MPs must not let Boris Johnson’s contempt to betray Churchill’s legacy – Tom Richmond

BORIS JOHNSON’S hero Winston Churchill won a world war 75 years ago to preserve our priceless Parliamentary democracy. The Prime Minister risks turning it into an elected dictatorship.
Boris Johnson appeared before the House of Commons Liaison Committee from the Cabinet room.Boris Johnson appeared before the House of Commons Liaison Committee from the Cabinet room.
Boris Johnson appeared before the House of Commons Liaison Committee from the Cabinet room.

This much is clear after Mr Johnson’s contemptuous performance before the House of Commons Liaison Committee – the cross-party group of senior MPs who are tasked with scrutinising the work of the PM’s office.

The first time they’ve met since he became PM last summer, I’m afraid they now need to table emergency legislation to compel Mr Johnson – and his successors – to attend future inquisitions.

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The regret is that this is necessary after the PM twice refused to offer any assurances about his future attendance.

Boris Johnson wouldn't commit to a future appearance before the Liaison Committee by the time of Parliament's summer recess.Boris Johnson wouldn't commit to a future appearance before the Liaison Committee by the time of Parliament's summer recess.
Boris Johnson wouldn't commit to a future appearance before the Liaison Committee by the time of Parliament's summer recess.

And don’t, for one minute, tell me that the Tory leader is excused because of his Covid-19 workload. As the UK death toll approaches 40,000, it’s even more reason that he is scrutinised to improve the decision-making of an unprincipled government at a time of national sorrow.

After all, this is the leader who shut down Parliament last summer – and dragged the Queen into a constitutional row – to suppress Brexit debate before the Supreme Court intervened.

This is the same PM who, on the resumption of the Commons, behaved with such petulance that his behaviour might – and I use that word advisedly – have embarrassed Donald Trump.

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This is the same premier with ‘previous’ for dodging Prime Minister’s Questions where backbench MPs can probe him – I excuse his absences for Covid-19 and then the birth of his son.

Boris Johnson during his Liaison Committee hearing.Boris Johnson during his Liaison Committee hearing.
Boris Johnson during his Liaison Committee hearing.

And this is the leader who wants us to trust him after his chief aide Dominic Cummings appeared to breach the Covid-19 lockdown by travelling 260-miles to Durham with his family.

The same Mr Cummings, I must point out, who was the proponent of the unlawful prorogation of Parliament when the Tories were bereft of a majority after Theresa May’s premiership disintegrated.

At least she always attended the twice-yearly meetings of the Liaison Committee, despite turmoil over Brexit, and treated members with unfailing courtesy.

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The same, too, of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron who have all given evidence to the committee since its inception in 2002. They may not have relished these occasions, but it afforded them purposeful exchanges with senior figures from all parties in a less rarified atmosphere than PMQs.

It’s called statesmanship. Yet Mr Johnson doesn’t get it. He thinks he’s unassailable after winning an 80-seat majority last December and Mr Cummings – the real authority in Downing Street – had probably told him not to bother. It’s why Ministers now routinely shun those national media interviews where their inadequacies might be found out. Yet such arrogance makes accountability even more important. And necessary.

Having cancelled his first Liaison Committee on three previous occasions, its chair Sir Bernard Jenkin had been ordered by suspicious colleagues to pin the PM down to another date before the summer recess. How embarrassing that they, too, don’t trust Mr Johnson.

“Can I get back to you?” he replied sheepishly. “There’s a lot on at the moment.” Too right. A global pandemic that demands the expertise of all Parliamentarians.

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Asked later if he’d reappear before the MPs to discuss his post-Covid economic recovery plan, he sensed a trap. “I’m not promising a world scoop to the Liaison Committee.” The jester thought he was being funny; the joke fell flat. The issue is only the UK’s job prospects (as opposed to the employment of Mr Cummings).

And when Sir Bernard pressed again to get a diary date, the PM was piqued. “It does take a huge amount of Sherpa time, preparatory time.”  Ironic words given the unsatisfactory number of non-answers during the 90-minute session, they’re even more insulting given that the most contentious issue of all – care homes and the number of deaths in this sector – was not even on the agenda.

It is also why Parliament should take matters into its own hands next week. A one-line Bill should be tabled compelling the Prime Minister – by law – to attend the Liaison Committee for three hours on three separate occasions each year to discuss matters agreed in advance and, specifically, how to improve the work of government from a strategic perspective. I’ll pay for the tea and sandwiches myself if money is a problem.

This has nothing to do with party politics, but allows MPs to make a stand 75 years after VE Day. If passed, any no-show PM will, in future, be in contempt of Parliament and subject to censure.

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And it will serve another democratic purpose. It will remind Boris Johnson that he, as PM, is answerable to Parliament – not his unelected puppet master Dominic Cummings – and that he better get used to the idea if the freedoms won by Churchill are to be duly upheld.
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