Speeches by Thomas.

“Yes, that is totally valid. I might push back gently with the point that my residents’ council tax also pays for the policing. That is the other side of that coin. You answered one of my other questions about the potential for this to move from football and on to other events. If I can go to my last point, then, I ment…”

“Can I jump in on that? You made a point about how people going to and from this event need to be considered as they are until the point that they are some distance from that event. In the case of Tottenham Hotspur, it has the largest stadium in North London and you have over 60,000 people moving between Tottenham Hotsp…”

“Given the virulence of threats and chastisement from Washington towards European allies—including the UK—and, further, given the UK’s lack of access to the EU’s SAFE fund, which would otherwise support our rearmament, does my hon. Friend recognise that leaving the European Union was a historic mistake that has gravely …”

“President Trump recently derided the UK as cowards for not joining his directionless operation in Iran—a pretty hollow statement for a draft dodger who understands neither courage nor calculation. Regardless, does my hon. Friend agree that, based on comments from the Leader of the Opposition just a month ago, under a C…”

“I welcome that last point about there being a balance, ultimately. I absolutely recognise—as would my constituents—the cultural and economic value of Cheltenham Racecourse and the national cultural contribution of Tottenham Hotspur.”

“Yes, that is totally valid. I might push back gently with the point that my residents’ council tax also pays for the policing. That is the other side of that coin. You answered one of my other questions about the potential for this to move from football and on to other events. If I can go to my last point, then, I ment…”

“I welcome that last point about there being a balance, ultimately. I absolutely recognise—as would my constituents—the cultural and economic value of Cheltenham Racecourse and the national cultural contribution of Tottenham Hotspur.”

“How could a UK Government strategy complement the Scottish Government’s approach?”

“Thanks, Chair. If I can start by drawing attention to my entry in the register of interests, it will show that I have received hospitality from both the Premier League and the Jockey Club in the context of these questions. In July 2025, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated that it costs the police £7…”

“Thank you. Annie.”

“Can I jump in on that? You made a point about how people going to and from this event need to be considered as they are until the point that they are some distance from that event. In the case of Tottenham Hotspur, it has the largest stadium in North London and you have over 60,000 people moving between Tottenham Hotsp…”

“Good morning. Following on from the last question before pushing on with mine, to what extent does VisitScotland collaborate with neighbouring groups in England and Wales?”

“Is there a collective appetite to draw those large international events across the UK?”

“At Defence questions last week, the Secretary of State said that the delay to the defence investment plan was not holding up important investment plans, which came as a surprise to me, given that right now there are UK personnel on NATO’s border with Russia without specific equipment that would otherwise have been proc…”

“Good morning. Following on from the last question before pushing on with mine, to what extent does VisitScotland collaborate with neighbouring groups in England and Wales?”

“Is there a collective appetite to draw those large international events across the UK?”

“From an EventScotland perspective, what are the main things you would like to see covered in a UK Government major events strategy?”

“It is an honour to serve under your chairship for the first time, Mr Western. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for St Ives (Andrew George) for introducing this debate on a subject that is so important to his constituents and those of so many other Members. Lloyds Banking Group recently informed me, with only four mont…”

“I thank the hon. Member for the advice; I will certainly take that forward. I am glad to hear that his constituents are served by a banking hub. I close by welcoming the formal review of access to cash that the Financial Conduct Authority is undertaking, although, as my hon. Friend the Member for St Ives pointed out, i…”

“I hope my hon. Friend does not mind if I join in on his last point, which adds to the comments made by our hon. Friend the Member for St Ives (Andrew George) about the branding that Lloyds uses to portray itself as “By Your Side”, as though it is a member of the community. It uses the powerful image of the black stalli…”