While we tend to focus on the drama of local politics, it can be easy to forget that Medway has three MPs representing us in parliament. What are they doing? What are they saying? Our new feature will try and break that down, while also accepting that many of the workings of parliament are horribly dense and not particularly accessible. Which leads us nicely to:
Tracey in the news
Tracey’s contributions
Things Tracey said…
In the Commons Chamber
Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green) (Con)
“I remember having conversations with my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch) probably two years ago, at least—”
“Three.”
“It was a long time ago, and even then we discussed the specific problems with fixed odds betting terminals, along with wider issues.”
On FOBT:
“I am grateful that the Chancellor listened to the House on this matter, although I am sorry that it needed the much louder collective voice for the message to be heard. All that needs to be said has been said, except my personal thanks to the 3,000-plus people who have contacted me since my resignation, the faith leaders who spoke out, the 100-plus colleagues who put their name to the all-party group’s amendments and the brilliant Clerks who helped to craft them.
I have just one other question for the Minister, and it relates to new clause 12. Although the new clause is very limited and there is already a strong framework within the Gambling Commission, I ask that, as an extra protection, the Minister consider supporting this additional review today.”
Tracey’s Voting Record
Kelly’s contributions
Things Kelly said…
To the First Delegated Legislation Committee
Monday 19th Nov
On the Draft Textile Products (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
“The draft instrument amends EU regulation 1007/1011 on textile fibre names and related labelling and marking. The EU regulation prescribes labelling or marking that must be applied to textile products to inform consumers of the product’s textile fibre composition and the presence of non-textile parts of animal origin, such as fur.”
On the Business, Industry and Energy Strategy
Tuesday 20th Nov
On the National Minimum Wage
“Short unpaid trials as part of a genuine recruitment process can be legal.”
Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab)
“If the Minister is very keen on the national minimum wage, what is she saying to Mike Ashley, who has 3,000 workers at Shirebrook, most of them on zero-hours contracts?”
“zero-hours contracts do not necessarily mean that there will be a breach of the national minimum wage.”
On the Asda/Sainsbury Merger
“The independent Competition and Markets Authority is investigating the effects on competition and has until 5 March 2019 to report. The CMA’s investigation is independent of Government and we must not pre-judge the inquiry.”
“we are independent of the CMA, but we work very closely with the CMA on priorities, and looking at supply chains is a key area for all mergers, as is how we protect consumers and markets in future.”
On Shared Parental Leave: Self-Employed People
“I will always engage with anyone who has a view on this particular issue.”
“to set a long-term sustainability programme for the Post Office against potential postmasters is quite frankly wrong.”
On Pub Closures
“There are several reasons why there may be pub closures, which is why we are acting to freeze beer duty and address small business rate relief.”
In response to Topical Questions
Tuesday 20th Nov
Neil Gray (Airdie and Shots) (SNP)
“What cognisance will the UK Government take of the Scottish Government’s consultation on regulating fireworks so as better to inform how best to regulate the sale and use of fireworks?”
“The Government do not have any plans to change the legislation, but I am always willing to look at new evidence and to discuss the issue with hon. Members.
Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)
“Will Her Majesty’s Government look again at the dimensions and layout of post offices as and when they are amalgamated with retail businesses?”
“I do not know the particular setting that the hon. Gentleman refers to, but I am more than happy to meet him to discuss the matter so that I can raise his concerns directly with the Post Office.”
Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab)
“For 134 years, Wigan Crown post office has been the anchor of our high street and the beating heart of our community. It survived two world wars and one global financial crash; why can it not survive eight years of Tory Government?”
“As I have said repeatedly during this questions session, we are not closing post offices. If the hon. Lady has a particular problem in her constituency, I am more than happy to hear her concerns about that individual case, but we are not closing post offices.”
To the Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee
Wednesday 21st Nov
On the Draft Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
“If approved, the regulations will make minor and technical amendments to the Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulations 2010, to correct deficiencies that would arise from the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.”
Kelly’s Written Questions and Answers
Kelly’s Voting Record
Rehman on Brexit
Rehman’s Contributions
Rehman Speaks
To the Commons
Rehman’s Voting Record
What are your thoughts about Medway’s MPs and their performance in parliament? Is Kelly right about pub closures? Was Tracey led astray by the SNP? Does Rehman look better in photos or video? Leave a comment below, on Facebook, or on Twitter.