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Yesterday in Parliament

House of Commons on Monday 16 June 2008

Petition

Post Office Card Account

Bob Spink (Castle Point) (UKIP): It is indeed remarkable that on this day, when I am due to present a petition asking for support for my local post offices, I should receive confirmation that the Government, under pressure from European Union regulations, propose to close yet another two post offices in my constituency. This is not a party-political argument, but a defence of facilities that are much needed for vulnerable groups, for the viability of our high streets and for the fabric of our communities. Again, Europe is the villain of the piece.

The petition states:

The petition of the residents of Castle Point and others,

Sheweth,

That the Post Office Card Account is important to community cohesion, that the Post Offices in Castle Point provide a vital service to the local community, but that their future is threatened by uncertainty over the continuation of Her Majesty’s Government’s support for Post Offices and, in particular, the abolition of the Post Office Card Account in 2010, which would be totally unacceptable to the residents of Castle Point, especially vulnerable groups who rely on Post Offices and the viability of our important high street shopping parades.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to review its policy to abolish the Post Office Card Account in 2010.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.

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Lisbon Treaty

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (David Miliband):

Bob Spink (Castle Point) (UKIP): The Foreign Secretary wants a British view on the treaty. May I refer him to the latest ICM poll, which showed that two thirds of British people are against the treaty? Does he not see that it would be improper to send the treaty’s ratification for Royal Assent as the treaty is now unlawful? The treaty is not pining for the fjords; it is simply dead.

David Miliband: The treaty might not come into effect, but that does not mean it is unlawful for the British Parliament to exercise its view. I defend the right of this Parliament to do things that are popular or unpopular—sometimes they might be unpopular, but that does not mean they are wrong.

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Political Parties (Funding and Expenditure) 4.32 pm

The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Jack Straw):

Bob Spink (Castle Point) (UKIP): Does the right hon. Gentleman know how offensive it is to ordinary members of the public who value our democratic traditions to see rich individuals bankrolling candidates before the election period commences? Would he expect a decent political party to stop that practice pending the reintroduction of the trigger?

Mr. Straw: I think that the independent hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) was referring to his former colleagues in the Conservative party. We look forward to further and better particulars of what he has to tell us about that party’s practices.

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Children and Young Persons Bill [Lords]
The Minister for Children, Young People and Families (Beverley Hughes): I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time…..

Bob Spink (Castle Point) (UKIP): On outcomes for children in care, I welcome the provisions on support for those in higher education, but will the Minister give more support to children who want to go into vocational education or apprenticeships in the way that I did?

Beverley Hughes: Yes, that is equally important. The current provisions allow for the funding of first-time level 2 and level 3 vocational courses, and also for local authorities to contribute to children’s subsistence costs when they go into vocational education—and I am pleased to say that more of them are going into that. The real issue at present, however, is that only 6 per cent. go to university, which is why we have placed an emphasis on enabling them to do so more readily.

Bob Spink: The right hon. Lady said “finally”, but she has not yet mentioned clause 2, which deals with adoption. Using this Bill, is there anything that we can do to ensure that children are not denied a stable and loving family because of political correctness getting in the way—to ensure that potential parents are not denied children because of factors such as obesity, age, being of the wrong race or even being too posh?

EDM 1789 IRELAND'S REJECTION OF THE LISBON TREATY    16.06.2008

Spink, Bob

That this House welcomes the Irish people's decision to reject the Lisbon Treaty; believes this is largely because the Treaty takes so many powers from the countries of Europe and gives them to undemocratic and unaccountable institutions in Brussels; notes that an ICM poll, released on 13th June, found that British voters would be two-to-one against the Treaty if a referendum were held in the UK; calls on the Government to respect the democratic and decisive Irish vote; urges the Government not seek to overturn that vote and to suspend further consideration of the Treaty by the UK Parliament; and offers its congratulations to the Irish people for their courage and common sense.

EDM 1746 PROCEDURE ON THE EU CONSTITUTIONAL TREATY   10.06.2008

Spink, Bob

That this House notes the exceptional importance of the events of the week of 9th June 2008 to the future independence of the UK and the supremacy of Parliament; welcomes the judicial review, obtained by Stuart Wheeler, which seeks to secure the promised referendum on the Lisbon Treaty; further looks forward to the debate in the other House and hopes that their Lordships will support the promised referendum; further notes that the Irish people have been allowed a referendum, the results of which will be declared on 13th June; and urges the Government to start to rebuild people's trust in politicians by giving people a vote, as promised, on the Lisbon Treaty, which is in all material effects the EU Constitution that was previously rejected.