Graham Stringer
MP for Blackley and Middleton South
Lab
1 May 1997 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
The hon. Member for West Suffolk (Nick Timothy), when he was an official, produced a devastating report on the Home Office. Reading it, it shows a Department characterised by disarray and defeatism. There have been 12 Home Secretaries over the past 30 years. Some were better than others, but none managed to get the Department to deliver the services that people should be able to expect in this country. Will the Prime Minister give the new Home Secretary the necessary resources and policy interventions to ensure that she can be successful?
Context
The Home Office has faced criticism over disarray and defeatism. There have been numerous Home Secretaries in the past 30 years, each inheriting challenges from previous administrations.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
Yes. She is bearing down on the challenges at the Home Office—most of them inherited from the last Government. We will make the changes necessary, and I have every confidence in the Secretary of State to do so.
Assessment
Specific resources and policy interventions for the new Home Secretary
Blaming Previous Government
Session: PMQs 2025-10-29
View Full Session -->
My right hon. Friend has come under intense scrutiny from the press at different times, and she must have found it difficult. A press that is free to scrutinise politicians is vital in a free society and a democracy. Is she as concerned as I am by the Stasi-like interview that was given to Allison Pearson of a week last Sunday? Does she agree that the Essex police force and other police forces would be better trying to deal with shoplifting, burglaries and other crimes, rather than intimidating journalists?
Context
The questioner is concerned about the treatment of journalists by the police, referencing a Stasi-like interview given to Allison Pearson.
Angela Rayner
Free speech and our press are incredibly important—they are part of our democracy—but in direct response to my hon. Friend's question, the police are independent and it is a live investigation, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that.
Assessment
The specific issue about police focusing on crime rather than journalists was not addressed
Changed Subject
Session: PMQs 2024-11-20
View Full Session -->
The European emissions trading scheme has a carbon price that is 50% higher than the UK’s. What assessment has the Chancellor made of the impact of joining the scheme on inflation in this country?
Context
The UK is assessing the impact of joining the European emissions trading scheme, which has a carbon price higher than the UK's.
Rachel Reeves
As my hon. Friend knows, sometimes the UK carbon price has been higher, but sometimes it has been lower than in the EU. This deal will ensure a bigger market that, on average, brings prices down. We are confident that the deal secured yesterday will bring more good jobs and bring down bills for consumers.
Session: Topical Questions 2025-05-20
View All Questions -->
My hon. Friend will be as aware as I am that the air passenger duty, which was introduced by a Conservative Chancellor more than 30 years ago, has been studied intensively. Every study shows that the revenue generated by that tax is much less than the benefit of abolishing it. Will my hon. Friend and the Secretary of State try to talk some sense into the Chancellor of the Exchequer and her officials, to get rid of this tax and benefit both aviation and the economy?
Context
Air passenger duty was introduced over 30 years ago by a Conservative Chancellor. Every study shows that the revenue generated is less than the economic benefit of abolishing it.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Kane)
I would never disagree with the former leader of my council, but on this occasion, I might have to. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend as somebody who was chairman of the airport that delivered the only international runway in this country in 80 years. Air passenger duty is part of the rich mix of the aviation tapestry; however, last month in April, Heathrow had 7.1 million passengers through its doors, the largest number ever. Most airports and airlines are seeing demand go through the roof.
Session: Aviation Sector 2025-05-15
View All Questions -->
Manchester airport would be very surprised to hear that its new runway has been operating for nearly 25 years. I think many officials in the Treasury show a startling ignorance of the English regions, and this leads to prejudice in calculating scheme viability. Will he provide coaches to send Treasury officials around the English regions to talk to people who know about growth? Secondly, will he look at the formulas that decide where economic growth happens, which are biased against the regions?
Context
The Chancellor's statement about a lack of new runways since 1945 was inaccurate, as Manchester Airport's new runway has been operating for nearly 25 years. This highlights potential ignorance or bias in Treasury officials' understanding of regional growth.
Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
Treasury officials routinely engage with local and regional officials across the country, including frequently in Manchester. Support has been provided for the Old Trafford development in Manchester. The Government’s policy will benefit establishments like Shed One gin, Wolftown and Kin vodka in Cumbria.
Session: Regional Growth England 2025-03-04
View All Questions -->
When will the Government take a decision to procure more Typhoons given 25,000 jobs are at risk?
Context
The Typhoon factory at Warton is currently idle, with no production ongoing.
John Healey
The strategic defence review will produce final recommendations in the spring. The Secretary visited Warton and discusses exports to Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Session: Strategic Defence Review 2024-11-18
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill 2026-01-20
20 January 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
National security must always be the first priority of any Government, especially during uncertain times. The deal secures the vital military asset for future generations, allowing the base to continu...
Proposed Chinese Embassy 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the representations made to Five Eyes partners on the potential risks posed by the proximity of sensitive cabling infrastructure to the site of the proposed new Chinese embas...
Local Elections Cancellation 2026-01-19
19 January 2026
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm that the scheduled local government elections in May 2026 will not be cancelled, and explain why it is necessary to do so at this late stage despite the Government's previous...
West Midlands Police 2026-01-14
14 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2025-11-24
24 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The clause would introduce the new Schedule in NS1, which transfers to mayors of mayoral strategic authorities the power to approve a local highway authority to charge undertakers who are executing wo...
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Away Fans Ban 2025-11-24
24 November 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the ban on Israeli Jewish supporters was based on fiction, and will she ensure publication of all intelligence material relating to the ban? The MP raises concern over fabric...
Critical Minerals Strategy 2025-11-24
24 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government has launched a new critical minerals strategy, Vision 2035, aimed at ensuring the UK can access vital materials for technology and energy while enhancing economic security. The UK alrea...
Asylum Policy 2025-11-17
17 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
BBC Leadership 2025-11-11
11 November 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Away Fans Ban 2025-10-20
20 October 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister confirm the Adoption Fund will continue for next year? Aston Villa released a statement last week that Maccabi Tel Aviv FC fans would not be permitted to attend their game on Novembe...
Attendance
68.2%
15 of 22 votes
Aye Votes
3
13.6% of votes
No Votes
12
54.5% of votes
Abstentions
7
31.8% of votes
03 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
Ayes: 91
Noes: 378
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
Ayes: 61
Noes: 311
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 195
Noes: 317
Failed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 63 Stand part
Ayes: 348
Noes: 167
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 26
Ayes: 172
Noes: 334
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 9
Ayes: 181
Noes: 335
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Clause 86 stand part
Ayes: 344
Noes: 173
Passed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 25
Ayes: 187
Noes: 351
Failed
13 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 24
Ayes: 184
Noes: 331
Failed
12 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: New Clause 7
Ayes: 188
Noes: 341
Failed
12 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Finance (No. 2) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 185
Noes: 344
Failed
2
PMQs Asked
4
Ministerial Questions Asked
27
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
22
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 649 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+3% above average
This MP:
2
Average:
1.9
Ministerial Questions
-50% below average
This MP:
4
Average:
7.9
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
1.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1042% above average
This MP:
27
Average:
2.4
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
5.1
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.2
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-10% below average
This MP:
68.2
Average:
75.6
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Graham Stringer's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.