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Craig and Lindsay were detained on a visit through Iran on a global motorbike journey in January 2025 and were charged with espionage and sentenced to 10 years in Iran’s Evin Prison on 19 February 2026. Craig and Lindsey have been on hunger strike since their phone access to their family was cut off 2

This is the Year of Reading and i was pleased to take part in a Roundtable hosted by The Reading Agency on 19 May 2026. The CEO Karen Napier reminded us it is 20 years when Quick Reads were established. Gail Rebuck chaired a discussion which included Nick Serota (Arts Council ) William Sieghart, Baroness

On 20 May 2026, was the last day for debates on the King’s Speech. Any topic relating to the speech can be debated, the Speaker of House of Commons selected three amendments to the speech from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Reform. The following Conservative amendment was not agreed (Ayes 104, Noes 317): to add

In the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 the Energy Independence Bill was announced, to scale-up homegrown renewable energy and protect living standards for the long-term. The speech also included a commitment to take forward recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review in 2025 and introduce the Nuclear Regulation Bill to encourage a new era of

I spoke on the day following the King’s Speech which outlines the Government’s future legislative programme. There are 5 days of debate and I spoke on Thursday 14 May 2026: here is my speech:  “It is a pleasure to follow the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Helen Whately).