The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 6 May 2023.
Today’s Coronation is a moment of extraordinary national pride. No other country could put on such a dazzling display. But it is not just a spectacle. It’s a proud expression of our history, culture, and traditions. It is a vivid demonstration of the modern character of our country. And a cherished ritual through which a new era is born. God Save The King.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
We’ve changed our party.
We’ve won the trust and confidence of voters.
And now we can go on to change our country: to cut the cost of living, cut waiting times and cut crime.
Let’s build a better Britain.
The comments made by Andrew Bridgen, the Independent MP for North West Leicestershire, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
A dire night for the Conservative Party in the local elections. Ignore the will of people at your peril.
When the people are scared of the politicians that’s tyranny, when the politicians are scared of the people that’s democracy.
A lot of politicians will rightly be getting scared now.
The comments made by John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
Many former Conservative voters stayed at home in protest at high taxes, lack of control of our borders, and too much local and national government interference in their lives.
The statement made by Simon Clarke, the Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, on 5 May 2023.
The comments made by Johnny Mercer, the Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, on Twitter on 5 May 2023.
I’m afraid it’s been a terrible night in Plymouth as we lost every seat we stood in. We lost some outstanding friends and colleagues who have given decades of service to Plymouth.
Take it on the chin, learn and go again tomorrow. It’s going to be a fight but I like a fight.
The comments made by Sir Anthony Seldon in his book “Johnson at 10 – The Inside Story” published in May 2023. The text was quoted by the Guardian newspaper.
To those many people who say, ‘Of course he believed in Brexit’, the evidence is absolutely clear. From the beginning it was striking that he believed that there was a cause far higher than Britain’s economic interests, than Britain’s relationship with Europe, than Britain’s place in the world, than the strength of the union. That cause was his own advancement.
The report written by Adam Heppinstall, published on 28 April 2023.
Text of Report (in .pdf format)
The comments made by Lucy Powell, the Shadow Culture Secretary, on 28 April 2023.
I have this morning received the report of the investigation into Richard Sharp which Labour instigated. The report is clear: Mr Sharp breached the rules expected of candidates by failing to disclose his involvement in a personal loan to the then PM.
As a result, this breach has caused untold damage to the reputation of the BBC and seriously undermined its independence as a result of the Conservatives’ sleaze and cronyism.
This comes after 13 years of the Tories doing everything they can to defend themselves and their mates. From Owen Patterson to Dominic Raab, and now Richard Sharp, instead of doing what’s best for the country the Prime Minister was more interested in defending his old banking boss. The Prime Minister should have sacked him weeks ago. Instead it took this investigation, called by Labour, to make him resign.
Rishi Sunak should urgently establish a truly independent and robust process to replace Sharp to help restore the esteem of the BBC after his government has tarnished it so much.
The letter written by Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, to Richard Sharp, the outgoing Chair of the BBC, on 28 April 2023.
Dear Richard
Thank you for your letter notifying me of your decision to resign from your position as Chair of the British Broadcasting Corporation. I understand and respect your decision to stand down.
As you have stated the BBC is a great national institution. Over the past 100 years it has touched the lives of almost everyone in the United Kingdom and plays a unique part in our cultural heritage. It is respected globally, reaching hundreds of millions of people across the world every week. No other country in the world has anything quite like it.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the work you have done and the leadership you have provided as Chair of the BBC. You have been a champion for what a strong BBC can achieve, not only for audiences at home, but also for the BBC’s contribution to the economy and to the UK’s global soft power. I would like to express my gratitude for your work with the government to maintain the BBC World Service in its unrivalled status as the world’s largest international broadcaster, and supporting its crucial role in tackling harmful disinformation through providing trusted news and analysis globally.
I know that you are held in high regard by the BBC Board. You have clearly demonstrated your commitment to public service, and I especially applaud the work you did during the pandemic. Your decision to step down in the wider interests of the Corporation is further testament to that commitment.
Certainty and stability for the Corporation are clearly a shared priority. In this context, I have spoken to the Board and they have proposed that you stay in place until the next Board meeting on 27 June 2023, whilst an Acting Chair is appointed in line with the Charter. I have accepted this and would like to thank you for your continued service to assist in ensuring an orderly and smooth transition takes place. We will also move to launch a process to identify and appoint a permanent new Chair.
Thank you, once again, for your service and I wish you well for the future. I am sure there will be further opportunities for you to make a significant contribution to public life.
Yours sincerely
Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport