Adam Jogee MP: speeches

Speeches

• 20 Apr 2026 · Crime and Policing Bill · Hansard source

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  I will simply say that the less I say, the better.

• 20 Apr 2026 · Crime and Policing Bill · Hansard source

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  We all enjoyed listening to my hon. Friend talk about Neil, and he is right to talk about the impact of fly-tipping in rural communities—not just in Essex, but in Staffordshire too. He said that one of the reasons why the powers have not been used was the lack of a rural crime strategy, but is it not also the case that many police and crime commissioners have simply been missing in action, as has happened in Staffordshire?

• 20 Apr 2026 · Crime and Policing Bill · Hansard source

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  The problem is that I am not sure that my police and crime commissioner would like to hear what I have to say.

• 16 Apr 2026 · Modernisation Committee Report: Access to the House of Commons · Hansard source

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  Finishing too early is not always a good thing. I start by extending my condolences to my constituent and great friend back home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Rosi Monkman, whose mother died in County Waterford in the Republic of Ireland yesterday. I pay tribute to her mother, Mrs Morrissey, and to Rosi, her husband, their sons and all the family. As there were so many pithy contributions before me, Madam Deputy Speaker, and we have until 5 o’clock, I would like to place on the record my respect for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As was discussed in business questions, next Tuesday will mark the 100th anniversary of Her late Majesty’s birth, which is a fitting opportunity for us to remember, reflect and give thanks for a long life of service to our United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. This is an important debate, and I hope people do not think that the number of colleagues present means that it is not taken seriously. I am grateful to all members of the Modernisation Committee from across the House for their work, and for taking on the most Herculean task of making this place fit for the 21st century and creating the best means for us to deliver for the people who sent us here. I will focus my comments on part 2 of the report on procedures and processes, and within that on pages 2, 25 and 30, as well as page 11 of the response. I would like to acknowledge the work of my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester Central (Lucy Powell) while she served as Leader of the House— I suppose I should declare an interest as her former Parliamentary Private Secretary. I acknowledge the Leader of the House of Commons, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Sir Alan Campbell), for picking up the baton and running with it. As my office staff would tell you, Madam Deputy Speaker, as would my wife and family, I am in many ways an analogue politician in a digital age—or, now, an AI age. I much prefer the written word and signing letters by hand over putting some app on my phone to record 30 seconds of myself speaking into a screen. In many ways, it might seem odd that I have taken such a close interest in both this report and the recent report from the Procedure Committee on proxy voting, and, more generally, in the measures being taken to open our national Parliament to all who work here and bring it into the 21st century. Like my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Chris Vince), I broadly like the customs and practices of this place; they are age old and they broadly work. Indeed, they have been adopted by nations across the Commonwealth that have developed their own Westminster systems, such as in the Caribbean, Australia, Canada and on the African continent. I would not, therefore, advocate for radical changes that would change how we do things, but I am willing to advocate for sensible and respectful changes that would allow us to do our jobs more properly and effectively. Everyone has good days and bad days at work and at home. That is the nature of the world that we live in. It has always been that way, and that is not going to change. At work, some things go well; in our case, sometimes we win, and then we hope to keep on winning. It is those victories that allow us to serve in this place—and what a pleasure and privilege it is to do so. However, as we speak for our people, tackle injustices wherever we find them and work every day to get things done, no Member of this House should be forced to choose between family and doing our job of honouring the trust of the local people who sent us here and holding Ministers to account. The fact that I was forced to make such a choice on Friday 20 June 2025 is something that will stay with me forever. It remains, I am sad to say, the worst day I have had in this job. My wife received a phone call on 15 June to tell her that her father had taken unwell after many years of living with Parkinson’s. By the following Tuesday, it appeared that he was reaching the end of his life, and that if we wanted to say goodbye, we had to get there as soon as possible—and so we did. On Friday 20 June, this House was considering the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill—an issue of the utmost importance to all of us and to our constituents. Whatever our views, we all wanted to have our voices heard and to be able to take part in this most important of debates. I asked my Whips if a proxy vote could be sorted so that I could represent my constituents and also be with my family, but was told that because it was a private Member’s Bill, a proxy would not be possible, and therefore the only option available to me was to seek my own pairing arrangement with a colleague in the House. To say I was cross is an understatement, but I took on board that response and went on my way to find my own pairing arrangement. It was clear at that time that my father-in-law was not going to get better, so I asked colleagues in my party and on the Opposition Benches if they would pair with me. I asked the promoter of the Bill, who said that she was not able to help. I asked another colleague—whom I will not name, although I think it is important that I say this—who said that she could not help me because she was doing the numbers for the pro side, and she would therefore be “gleeful” that I could not be there, as it would be one less vote against the Bill. Given the stress and hassle it causes, no colleague should be forced to find their own pair when a loved one is dying. That is insane and, frankly, inhumane. If a teacher cannot be at work, we get a supply teacher—we all remember the days when a supply teacher was in charge. How that cannot happen in the mother of Parliaments is inexplicable. We must get a grip of the proxy voting system. Nobody wants to let people off or change how we do things in a radical way, as I said at the beginning of my remarks. We do not want to stop people being here to vote, but we need to be sensible, compassionate and respectful. We need to get a grip because nobody should be forced to experience what I had to. Having failed to get a pair, despite trying really hard to do so given that my father-in-law was still on the journey to the end of his life, and having spoken to my family, I came to vote on that Friday, because if I had not, my constituents would not have been represented in that debate. As I left this place to go back to my wife and in-laws, my wife called to tell me that her father had died. I will never forget that phone call. I received it only because I was unable to get a proxy or a pair. That remains the worst day that I have had in this job. The Leader of the House, the shadow Leader of the House and the hon. Member for North East Fife (Wendy Chamberlain) said that all Members should be able to do their jobs properly, and that is true, but it should not come at the expense of our family commitments—not least as a loved one reaches the end of their life. It is not lost on me that we were voting on assisted dying, but I was given no assistance by this House, or by the powerful people in it, to do my job and be with my family when they needed me most. Nobody wants a sob story—I fully accept that—but this is my experience, and I hope that we will look at how we can do things differently so that nobody has to experience what we have. We need to consider the eligibility rules for Members seeking a proxy; in my view, the current rules are far too narrow. I read the Procedure Committee report, and I hope that, together, the Procedure and Modernisation Committees will be able to get us to the right place sooner rather than later. I say this not to seek sympathy but to be helpful, so that we finally make our Parliament compassionate and fit for purpose.

• 16 Apr 2026 · Modernisation Committee Report: Access to the House of Commons · Hansard source

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  Keep going!

• 16 Apr 2026 · Modernisation Committee Report: Access to the House of Commons · Hansard source

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  I am grateful to the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Richard Tice) for his pithy contribution to the debate—

• 16 Apr 2026 · Archbishop of Canterbury · Hansard source

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  The people of Newcastle-under-Lyme join me in welcoming Archbishop Sarah to her new responsibilities and in wishing her well. We also give thanks to Bishop Michael, who has announced his intention to stand down in September, for his service. The new archbishop will have a long to-do list, but what steps will be taken to ensure that vacancies at parish churches, including St Mark’s, Basford, and St Margaret’s, Wolstanton, will be filled quickly?

• 16 Apr 2026 · Archbishop of Canterbury · Hansard source

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  9. What the priorities are for the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

• 16 Apr 2026 · Business of the House · Hansard source

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  Queen Elizabeth II was and still is held in the highest esteem by the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire, and next Tuesday is the 100th anniversary of her birth. Will the Leader of the House join me in paying tribute to Her late Majesty’s long life of service to our United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and will he encourage all colleagues to sign early-day motion 3129, which I have tabled to mark that milestone? [That this House notes, with affection and respect, the 100th anniversary, on 21 April 2026 of the birth of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; reflects on the sense of loss that people throughout the United Kingdom, the realms, territories and Commonwealth still feel following Her late Majesty’s death on 8 September 2022; expresses its grateful thanks for Her late Majesty’s long life of service and her reign of 70 years and 214 days, unparalleled in history; remembers a monarch driven by purpose, commitment, love of country and an unmatched dedication to the Commonwealth; recognises the many visits, meetings and receptions, over seven decades, through which the people of this country were able to meet Her late Majesty, and she them, in communities right across the UK and the world; acknowledges that this milestone in history will be a very personal day of reflection, love and remembrance for His Majesty the King and his family as they remember a mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and great-grandmother; and gives thanks for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s long life of service and the example she set to all of us and sings with one voice, God Save the King.]

• 16 Apr 2026 · British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme · Hansard source

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  The font of this statement is so small that it is super difficult to read, which made it even more difficult for me to look for the word “ceramics”, which I have yet to find. The Secretary of State said in his statement that he wants to “move faster” to support British manufacturing. He has heard from a number of my colleagues, and now he will hear from me, that we want to meet him. We have met Ministers—we had an excellent visit with the Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton North (Chris McDonald)—but we want to see the Secretary of State, so that we can talk about this scheme and the ceramics industry. We need to have that meeting quickly, because this is about the jobs, livelihoods and future of my community and many others across our country.

• 15 Apr 2026 · Baldies Field · Hansard source

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  The petition states: The petition of residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Declares that Baldies Field—a green space adjacent to Hoon Avenue and Milehouse Lane—has been used by local people for generations, and is valued by residents as an accessible open space used for walking, recreation and wellbeing; further declares that proposals affecting the site have generated significant concern across the community and that residents have raised issues relating to traffic congestion in the surrounding area and have questioned how additional development could be accommodated safely within an already pressured road network; further declares that there are concerns about flooding and drainage in the area, including existing problems following heavy rainfall; further declares that questions remain about how further development would affect the local drainage system and whether the implications have been fully addressed; and further declares that the potential loss of Baldies Field itself is a major concern as, for many people nearby, it represents one of the few remaining accessible green spaces, relied upon by individuals and families for everyday recreation and for the mental and physical wellbeing that open spaces support. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to work with Staffordshire County Council to ensure that the concerns that have been raised are listened to carefully, to ensure full transparency about the future of the site, and to take all possible steps to protect Baldies Field for the benefit of the community. And the petitioners remain, etc. [P003185]

• 15 Apr 2026 · Regulation of the Marmalade Market · Hansard source

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  It must be a Northern Irish thing. She often purchases marmalade at one of the excellent shops in Newcastle-under-Lyme. May I congratulate the hon. Lady on an excellent and interesting speech, and on giving voice to the sweet, sweet tastes of Paddington Bear himself?

• 15 Apr 2026 · Regulation of the Marmalade Market · Hansard source

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  I confess to the House that I prefer English strawberry jam to marmalade, but my wife is an assiduous and loyal orange marmalade fan—

• 15 Apr 2026 · Creative Arts and Culture (Broadcasting Requirements) · Hansard source

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  And in mine!

• 15 Apr 2026 · Creative Arts and Culture (Broadcasting Requirements) · Hansard source

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  Do not do it now!

• 19 Mar 2026 · International Development · Hansard source

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  Holy Scripture tells us that we should never walk by on the other side, and I am reassured by the Secretary of State’s statement that she agrees, even if she used other words. She is right to talk about value for money for taxpayers and the values that we hold close as Brits. I particularly welcome the commitment to Gavi. With that in mind, and as we work to make “Global Britain” mean something, will she update the House on the work of the Soft Power Council in recent months? I also urge her to use the Commonwealth to advance the values that she set out in her statement today. Will she meet me to discuss my thoughts on how we can do just that?

• 19 Mar 2026 · Online Harms · Hansard source

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  We are enjoying my hon. Friend’s speech; she has a number of pages left, and we want to hear all of it. She rightly talks about the potential ban for under-16s. I was at Newcastle academy last week, and a number of young people said that they would feel much safer if such a ban were imposed, so I would like to add my support to hers.

• 17 Mar 2026 · Corpusty Primary School · Hansard source

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  On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Today is 17 March, St Patrick’s day. People will be celebrating across the world, something that has been made easier for us this evening because Opposition Members voted for the Government business today. Madam Deputy Speaker, as chair of the Ireland and the Irish in Britain all-party parliamentary group, I seek your guidance on the best way for this House to send its best wishes to all the Irish staff working in this place, and to all those who are Irish and who wish they were Irish, in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across the kingdom. And may I say, through you Madam Deputy Speaker, happy St Patrick’s day?

• 16 Mar 2026 · GP Contract · Hansard source

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  We all welcome the work being done to get our national health service back on track. What engagement does the Department have with, and what guidance does it provide to, ICBs about what happens when a practice closes or a GP returns their contract in rural communities, like in Betley in Newcastle-under-Lyme? We need to do whatever we can to ensure that people in rural communities such as mine do not get left behind and can access the GP services that my hon. Friend the Minister outlined in their own communities.

• 11 Mar 2026 · Commonwealth Day 2026 · Hansard source

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  I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. He calls me his hon. Friend; I am not sure what that does for his street cred or mine, but I am grateful to him for the compliment—it will probably cause you more trouble these days, comrade. But in all seriousness, he raises an important point. There are people up and down the United Kingdom and in our overseas territories, all of whom played an important part in the battles I referred to and in the efforts to bring our people together. I agree with him that ensuring they all have a seat at the table is important for all of us.

• 11 Mar 2026 · Commonwealth Day 2026 · Hansard source

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  —and my hon. Friend the Member for Mid and South Pembrokeshire (Henry Tufnell)?

• 11 Mar 2026 · Commonwealth Day 2026 · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman makes a really good point. I feel as though Conservative campaign headquarters has seen my speech, because I was just about to say that in world war two, soldiers from across the Commonwealth made immense sacrifices in the fight against fascism on the battlefields of Europe. They included Indians, Africans and those from the Caribbean and the Pacific. There were Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews and Christians from all over the Commonwealth, including Jamaica, Rhodesia—now Zimbabwe—Australia, India, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Malta, to name just a few.

• 11 Mar 2026 · Commonwealth Day 2026 · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is right. As he talks about the importance of ports to the Commonwealth, I think of my grandfather who docked at Liverpool in February 1941 to help the war effort and fight the fascists. My hon. Friend makes an important point, which many of us in our cities, our families and our communities strongly feel. Strengthening those economic relationships could help grow our economy here at home while supporting development and prosperity across the Commonwealth. Of course, partnership must also include honest conversations about difficult issues. In some Commonwealth countries, serious concerns remain about the protection of human rights, including the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities. The Commonwealth should be a forum where such challenges can be addressed openly. Through respectful engagement, member states can act as critical friends to one another, encouraging progress while maintaining dialogue. The world has changed dramatically since the Commonwealth’s founding almost 80 years ago. The advances in technology, the urgency of the climate crisis and shifts in geopolitics have presented challenges that no country can tackle alone, and so it is important that we now renew and innovate our forms of international co-operation. The Commonwealth offers exactly that opportunity—a network that connects nations across continents, languages, cultures and faiths. It demonstrates that diversity does not weaken but strengthens us when we are united by shared values and common purpose. Commonwealth Day offers us an important moment not only to celebrate these bonds, but to consider how co-operation can be improved in the decades ahead. It must be a living, breathing partnership that amplifies the voices of its member states and strengthens connections between their peoples and economies. I urge Ministers in the Foreign Office to hear my calls to ensure that we redouble our efforts to make the Commonwealth fit for purpose, that the United Kingdom steps up to be counted in our financial support for the Commonwealth Secretariat, and that leaders across the Commonwealth recognise that we want action, not words. Our leaders must empower our people in Newcastle-under-Lyme, in Newcastle in New South Wales, in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, and—if I may, Madam Deputy Speaker—in north Southampton and Romsey. There is talent, ambition and creativity all over the Commonwealth, but it is time we harnessed it. My hon. Friend the Minister and his colleagues in the Foreign Office have the potential to change that, and I look forward to playing my part working with them and colleagues across the House and the Commonwealth in delivering the final sentence of the Commonwealth charter: “We aspire to a Commonwealth that is a strong and respected voice in the world, speaking out on major issues; that strengthens and enlarges its networks; that has a global relevance and profile; and that is devoted to improving the lives of all peoples of the Commonwealth.” Happy Commonwealth Day 2026, Madam Deputy Speaker.

• 11 Mar 2026 · Commonwealth Day 2026 · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend makes a really important point. In the Gallery is Father Tommy Merry, who used to be the vicar of St Margaret’s at Wolstanton in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where there are a number of Commonwealth war graves. I was there recently and saw the amazing volunteers who live in my constituency—the centre of our collective universe, as I have said—who week in, week out volunteer their time, their compassion and their commitment not just to honouring our history but to ensuring that we live it, remember it and keep it in mind as we go forward. From Newcastle-under-Lyme to Devon, people take the Commonwealth War Graves Commission seriously. I pay tribute to them for all the work that they do. Last week, my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford South (Jas Athwal) led a debate that focused on the more than 3 million soldiers and labourers from the Commonwealth who served nobly, diligently and bravely alongside the British Army in world war one. That shared experience remains an enduring example of our collective commitment to freedom and shows why the Commonwealth was formed back in 1949 and why it is so important that we mark Commonwealth Day 2026.

• 11 Mar 2026 · Commonwealth Day 2026 · Hansard source

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  I am grateful for the chance to lead the House in acknowledging and marking Commonwealth Day 2026. I declare an interest as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for the Commonwealth and a member of the executive of the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—and as, in many ways, a child of the Commonwealth. As you know Madam Deputy Speaker, the Commonwealth was formed way back in 1949—not that you were present, for clarity—with His late Majesty King George VI as its first head; we think, of course, about Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries across the globe. It is home to 2.7 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-three of its members are small states, including many island nations in all corners of the world, from Jamaica—the land of my grandfather’s birth; that wonderful green island in the West Indies—to Tonga, Tuvalu and Malta. Its member states have agreed to shared goals on development, democracy and peace, and its values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth charter. Though I am firmly of the view that the Commonwealth must be recognised every day by all of us, I am pleased that on the second Monday in March, every year since 1977, people from across the Commonwealth, representing nearly a third of the world’s population, come together in a shared moment of reflection and celebration. So it was again this year; the world marked Commonwealth Day on Monday this week, and people across all 56 member countries took part in cultural events, school activities and faith-based services. On Monday, thanks to Mr Speaker, the Commonwealth flag was raised here, in this mother of Parliaments. Sadly, I had not quite reached this place from Newcastle-under-Lyme—the centre of our collective universe—to attend the ceremony, but I pay tribute to Mr Speaker for the seriousness with which he takes furthering links between Commonwealth Parliaments, peoples and traditions. Although I could not attend the flag raising, I was privileged to mark Commonwealth Day in the presence of Their Majesties at a service of thanksgiving at Westminster abbey, attending on behalf of my constituents back home in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It allowed me and the many hundreds of people present the opportunity to reflect, remember and celebrate all that makes the Commonwealth—a family of nations in all corners of the globe—what it is, what is has been, and what it can be.