David Alton

Latest speeches

1. House of Lords · House of Lords · 17 September 2026

   • Oral questions: UK objectives for 2027 G20 presidency

     “My Lords, could the baroness tell us what priority will be given to the nearly 120 million people who are displaced in the world today during the G20 summit and in particular whether or not the war in Sudan, which…”

     Watch from 14:45

   • Main debate: VAT, business rates and tax changes on independent schools

     “It's a pleasure to be able to follow the noble Lord, Lord Lexden, today, not least because we've missed his well-informed and always wise and measured voice, and it's good to see him back in his customary place. I supported…”

     Watch from 2:06:44

2. House of Lords · House of Lords · 15 September 2026

   • Oral question 4 – AI extinction risk and UK regulatory approach

     “My Lords, in the light of the existential threats which have been referred to by the noble baroness, Lady Turber, and having chaired the inquiry launched by the Joint Committee on Human Rights into AI and human rights with ten…”

     Watch from 49:16

3. House of Lords · House of Lords · 4 September 2026

   • Forced labour in UK supply chains: JCHR report introduced

     “It's an honour to be able to introduce this report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Forced Labour in Supply Chains. Let me begin my remarks, if I may, my Lords, by paying tribute to my hardworking Joint Committee…”

     Watch from 3:32:38

   • Legal tools, enforcement gaps and NHS procurement

     “And many of us were, justifiably I think, disappointed not to see that hope realized in this year's King's Speech. But we do welcome measures in the Immigration and Asylum Bill implementing JCHR recommendations 3 to 5 to strengthen and…”

     Watch from 3:42:43

   • Alton’s closing: Wilberforce legacy and call for action

     “My lords, the noble lord Lord Sahota in his first occasion in having to give a ministerial reply has acquitted himself with some distinction. And I would say to the noble lord that it's wonderful to hear a minister describing…”

     Watch from 4:57:12

4. House of Lords · House of Lords · 1 September 2026

   • Bill debate: ethics codes, oversight bodies and post‑legislative review

     “My Lords, I'd like to begin by thanking the noble Lord, the Minister, Lord Lemos, for the very helpful and wide-ranging discussion that we had last week, but I'd also like to thank his admirable predecessor, Baroness Lovitt, for the…”

     Watch from 3:13:14

5. House of Lords · House of Lords · 22 July 2026

   • AI safety incidents, China’s initiative and democratic alliances

     “My Lords, in assessing the CCP's AI global initiative, which the noble Baroness has just referred to, will she look carefully at the 29 member states of that initiative that include Putin's Russia, the military dictatorship in Myanmar, regimes in…”

     Watch from 1:01:56

   • Steel, China and defence: resilience and partner treatment

     “My Lords, can I welcome the government's lead in protecting the steel industry in this country? Don't we need to do a lot more to develop our resilience and reduce our dependency? And wasn't the danger here of Chinese domination…”

     Watch from 1:15:17

6. House of Lords · House of Lords · 17 July 2026

   • Genocide Determination Bill: Lord Alton’s second reading case

     “My lords, I beg to move that this bill be now read a second time. My lords, on this politically auspicious day as we mark the appointment of Andy Burnham, Member of Parliament, as the new leader of the Labour…”

     Watch from 1:03:02

   • Alton’s wind‑up and committee commitment

     “My Lords, I'd like to thank all noble Lords who have contributed to today's important debate, and even those who have disagreed with the principle behind the bill or the practicalities or the specifics. I'm grateful to them as well…”

     Watch from 2:42:11