Speeches by Wright.

“I thank the hon. Lady and all those who have contributed for their self-discipline and collaboration, which has enabled us to make it through with everyone speaking. I now come to the Front-Bench speeches.”

“The right hon. Gentleman’s long experience will tell him that sometimes in government the grander the language the less significant the actual announcement. But if on this occasion—I am perfectly prepared to accept that this is so—the Government are making a serious effort to redraw the boundaries of what is national s…”

“It is a privilege to follow the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Maureen Burke) and many others who have given brave testimony of their own personal experience in this matter. I join the tributes to the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater), who I think has conducted herself with decency, dignity and compassi…”

“The Secretary of State knows that HS2 runs through my constituency, and she will accept that what makes my constituents particularly angry about what she has described is that HS2 has pinched every penny in compensating someone unfortunate enough to find themselves in the path of this railway, yet wasted millions elsew…”

“I am grateful for the consideration the Secretary of State has already given to finding a fairer and more effective way of compensating those injured by a covid vaccination, but he knows that those who are profoundly affected by such injuries are anxious for news. Can he give me, and indeed them, a progress report?”

“In view of the pressure on time, I will limit my remarks to amendment 141, in my name. The Bill, as we have heard, seeks to do many things, but one of them is to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points around the country to facilitate the move to electric vehicles. Drivers with disabilities, and the…”

“Yes, but they are doing it because they have decided that the consequences of not doing it to them and their family is too serious not to give in, are they not?”

“Yes, but they are doing it because they have decided that the consequences of not doing it to them and their family is too serious not to give in, are they not?”

“I think that is a fair point, but you can always write that the Cabinet Minister has refused to respond. Does that not do enough?”

“It seems to us that people increasingly find it acceptable to abuse public figures. If it seems that way to you too, why do you think that is?”

“The specific question, I think, is about the connection between the headline and the content of the piece. I suppose the question might be whether you consider that the headline ought to reflect the proper balance of the piece that is underneath it. Or is the headline written with different rules entirely, or no rules …”

“Because we are focused on visiting of MPs’ home addresses at this point, I will ask this. You have been very clear that, in your view, there is a public interest justification only in the most exceptional circumstances. There is obviously a good basis for that because, as you fully appreciate, the effect on members of …”

“That was not quite the question I asked. If the justification for going is to get a response you cannot get any other way, surely, we have to consider how often that tactic ever succeeds in order to consider whether it is justifiable?”

“I am sure we will. Professor Fenwick, you will obviously have views on that question. In many cases, the distinction between abuse on the one hand and legitimate political criticism on the other is very difficult to make. Do you have any observations on how we reach a decision about where that line should be drawn and …”

“Thank you. Elisabeth’s point—she will correct me if I have misunderstood it—is that where that line is drawn has moved in many people’s minds, and it has moved largely because of the nature of social media debate. Do you have any sympathy with that view, and should that be the case? Should we accept that the line has m…”

“Thank you very much. Professor Ramanna, can I ask for your thoughts on, first, the acceptability of abuse of public figures, and secondly, the line between what is abuse and what is legitimate political commentary or criticism? Professor Karthik Ramanna: Sure—I am happy to comment on both issues. I agree with my fellow…”

“Just a quick question: I am interested in your view of how important it is to teach complexity in decision making. One of the things that strikes me is that it is much easier to think ill of a politician if you think it is a simple choice: they could have done the right thing or the wrong thing, and they chose, in my v…”

“We have to be conscious of our remit, which is not to stray too far from the levels of abuse and intimidation, which nobody will argue are appropriate, however evasive the politician may have been in an interview. You have mentioned social media, and one of the consequences of political exchanges being on social media …”

“The specific question, I think, is about the connection between the headline and the content of the piece. I suppose the question might be whether you consider that the headline ought to reflect the proper balance of the piece that is underneath it. Or is the headline written with different rules entirely, or no rules …”

“Because we are focused on visiting of MPs’ home addresses at this point, I will ask this. You have been very clear that, in your view, there is a public interest justification only in the most exceptional circumstances. There is obviously a good basis for that because, as you fully appreciate, the effect on members of …”