Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Prime Minister (Nomination) and Cabinet (Appointment)

01 July 2020 · 4 other contributors

Opened by Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire

Democracy & Elections

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Pete Wishart raised concerns about prime minister (nomination) and cabinet (appointment) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • The Bill aims to make the nomination of a Prime Minister and their Cabinet a matter for the House of Commons.
  • It seeks to ensure directly elected MPs have a role in determining the country's leadership.
  • The Bill would establish an acting Prime Minister role during periods of incapacitation or resignation.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire

The Bill seeks to make the nomination of a Prime Minister and their Cabinet a matter for the House of Commons, ensuring that directly elected MPs have a role in determining who leads the country. It aims to replicate practices found in other representative democracies by requiring parliamentary approval before a Prime Minister can take office. The current system, where a few thousand Conservative party members determine the PM, is deemed insufficient and undemocratic. Additionally, the Bill would establish an acting Prime Minister role during periods when the incumbent cannot fulfill their duties due to incapacitation or resignation.

Other contributors (4)
  • Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire

    Proposes a Bill to make the nomination of Prime Minister and Cabinet appointments a matter for the House of Commons, ending the current system where only Conservative party members determine who leads the country. The Bill also establishes an acting PM role during incapacitation or resignation, and aims to ensure parliamentary scrutiny over the civil service.

  • Peter Bone Conservative Party South Northamptonshire

    Acknowledges the recovery of the Prime Minister after illness but finds the SNP policy proposed by Pete Wishart completely useless and traditional. Does not provide a detailed contribution beyond agreeing with the sentiment about the PM's health.

  • Peter Bone Con Welling

    The hon. Gentleman introduced a dummy Bill, which was very careful not to go into the detail as in normal times if it became an Act of Parliament, the House of Commons would nominate the leader of the largest party to be Prime Minister. The Speaker would propose the nomination to the Queen, but this could lead to situations where a candidate unsupportive by both sides becomes Prime Minister. Therefore, the Bill should not proceed. There is merit in discussing what happens if the Prime Minister is incapacitated and who takes over, which I have proposed with my own bill on 30 October. On the appointment of Cabinet Ministers, it would be wise to hold confirmation hearings for newly appointed Government Ministers by Departmental Select Committees.

  • Eleanor Laing Con Epping Forest

    We will close the doors 12 minutes after the commencement of the vote, which was two minutes and 30 seconds ago.

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