8 times elected as MP for The Glorious Ribble Valley. 1992-2024. Elected Deputy Speaker of the Commons twice.
Joined October 2007
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Roy Hattersley was one of the genuine old Labour politicians- fiercely academic with his true roots in support of working people- I was lucky enough to cross his last term in the Commons. It’s people like Roy that shaped politics for a generation with absolute belief in improving the lot of the people he represented….. on the lighter side he was a gift to spitting image- but his legacy was not that of his caricature. I pay tribute to the passing of a warrior of a politics more real.
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Nicola Sturgeon’s husband must have thought SNP stood for salt ‘n’ pepper! He really did rinse that party- and Nicola didn’t notice all those beyond luxury items cluttering the house!
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Rt Hon Nigel Evans retweeted
Our armed forces need money immediately. They are getting promises for the future but little right now. That is pathetic. Our enemies are putting more and more resources r into their militaries as I write. They laugh and take advantage of our Government’s lack of resolve. I’ve seen such weakness myself in Bosnia during the 1990’s and the results of such resource indecisiveness for my men in the field - as I have written in my new book, ‘Both Feet In’ which is published on Amazon and on all major audiobook platforms. Please, please Government learn from past mistakes and divert the resources needed for Defence from the huge and increasing amounts allocated in Benefits, Welfare and Net Zero.
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Jun 12
Sums it up
"He is the Prime Minister that is fit FOR THE MOMENT"
Straight out of The Thick of It!
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Jun 12
Stop the hounding of our veterans who put their lives on the line for us!
In his resignation letter I note that Al Carns , Armed Forces Minister, has also added that he was quitting too because of the continuing Government supported hounding of Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in our courts. Absolutely. For goodness sake Government back those who put their bodies on the firing line for all of us.
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Jun 12
In a world where we make our own choices I choose to stand with John Healey and Al Carns. Their resignation letters sum up what is wrong with this Government. It is about the money but it is also wider than that. Decent people are leaving the Government for the right reasons. Those who remain cannot fulfil their roles whilst their compass is broken. The decay of leadership contaminates all.
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Jun 11
No one knows defence matters more than Colonel Bob Stewart- he nails the awful state of UK defences. Anyone succeeding John Healey must demand more resources for our armed forces immediately !
I have deliberately kept quiet since leaving politics almost 2 years ago. The parlous state of our defences has forced me to break cover.
The resignation of the admirable John Healey as Secretary of State for Defence shows clearly that the Prime Minister is not a man of his word.
We do not have the ships, tanks or aircraft we need.
The first duty of the Prime Minister is defence of the realm above all else.
KEEP YOUR WORD PRIME MINISTER!
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Jun 11
Starmer’s only choice for Sec of State for defence has to be Jeremy Corbyn. They both agree that strong defences are secondary to every other department!
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Jun 11
Hat off to Healey! Defence comes before an out of control welfare binge
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Jun 10
Respect Parliament by making Govt statements to Parliament first !
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Jun 10
Sir Lindsay spot on here- where is the respect for the people’s representatives- the MPs? They have waited a long time for this announcement - waiting a weekend longer won’t harm!
Jun 10
Sir Lindsay Hoyle is livid about rumours the government will publish the Defence Investment Plan on Friday, when MPs are not sitting.
Says he would be "appalled" to see the plan announced without a statement to the Commons first and makes a direct appeal to No10:
"That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to members of this House.
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"Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens with the Government. I don't want that to be the case, and I hope I am proven wrong."
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Jun 10
Was there to see Kemi nail Starmer’s lack of priorities over welfare spending versus defence spending ! Its welfare and higher taxes every time time for Sir Keir!
Jun 10
A more dangerous world demands serious leadership. But Keir Starmer is paralysed.
We must cut welfare spending to fund our defence.
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Jun 8
Instead of spending £10m on diversity and inclusion posts why don’t police forces spend that money on 230 more police officers. I bet most police officers would agree with me! Get the priorities right!
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Jun 7
But they are not for sale, or us paying to give them away- that’s right isn’t it Keir?
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