Speeches by Wheeler.

“I thank the hon. Lady for giving way. As a fellow member of the Procedure Committee, I do enjoy a good procedural debate, but I wonder whether she will get to the meat of the Bill at any point. Will we be talking about Brexit bogeymen, or will we be talking about consumer safety, representing those we are here to repre…”

“I disagree that the issue is “purely” around enforcement. Obviously, there are elements of enforcement, but separating out one part of a package—a regulatory framework that will future-proof us from other issues—is not a coherent argument. To conclude, it is vital that we create a product safety, regulatory and metrolo…”

“I welcome this essential and timely Bill, which upgrades our product safety, regulation and metrology—a word that I admit I had to look up, but it does not take much to understand it—framework, delivering a much-needed boost to protections for consumers and ensuring that every company in the UK, whether they operate on…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. I thank my neighbour, my hon. Friend Member for Leigh and Atherton (Jo Platt), for securing this debate about connectivity; we are well connected, as I am sure she appreciates. Efficient, affordable and accessible transport options are crucial to north-wes…”

“The code of conduct, which was updated in 2022, already contains several rules that regulate and provide transparency on MPs’ outside interests and earnings. Do you see any arguments in favour of maintaining the status quo?”

“Around media—if the existing exemption were to continue. Even in the context of the current rules, do you think it is out of step with those principles?”

“I have a quick question. I understand that you are not suggesting the pursuit of promoting changes, and I found your answer interesting. To circle back to the question and to press on it slightly, do you see this exemption as potentially incompatible or out of step—that it exists and perhaps continues to exist, given w…”

“I think that a Bill that promotes good, secure work across the economy is something we should not shy away from. I believe, if I am correct, that the figure referenced represents 0.5% of the costs of businesses, so no—I am not concerned. I would like to finish in a slightly odd place. Benjamin Disraeli believed that hi…”

“I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, and my proud membership of USDAW and the GMB. It was an honour to serve on the Public Bill Committee for this historic piece of legislation. The Bill represents a watershed moment: a turning point for working people in our country who for to…”

“To pick up on that particular point, what you are saying is, if there was a conflict between the chosen descriptor of any particular MP and the party to which that descriptor related, you think the House should have the say, not the party?”

“I think part of why we are here is that, in September last year, Jeremy Corbyn MP wrote to the Speaker saying that you and several other independent MPs were forming a technical group. Can you tell us a bit more about why you took that decision and what procedural benefits you were hoping to accrue by doing so?”

“I have a couple of other points to follow up on that. I appreciate the point about co-ordination, but we are looking at procedural elements. In what ways has your experience as an independent MP changed since forming the group? Do you feel that your participation in proceedings has increased, either individually or col…”

“You referred to other parties like Plaid, the Greens and Reform. What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of forming a technical group as opposed to registering as a political party? Why did you opt for being a group as opposed to a party?”

“Obviously it is the Procedure Committee, let’s talk about some process. If there were more descriptor options other than just party names or independent available, how do you think the process should work for a Member choosing how to describe themselves?”

“To follow up on that, to what extent do you think that the political parties themselves should have a say over the use of the party name in Member affiliation descriptors?”

“Anything, Ian?”

“There are a couple of small points. Do you think there are any risks attached allowing Members to choose their own descriptor, if more were available?”

“Finally, and it harkens back to the earlier point: to what extent do you think that the parties, if there was a difference of view, should have the final say, as the owners of the brand?”

“To pick up on that particular point, what you are saying is, if there was a conflict between the chosen descriptor of any particular MP and the party to which that descriptor related, you think the House should have the say, not the party?”

“Finally, and it harkens back to the earlier point: to what extent do you think that the parties, if there was a difference of view, should have the final say, as the owners of the brand?”