Thread by @ThangamMP

This week, the poor behaviour of Tory MPs is once again under scrutiny. This is good. In democracy, few things are more important than accountability of MPs. Without this everything else falls apart.

One way the Opposition scrutinises gov’t is in #BusinessQuestions. THREAD.

As Shadow Leader of the House, I question the government on how they act in Parliament. This week it was mostly about corruption and procedures. I also ask about ministers’ promises on laws or their behaviour.

#BusinessQuestions is every Thursday. After a statement from Leader of the House (@CommonsLeader), I lead the questions. Backbenchers also ask things, often about constituent queries & campaigns. So what did Labour MPs ask this week?

The big news this week was gov’t ripped up parliamentary rulebook on lobbying and corruption, to protect Tory MP Owen Patterson. I led for the Opposition on this on Weds - ICYMI: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/be…

At #BusinessQuestions, @CommonsLeader announced gov’t u-turn in this and said it was unfortunate people had confused Owen Paterson case with changing the rules. Bizarre – it was gov't that linked them! #Torychaos

I asked the Leader to explain his screeching U-turn and pointed out it was gov’t which brought the two together. Through the day y'day #Torychaos continued and later Mr Paterson resigned.

I also asked why some Tories – including @CommonsLeader – refuse to wear a little mask to keep others safe. With a Covid outbreak in the Commons, this is irresponsible and sets bad example.

https://twitter.com/ThangamMP/status/1456239742182428681

I finished by asking about the disappointingly late responses MPs have been receiving (if they get a response at all) from Ministers to questions on behalf of constituents.

Next, Labour MP and Chair of Standards Committee @RhonddaBryant spoke about confusion caused by government backpedalling, setting up yet another committee. He also said: “we should never be changing the rules at the last minute for a named individual.”

.@JohnCryerMP asked about allegations of bullying and sexual harassment against MPs – will the government guarantee they won’t rip this system up too, if it becomes inconvenient? @CommonsLeader said these cases will be unaffected.

.@GeraldJonesLAB asked about delays to Home Office processes. The Leader agrees to take this up with @UKHomeSecretary.

Next up is my constituency neighbour, @KerryMP, who asks about cancelled committee meetings wasting MPs’ time.

.@LizTwistMP asks for a debate on tackling loneliness. @CommonsLeader refuses this.

.@RachaelMaskell also asks about mask wearing (which is ignored) and for a debate in government time on planning (which is deflected to the forthcoming Planning Bill).

Finally, @JudithCummins asks for a debate on NHS dentistry. 30 million dental appointments have been lost since the start of the pandemic and people across the country are struggling to find a dentist.

That was the last of this week’s #BusinessQuestions. You can watch the full session here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/f0…