Replacement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Replacement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Ben Bradshaw Excerpts
Monday 17th October 2022

(2 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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I would not be involved in that decision at all, but the hon. Gentleman will know to whom he can write in order to find that out.

Ben Bradshaw Portrait Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab)
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The Leader of the House has claimed repeatedly that the Prime Minister has been courageous, but if the Prime Minister were really courageous, she would be here today, would she not? If she cannot or will not come to explain to the British people the reasons for her humiliating U-turns and to apologise to them, as the Leader of the House just did, from the Dispatch Box for the damage the Tories and she have done to this country, living standards and businesses, what is the point of her?

Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave a little while ago about the Prime Minister and to the one I gave a moment ago about the fact that I certainly regret the uncertainty that has added to worries that were already there about the very volatile global economic situation. That is why I am keen and happy that we have a statement from the Chancellor today.

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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Let us put this to bed. It is not for me but for the Government to put forward Ministers to respond to urgent questions once they are granted. It is not a matter for the Chair. The hon. Member has put the point on the record, and I note that the Prime Minister is now in her place.

Ben Bradshaw Portrait Mr Bradshaw
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Just get up and tell us—go on.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. Mr Bradshaw, I expect better. I want you to be silent while I read this out, as it is very important.

Before I call the Chancellor to make his statement—[Interruption.] Yes, I should think so. This has happened a few times today. That is the third apology, and I do not want any more.

Before I call the Chancellor to make his statement I would like to point out that a British Sign Language interpretation of proceedings is available to watch on parliamentlive.tv. I now call the Chancellor of the Exchequer.