Speeches by Cocking.

“Sure? But did it or did it not? This is a significant issue that has been on national news across the country and that is negative for your company. “Sure”, as in it did cross your desk? Did it or did it not cross your desk?”

“I would gently say to the hon. Lady that her party colleagues had 13 years to come up with a plan for government when they were in opposition. That paper should have landed the day after the general election; that is when the Government should have been getting on with it, not 18 months down the line. My message to the…”

“My hon. Friend does not look a day over 30, so it cannot be his 40th birthday coming up. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need to go further? Of course we need economic growth. We need to tax jobs less and let the people outside create that economic growth, but we also need to look at the education system so that we p…”

“My right hon. Friend makes an incredible point, and that is precisely what businesses tell me. As I have said, it comes as no surprise to any of my constituents or businesses in Broxbourne—it is a surprise only to the Chancellor and the Labour party—that if the Government tax jobs more, there will be fewer jobs. The Op…”

“As we have heard, the number of young people not in education, employment or training is at its highest level for more than a decade. Astonishingly, the most recent figures show that 946,000 young people are in that position, which is almost one in every eight young people across the country. We can all agree that this…”

“Of course I am pleased about that target, but anyone can stand at the Dispatch Box, set a target and make it sound good. We want action on the ground. The Government have been in power for 18 months, and when I speak to my constituents, including young people, they say, “We don’t see action.” We need to move faster and…”

“As a leaseholder, I understand the issues that leaseholders face, and I look forward to carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny on the HCLG Committee. The conveyancing process also needs to be looked at, as I am not sure that solicitors and managing agents point out considerations such as historical service charges, whet…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Turner. I welcome the tiny—absolute minuscule—support that the Government are offering in this legislation. We are continually told that most rates will be capped and the changes will not affect most businesses on the high street, but I have not spoken to a single b…”

“Conservative-run Broxbourne borough council wants its elections to go ahead, and the people of Broxbourne should be allowed their choice on 7 May. However, devolution plans could see us merge with Labour-run Stevenage borough council and the Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition-run Welwyn Hatfield borough council, whi…”

“Q8. The world is becoming more dangerous every single day. The Ministry of Defence has said that it needs an extra £28 billion to keep us safe. Well, I know where the Prime Minister can find it: stop this nonsense Chagos islands surrender policy, and spend that money on protecting the United Kingdom. Will the Prime Min…”

“I want to touch a bit more on infrastructure because I am not sure you have answered the questions from my colleague. My constituency of Broxbourne is just over the border from Chase Park and Crews Hill New Town, 22,000 homes, which is in the top three. It is very close to the village of Goffs Oak, which has had too mu…”

“So you were.”

“Before the Minister comes in can I clarify that? You are saying if you had have had more time you would have done more in-depth consultation on these sites?”

“Lewis Cocking, the MP for Broxbourne.”

“So you focused on the people who will make the most money out of it and within their interests to get these sites forward. That is not a sensible way to do it.”

“To the Minister and Sir Michael, when you go through the local plan process you have a duty to co-operate with your neighbouring authorities and what have you. I have asked written questions on this. There has been no consultation with neighbouring authorities in these proposed new towns. When you move to the next stag…”

“The M25 and the A10 are gridlocked at rush hour. You want to put 22,000 homes right next door to that and you are not saying, “You can only do that if you put this infrastructure in first”. You have said that you have done an assessment and everything seems okay. That is what I have just picked up from your answer.”

“If you think you are going to create a new town in a particularly rural setting and no one is going to use a car, you are on a different planet. It is a bit like turning up to a transport meeting where the person comes in a car and says everyone has to walk and cycle everywhere. It just does not happen in reality.”

“As we have heard, trial by jury is one of this country’s most fundamental rights. Only months ago, this Government were elected and a Minister was saying: “Jury service is an essential part of criminal justice which underpins the impartiality and fairness that runs through our legal system.” I would have thought that e…”

“Lewis Cocking, MP for Broxbourne.”