Speeches by Wheeler.

“I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, and my proud membership of USDAW and the GMB. It was an honour to serve on the Public Bill Committee for this historic piece of legislation. The Bill represents a watershed moment: a turning point for working people in our country who for to…”

“Finally, and it harkens back to the earlier point: to what extent do you think that the parties, if there was a difference of view, should have the final say, as the owners of the brand?”

“To pick up on that particular point, what you are saying is, if there was a conflict between the chosen descriptor of any particular MP and the party to which that descriptor related, you think the House should have the say, not the party?”

“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?”

“To pick up on that particular point, what you are saying is, if there was a conflict between the chosen descriptor of any particular MP and the party to which that descriptor related, you think the House should have the say, not the party?”

“Finally, and it harkens back to the earlier point: to what extent do you think that the parties, if there was a difference of view, should have the final say, as the owners of the brand?”

“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.”

“Anything, Ian?”