United Kingdom parliament
Vernon Coaker
Member of the House of Lords · Labour
Transcripts of what Vernon Coaker said in Parliament, sitting by sitting. Only speeches whose speaker is confirmed are shown.
Sittings appear here a month after they are held.
Latest speeches
House of Lords · House of Lords · 15 September 2026
Statement – Ukraine war, Russian threats and UK defence readiness
“My Lords, can I start by thanking Earl Minto and Baroness Smith for overall their constructive remarks and rightful challenge to the government. So can I thank them for that. Can I start with a few introductory remarks? And as…”
Watch from 1:50:17Ukraine statement – Backbench Q&A on escalation, sanctions and resilience
“Well can I thank my noble friend for for his question. Of course we have to prevent de-escalation and be careful in the language that we use, which I think by and large this House does because it's aware that…”
Watch from 2:01:27Ukraine statement – Backbench Q&A on escalation, sanctions and resilience
“I I do absolutely agree with that. And certainly the government are looking at accelerating the progress or not that it is making with respect to a national conversation. The noble and gallant Lord is absolutely right when he talks…”
Watch from 2:08:24
House of Lords · House of Lords · 10 September 2026
Oral question 2: Defence budget targets and priorities
“My Lords, the defence investment plan published in the summer increased defence spending by 15 billion over what was agreed at last year's spending review. This means the MOD over the next four years spending will total almost 300 billion.…”
Watch from 25:06
House of Lords · House of Lords · 8 September 2026
Armed Forces Bill Committee: re‑opening committee and call‑out by email
“My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now sit in committee. My Lords, these government amendments under my name, amendments 38 and 39, are needed to make improvements to the bill. Amendment 38 makes a simple but…”
Watch from 1:44:00Armed Forces Bill Committee: re‑opening committee and call‑out by email
“My Lords, can I thank the Earl Minto, Baroness Smith, and also Viscount Stansgate for their questions around this this particular simple change. Let me let me just say, of course, as with everything as we go through this bill,…”
Watch from 1:50:14Armed Forces Bill: detailed critique of RFCA reforms and minister’s defence
“My Lords, it's a great privilege and pleasure to stand up in your Lordships' House and make the case for clause 38. Can I just return, if your Lordships' House will allow me, just to clarify something to the Earl…”
Watch from 2:47:34
House of Lords · House of Lords · 2 September 2026
End of oral questions and move to Armed Forces Bill committee
“My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now resolve itself into a committee upon the bill.”
Watch from 45:45Minister Coaker on RFA, duty scope and pensions meeting
“My Lords, can I just start with a quite profound comment, and if your Lordships wouldn't mind. Today we mark 20 years since RAF Nimrod aircraft XV230 was lost during a routine operational flight in Afghanistan. This was the single…”
Watch from 1:14:02Government position: due regard vs statutory priority in health
“My Lords, first of all, can I thank the noble lord, Lord Harlach, and in the same way, just let me start by thanking him and recognizing again the service that he gives as an active member of the reservists,…”
Watch from 1:38:50
House of Lords · House of Lords · 20 July 2026
Speech
“...from Russia. Of course that takes place within the overall umbrella of NATO. But as he will know, and all noble Lords in the chamber will know, defense industry is a vital...”
Watch from 37:41UK defence industry, NATO and exports
“to establish defense agreements which take forward our, all of our defense needs. The answer I think to the noble lord's question is that of course we want the growth of our own industry and that's really important and our…”
Watch from 39:25Strait of Hormuz: ministerial statement on shipping security
“My Lords, I'm going to first of all start by paying tribute to the US service personnel killed and injured in the region recently. All our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends. The government remains committed to…”
Watch from 1:17:51
House of Lords · House of Lords · 16 July 2026
Ministerial reply on defence capability and spending
“My Lords, it's a great privilege, can I thank everyone for taking part in this debate and it's a great privilege to respond to it, and I'll try and respond to many of the points that have been made. Can…”
Watch from 5:59:52
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Polyfact records and transcribes the sittings and committee hearings of United Kingdom's parliaments. A passage appears here only once its speaker is confirmed, by the official record or by a person; automatic guesses are left out.