Melanie Ward

Business of the House

There has been some talk about football. I think we should all be celebrating the glorious victory of Raith Rovers in the Challenge cup. Results from a survey of Burntisland residents that I conducted suggest that 87% of people experience difficulties using Burntisland station, due to the lack of step-free access. For railway users across my constituency, including those in Cowdenbeath and Kinghorn, who face similar barriers, that is unacceptable. It makes life harder for those with mobility iss

Middle East

I commend the Government’s action on Iran; they are doing the right thing where others in this Chamber would have led us down a different and dangerous path. I agree with the Minister’s words on Palestine and Lebanon, but we are long past the point of words being anything like enough. I served in Hebron as a human rights observer 13 years ago, and what the Minister describes as happening there today was happening then. I have also visited Khan al-Ahmar, which the Israeli Government now wish to w

Defence Readiness

My hon. Friend is right. He is a doctor himself, and I know how well he understands and how much he feels the need for the world to do better—to make change in this area, and stop just talking about making change. It is time for much bolder action from our Government. It is time for them to stand against what is happening, and to influence events. We need not more words, but more action. To start with, we need comprehensive sanctions on Israeli officials who are responsible for human rights viol

Defence Readiness

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point about soft power and why it is such an important complement to hard power. It has become common to say that the rules-based order is dead or dying, but we must stand with our allies to preserve and defend all that was built to protect humanity from evil in the ashes of two world wars and the cold war. Data shows that since 2012, there has been an increase in the number of countries where mass atrocity crimes are occurring, and action is needed. Let us remi

Defence Readiness

I rise to speak in support of His Majesty’s Speech and to call for our Government to take bolder action on many of the challenges faced by our country, and indeed our world. We are living through global instability on a scale not seen for decades. The power shifts are real. Now more than at any time since world war two, we must stand up and defend our values on the international stage. To do that, we need more hard power—much more—but we should also protect and wield our soft power. After 14 yea

Security Vetting

We all agree that Peter Mandelson should never have been appointed. The Prime Minister has said that clearly and consistently, and has taken responsibility, including by apologising. That is the right thing to do. Can he give further assurance that the Government will continue to comply in full with the Humble Address?

Courts and Tribunals Bill (Sixth sitting)

She is being very clear.