Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Resignation Honours List: Public Trust

Thursday 29 February 2024 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steven Bonnar inquired about discussions on the impact of the resignation honours list on public trust in politicians and political institutions.
  • The response indicated that it is a convention for outgoing Prime Ministers to compile a resignation honours list, subject to propriety checks.
  • The Minister defended members of the House of Lords, stating that many are accomplished and provide valuable scrutiny of legislation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steven Bonnar
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises due to the publication of a resignation honours list, raising concerns about its impact on public trust in politicians and political institutions. Previous lists have been subject to scrutiny under different governments.

Question

Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the publication of the resignation honours list of the right hon. Member for South West Norfolk on public trust in (a) politicians and (b) political institutions.

Answer from Esther McVey

It is a long-standing convention under successive Governments that outgoing Prime Ministers can draw up a resignation list. That has been the case under past Governments from across the political spectrum, and any names proposed are subject to the usual propriety checks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact on public trust was not addressed with concrete measures or commitments.

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Q2 Steven Bonnar
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The question stems from public polling showing strong opposition across the political spectrum against an unelected House of Lords, but a lack of government action on reform.

Question

Political polarisation is more prevalent than ever, but polling consistently shows that voters across the political spectrum are united in their opposition to an unelected House of Lords. The trouble the public face is that this place and this Government do not want to know—they merrily carry on stuffing the House of Lords full of loyal stooges. When will the Government finally take their fingers out of their ears, listen to the public and begin to consider long-required reform of the place through those doors?

Answer from Esther McVey

Many people in the other House are probably somewhat insulted by the hon. Member's words. Many of them are highly accomplished in a variety of specialisms and bring much insight as they scrutinise the legislation that comes from this House.

Not addressed: The question about reform was entirely avoided, focusing instead on insulting those in the other house.

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