TRUSTPOLITICS
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

Conservative — North Cotswolds

Speaking in the House of Commons on 13 May 2026

Debate

Debate on the Address

Contribution

It may be pretty obvious to some, but it is not so obvious to others. To govern is to make difficult choices. In short, the Government are spending more than the country can afford, funded by ever-increasing amounts of debt. If we are serious about protecting our nation in an increasingly uncertain world, we must also be serious about the strength of our economy. That means bringing our unaffordable welfare bill under control, creating a stronger environment for growth, eliminating billions of pounds in waste—some of which I have identified in my speech, although if time had allowed I could have identified billions more—and reforming how government works through the rapid roll-out of digital reform. The civil service must be reoriented around productivity and efficiency. Only with a stronger, leaner and more resilient economy can we fund our defences, secure our future and meet the challenges ahead.
← Previous speaker
In this debate
Next speaker →
In this debate

More from Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

View Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown's full report card →

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown report card.

Partner sites