Replacement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Clive Efford Excerpts

Monday 17th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

I have done so twice before in this urgent question and I will do so again. I know that this is an incredibly uncertain time for families and businesses across the country. The events that led up to the statement that is being made today are unfortunate and I am pleased that the Prime Minister has taken decisive action to stabilise markets. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will want to question the Chancellor on those detailed matters. I have done this and I am happy to do so again.

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

We are told that that the Prime Minister is going to be coming here in a moment to join the Chancellor when he makes his statement—presumably propped up “El Cid”-like, like Charlton Heston. This should have been an opportunity for the Prime Minister to show leadership and to apologise to the nation at the Dispatch Box in the Chamber of the House of Commons, yet she has failed to do so. We have all heard the stories about our constituents, up and down the country, who have had mortgages withdrawn at the last minute and whose lives have been put on hold because of the reckless mini-Budget that she agreed with her Chancellor. Does the Leader of the House agree that it is reckless of the Prime Minister to not show that leadership today and be here in this Chamber to be accountable for what she has done?