We Are A Proud, Unique Community In Aberavon, Even Banksy Picked Us Out

28 Feb 2019

In this years St David’s Day debate I decided to speak about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, steelworkers pensions, steel procurement, Personal Independence Payments and of course Banksy! Stephen Kinnock: It is always a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff North (Anna McMorrin), and I congratulate my…

Read more →

Committee for Exiting the EU Hears From Bertie Ahern

15 Feb 2019

The Committee for Exiting the European Union heard from former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about British-Irish relations and the implications of the various Brexit outcomes for that relationship. Stephen Kinnock: Thanks, Mr Ahern, for your fascinating evidence. I wanted to ask a more strategic or philosophical question about the future of…

Read more →

Prime Minister’s Deal Is A Bridge To Nowhere

15 Feb 2019

The Prime Minister’s deal is a bridge to nowhere. Common Market 2.0 offers a clear, stable & exciting future outside EU. It safeguards jobs and workers rights, offers new controls over free movement, would mean leaving the European Court of Justice, Common Fisheries Policy and Common Agricultural Policy, and it…

Read more →

Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Is A Burning Injustice That Must Be Righted Immediately

15 Feb 2019

My colleague Stephanie Peacock MP secured a debate calling for the Government to revise the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, which has seen billions taken away from miners and their families. I am truly proud, as the grandson of a coal miner, to have been in the chamber to support this debate and…

Read more →

Absolutely Vital That House Has Sufficient Time To Debate And Scrutinise Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Bill

12 Feb 2019

The Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Bill is legislation of the highest political and legal significance. We can’t leave the EU with a Deal until Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Bill is ratified. There would be a constitutional outrage if Parliament isn’t given time to scrutinise it. Article 50 must be extended to allow…

Read more →

European Scrutiny Committee Hears From Dominic Raab

11 Feb 2019

Former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab MP appeared before the European Scrutiny Committee to answer questions about negotiations between the UK Government and the European Union regarding the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Read more →

European Scrutiny Committee Hears From Suella Braverman

11 Feb 2019

Suella Braverman appeared before the European Scrutiny Committee to answer questions about the negotiations between the UK Government and the European Union regarding the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Read more →

Why Have Russians With Extremely Close Links To The Kremlin Been Allowed To Give £1 Million To The Conservatives?

06 Feb 2019

In Prime Minister’s Questions I asked David Lidington to explain why Russians with extremely close links to the Kremlin have been allowed to give £1 million to the Conservatives. Is it right that the British governing party is in hock to those so close to a hostile and corrupt foreign…

Read more →

Meeting Martin Selmayr

05 Feb 2019

The Committee for Exiting the EU had a useful meeting with Martin Selmayr, Secretary General of the EU Commission, in Brussels. He reiterated that the negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement are closed. But he didn’t rule out putting the Backstop assurance letters in the Withdrawal Agreement but asked Brexiteer MPs…

Read more →

Prime Minister’s Approach Is A Charade, And It Needs To Be Stopped Now

30 Jan 2019

As MPs debated the Brexit amendments, I intervened in the debate to say that the idea that Theresa May can re-open Withdrawal Agreement (‘divorce items’) is a charade – yet another Brexit unicorn. Common Market 2.0 would only amend the Political Declaration on Future Relationship and the EU supports this. Stephen…

Read more →

Why Does She Not Pivot To The Norway-Plus Option Today?

23 Jan 2019

During Prime Minister’s Questions I asked if the Prime Minister was serious about doing away with the Northern Irish backstop, and doesn’t want to extend Article 50, then why doesn’t she pivot to the Norway-Plus option which eliminates the need for both these things? Stephen Kinnock: In May 2018, Michel…

Read more →

If The Prime Minister’s Deal Is Voted Down, Will She Give The House A Vote On A Range Of Options?

10 Jan 2019

At Prime Ministers questions I asked the Prime Minister if, after her deal falls, she’ll hold indicative votes to understand what Brexit might be supported by MPs. The options would include Common Market 2.0 As usual she failed to answer. Stephen Kinnock: This week, our cross-party Norway Plus group published…

Read more →

Northern Ireland And A No Deal Brexit

10 Jan 2019

Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Exiting the European Union, appeared before the Committee for Exiting the European Union. I asked the Minister responsible for No Deal planning if he has conducted any research into the possible effects of No Deal on potential calls for reunification in…

Read more →

Common Market 2.0 – Alternative Brexit Plan

08 Jan 2019

On the day that the cross-party Norway Plus Group of MPs published a major report advocating ‘Common Market 2.0’ – a plan to reset the UK-Europe relationship for the 21st Century, I set out why this is an alternative Brexit plan. Stephen Kinnock: The Secretary of State continually says that…

Read more →

Government Must Stop Burying Their Heads In The Sand And Wake Up To The Reality On Social Security

20 Dec 2018

I spoke in the debate on the cumulative impact of the Government’s changes to the social security system. It has caused real misery and hardship for many of my constituents. It’s time the Government woke up to this reality and commissioned a cumulative impact assessment. I congratulate my hon. Friends…

Read more →

Parliament Won’t Be Bullied Into Backing May’s Deal With Empty Threats Of No Deal

20 Dec 2018

Labour secured an emergency debate in Parliament about the Government’s preparations for a No Deal Brexit. During the debate I cited the Committee for Exiting the EU evidence that No Deal is a charade. Ports and hospitals are not ready. The EU is not ready. Parliament won’t be bullied into…

Read more →

Social Security System Is Not Only Callous And Cruel, It Is Not Value For Money

20 Dec 2018

Early in the debate on the cumulative impact of changes to the social security system I intervenes on the high rate of PIP and ESA decisions that are overturned on appeal. Stephen Kinnock: Is my hon. Friend aware of the fact that in Wales 75% of PIP and 74% of ESA…

Read more →

Norway Plus And The Backstop

18 Dec 2018

As the Prime Minister returned to the House of Commons following the EU summit I asked her about the Norway-plus option and the backstop. Stephen Kinnock: The Prime Minister repeatedly claims that the Norway-plus option would require a backstop, but on 3 December her Attorney General told me from the Dispatch…

Read more →

A Norway plus-Based Brexit Would Be A Strong Compromise In The National Interest

07 Dec 2018

As Parliament debated the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal I spoke about respecting the referendum result and how Norway Plus is the best way to do that. The instruction given by 52:48 referendum vote is clear: move house, but stay in same neighbourhood. To leave EU’s political project, but to retain…

Read more →

Brexit Secretary Appears Before Committee For Exiting The European Union

04 Dec 2018

Before five days of debate on the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the Framework for the Future Relationship, the Brexit Secretary and Prime Minister’s Europe Adviser appeared in front of the Committee For Exiting The European Union. I asked him about turning the political declaration into a binding international…

Read more →

Attorney General And Norway Plus Option

04 Dec 2018

During questions to the Attorney General over the legal advice given on the Withdrawal Agreement I asked him about the Norway-plus option and the backstop. Stephen Kinnock: The Attorney General may be familiar with the terms of the so-called Norway-plus option, in which the United Kingdom would join the European…

Read more →