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Functioning of Government
07 July 2022
Lead MP
Michael Ellis
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyNorthern Ireland
Other Contributors: 41
At a Glance
Michael Ellis raised concerns about functioning of government in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Mr Speaker, as the House will be aware, it is widely reported that the Prime Minister is about to make an important statement shortly. I can confirm that it is correct that the Prime Minister will speak shortly. The business of Government continues with the support of our civil service, and all great offices of state are currently filled. Calmness and professionalism are now required for the stability and continuity of Government. Any necessary ministerial vacancies can be and will be filled by a dedicated and talented pool of individuals who remain committed to serving their country.
Angela Rayner
Lab
Ashton-under-Lyne
Question
We do not have a functioning Government with severe consequences due to ongoing resignations and crises. Questions pertain to today's Committees, legislative arrangements, accountability mechanisms, Education Secretary's resignation impact on exams and childcare costs, national security risks, and the Prime Minister’s caretaker status until October.
Minister reply
The Government will continue to function while awaiting the PM's statement; business of the House will proceed with remaining Secretaries of State handling necessary decisions constitutionally.
Maldon
Question
Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that his Government has achieved many successes? Can he clarify that previous leaders have left office without elections, leading to new Prime Ministers assuming leadership?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is completely correct.
Question
Today’s announcement of the PM's resignation follows 2 years and 348 days in office, leaving behind political chaos and economic destruction. The Government appears paralysed and unable to address significant issues.
Minister reply
The Government will continue functioning with support from the civil service.
Christchurch
Question
Is there merit in having a smaller Cabinet, fewer Ministers, and parliamentary private secretaries? Can we trial this approach?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an interesting point, but it is somewhat outside my responsibilities.
Angela Eagle
Lab
Wallasey
Question
With numerous resignations and no Ministers for statutory instrument Committees or legislation, how can the Government continue functioning?
Minister reply
The business of the House will proceed with remaining Ministers; I have spoken to the Cabinet Secretary who confirmed that Government functions will continue.
Question
The MP expresses sympathy for the Minister's position and asks if he can take away the concern that many have about how long a caretaker Prime Minister can remain in place. He suggests it might be in everyone’s interest to speed up the transition.
Minister reply
The Minister thanks Bob Neill for his remarks, noting that while there is no need for a general election constitutionally, he cannot pre-empt the Prime Minister's statement.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
The MP criticises recent government actions against the civil service and argues that a caretaker PM is not tenable due to the impact on public services. He calls for all MPs to resign.
Minister reply
The Minister states that Ministers will serve the Crown and country as they always have.
Question
The MP expresses sadness about recent resignations but asks the Minister to convey to the PM that it is not tenable for him to continue as caretaker without filling ministerial appointments.
Minister reply
The Minister assures Aaron Bell’s comment has been noted.
Stephen Timms
Lab
East Ham
Question
The MP asks the Minister to reassure that the change will take place in hours, not months, and stresses that effective democracy depends on Ministers telling the truth.
Minister reply
The Minister says only that the Prime Minister will make a statement shortly.
Question
The MP criticises recent resignations as hollow and asks when vacancies will be filled, emphasising the need for immediate action.
Minister reply
The Minister assures the Government will continue to function, having spoken with the head of civil service.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Question
The MP questions if PM and resigning Ministers will forfeit their right to severance pay given current paralysis in governance during a cost-of-living crisis.
Minister reply
The Minister refers the matter to statute, stating it is set by law passed by this House.
Question
The MP thanks the minister for her work and asks for continued support on Operation Soteria and the rape review. She also thanks serving police officers and civil servants.
Minister reply
The Minister commends Rachel Maclean's work, stating that Operation Soteria and the rape review should continue.
Question
The MP questions when the Government will start functioning again given current paralysis across all departments.
Minister reply
The Minister assures the House that the government is functioning, referencing great offices of state still in place and mentioning specific ministers overseeing security and intelligence.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Question
The MP asks about provisions for continuing operation of EU-UK Partnership Council and specialised committees over coming months.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms functions of Government, including in the international sphere, will continue.
Question
The MP seeks clarity on how to take forward important matters related to Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.
Minister reply
The Minister refers Tony Lloyd to the Leader of the House for business questions.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Question
The MP criticises recent events as a psychodrama emphasising that UK is a failed state and the government shows contempt for devolution.
Minister reply
The Minister disagrees, stating he could not disagree more with Liz Saville-Roberts' separatist agenda.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
The MP questions assurances regarding timely full ministerial engagement with intelligence agencies in light of recent chaos.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms Secretary of State for the Home Department is responsible for security arrangements.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
The MP questions if former Education Secretary Michelle Donelan will receive standard severance package.
Minister reply
The Minister states matters such as pay and remuneration are set by statute.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
The MP criticises MPs who supported PM during no confidence vote for their motives, arguing a damaged Prime Minister should go immediately.
Minister reply
The Minister states he cannot pre-empt the Prime Minister’s statement but government business will continue.
Question
The MP asks to arrange for signing of section 30 order to move functions of Government to Holyrood, proposing an alternative set of fully functioning ministers.
Minister reply
The Minister emphasises importance of the Union of United Kingdom and its decision from the 2014 referendum.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Question
The MP stresses that current situation is unsustainable, damaging crucial decisions and harming reputation abroad. He asks for urgent resolution.
Minister reply
The Minister states the Prime Minister will be speaking shortly.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Question
What measures will be taken to ensure the Opposition can hold a caretaker Prime Minister accountable who has lost public faith?
Minister reply
I recommend that the hon. Lady does not listen to gossip and rumours; responsible government in this country will continue.
Question
When will the Government Front Bench team accept they have been collectively denying problems for too long?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman asked a rhetorical question, but I will say that the Government will continue to function as expected.
Naseem Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Question
How can the Opposition hold Ministers accountable when there is not a functioning government?
Minister reply
The people who put the Prime Minister in place are 14 million voters for the Conservative party at the general election.
Question
Should we work across the benches to sort out this crisis, even temporarily?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman's services are not required as there are talented and dedicated individuals on the Government Benches.
Question
Will there be a leaving do for the outgoing Prime Minister in No. 10 tonight?
Minister reply
I do not think a serious answer is expected to that frivolous question.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
Given that a majority of Government MPs say the Prime Minister lacks integrity, what basis does he have to stay in post?
Minister reply
I recommend that the hon. Gentleman awaits the statement due from the Prime Minister shortly.
Question
What does this situation mean for casework submitted by constituents to Ministers?
Minister reply
There is a functioning Government and civil service which will continue to support state functionality as always.
Question
Will the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill Committee proceed in 26 minutes' time?
Minister reply
The hon. Member can ask this question of the Leader of the House of Commons during their business statement.
Question
Shouldn't there be a general election instead to let people decide on the current Government?
Minister reply
The business of government will continue as expected; I reject the characterisation made by the hon. Member.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Question
Can a caretaker Government deploy further troops in case of crisis?
Minister reply
We have a proper Government; I say to the hon. Gentleman that he talks about cost of living and Ukraine but not personalities over six months.
Bury South
Question
Is the Minister tired of defending the Prime Minister?
Minister reply
I am not answering any questions along those lines.
Question
Why are crucial Bill Committees being cancelled because there are no Ministers to attend them?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady will need to wait for the Prime Minister's statement later today; it is a matter for the Leader of the House.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Question
Will the Prime Minister be leaving No. 10 this weekend?
Minister reply
The hon. Member will need to wait for the Prime Minister's statement later today.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
What further damage might the Prime Minister do if he stays in post until after summer?
Minister reply
The hon. Member will need to wait for the Prime Minister's statement later today; I cannot pre-empt what that statement will be.
Emma Lewell
Lab
South Shields
Question
Who will give an answer to constituents about archaic legislation due to a terror attack?
Minister reply
I convey my sympathies and the Government's support; functioning of government continues with civil service support for Ministers.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
May I point out to the Minister that we do in fact have functioning government within the United Kingdom: we have a functioning Government in Edinburgh and we have a functioning Government in the Senedd in Cardiff? Where Government does not function across these islands, in Westminster and in Northern Ireland, they have one thing in common: the dead, malign hand of this Tory Government. What possible confidence can the people of these islands—the people who want to stay in this broken Union and the millions of us who do not—have in who is coming next, because they all stood by and watched what this Prime Minister did for six months or more?
Minister reply
It is the Westminster Government who represent this country, and the Union of the United Kingdom will continue apace despite the hon. Gentleman’s opposition to it.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
The Minister praises the civil service while planning to cut 91,000 of them. I echo his praise, but they cannot be expected to cover for the lack of Ministers or, for that matter, for the British people’s lack of confidence in this dysfunctional Government. So will he say whether the missing Ministers will be replaced, and does he accept that they are all tainted by the prime Minister’s disgrace and that what is needed is a fresh start?
Minister reply
Ministerial appointments are not a matter for me, but the functioning of government will continue apace.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
In 18 minutes I am due to sit on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill Committee, as set out on the Order Paper. The Leader of the House will not have been before the House at that point, there are no Ministers, there is no Secretary of State, and there is a Prime Minister in office but not in government, so can the Paymaster General let me know whether that Committee is going ahead—now in 17 minutes—and when it is due to recommence if it is not going ahead then?
Minister reply
I am unable to answer the hon. Member’s question. The Committees of this House will continue in the normal way of business.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Question
The majority of those who left the Government have referred to the Prime Minister’s lack of integrity, honour, honesty and competence. They surely cannot return to work for such a man, even on a temporary basis. To get a functioning Government, we need a full set of Ministers and we need a swift transition. Will the Paymaster General at least convey that message to No. 10 and to his Cabinet colleagues?
Minister reply
It is up to each individual to decide how best to serve in Government or not, and the functioning of Government can and will continue. Having spoken this morning to the Cabinet Secretary, I can say that there are a multitude of Ministers and a plethora of items on agendas that will continue to be dealt with, with the support of the civil service, as I have said.
Shadow Comment
Angela Rayner
Shadow Comment
The current situation does not constitute a functioning government; it has serious consequences during the cost-of-living crisis, potential trade issues in Northern Ireland, and ongoing security concerns. Committees are cancelled due to lack of Ministers, impacting legislation passage and accountability. National security is at risk with only two Ministers able to sign security warrants. The Prime Minister's intention to remain caretaker until October is problematic, as dozens of ministerial posts are unfilled. This chaos endangers the country’s stability.
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