June 15, 2022
11:52 am
Prime Ministers Questions
Catch-up
PMQs Live – Dom Philips missing ‘deep concern’ for govt
PMQs Live – Why is UK growth so slow?
PMQs Live – Northern Ireland protocol, Starmer goes soft on PM
PMQs LIVE – NO big plan, cancer tests, failing NHS
What time is PMQs today? Boris to face grilling after no-confidence vote
PMQs Live – PM address the House over Sue Gray report into partygate
PMQs Live – 25/05 – ‘Downing street is rotten from the top’
PMQs Live – 25/05 – Ian Blackford – PM must resign
What time is PMQs today? PM to face questions amid Rwanda controversy
The PM will face off with Labour’s Keir Starmer today at this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions – with the government’s Rwanda plan likely to be top of the agenda.
The controversial Rwanda plan has condemned many Labour politicians, royals, celebrities and senior figures of the Church of England. Labour has called the plan unethical whilst the Church has called it ungodly.
The first flight to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was grounded at the eleventh hour by the European Court of Human Rights last night.
Despite all the backlash and the grounding of the first flight, Priti Patel and the government have vowed to push forward. The government is confident it will win its legal battles to ensure other flights will go ahead.
What time is PMQs today?
PMQs will start at midday and usually last for around 30 minutes.
How can I watch PMQs live?
Follow along with the live TEXT here
PMQs is also broadcast through the UK Parliament
PMQs today – what should we expect?
The Rwanda plan is likely to dominate the 30-minute session after the last-minute grounding from the ECHR.
Priti Patel said after the decision: “I have always said this policy will not be easy to deliver and am disappointed that legal challenge and last-minute claims have meant today’s flight was unable to depart.
“It is very surprising that the European Court of Human Rights has intervened despite repeated earlier success in our domestic courts. These repeated legal barriers are similar to those we experience with other removals flights and many of those removed from this flight will be placed on the next.
“We will not be deterred from doing the right thing and delivering our plans to control our nation’s borders. Our legal team are reviewing every decision made on this flight and preparation for the next flight begins now.”
Another top subject expected at today’s PMQs is likely to be the PM’s plans to rewrite post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland – which have been heavily criticised.
What is the Rwanda plan?
The plan targets people who arrive in the UK by crossing the channel in small boats and dinghies.
These people will enter the Rwandan asylum system and will not be able to return to the UK. They will be placed in temporary accommodation while their applications are considered – a process that will take around 3 months.
Those who choose not to remain in Rwanda will be sent back to their country or a third receiver country.
PM Boris Johnson has said his government will not be “deterred or abashed” by criticism of a plan Sir Keir has described as a “chaotic distraction.”
PMQs Live – Northern Ireland protocol, Starmer goes soft on PM
Prime Ministers’ Questions has ended and it wasn’t as lively as some expected – Labour focused more on policy areas than the PM’s character following the Confidence vote (though there were some digs). The BBC said “there were questions on energy costs, Ukrainian refugees and passport waiting times – a reminder that Johnson doesn’t lack challenges outside of party politics. Discontent with his leadership hasn’t gone away. But perhaps, for now, he’s got a bit of breathing space after he survived this week’s confidence vote.”
What happened at PMQs?
Prime Minister’s Questions has just drawn to a close and Boris Johnson and many other MPs are leaving the chamber. – (BBC)
What did we learn from today’s session?
The prime minister insisted “absolutely nothing and no-one is going to stop” him delivering his agenda of “delivering for the British people”.
In a long political career so far – barely begun – I’ve of course picked up political opponents all over and that is because this government has done some very big and very remarkable things which they didn’t necessarily approve of. – Boris Johnson
Sir Keir Starmer joked about the division within the Conservative Party but focused his questions on problems in the NHS including waiting lists claiming things were “getting worse” under Boris Johnson’s leadership.
Pretending no rules were broken didn’t work, pretending the economy is booming didn’t work, and pretending to build 40 new hospitals won’t work either. They want him to change – but he can’t. – Keir Starmer
Boris Johnson defended the government’s handling of the NHS, criticising Labour’s record when in government. He insisted the government was focused on levelling up, offering tutoring, expanding home ownership, and cutting costs for business.
Meanwhile, the SNP’s leader in Westminster Ian Blackford MP reiterated his call for Boris Johnson to resign, calling him a “lame duck prime minister”.
No amount of denial will save the prime minister – for once in his life he needs to wake up – it’s over, it’s done. – Ian Blackford MP
Breaking the Northern Ireland protocol?
Colum Eastwood, the SDLP leader, asks Johnson for a commitment that he will not break international law.
He is referring to the Northern Ireland protocol and this report about advice that disapplying parts of the protocol might be illegal.
Johnson says the reports Eastwood has seen are not true. – (Guardian)
Scotland to be stuck with govt it hasn’t voted for since 1955
Ian Blackford says PM is a lame duck PM presiding over a divided party in a disunited kingdom.
PM says he wants to thank Blackford for his “characteristic warm words.” He says Blackford is a benefit to unionism.
Blackford says PM is acting like the black knight in Monty Python saying it’s just a flesh wound. He asks how is it democratic for Scotland to be stuck with a PM they don’t trust and a Tory govt they haven’t voted for since 1955.
PM says Blackford wants independence, but our country is independent and that would only be reversed if we had “the disaster of a Labour/SNP government” taking the UK back into the EU.
Concern over sewage flowing into streams
With a wry acknowledgement of the abrupt change of topic, and to laughter from the green benches, Conservative Sir Oliver Heald asks about sewage overflows into “precious chalk streams” in North East Hertfordshire.
Johnson says the government’s sewage plan is leading to improvements, and water companies must do more to deliver on their obligations. – (BBC)
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