Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House
Thursday 24th October 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jacob Rees-Mogg Portrait Mr Rees-Mogg
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My hon. Friend’s constitutional expertise is second to none in this House, and he sets out the constitutional norms completely correctly.

Chris Bryant Portrait Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)
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indicated dissent.

Jacob Rees-Mogg Portrait Mr Rees-Mogg
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I think that the hon. Gentleman wants my hon. Friend’s vote, so he ought not to shake his head like that.

My hon. Friend’s point about the Fixed-term Parliaments Act is absolutely spot on. We have had such a vote twice, and it is absolutely fascinating how many people say they would like an election, but disappear when they are offered the opportunity for one—they do not go for it. I am absolutely delighted that the shadow Chancellor has just taken his seat, because I have some quite helpful quotations from him on this matter.