Speeches by Aquarone.

“I welcome those comments, particularly on the challenge around coastal communities, which is not faced in Switzerland, where there are always 50% fewer places to connect to by definition. That is very interesting, and I want to go back to something that Thomas said. He landed it all the way up to the top of the silos t…”

“Melton Constable in my constituency has a proud railway heritage—the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway steam train adorns its village sign. New clause 5 would make provision for the exploration of the reinstatement of the orbital railway. Does my hon. Friend agree that being connected to the rail network could b…”

“I will briefly explain why the Liberal Democrats oppose the draft regulations before us today, which I intend to vote against. The first rule of politics is “learn to count”, and the Government’s counting in relation to this is quite something. They admit that the fee at its present level covers 86% of the expenditure …”

“Melton Constable in my constituency has a proud railway heritage—the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway steam train adorns its village sign. New clause 5 would make provision for the exploration of the reinstatement of the orbital railway. Does my hon. Friend agree that being connected to the rail network could b…”

“I completely agree. This issue goes two ways: fighting crime overseas and tackling illegal activity in this country are both hindered by illicit finance. The message from Government that those benefiting from their dirty money can have another six months of fun before we hold our summit is disappointing. I hope the Min…”

“While there are certainly corporate victims of international illicit finance, it also affects us as taxpayers and as individuals. I totally agree with my hon. Friend, and I thank him for raising that case. Turning a blind eye and washing our hands of responsibility has gone on too long. Britain has been a world leader …”

“Sitting adjourned.”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the Illicit Finance Summit 2026. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Roger. I am delighted to have secured this debate on the illicit finance summit 2026, although it might be more accurate to say that we are debating the illicit finance summit that is just …”

“A quick recap: a gentle jibe at the Minister, a sharp poke at Reform and a commitment to doing my bit in helping the Government with a few ideas that might constitute a successful summit. First, when many think of property in this country, they might think of the words of my predecessor as a Norfolk MP, Sir Edward Coke…”

“I wholeheartedly agree. In fact, a past Government wrote to all those revealed by the Panama papers to ask them about their financial affairs. Might the Minister perhaps commit to doing the same for those shown not to be fully complying with beneficial ownership registration? Speaking of getting our own house in order,…”

“I completely agree. This issue goes two ways: fighting crime overseas and tackling illegal activity in this country are both hindered by illicit finance. The message from Government that those benefiting from their dirty money can have another six months of fun before we hold our summit is disappointing. I hope the Min…”

“While there are certainly corporate victims of international illicit finance, it also affects us as taxpayers and as individuals. I totally agree with my hon. Friend, and I thank him for raising that case. Turning a blind eye and washing our hands of responsibility has gone on too long. Britain has been a world leader …”

“I thank the Minister for his responses, and all Members and hon. Members for their contributions. I will just reiterate what I said earlier: this is not a popular cause on the doorstep, but it is the right thing to do. I feel like I have become a recent member of a noble, long-standing cause, which I welcome, and for w…”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the Illicit Finance Summit 2026. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Roger. I am delighted to have secured this debate on the illicit finance summit 2026, although it might be more accurate to say that we are debating the illicit finance summit that is just …”

“A quick recap: a gentle jibe at the Minister, a sharp poke at Reform and a commitment to doing my bit in helping the Government with a few ideas that might constitute a successful summit. First, when many think of property in this country, they might think of the words of my predecessor as a Norfolk MP, Sir Edward Coke…”

“I wholeheartedly agree. In fact, a past Government wrote to all those revealed by the Panama papers to ask them about their financial affairs. Might the Minister perhaps commit to doing the same for those shown not to be fully complying with beneficial ownership registration? Speaking of getting our own house in order,…”

“The hon. and learned Gentleman makes an excellent point, and I thank him for his intervention. Those things are all great, but I gently say that in rural and coastal communities such as mine they will be useless without the public transport accessibility options that will get young people to those opportunities. So it …”

“Nicholas and then Steve: any brief further comments on the evidence base?”

“I am sure we will, but that is part of the normalisation thing that you were talking about earlier. Ross, just briefly, in your view and in the broadest sense, does this strategy reflect these insights?”

“I am keen for us to move on, and I am going to ask the others, but briefly, Steve, do you have any further thoughts on whether the strategy actually reflects these insights?”