Replacement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Christine Jardine Excerpts

Monday 17th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

I am buoyed up by the fact that Opposition Members very much want to see the Prime Minister. I hope that, if she is able to join us this afternoon, they will give her a big cheer.

[Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

I accept what the right hon. Lady is saying about the Prime Minister not being here—that there may be a very good reason. I also agree with her when she says frequently that, at the moment, we must be acting in the national interest. For me, the national interest is what is in the interests of our people—our constituents. What they are telling me in Edinburgh West, and I am sure what constituents are telling many other hon. Members, is that they no longer have any confidence in this Prime Minister. Although she may have had the courage to sack her partner in presenting the growth plan to the country, what they would like is for her now to have the courage to accept that she was also wrong and to step down. Will the right hon. Lady and her Cabinet colleagues please take that message back to the Prime Minister wherever she is?

[Penny Mordaunt]

The Prime Minister, in her current and previous roles, has always acted in the national interest and will continue to do so. Her Government will continue to support her. This country needs some stability and some assurance now, and she always takes decisions in the national interest.