Thread 25, Sunak - Peerages, Privileges & the Covid Inquiry

[Notonthestairs]

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4806467-thread-24-sunak-and-the-local-elections-aftermath?page=1

The Tories can expect to be able to win votes in the Commons, to enact legislation and do as they wish in Parliament- even the Lords can't ultimately prevent that, only delay it. It would take more than a smattering of by-elections for them to lose this ability. Not sure when this was calculated, but they have a current working majority of 64 according to the Parliament site, and they're not going to lose enough MPs before the next GE to threaten that.

https://members.parliament.uk/parties/commons#:~:text=The%20Conservative%20party%20forms%20a,non%2Dsitting%20Sinn%20F%C3%A9in%20MPs.

The ingredients are there for them to keep dragging this out to the bitter end, and a lot of them will have every incentive to do that. Dozens are going to be one term only backbenchers. If you have a look at what some of the newbies with small majorities were doing til recently, this is going to be the biggest salary some of them have ever had with no guarantee of ever matching it again.

None of this is to say they're going to do anything constructive as they govern, of course. It'll be hanging on to power for its own sake.

They can only use their majority if their MPs actually show up to votes, given how few votes the likes of Johnson and Dorries actually turned up for (and they probably aren't that unusual sadly) a concerted opposition could overturn most stuff even now.

Unlikely. In the event of concerted opposition, Tory MPs who want to keep their jobs as long as possible would have a stronger incentive to turn up. The fact that a lot of them half arse their attendance now can't be separated from the fact that there are no negative consequences for doing so.

Ultimately, they don't have to call a GE early and there's nothing in it for them. Administrations who know or have good reason to believe they're going to lose the next general election like to delay it as long as they can.

Excellent point well presented.

I agree with those who think the more resignations and by elections the longer we'll have to wait for a GE.

They know right now they'll likely lose. They are hoping they have 18 months to run to around.

I think they are actually beginning to hope that getting rid of those who were divided in opinion with current leader of party will strengthen the party as it will become less divided.

I think that is unfair. They showed great butter knife skills.

I think the Lords can if it really wanted to keep blocking the same piece of legislation, unless it was in the manifesto at the last election.
Since Sunak doesn't seem to know what manifesto he was elected on....

Was the hairdresser at his birthday party, I think we need to know.

I think his hairdresser cut his hair with the butter knife!

Did she provide childcare?

The interior designer was at the party. Was there nothing for her? Perhaps the gold wallpaper scuppered her chances.

Posted this on the other thread by mistake

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/06/10/privileges-committee-sanctions-boris-johnson/

Members of the committee believe the remarks of some critical MPs amount to contempt of Parliament and want action.
Possible sanctions range from an addendum to its partygate report criticising the MPs to a censure motion and divisive vote in the Commons.

The move would risk more Tory MP resignations, with supporters of Mr Johnson pledging an all-out revolt if Conservative whips fail to block such a scheme.
One Government source said: “This is an attempt to purge Johnson supporters from the party. It is McCarthyism.”

This could, for example, see Jacob Rees-Mogg, a senior ally of Mr Johnson, called in by the committee. There are already rumours he could be the fourth Johnson-supporting MP to quit, with his majority adversely affected in a boundary shake-up."

One Government source said: “This is an attempt to purge Johnson supporters from the party. It is McCarthyism.”

A bit like the purge that Johnson oversaw? You reap what you sow, eh?

It's not really a purge if the two MPs who've resigned in protest went voluntarily because they were having a tantrum.

I've clearly not been paying enough attention (who could blame me, there's too much news!) but how are JRM and PP eligible for the Lords as sitting MPs?

Are they eligible? I wasn't sure if it was that or the more ceremonial ones iyswim.

How many more MPs are likely to quit over Boris though? The honours list is out now, and he couldn’t find enough support to run against Rishi in September. Most of them have only got another 18 months as MP anyway.

Could be wrong but I don’t see Rees Mogg going. He’s a Boris ally but I think he’s more likely to put the good of the party before Boris.

What's the story with JRMs constituency boundary changes? He has a massive majority at the moment but I know the Lib Dems made some big gains in his area at local elections.

Kuensberg's on. Farage has been dug up as a guest. Just what everyone needs. Oh, Oakeshott too. Could it get any better?

Watching it now.

Someone saying the story's are the most successful government in the world. And extremely adaptable to all situations.

Bit of a long shot for a party who can't even decide what it stands for right now 🙄

They are rewarded with a title but not a peerage and not off to the HoL

Someone saying the story's are the most successful government in the world. And extremely adaptable to all situations.

A late night visitor to the Johnson thread in chat came out with the same nonsense............

Strangely there has been no explanation of what they were successful at.

I would like to help them by starting a list.

-Enriching rich people, who already have more money than they could possibly need.
This is after all the primary aim of the current government and they have been very successful at it.
-Allowing Putin's Russian troll farms and other influence, including in appointments to HoLs, to increaase their influence on British politics.
-Running down public services in order that they can be run even worse by those people mentioned in point 1.

JRMs snaffled himself a knighthood - down peasants! - leaving him free to delight us longer as a parliamentarian. The peerage will be along later in his glittering career.

They don't even try anymore jgw1