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1,092 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDStandards in Public LifeThe hon. Gentleman should be patient and wait to see. What is important is that, collectively, these revisions represent a substantial and significant evolution. Importantly, as I…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeAs it should, constitutionally. The reality is, as I think the right hon. Lady will confirm, that this does strengthen the position—certainly it does not weaken it. The Committee…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI understand the hon. Lady’s wish to paint her party’s former leaders as paragons of virtue, but the important thing—the test—is whether a Minister retains the confidence of the…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeNot at all. There is a constitutional imperative that the Prime Minister of the day, no matter what party he or she is from, must have the right to select their Ministers and must…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeOf course I agree that the truth is an important and paramount object in public life. That goes without saying. Sanctions are another matter. This is a question of fact and degree…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI am giving way quite frequently, but I will give way to the right hon. Lady.07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI am not going to get into individual examples; it would not be appropriate for me to do so. On 31 May, the Prime Minister wrote to the independent adviser making it clear that…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI respectfully disagree with my hon. Friend for the simple reason that there is the issue of inadvertence. That is a relevant factor. As someone who has been involved in the law…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI respectfully disagree with the right hon. Gentleman. The Prime Minister enhances the role of his office. [Interruption.] The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeThe check and balance is that the Prime Minister would have to say in writing, I think, that he will find that— [ Interruption. ] I have answered that point. There would have to…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI will give way before I finish, but I want to highlight again that the changes to the ministerial code, and the terms of reference for the Independent Adviser on Ministers’…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeIt goes without saying that I would not appear at this Dispatch Box if I were otherwise than satisfied—more than satisfied—that the information I am given is correct. The House…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeWith the leave of the House and yourself, Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to close this debate. Today has been a useful debate in which valuable points were raised about the…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI am afraid I do not know the answer to that question, but I will certainly look into the matter for the right hon. Gentleman. In line with the Prime Minister’s constitutional…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeThe hon. Member and several others keep referring to chaps at the top. It is the Conservative party that has had two female Prime Ministers. On the hon. Lady’s point about the…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeIf I may say so, that is a rather poor example to cite, because what the Prime Minister is doing is emphasising the fact that unemployment in this country is lower now than it has…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeThe Prime Minister understands full well when wrong has been done, and he has apologised repeatedly. The quality of mercy is also an important one.07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI thank the right hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Angela Rayner) for choosing today’s motion. We have been on opposite sides one or two times in the past few months, and it is…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI will give way in a moment. I must get through my remarks. Let me return to the reforms that have been introduced. It is the role of the independent adviser to provide the Prime…07 Jun 2022HANSARDStandards in Public LifeThere is the Executive, the judiciary and the legislature, and there are different arrangements for the three branches. One would not expect anything contrary to that. Let me…07 Jun 2022