argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Law and Crime
Anna Mary Soubry (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. A member of my staff was abused this morning as he sought to come to work. There were no police officers outside the Embankment entrance to Portcullis House. It was not just a random piece of abuse; he was called a "spineless" c-u-n-t. I will not use that word in any circumstances. There is no excuse for abusing him or any other member of staff in that way. Some of us have broad shoulders—I am not going to make a fuss; we all know what happened last week, and I am grateful that the police are finally doing something about it—but it cannot be right that those people are standing outside this place. The man who abused my staff member had been spoken to on three occasions this morning by police officers, but they had then left their post to go somewhere else Mr Speaker, I am grateful to the police who keep us safe, and you know the sort of conversations that I and many others have had with them. I do not doubt that they want to do a good job, but unless the Metropolitan police at the most senior level now do their job and make sure that our staff have exactly the same rights as any other worker in any other business, trade or profession, we will have a situation where our members of staff will simply no longer work for us. Mr Speaker, what more can we do?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Law and Crime
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I was shocked to hear of that incident, and I concur entirely with everything that the right hon. Lady has said to the Chamber today, as I have done on a number of recent occasions. No one should be subjected to vile abuse of the kind that she has described. I hosted a meeting in Speaker’s House last week with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police, and I referred to the fact of that meeting in the Chamber, I believe last Friday. I have written to the Commissioner, and I have received a very full and encouraging reply from Cressida Dick. I will not read it out to the House, but she, while quite properly explaining how seriously she and her officers take their responsibilities, went on to seek to assure me of an increased police presence and, to some degree, a changed mindset in terms of the importance of proactive measures. Quite why there were no police officers outside Portcullis House at the time I do not at this point know, but I intend to raise the matter, because it is absolutely vital that the aspiration to achieve security is realised, if at all possible, in every particular case. Does the Leader of the House want to come in on that?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Government Operations
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): It is not for me to bring the Procedure Committee into play. However, I am in the hands of the House, and the House can take a view on these matters and may well choose to do so. More widely, I think it is fair to say that quite a number of Members of Parliament on both sides of the House—particularly some very senior and experienced Members—have relayed to me over the last several months their disappointment, concern and in some cases I would go so far as to say distress that what they previously regarded as givens seem no longer to apply. I simply make the point factually that a number of senior Members on the Government Benches have told me that, whatever they think of a particular vote—for example, a vote on an Opposition motion—it should be honoured, because they are putting their commitment to Parliament in front of their commitment to party. So I put that out there. These matters will be aired in this Chamber, and ultimately decided upon in this Chamber, if Members want that to happen. The idea that that can be blocked—I am not saying that that is what is intended—by Executive fiat, for example, is for the birds.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I have made the position clear on money resolutions in the past, and I am not going to entertain hypothetical questions. I have tried to be—[Interruption.] Order. I am not debating the issue with the hon. Gentleman. He has made a point of raising points of order on a number of occasions, and if he wants to have a discussion at some stage, he is perfectly welcome to come to see me, but I am not going to detain the House now with endless exchanges on this matter with people who really want to stage a form of Question Time—[Interruption.] No, I do not require any gesticulation from him; I am telling him that that is the situation BILLS PRESENTED EUROPEAN UNION REFERENDUM (PREPARATION) BILL Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Mr Dominic Grieve, supported by Liz Saville Roberts, Joanna Cherry, Tom Brake, Heidi Allen, Stephen Doughty, Justine Greening, Mr Chris Leslie, Anna Soubry, Chuka Umunna, Caroline Lucas and Dr Phillip Lee, presented a Bill to enable preparations for a referendum about the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Monday 21 January, and to be printed (Bill 318). EUROPEAN UNION REFERENDUM BILL Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Mr Dominic Grieve, supported by Liz Saville Roberts, Joanna Cherry, Tom Brake, Heidi Allen, Stephen Doughty, Justine Greening, Mr Chris Leslie, Anna Soubry, Chuka Umunna, Caroline Lucas and Dr Phillip Lee, presented a Bill to provide for a referendum about the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Monday 21 January, and to be printed (Bill 319).
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
George William Freeman (Conservative, Centre-right): When those cross-party talks start, which of the Scarlet Pimpernels will come? Will it be the Leader of the Opposition who campaigns for remain in London and the south-east, or will it be the Leader of the Opposition who campaigns for Brexit up north? We need to know.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): Last night, the House rejected the deal the Government have negotiated with the European Union. Today, it is asked a simpler question: should the next step be a general election? I believe that is the worst thing we could do: it would deepen division when we need unity, it would bring chaos when we need certainty, and it would bring delay when we need to move forward. So I believe the House should reject this motion At this crucial moment in our nation’s history, a general election is simply not in the national interest. Parliament decided to put the question of our membership of the European Union to the people. Parliament promised to abide by the result. Parliament invoked article 50 to trigger the process. And now Parliament must finish the job. That is what the British people expect of us and, as I find when speaking to my constituents and to voters right across the country, that is what they demand. But a general election would mean the opposite. Far from helping Parliament finish the job and fulfil our promise to the people of the United Kingdom, it would mean extending article 50 and delaying Brexit, for who knows how long.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Macroeconomics
John Charles Baron (Conservative, Centre-right): As someone who was defeated last night by only 230 votes, may I encourage the Prime Minister to KBO and never tire of reminding the country that our good economic and one-nation record will be put at risk by a very extreme left-wing and high-taxation party?
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Macroeconomics
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I shall speak about this later in my speech, but it is over the years since 2010, with Conservatives in government, that we have been able to turn the economy around, ensure that jobs are provided for people and give people a better future.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
James Morris (Conservative, Centre-right): I totally agree with the Prime Minister that a general election would solve nothing—it is merely a tactical device used by the Opposition to cause chaos—but does she agree with me that we also need to rule out a second referendum on our membership of the EU, which would be highly divisive and would not resolve the issues we currently face?
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right that a general election would cause the sort of delay that I have just been talking about. He is also right in that we had a referendum in 2016, and I believe it is incumbent on this Parliament to deliver on the result of that referendum and to deliver Brexit. As regards those issues, the choices we face as a country will not change after four or five weeks of campaigning for a general election, and there is no indication that an election would solve the dilemma that we now face. Not only that, but there is no guarantee that an election would deliver a parliamentary majority for any single course of action.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Mark Gino Francois (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Prime Minister for giving way; unlike some, she is clearly not afraid to debate. It is not exactly a secret that on European policy, she and I have not seen entirely eye to eye—
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for his intervention. I note what he said and I am happy to carry on discussing with him the different views we have had on the European issue. It is absolutely clear that what the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition is trying to do is not going to help to resolve the issue of ensuring that we deliver on Brexit for the British people.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I said last night that we would be having discussions across the House. There are many different opinions in the House on the issue of how to deliver Brexit; indeed, there are some views in the House on how not to deliver Brexit. I believe that we should deliver Brexit for the people. I made it clear that, should the Leader of the Opposition table a motion of no confidence, the first priority would be to debate that motion. I am confident that the Government will retain the confidence of the House. When that happens, I shall set out the further steps that we will take on discussions with Members from across the House.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): If the hon. Gentleman had listened to what I said—it does help sometimes We do not even know what position the Labour party would take on Brexit in an election. It is barely 18 months since this country—
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): If my hon. Friend would just allow me one moment It is barely 18 months since this country last went to the polls, in an election in which well over 80% of voters—almost 27 million people—backed parties whose manifestos promised to deliver Brexit. That is what the Government intend to do and that is what is in the national interest, not the disruption, delay and expense of a fourth national poll in less than four years.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right, because of course the position that the Leader of the Opposition took was that however good a deal for the United Kingdom the Government brought back, he would vote against it, and however bad a deal the EU offered, he would vote for it. He has no real national interest in getting the right answer for our country.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Law and Crime
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman talks about paying for police; of course, we made more money available to police forces, and what did the Labour party do? Labour voted against that. [Interruption.] Yes, that is what Labour did—voted against it.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I will make a little more progress, then take some more interventions Last night, the House spoke clearly, and I heard the message that it sent. I heard the concerns of my colleagues and those from across the House, and I understand them. As I told the House last night and have just repeated, if the Government secure the confidence of this House, my first priority will be to hold meetings with my colleagues, with our confidence and supply partners the Democratic Unionist party and with senior parliamentarians from across the House, but our principles are clear: a deal that delivers a smooth and orderly exit, protecting our Union, giving us control of our borders, laws and money and allowing us to operate an independent trade policy. These are what deliver on the will of the British people.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman will not be surprised to hear that I will give him the same answer as I have just given in my comments. I point out to him that the key thing that this House and this Parliament need to do is to deliver Brexit for the British people. That is what we need to do. We need to deliver a Brexit that respects and reflects the vote that was taken in the 2016 referendum.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I repeat that we will approach the discussions in a constructive spirit. We want to hear from the House the detail of what it wants to see, such that we can secure the House’s support for a deal.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Government Operations
Robert William Henry Seely (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for giving way, unlike the Leader of the Opposition. Does she share my concerns that too many people in this House are trying to scupper the mandate given to us by the British people? For centuries, this House has taken arbitrary power from kings, queens, peers and grandees and put that power in this House for the public good, but it appears that we are now becoming an arbitrary power that is removing the mandate that we gave to the British people. Will my right hon. Friend fight to deliver on that mandate and to protect and preserve our democracy?
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I will make a little more progress. I have already been generous with interventions If those talks bear fruit, as I said earlier in Prime Minister’s questions, then be in no doubt that I will go back to Brussels and communicate them clearly to the European Union, and that is what Members asked for. The leader of the SNP MPs said that we should have talks with all the leaders of the Opposition parties and work together in all our interests. The Chairman of the Brexit Committee said that if the deal was defeated, "I would like to think that she would take a bold step—that she would reach out across the House to look for a consensus." That is exactly what I propose to do. It would be a little strange for the Opposition to vote against that approach later today and in favour of a general election, as that would make that process of reaching out across Parliament impossible.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Labor
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): In a moment When I became Prime Minister that is what I pledged to do: yes, to deliver Brexit, but also to govern on the side of working people, right across the country, for whom life is harder than it should be and to build on the progress that has been made since 2010.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Foreign Trade
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): That is the point that I have been making and repeating. When people voted to leave, they voted for certain things. They voted to ensure that we could have that independent trade policy and that we would end free movement, for example, and it is our duty to ensure that we deliver on those things.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Foreign Trade
Kenneth Clarke (Conservative, Centre-right): I have asked many people throughout this why they voted on one side or the other in the referendum, and I have got a very wide range of replies. I have to say, though, that no one has ever told me that they voted to leave in order that we could leave the customs union, or that they wanted us to erect trade barriers between ourselves and the rest of the Europe. As the Prime Minister is as committed to this as I am, I entirely support her aim of keeping open borders between ourselves and the rest of Europe. Is it not the case that there is nowhere in the world where two developed countries in any populated area are able to have an open border unless they have some form of customs union?
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. and learned Friend refers to the fact that, obviously, there were various reasons why people voted to leave the European Union, but when they were doing so they did vote to ensure that we continue to have a good trading relationship with our nearest neighbours in the European Union and also to improve our trading relationships with others around the world. That is what we were searching for and that is what was in the political declaration for the future. That package was not voted through this House last night. I now will talk to parliamentarians across the House to determine where we can secure the support of the House Although delivering Brexit is an important and key element of government, it is also important that we build on the progress made since 2010 and lead this country towards the brighter, fairer, more prosperous future that it deserves.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Macroeconomics
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I will make some progress before I take any further interventions I believe that this Government have a record to be proud of—a record that demonstrates that our policies and principles are more than words. In 2010, we inherited the gravest of economic situations: a recession in which almost three quarters of a million jobs were lost; a budget deficit of £1 borrowed for every £4 spent; and a welfare system that did not reward work. But in the nine years since, thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the British people, we have turned this country around. Our economy is growing; the deficit is down by four fifths; the national debt has begun its first sustained fall for a generation; and the financial burden left for our children and grandchildren is shrinking by the day. That is a record to be proud of.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady might recall that I made exactly that point when I became Prime Minister—that there were various reasons that people voted for Brexit, but that some people wanted a change in the way in which politics delivered for them. They felt that politicians were not listening to them, which is precisely why it is so important that we listen to and deliver on the result of the referendum for the people of this country—and this Government are delivering in a whole range of ways.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): I appreciate the positive, confident and optimistic picture of the future of the UK painted by the Prime Minister. What a contrast with the Leader of the Opposition, who takes every opportunity to talk Britain down. How on earth can somebody claim that they aspire to be Prime Minister if they have such utter lack of confidence in Britain and the British people?
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Environment
Rebecca Faye Clark (Pow) (Conservative, Centre-right): I know that there is so little time to get in all the achievements—[Laughter.] Colleagues may laugh, but it is this Government who are taking the environment more seriously than any other Government. We are putting sustainability first, and that is more important even than Brexit, because if we did not have a healthy environment—our record on this is second to none, including measures on microbeads, ancient woodland protection, the clean air strategy and more—we would be lost.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: Environment
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend, who has set out an area on which this Government have been taking important action. I commend the work that she has done and the work of my right hon. Friend the Environment Secretary in this area. We are leading the way on the environment in a number of ways.
No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government — House of Commons, 2019-01-16
Topic: International Affairs
Chris Ian Brian Mynott Philp (Conservative, Centre-right): The Prime Minister is quite right to point out the yawning chasm at the heart of Labour’s policy, but the problem is that she also said that we need to come up with a constructive alternative. Speaking to colleagues around the House, it strikes me powerfully that there is one element of the currently proposed deal that, if changed, would make it much more likely to pass: the backstop. Would the Prime Minister therefore consider contacting European Commission officials in the coming days and over the weekend to ask them to make legally binding changes to that backstop, which would mean that the deal would then have a very good chance of passing this House?