Politics

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Ged Killen MP: Maiden speech

Thank you Mr Speaker for the opportunity to give my maiden speech in this debate, it is an honour to be standing here representing the good people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West as their new Labour and Co-operative MP and it is a pleasure to follow excellent maiden speeches across the house and, in particular that of my honourable friends, the members for:
I’d like to begin, Mr Speaker, by paying tribute to all of those affected by recent events in London and Manchester, painful and shocking tragedies that were truly felt right across the country.  One of my own constituents Piotr Chylewska was seriously injured in the Manchester bombing. Originally from Poland, Pitor now lives in Rutherglen and was among the last of the injured to be discharged from hospital in Manchester. I am pleased to say Piotr is making good progress and I’m sure members across this house would like to join me in wishing him well.
Often in the most of tragic of circumstances, we see the very best in each other and I’d like to thank Father Paul Morton, the St Bride’s Parish in Cambuslang and the wider community for the support they have shown Piotr.  It is that coming together in times of adversity that I think is a testament to our shared values.  Values that I see examples of every day in my wonderful constituency of Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
In my home town in of Rutherglen, we have Coffee Shops like the Black Poppy collecting and distributing toiletries for the homeless; In Blantyre, public houses like the West End Bar supporting generations of families affected by Chernobyl; community councils like Burnside and Halfway working hard to stand up for local interests; Proud Lanarkshire institutions like Equi’s Ice Cream in Hamilton; Social enterprises like R:evolve Clothing; residents associations, churches and community development trusts like Healthy ‘n’ Happy;  and too many more to name; a diverse mix of decent people all coming together and helping to make our communities better places to live one small act of kindness at a time. They are the everyday heroes and I want to thank each and every one of them for the job that they do.
Mr Speaker, my predecessor, Margaret Ferrier was a strong advocate in this house for Human Rights across the world.  I have no doubt that she cared as deeply for my constituency as I do, and I wish her well for the future. In her maiden speech, she spoke of working together in a spirit of collaboration. 
I like to think of myself as a pragmatist who welcomes consensus and, although it won’t be surprising that I few fond memories of pervious conservative Governments, as the first Gay Married Man to represent my constituency, I welcomed the equal marriage legislation passed under the 2010 coalition government and I look forward to the continued advancement of LGBTI equality in this place and across the whole of the United Kingdom.
In reading the speeches of my predecessors, Mr Speaker, I was struck that the occasion of a maiden speech is an opportunity to leave a message for future generations.  I hope both my successor and I will be able to look back and have at least one fond memory of the current government. Unfortunately, initial impressions suggest I may be disappointed.
Having served as a local councillor, I have seen first-hand the effects of the government’s austerity programme on the communities in my constituency.  Real consequences for jobs, services and the local economy.
When I hear stories of people using candles to heat and light rooms in their home; of disabled people unable to put on their own socks and shoes being found fit to work; of siblings in their 20s sharing a bedroom because they have nowhere else to go;  When I hear these stories not from the pages of history where they belong Mr Speaker, but from real life in my constituency in 2017, I wonder, where is the deal for them?  Who from the government benches will negotiate to protect their interests? Support for those that need it most and investment in public services are not luxuries to be rationed or traded off.
The lack of ambition of the Scottish Government in these matters will not escape my scrutiny or criticism but if the members opposite are truly to be a government of all of the nations and regions of the United Kingdom it is time to start acting like it.
We need a government looking out for people across the country, not for the people sitting on the benches behind them and, as we go forward, it is the individual lives, the every day heroes that I want to focus on in this place.
It has been an exciting and somewhat unexpected journey for me from Gorbals boy to Member of Parliament via Rutherglen and Blantyre.  And in this era of fixed term parliaments, Mr Speaker, the great irony is that I have no idea how long I will have a seat in this place.  But my pledge to the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West is that no matter how long that is, I fully intend to make every day count.

This speech was delivered on June 29 2017. It should be checked against delivery. 

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Scottish Labour

Press release: Foreign Secretary marks 20 years since Hong Kong handover

The first of July marks 20 years since Britain returned Hong Kong to China.

And it’s a moment to reflect on Hong Kong’s immense achievements as a thriving and dynamic city, serving as a gateway to the biggest and fastest-growing markets in the world.

The rule of law, an independent judiciary, and a free media have all been central to Hong Kong’s success.

As we look to the future, Britain hopes that Hong Kong will make more progress towards a fully democratic and accountable system of government.

And I want to stress that Britain’s commitment to Hong Kong – enshrined in the Joint Declaration with China – is just as strong today as it was 20 years ago.

I’ve no doubt that Hong Kong’s future success will depend on the rights and freedoms protected by that treaty.

In that spirit, it’s essential that the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ should continue to provide the basis of Hong Kong’s way of life into the future.

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HM Government

Speech: Chile Day 2017 speech by Sir Alan Duncan

Thank you, for that warm welcome, and good morning to all of you. Thank you President Aznar for your opening address. My thanks also to the organisers for putting together such an excellent programme of events. I do not doubt you will enjoy the next two days. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is an honour to be here to address you today.

It is a real pleasure to welcome you to London. Because I am delighted that Chile has once again chosen our great capital city as the location for this now well-established investment showcase. And that Chile has done so is testament both to London’s status as an international financial capital, and also to the long-standing friendship between our two countries.

Now, as some of you may know, the room we are seated in takes its name from the great 19th century Prime Minister William Gladstone, who was not only a champion of free trade but also an admirer of George Canning who, as Foreign Minister, promoted independence and free trade in Latin America 200 years ago. So this seems a particularly appropriate place to be celebrating the two-hundred year relationship between our two countries, and to be demonstrating opportunities for future trade and cooperation.

So in that vein, this year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the British-Chilean Chamber of Commerce – and it is proof of the long standing links between our two nations exist and are very real. And what began as a focal point for British businesses seeking to develop links with the local community is now a vital engine of bilateral trade.

Indeed, in the last decade alone, the British commercial presence in Chile has expanded dramatically both in scale and in scope. It is active in sectors as diverse as energy, food and pharmaceuticals. Last year alone our commercial team in Chile secured £75 million in export wins relating to mining.

But it’s not just about exports – we work together to produce world-beating goods and services and to improve the conditions and technological standards in a whole range of industries.

And one such example is the partnership between the UK’s Building Research Establishment and the University of Chile.

Together they are working to develop a technological innovation centre in Santiago focussed on construction techniques that are environmentally friendly and which design resource-efficient buildings. It will give the Chilean construction industry access to the latest innovations and help users to design buildings which are the very best for those who inhabit them. In time it has the potential to drive real advances in construction in Chile and will, no doubt, lead to the creation of cleaner cities, thus addressing one of the major challenges of the modern world.

And through our Newton Picarte Fund we work closely with various Chilean institutions on more than 200 science and innovation projects. From agriculture to engineering, social sciences to medical research, these projects have led to new partnerships, increased knowledge, insights and deeper impact in key economic areas. They give unprecedented visibility, influence and impact to the work of Chilean and British scientists and are making a real difference in a number of areas.

One such project is ‘Hephaestus’, which is showing the extractive industry, indeed the industry in which I used to work, how to use innovative satellite technology to increase productivity while minimising the negative social and environmental impact of mining.

And these are just a few examples of the many ways in which the UK and Chile are working together. There are opportunities for much more cooperation and investment ahead.

Now, this Chile Day comes at a time of important change and opportunity for the UK as well. As we face the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union, the opportunities presented by our new status outside the EU will bring benefits to both of our countries. With elections coming in the next few months, Chile faces the prospect of change and opportunity too. I just hope that the outcome of your election is more definite and pleasing than the outcome of ours!

Negotiating our exit from the EU will be the biggest challenge we have faced in the UK in a generation. But our approach to negotiations will be responsible, it will be considered and it will be strategic. And I am confident the commitment the UK and Chile share towards free trade and our outward-looking approach to the world will help us both make the most of the opportunities together.

In negotiating our exit from the EU, our objective is to make our economy work for all our citizens. So, the UK will be more active, more outward-facing, and more energetic on the world stage than ever before – and we greatly appreciate your support in this endeavour.

And like Chile, we will continue to focus on removing barriers to trade, even while others seek to build them up.

So in order to ensure continuity in our trade and investment relationships with third countries following our departure from the EU, we will seek to replicate all existing EU Free Trade Agreements and other EU preferential arrangements. Chile has significant trade expertise in this area, and will remain a natural partner.

The UK and Chile are not only allies, we’re also friends. Chile is and will remain one of our closest partners in Latin America. Our companies do business together; our scientists carry out research together; our governments tackle global challenges together. It is a hugely successful partnership and one that benefits both sides. So I look forward to working with my Chilean counterparts to enhance it further. And I wish you a productive Chile Day, and look forward to welcoming you back in 2018.

Thank you.

Further information

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HM Government

Statement to Parliament: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 20th anniversary: written ministerial statement

1 July marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). The UK joins Hong Kong in celebrating the success of the SAR, and its continued prosperity and vitality. Hong Kong is dynamic, innovative and forward-looking. Hong Kong’s success is built on its high degree of autonomy, as enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law (Hong Kong’s Constitution), centred on key freedoms, strong rule of law, and an independent judiciary.

As set out in the government’s latest 6-monthly report to the House on 24 February, the government’s assessment remains that the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle is functioning well in the vast majority of areas. ‘One Country, Two Systems’ has allowed the UK’s relationship with Hong Kong to flourish across a whole range of areas, including trade and investment, education, science, innovation and technology. Hong Kong is our second biggest export market in Asia with UK exports worth just over £8 billion and over 630 British companies have offices in the territory. Both the UK and Hong Kong SAR governments share the same commitment to making global trade easier and more transparent.

The UK recognises the specific concerns over the implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, as set out in the government’s six-monthly reports to the House. The UK believes that it is vital for Hong Kong’s continued success that the SAR’s high degree of autonomy and rule of law are preserved and that the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ is fully upheld. The UK therefore welcomes statements by the Chinese government and the Hong Kong SAR government expressing commitment to the faithful implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’.

The UK continues to believe that it is in Hong Kong’s best interests that discussion resumes between all parties in Hong Kong in order to make further progress towards a more democratic and accountable system of government, as provided for in the Basic Law.

The UK government congratulates the new Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR government, Carrie Lam, on her forthcoming inauguration on 1 July, and wishes her a successful term in office. The UK government looks forwards to working with the Chief Executive to deepen UK-Hong Kong relations and support Hong Kong to prosper long into the future.

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HM Government