Boris Johnson

Reform of Fixed-term Parliaments Act must keep the Queen out of politics, says Committee

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 4, 2020
Law of the United Kingdom, Fixed-term Parliaments Act, Royal prerogative, Boris Johnson, Constitutional law, Government of the United Kingdom, R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland, Early Parliamentary General Election Act

of parliaments at five years and to require the approval of the House of Commons for any early general election.

Key Points: 
  • of parliaments at five years and to require the approval of the House of Commons for any early general election.
  • Both the Conservative and Labour parties promised to repeal the Act in their 2019 manifestos and the Government has reiterated that commitment since taking office.
  • "However, repealing the Act without new provision is not feasible, as it is the only piece of legislation setting the length of a parliament.
  • It is therefore paramount that any proposals to replace the FTPA leave no uncertainty about such an important constitutional matter".

Reform of Fixed-term Parliaments Act must keep the Queen out of politics, says Committee

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 4, 2020
Law of the United Kingdom, Fixed-term Parliaments Act, Royal prerogative, Boris Johnson, Constitutional law, Government of the United Kingdom, R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland, Early Parliamentary General Election Act

of parliaments at five years and to require the approval of the House of Commons for any early general election.

Key Points: 
  • of parliaments at five years and to require the approval of the House of Commons for any early general election.
  • Both the Conservative and Labour parties promised to repeal the Act in their 2019 manifestos and the Government has reiterated that commitment since taking office.
  • "However, repealing the Act without new provision is not feasible, as it is the only piece of legislation setting the length of a parliament.
  • It is therefore paramount that any proposals to replace the FTPA leave no uncertainty about such an important constitutional matter".

Update on possible relocation of parliamentary functions

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Boris Johnson, Government, R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland, Parliament of Singapore, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister of Spain, Parliament, Political systems

Earlier this year, the R&R Sponsor Body announced a strategic review into plans for the Restoration and Renewal of Parliament.

Key Points: 
  • Earlier this year, the R&R Sponsor Body announced a strategic review into plans for the Restoration and Renewal of Parliament.
  • In July, the Prime Minister wrote to the Sponsor Body, suggesting that some functions of Parliament be moved out of London.
  • In response, the Sponsor Body sought the views of the Speakers of both Houses, noting it was not within their remit to look at alternative locations outside of London.
  • This view has now been communicated to the Prime Minister, in a letter from Sarah Johnson, Chief Executive of the Sponsor Body and David Goldstone, Chief Executive of the Design Authority.

Committee asks architect of Fixed-term Parliaments Act and Cabinet Office about the Act’s repeal

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 20, 2020
Law of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, Government, Politics of New Zealand, Cabinet Office, Mark Harper, Fixed-term Parliaments Act, Cabinet of the United Kingdom, Cabinet of New Zealand, R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is to take evidence on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FtPA) 2011 from the minister responsible for introducing the Bill in 2011, Mark Harper MP, and the current Minister of State, Cabinet Office, Chloe Smith MP.

Key Points: 
  • The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is to take evidence on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FtPA) 2011 from the minister responsible for introducing the Bill in 2011, Mark Harper MP, and the current Minister of State, Cabinet Office, Chloe Smith MP.
  • Members of the Committee will explore the original purpose of the FtPA with Mark Harper, and get his assessment of its operation.
  • Chloe Smith MP is also likely to be asked further questions on her role and responsibilities in the Cabinet Office in areas including electoral law, and devolution.
  • Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform 2010-012

Committee asks architect of Fixed-term Parliaments Act and Cabinet Office about the Act’s repeal

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 20, 2020
Law of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, Government, Politics of New Zealand, Cabinet Office, Mark Harper, Fixed-term Parliaments Act, Cabinet of the United Kingdom, Cabinet of New Zealand, R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is to take evidence on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FtPA) 2011 from the minister responsible for introducing the Bill in 2011, Mark Harper MP, and the current Minister of State, Cabinet Office, Chloe Smith MP.

Key Points: 
  • The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is to take evidence on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FtPA) 2011 from the minister responsible for introducing the Bill in 2011, Mark Harper MP, and the current Minister of State, Cabinet Office, Chloe Smith MP.
  • Members of the Committee will explore the original purpose of the FtPA with Mark Harper, and get his assessment of its operation.
  • Chloe Smith MP is also likely to be asked further questions on her role and responsibilities in the Cabinet Office in areas including electoral law, and devolution.
  • Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform 2010-012

Committee asks architect of Fixed-term Parliaments Act and Cabinet Office about the Act’s repeal

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 20, 2020
Law of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, Government, Politics of New Zealand, Cabinet Office, Mark Harper, Fixed-term Parliaments Act, Cabinet of the United Kingdom, Cabinet of New Zealand, R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is to take evidence on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FtPA) 2011 from the minister responsible for introducing the Bill in 2011, Mark Harper MP, and the current Minister of State, Cabinet Office, Chloe Smith MP.

Key Points: 
  • The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is to take evidence on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FtPA) 2011 from the minister responsible for introducing the Bill in 2011, Mark Harper MP, and the current Minister of State, Cabinet Office, Chloe Smith MP.
  • Members of the Committee will explore the original purpose of the FtPA with Mark Harper, and get his assessment of its operation.
  • Chloe Smith MP is also likely to be asked further questions on her role and responsibilities in the Cabinet Office in areas including electoral law, and devolution.
  • Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform 2010-012

Jeremy Hunt urges the Prime Minister to respond to outstanding questions about test and trace target

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 27, 2020
British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Government of the United Kingdom, Jeremy Hunt, Test, Boris Johnson

Today Chair Jeremy Hunt haspressedthePrime Minister for a replytoquestionsfirstraised more than three weeks ago.In aletter sent to the Rt Hon Boris JohnsonMP on June 1, Jeremy Huntasked forconfirmationof an official24-hourtargetfor the return of test results,when it would be reached,how many were returned withinthis time,and a commitment to publish test resultsreceived within this period so that progress could be tracked.

Key Points: 
  • Today Chair Jeremy Hunt haspressedthePrime Minister for a replytoquestionsfirstraised more than three weeks ago.In aletter sent to the Rt Hon Boris JohnsonMP on June 1, Jeremy Huntasked forconfirmationof an official24-hourtargetfor the return of test results,when it would be reached,how many were returned withinthis time,and a commitment to publish test resultsreceived within this period so that progress could be tracked.
  • Theletters note that the Prime Ministerhad previouslysaidsucha target had been setand had given anundertaking that tests would be processed within 24 hoursby the end of June,except fordifficultieswith postal tests.Baroness Harding, ExecutiveChairofthe Test and Traceprogramme, was unable toprovide an answer on the number of testresults returned within this periodwhen she appeared before the Committeenor ina follow up reply.

Jeremy Hunt urges the Prime Minister to respond to outstanding questions about test and trace target

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 27, 2020
British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Government of the United Kingdom, Jeremy Hunt, Test, Boris Johnson

Today Chair Jeremy Hunt haspressedthePrime Minister for a replytoquestionsfirstraised more than three weeks ago.In aletter sent to the Rt Hon Boris JohnsonMP on June 1, Jeremy Huntasked forconfirmationof an official24-hourtargetfor the return of test results,when it would be reached,how many were returned withinthis time,and a commitment to publish test resultsreceived within this period so that progress could be tracked.

Key Points: 
  • Today Chair Jeremy Hunt haspressedthePrime Minister for a replytoquestionsfirstraised more than three weeks ago.In aletter sent to the Rt Hon Boris JohnsonMP on June 1, Jeremy Huntasked forconfirmationof an official24-hourtargetfor the return of test results,when it would be reached,how many were returned withinthis time,and a commitment to publish test resultsreceived within this period so that progress could be tracked.
  • Theletters note that the Prime Ministerhad previouslysaidsucha target had been setand had given anundertaking that tests would be processed within 24 hoursby the end of June,except fordifficultieswith postal tests.Baroness Harding, ExecutiveChairofthe Test and Traceprogramme, was unable toprovide an answer on the number of testresults returned within this periodwhen she appeared before the Committeenor ina follow up reply.

Jeremy Hunt urges the Prime Minister to respond to outstanding questions about test and trace target

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 27, 2020
British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Government of the United Kingdom, Jeremy Hunt, Test, Boris Johnson

Today Chair Jeremy Hunt haspressedthePrime Minister for a replytoquestionsfirstraised more than three weeks ago.In aletter sent to the Rt Hon Boris JohnsonMP on June 1, Jeremy Huntasked forconfirmationof an official24-hourtargetfor the return of test results,when it would be reached,how many were returned withinthis time,and a commitment to publish test resultsreceived within this period so that progress could be tracked.

Key Points: 
  • Today Chair Jeremy Hunt haspressedthePrime Minister for a replytoquestionsfirstraised more than three weeks ago.In aletter sent to the Rt Hon Boris JohnsonMP on June 1, Jeremy Huntasked forconfirmationof an official24-hourtargetfor the return of test results,when it would be reached,how many were returned withinthis time,and a commitment to publish test resultsreceived within this period so that progress could be tracked.
  • Theletters note that the Prime Ministerhad previouslysaidsucha target had been setand had given anundertaking that tests would be processed within 24 hoursby the end of June,except fordifficultieswith postal tests.Baroness Harding, ExecutiveChairofthe Test and Traceprogramme, was unable toprovide an answer on the number of testresults returned within this periodwhen she appeared before the Committeenor ina follow up reply.

Committee continues to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Parliament

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Articles, Boris Johnson, Law, R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland, Parliament of Singapore, Pandemic, Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, State of emergency

The Committee's inquiry was launched to consider the significant constitutional implications of the pandemic and the Government's response to it.

Key Points: 
  • The Committee's inquiry was launched to consider the significant constitutional implications of the pandemic and the Government's response to it.
  • This includes the ability of Parliament to hold the Government to account, scrutiny of emergency powers and the operation of the courts.
  • How effectively has the Government engaged with Parliament during the pandemic?
  • Has Parliament been able to scrutinise adequately the Governments use of emergency powers?