future for a strategic and expanded role for colleges in empowering people with … |
9 signatures (Most recent: 9 Oct 2020) Signatures by party: Conservative: 4 Labour: 2 Green Party: 1 Alliance: 1 Liberal Democrat: 1 |
Commons initiatives
2 Urgent Questions tabled by Wera Hobhouse
| Date | Forum | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2019 | Commons Chamber | Legislation against Female Genital Mutilation |
| 18 Jun 2018 | Commons Chamber | Upskirting |
Wera Hobhouse has not been granted any Adjournment Debates in the current sitting
6 Bills introduced by Wera Hobhouse
Parallel Parliament Note:
The substantive text of this bill was re-introduced by the Government as the Voyeurism Offences Act which received Royal Assent during the 2017-2019 Parliament.
A Bill to make certain acts of voyeurism an offence.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Tuesday 6th March 2018 and was enacted into law.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility
Date TBA
A Bill to amend the Equality Act 2010 to permit political parties to use all-ethnic-minority shortlists for the selection of election candidates.
Wednesday 14th October 2020
Date TBA
Order Paper number: 12
(Unlikely to be Debated - would require unanimous consent to progress)
A Bill to make motivation by misogyny an aggravating factor in criminal sentencing; to require police forces to record hate crimes motivated by misogyny; and for connected purposes.
Monday 9th March 2020
Date TBA
Order Paper number: 13
(Unlikely to be Debated - would require unanimous consent to progress)
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to increase penalties for stationary vehicle idling offences; to grant local authorities increased powers to issue such penalties; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 5th June 2019
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require routine six week National Health Service check-ups for new mothers to include mental health assessments and advice; and for connected purposes.
Thursday 7th March 2019
10 Bills supported by Wera Hobhouse
Local Electricity Bill 2019-21 - Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)
Sponsor - Peter Aldous (CON)
School Toilets (Access During Lessons) Bill 2019-21 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Layla Moran (LDEM)
Wellbeing of Future Generations (No. 2) Bill 2019-21 - Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)
Sponsor - Caroline Lucas (GRN)
International Development (Women’s Sanitary Products) Bill 2019-21 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Wendy Chamberlain (LDEM)
Clean Air (No. 3) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Geraint Davies (LAB)
Prime Minister (Confidence) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Tom Brake (LDEM)
Gender-based Pricing (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LDEM)
House of Peers Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LDEM)
Homelessness (End of Life Care) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)
Sponsor - Ed Davey (LDEM)
Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill 2017-19 - Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)
Sponsor - Layla Moran (LDEM)