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Category: Parliament

  • Alister Jack – 2022 Statement on the Supreme Court Decision on a Scottish Referendum

    Alister Jack – 2022 Statement on the Supreme Court Decision on a Scottish Referendum

    The statement made by Alister Jack, the Secretary of State for Scotland, in the House of Commons on 23 November 2022.

    I am grateful to the right hon. Member for providing me with the opportunity to address the House on this important ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue of the competence of the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum on independence.

    The UK Supreme Court has today determined that it is outside the powers of the Scottish Parliament to hold an independence referendum, and I respect the Court’s clear and definitive ruling on this matter. The Scottish Government’s Lord Advocate referred this question to the Supreme Court, which has today given its judgment, and the UK Government’s position has always been clear: that it would be outside the Scottish Parliament’s competence to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence because it is a matter wholly reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament.

    We welcome the Court’s unanimous and unequivocal ruling, which supports the United Kingdom Government’s long-standing position on this matter. People want to see the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government focus on issues that matter to them, not on constitutional division. People across Scotland rightly want and expect to see both their Governments—the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government—working together with a relentless focus on the issues that matter to them, their families and their communities.

    The Prime Minister has been very clear, and has demonstrated since day one, that it is our duty to work constructively with the Scottish Government. We fully respect the devolution settlement and we want to work together with the Scottish Government on vital areas such as tackling the cost of living, growing our economy and leading the international response to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

    At this time of unprecedented challenges, the benefits of being part of the United Kingdom have never been more apparent. The United Kingdom Government are providing the Scottish Government with a record block grant settlement of £41 billion per year over the next three years, and the people in Scotland are benefiting from unprecedented cost of living support announced by this Prime Minister and our Chancellor. It is important now that we move on from constitutional issues, to focus on tackling our shared challenges. I therefore welcome the Supreme Court’s judgment, and I call on the Scottish Government to set aside these divisive constitutional issues so that we can work together, focusing all of our attention and resources on the key issues that matter to the people of Scotland.

    The United Kingdom Government are proud of their role as the custodian of the devolution settlement. The United Kingdom is one of the most successful political and economic unions in the world. By promoting and protecting its combined strengths, we are building on hundreds of years of partnership and shared history. I will conclude by saying that when we work together as one United Kingdom, we are safer, stronger and more prosperous.

  • Lindsay Hoyle – 2022 Statement on the Personal Conduct of John Nicolson

    Lindsay Hoyle – 2022 Statement on the Personal Conduct of John Nicolson

    The statement made by Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, in the House on 23 November 2022.

    On 20 October, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee published a special report on answers given to it by the right hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Ms Dorries) when she was Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (John Nicolson) subsequently wrote to me asking for precedence for a complaint of a breach of privilege, as was his right. I declined to do so since the bar for such a complaint is high. The House should take action only when essential in order to provide reasonable protection for the House, its Members or its officers from improper obstruction. I note that the Committee itself, of which the hon. Gentleman is a member, has said:

    “Had Ms Dorries remained Secretary of State, driving a policy of selling the channel, we may have sought a referral to the Privileges Committee but, as her claims have not inhibited the work of the Committee and she no longer has a position of power over the future of Channel 4, we are, instead, publishing this Report to enable the House, and its Members, to draw their own conclusions.”

    So I considered it appropriate to respect the Committee’s assessment of the situation.

    Correspondence on matters of privilege is private. Indeed, I go to great lengths to ensure that Members can write to me in confidence on any matter, knowing that their communication will remain private. I expect the same courtesy with my replies. The hon. Member has seen fit to give a partial and biased account of my letter on Twitter, and I await his apology. I gave the hon. Member notice that I would be raising this matter at this time, but I do stress that it is not the way we should be doing business in this House.

    John Nicolson (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)

    As you have just explained, Mr Speaker, the DCMS Committee, on which I sit, published a unanimous cross-party report about the testimony given to us by the right hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Ms Dorries), and there is now considerable public interest in what should happen next. I want to put on record that I deplore social media pile-ons against you, or indeed anyone else—I have been on the receiving end of them, and they are exceedingly unpleasant. But could I ask for guidance on what I and other Members should tell our constituents about integrity in politics in this context? If someone misleads a Committee, what should happen next?

    Mr Speaker

    First of all, printing the letter, and only half the letter, is not integrity; in fact, it is far from it. It misled the people of this country, and it certainly put me in a bad light with the people of this country, and I do not expect that to happen, as an impartial Speaker. If that was an apology, I do not think it was very good.

  • Supreme Court – 2022 Ruling on Whether Scottish Government Can Call Referendum on Independence

    Supreme Court – 2022 Ruling on Whether Scottish Government Can Call Referendum on Independence

    The ruling issued by the Supreme Court on 23 November 2022.

    Ruling (in .pdf format)

  • Steve Baker – 2022 Comments on IPSA Guidelines Allowing MPs to Claim for Christmas Parties

    Steve Baker – 2022 Comments on IPSA Guidelines Allowing MPs to Claim for Christmas Parties

    The comments made by Steve Baker, the Conservative MP for Wycombe, on Twitter on 22 November 2022.

    I wouldn’t think for a moment of claiming for a staff Christmas party. What new hell is this?

  • IPSA – Statement on Taxpayer Funded Christmas Parties

    IPSA – Statement on Taxpayer Funded Christmas Parties

    The statement made by IPSA on 22 November 2022.

    We are aware of concerns regarding the rules for MPs’ festive and celebratory claims. Our rules have not changed. MPs employ, on average, five members of staff in their local constituencies to deal with casework from members of the public. These cases are often distressing for the constituent and staff member alike and working in that environment day in and day out is very challenging.

    As employers, it is entirely appropriate that MPs should, if they see fit, reward their staff with a modest gathering at Christmas. We are clear that alcohol is not included, that any event must represent value for money, is subject to publication for transparency and must not be party political in nature. It must be funded within existing budgets.

    To suggest that there is anything inappropriate in this is simply incorrect. We are disappointed with the interpretation of this normal employment practice at a time when MPs are receiving large amounts of abuse, particularly on social media.

  • Jess Phillips – 2022 Comments on IPSA Guidelines Allowing MPs to Claim for Christmas Parties

    Jess Phillips – 2022 Comments on IPSA Guidelines Allowing MPs to Claim for Christmas Parties

    The comments made by Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, on Twitter on 22 November 2022.

    Just want to say no one asked for this, no one I know will use it. The guidance wasn’t made by MPs and yet we will be pilloried for it. I think it’s really irresponsible to issue this guidance as if MPs have been clamouring for it when I’ve literally never heard anyone do that.

  • Gillian Shephard – 2022 Comments on Announcement of Chloe Smith Standing Down

    Gillian Shephard – 2022 Comments on Announcement of Chloe Smith Standing Down

    The comments made by Gillian Shephard, the former Education Secretary, on 22 November 2022.

    Chloe Smith has been an outstanding Member of Parliament for Norwich North since her election in 2009, when at only 27 she became the youngest member of the House of Commons.  Since then she has served as a minister in the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, as Minister for Disabled People, and finally as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.  She has worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents in Norwich North, and in Norwich and Norfolk as a whole, while at the same time bringing up a young family with her husband and successfully fighting breast cancer.  She will be enormously missed by the many, many people she has helped in her time as a local MP, by her constituency members and her local colleagues. Nationally, her quiet competent presence will also be greatly missed. We will all miss her support and loyal friendship.

  • Chloe Smith – 2022 Statement on Standing Down at Next General Election

    Chloe Smith – 2022 Statement on Standing Down at Next General Election

    The statement made by Chloe Smith, the Conservative MP for Norwich North, on 22 November 2022.

    I have been honoured to be Norwich North’s MP. It’s a fantastic job for a fantastic place, and it’s a particular privilege to be able to represent Norwich and Norfolk where I come from.

    I am grateful to the thousands of Norwich citizens who placed their trust in me so many times. I would also like to thank my team of volunteers who work so hard alongside me to help the community, and who have been so supportive, including during tough personal times.

    I hope I’ve been able to make a difference, locally and nationally. In 2024, after 15 years of service, it will be the right time to step back, for me and my young family.

  • Jim Shannon – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the Situation in Iran for Minorities

    Jim Shannon – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the Situation in Iran for Minorities

    The parliamentary question asked by Jim Shannon, the DUP MP for Strangford, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)

    I thank the Minister very much for his response to the questions and for his desire and determination to assist the protesters in their quest for democracy in Iran.

    Iranian protesters are calling for a non-religious state, where the rights of women and religious minorities are protected—an issue on which both the Minister and I agree. A revolutionary court in Tehran has started sentencing protesters to death on charges that allegedly include “enmity against God” and “corruption on earth”. Those charges have a chilling effect on protesters and religious minorities and have led to fears of large-scale executions in Iran in the coming weeks. Does the Minister agree that, as a country, we must pursue every available measure to support Iranians asserting their fundamental human rights and sanction officials responsible for these violent crackdowns?

    David Rutley

    The hon. Gentleman always makes these points with conviction and real passion. I share his views. We want to support the Iranian people—women, girls and those of religious minorities—in their struggle. We will take every possible step forward that we can, and, with cross-party support here, we will have extra weight and clout in making those calls for action.

  • Bambos Charalambous – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Whether Dominic Raab had used a Non-Disclosure Agreement

    Bambos Charalambous – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Whether Dominic Raab had used a Non-Disclosure Agreement

    The parliamentary question asked by Bambos Charalambous, the Labour MP for Enfield Southgate, in the House of Commons on 16 November 2022.

    Bambos Charalambous (Enfield, Southgate) (Lab)

    Can the Deputy Prime Minister tell the House if he has ever entered into a non-disclosure agreement connected to a complaint against him?

    The Deputy Prime Minister

    The hon. Gentleman is referring to an employment dispute that was settled before I entered the House. It was not an NDA but it did involve a confidentiality clause, which was standard at the time.