These were Winston Churchill's words and Boris Johnson would do well to heed them this week:The first duty of a member of Parliament is to do what he thinks in his faithful and disinterested judgement is right and necessary for the honour and safety of Great Britain. His second duty is to his constituents, of whom he is the representative but not the delegate. Burke's famous declaration on this subject is well known. It is only in the third place that his duty to party organization or programme takes rank. All these three loyalties should be observed, but there is no doubt of the order in which they stand under any healthy manifestation of democracy.— Winston Churchill, Duties of a Member of Parliament (c.1954-1955)[6]
Lucille Grant ● 2627d26 Comments
Fine words but let's see how many MPs will uphold these principles, or forget them in favour of their careers. Might be the right time for JG to move to the LibDems.
Sue Hammond ● 2627d
"Might be the right time for JG to move to the LibDems."Might that not cause a general election?
David Ainsworth ● 2627d
We're going to get one anyway.
I would give a £ for a penny that there will be a general election called sooner rather than later. It gives Bojo a chance to ask the EU for an extension to Article 50 which they will grant.JG doesn't have to move to the LibDems - she could stand as an Independent Conservative if she loses with whip alongside other colleagues if Bojo carries out his threat.
Lucille Grant ● 2627d
Yes she could but her grip on the constituency is considerably weaker now and the LibDems are a real threat to take this seat. I think it be too much of a risk for her to stand alone.
Maybe - but it was Labour who took most of her votes in the last Election. I'll still vote for her whichever Party she stands for.Meanwhile a reminder of one of Bojo's most recent lies - during the Conservative leadership election, Johnson said No Deal wouldn’t happen, a “million to one against”. He sounds more like Trump by the day.
perhaps he put a tenner on at a million to one with Ladbrokes :)seriously though, a very interesting, exciting and unpredictable week ahead in parliament.
Adam Tripp ● 2627d
Eighty years ago this very day, in "The Times":-"Seriously though, a very interesting, exciting and unpredictable week ahead in parliament."Place a winking emoji here.
The Lib Dems should be begging her to join. If they are serious about being a party of government someone of Justine's heft is exactly to sort of person they should want on board. Having served as a cabinet minister she will bring much needed experience.She would win Putney at a canter as the Lib Dem candidate in an election. I appreciate that the party have already chosen Sue Wixley as the candidate but she should stand aside for the good of the country. If she doesn't it may develop into a three contest with the Remain vote split between Labour and the Lib Dems with some Tory no deal headbanger sneaking in. Plus remember MPs lose out financially if they don't contest their seats so practical considerations alone mean Justine may stand. This would further split the remain vote.Hopefully Jo Swinson has written to Justine, David Gauke, Phil Hammond and all the other Conservatives that Johnson is likely to expel this week saying join us and contest your seat as our candidate at the next election.
David Parker ● 2627d
Good point David.
Hello Lucille,Yes, Johnson sounds more and more like Trump as time progresses.One question please. Is Johnson's proposed move of withdrawing the Whip from rebels and deselecting them legal? It seems very odd to me.Also, Gove's statement that the Government may disregard any legislation passed by the HoC is very worrying indeed.
Ivonne Holliday ● 2627d
I'm guessing he can do it Ivonne although I've never heard of deselecting MPs just before a (probable) General Election. He's taking a gamble. And yes Gove's comments are worrying.Parliament will provide good theatre this week.
Thank you and yes, Parliament will provide good theatre this week.
@Ivonne"Is Johnson's proposed move of withdrawing the Whip from rebels and deselecting them legal?"Yes it is.
"Is Johnson's proposed move of withdrawing the Whip from rebels and deselecting them legal?""Yes it is."Maybe May should have done it to the ERG rebels.
Absolutely, but she wasn't a ruthless player.
@Adam"seriously though, a very interesting, exciting and unpredictable week ahead in parliament."Not half!😉 So glad my hospital treatment was today so I won't miss the fireworks in Parliament starting up again tomorrow.Boris will be holding a Cabinet meeting later today to discuss calling a snap election. Exciting times indeed!
Illegal? Possibly. Unwise, absolutely.
Alexander MacLeod ● 2627d
Thank you Alexander,I just find it very odd that Johnson is proposing to deselect MPs, including backbenchers I should imagine, for fighting in the country's best interests. It really does not make sense. I expect he will then ask for them to be detained in the Tower of London for treason to the Tory Party…And now there is word of a possible snap election on 17 October 2019 - to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of No. 10!!!!!
Boris due to make a statement at 6 o'clock.
And ... nothing has changed. Boris swears that 'we will get a Deal' and that we will leave on 31 October and that he 'doesn't want an election' but I'm still taking bets there will be one this year. He has a majority of only 1 in Parliament. He cannot govern like this.
I really could not see the point of his statement.The beginning was pure electioneering. Nothing new otherwise. But he did not mention anything about the threats of taking the whip away or deselection of those who vote against the Government.Is he setting the scene to blame everybody else, other than himself, for the mess we are in?
"Is he setting the scene to blame everybody else, other than himself, for the mess we are in?"Yes, it will be blamed on rebel MPs, Jeremy Corbyn, the EU, witchcraft ............ and so on.
Caroline Whitehead ● 2627d
It is SO depressing!
I was very pleased with Justine Greening's interview with Laura Kuenssberg this evening. Very focussed, very clear and very honest. Bravo Justine!
Not so happy with her decision announced this morning and feel let-down at a critical point in politics. Even if she was worried about deselection (although she says she's been thinking of leaving for some time) Putney is open to be taken by Labour who almost had her beat in 2017. I'm not too sure that her supporters will vote for Lib Dems or whichever Leave candidate the Cons put up now?
Lucille Grant ● 2626d