Speeches by Wheeler.

“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?”

“Anything, Ian?”

“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?”

“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?”

“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?”

“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…”

“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?”

“Having spent lots of time with family in Northern Ireland since I was a small child, I have seen the progress made over the years and know what a difference it has made on the ground. I welcome this Government’s commitment to help secure that progress and tackle the scourge of paramilitarism. Does the Secretary of Stat…”

“2. What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations in the Independent Reporting Commission's seventh annual report.”

“13. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.”

“My constituents in Worsley and Eccles face high levels of congestion on our roads, especially during their rush-hour commute. We benefit from Greater Manchester’s Bee network, but it only takes a temporary set of traffic lights, roadworks or an accident to back things up. Will the Minister outline what steps are being …”

“I was very pleased to support the application from my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Adam Jogee) to secure today’s debate, and I congratulate him on doing so. My constituency is home to the proud former coalfield communities of Astley and Mosley Common, which I share with my neighbour, my hon. Friend …”

“Does the Minister agree that economic growth is only meaningful if it takes everyone in every community with it and people in every town feel the benefits, including the towns that we have talked about today?”

“Last week I had the opportunity to visit two of the local jobcentres that serve my constituency. The dedication of the staff I met to helping our local community, supporting people into work and adapting to the area’s needs was inspiring. Does the Prime Minister agree that we must listen to their frontline experience a…”

“I thank the Minister for all her work in this area. I know from conversations with my constituents that energy costs are a large part of the cost of living crisis for them. Following the Conservative party’s failure to protect our energy system and invest in home-grown clean power, can the Minister give us an update on…”

“9. What discussions he has had with energy suppliers on support for consumers during winter 2024-25.”

“I draw Members’ attention to my declaration in the register of interests. Retail is an important part of the economy in my constituency, which includes many wonderful independent businesses. Will, who runs the excellent Wandering Palate in Monton, wrote to me about the challenges he is facing. Will the Minister outline…”

“12. What steps she is taking through the tax system to support the retail sector.”

“It is a pleasure, as always, to serve under you, Sir Christopher. I draw Members’ attention to my declaration in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests and my membership of USDAW—the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers—and the GMB. The hon. Member for Bridgwater is making a powerful case. Were the Gove…”

“I am going to try an entirely new tactic to derail the shadow Minister mid-stride. This is a genuine question, and I hope he answers it. Does he agree that throughout our line-by-line discussion of the Bill, he has been most generous with his time in accepting interventions that I believe to have been valuable?”