Resignation Honours Lists Impact 2023-06-22
2023-06-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
MP raised concerns about the publication of resignation honours lists and their potential to erode public trust in politicians and institutions.
Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the publication of the resignation honours lists of the right hon. Member for South West Norfolk and the former right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip on public trust in (a) politicians and (b) political institutions.
My Cabinet colleagues and I have frequent conversations about a range of issues, with a range of colleagues. To the question that the hon. Lady is pushing on, she will have heard me say that there is a long-standing convention, under successive Governments, that outgoing Prime Ministers can draw up a resignation list.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific discussions about impact on public trust were not addressed
Frequent Conversations
Range Of Issues
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
MP questioned the Minister about steps to rescind Boris Johnson's resignation honours list and whether he agrees with Parliament's judgment on Monday.
I can now say this without being told off, as was the case a year ago this month: the disgraced, dishonest and serial-lying Boris Johnson should categorically not be given any resignation honours list—period. What steps is the Minister taking to rescind this democratic outrage? If he is not taking any, does he agree with Parliament's judgment on Monday, given that he chose to abstain on the vote?
The list is not being rescinded. It has gone to the sovereign and has been approved.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
MP questioned whether a life peerage should be given to Shaun Bailey despite his Christmas party event during lockdown and previous election failures.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The failed London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has been given a life peerage in Boris Johnson's list, despite his “Jingle and Mingle” 2020 Christmas party. Does the Minister agree that someone who has failed to be elected on three occasions and flouted the laws that the rest of us stuck to during lockdown should not be offered a life peerage?
The honourable gentleman in question, as the hon. Lady will know, was also a very long-standing member of the London Assembly, and was successfully elected on a number of occasions to fill that role. Obviously, reports of the party in question are unacceptable. We condemn that event, but as she will have heard me say to her colleague, the hon. Member for Motherwell and Wishaw (Marion Fellows), the list has gone to the sovereign and been approved.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on offering a life peerage was not addressed
Long-Standing Member Of The London Assembly
Successfully Elected
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
MP questioned why more power and privilege is being awarded to those who have caused economic hardship, specifically Elizabeth Truss.
There is a bit of unedifying silliness in the Chamber this morning. We are absolutely beside ourselves that we seemingly cannot do anything about this, and the Government are not taking any responsibility. Just because something has been convention since 1985 does not mean that we should continue doing it. If the antics of the dishonourable member for the Chiltern hundreds were not bad enough, convention now dictates that the 49-day former Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for South West Norfolk (Elizabeth Truss), who crashed the economy, which directly contributed to the mortgage rate rises that people are struggling with, will also get to make nominations. Why is even more power and privilege being awarded to those who have caused untold misery and hardship?
I refer the hon. Lady to the answer that I gave a few moments ago.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific reasons for awarding power and privilege were not addressed
Refer The Hon. Lady To The Answer
Response accuracy