Speeches by Thomas-Symonds.

“I understand precisely the point, Chair. I would just make this observation: it is always going to be the case that one Parliament cannot bind a future Parliament. That said, I always think that the test—certainly the historic test—of whether policies stick and make a difference is whether a Government of a different c…”

“You are absolutely right to identify the issue of trust in politics. I do not think we disagree about that. I do not think we disagree either on the importance of transparency, generally speaking. But I would still argue, and I think this came out in one of the answers I gave to Markus earlier, that in the national int…”

“It is a matter for Parliament. Markus asked about the EFRA Committee. I find myself before lots of different Select Committees, which is fine, but I am sure whatever agreement we reach will be an important aspect of the debate. It is a matter for Parliament how it wishes to hold either the alignment point or me persona…”

“There we are. While you are quite right, Peter, to push us—whether with regard to lobbying or some of the other issues about responding to you, which we are more than happy to do—I do not think that should move the focus away from the changes we have made. To pick up on the Ethics and Integrity Commission, once we get …”

“To be clear, it is not anything inappropriate. We are obviously moving forward on a variety of policy streams here in different ways. I will just take the ethics and integrity point at the top. The change to allow the independent adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to initiate his own investigations is a step that this Prime M…”

“There is a wider debate, I guess, about what should be included. Again, I am more than happy to look at this as part of the review. As for ministerial meetings, I think that quarterly is as appropriate as anything else. It is a period that is not unduly onerous in terms of the work that officials have to do, but I thin…”

“Okay. That is perfectly reasonable. We can write back to the Chair on that.”

“Select Committee arrangements are a matter for Parliament rather than for me, but I have no doubt whatsoever that we will be discussing that and other appropriate mechanisms in the passage of the Bill.”

“Evidently, as we go forward, the way that the alignment mechanism will work is around Parliament having a say. Laws and secondary legislation going forward will set out exactly how that will work in terms of the Bill. Certainly, there is absolutely a role for Parliament. Indeed, when we agreed the common understanding,…”

“I understand that there is a review taking place. We have a group in the Cabinet Office to look at this, among many other things. Again, as I say, it is something I am very open to ideas on. To be absolutely frank with you, Peter, the focus of the first part of the Government’s life has been on those changes to the Min…”

“First of all, before I come to the specific issue of lobbying, can I refer to some of the more general points in the ethics and integrity sphere? I am very proud to have created the Ethics and Integrity Commission, which was a manifesto commitment and was brought in back in October. I am also proud that the Prime Minis…”

“I am afraid that we come back to the desire to ensure that the cost-of-living benefits are felt as soon as reasonably possible. In terms of the choreography that you are talking about, the common understanding was agreed in May 2025, so we know what areas we are dealing with. I think that is pretty clear before the Bil…”

“More generally, this is ultimately a matter for the Prime Minister, so I will tread carefully, but I do think that the broad point that you are making is an important one. Indeed, when I was answering Charlotte’s questions, I was making it clear that I was making some reference to party lists, but of course I am very c…”

“If I am correct, the leader of the Cross Benchers, Lord Kinnoull, has recently become a life peer.”

“That is not set yet. I have said that I want it to be through Parliament by the end of the year. That may require it to be introduced in this Session before the King’s Speech in May. My objective now is to make sure that we have it in place. I am always subject to the upper House and how long they wish to take on these…”

“Just to be absolutely clear, the Government’s position on this Bill is neutral.”

“I will tread carefully. There is obviously a very specific process going on regarding the case that I think you are referring to, so I will tread carefully in that regard, for reasons that I am sure you will understand, Chair. We keep all these things under review, but as I say, what I do not intend to do is embark on …”

“On this, under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014—if I recollect correctly—you are disqualified if you receive a prison sentence of a year or more. That is the automatic disqualification bit. Then there is the House of Lords Conduct Committee, which is a matter for the Lords in terms of its own regulation, but it is cl…”

“There are different aspects going on here regarding the appointments system. There are obviously the Cross Benchers, who are in their own category. It is a matter for party leaders who they seek to nominate through the usual channels in the usual way. I would not for a moment seek to look into the minds of the differen…”

“Absolutely. To be clear, whether in respect of DEFRA, the Secretary of State or myself at the centre, it is hugely important that we are engaging properly with major stakeholders and stakeholders more generally. There will be thousands of businesses affected. There will obviously be significant benefit to businesses wh…”