Rishi Sunak branded ‘weak’ as he misses highest share of PMQs of any prime minister

Rishi Sunak has missed the biggest share of Prime Minister’s Questions of any inhabitant of Number 10, figures from the House of Commons Library and analysis by Sky News reveals.

Since he got here to energy, the PM has already skipped 17% of the classes, which see opposition leaders and backbench MPs scrutinising the exercise of the chief and their authorities.

But that quantity will rise to 19% – virtually one fifth – after he misses at present’s session to attend a service for the NHS’s birthday, and subsequent Wednesday’s questions for a NATO summit.

The prime ministers closest to lacking that share had been Tory chief Sir John Major and Labour’s Gordon Brown, who had been absent for 12% of their classes.

Labour’s deputy chief Angela Rayner given up some leaders turst their deputies to face in for them

Politics reside: Follow at present’s Deputy Prime Minister’s Questions as Sunak skips one other look

For two of the six PMQs Mr Sunak both missed or is about to overlook, he was lined for by the then-deputy prime minister Dominic Raab earlier than his resignation over bullying allegations.

The different 4 have been or will probably be stuffed by the brand new deputy PM Oliver Dowden, whereas Labour deputy chief Angela Rayner is about to ask questions in any respect six.

It is custom that if the prime minister can not attend, the chief of the opposition does not ask the questions both, and fingers the reins to his or her deputy as nicely.

Prime ministers are allowed to skip the weekly occasion in the event that they produce other urgent commitments.

But the Liberal Democrats claimed it was one other signal of “weakness” from Mr Sunak.

The celebration’s chief whip Wendy Chamberlain mentioned: “A year ago today, Sunak resigned from Boris Johnson’s government because he claimed standards like competence and integrity were worth fighting for.

“Now he is too weak to vote to sentence Johnson’s partygate lies and too scared to even flip as much as PMQs.”

She added: “Rishi Sunak has thrown within the towel whereas the nation suffers from infinite Conservative sleaze and scandal.

“Families facing soaring mortgages and rents or struggling to get a GP appointment deserve better than a prime minister who won’t even turn up for the day job.”

Labour’s shadow chief of the Commons, Thangam Debbonaire, echoed the sentiment, telling Sky News: “Rishi Sunak’s record of ducking scrutiny shows he is running scared.

“He’s too weak to defend his failure to carry down the price of residing for working individuals who, below his watch, have been hit by the Tory mortgage penalty and hovering rents.

“A credible prime minister would show some leadership, accept the need for scrutiny and answer questions from MPs on behalf of the people we represent.”

Mr Sunak’s “respect for parliament” was additionally introduced into query by senior Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant throughout the PM’s look in entrance of the Liaison Committee on Tuesday.

In the terse alternate, Sir Chris additionally questioned the PM’s absence from the 2 requirements votes on Owen Patterson – who was discovered to have damaged lobbying guidelines – and Boris Johnson, who was discovered to have lied to parliament.

“For two rule-breaking moments you selected to not be in parliament however yesterday you opined on the foundations of cricket,” Sir Chris mentioned.

Mr Sunak mentioned: “I’m very happy to talk about the rules of cricket, as you mentioned”, earlier than Sir Chris replied: “But not about rule-breaking in parliament.”

The PM defended the 2 upcoming absences from the Commons, telling the Labour MP: “Your view is that I should not be attending the NHS celebration, or the King’s coronation celebration in Scotland or indeed the NATO summit?

“That’s a wonderfully affordable standpoint, however it’s value stating the chief of the opposition [Sir Keir Starmer] additionally will probably be talking on the NHS church service on Wednesday.”

Read extra:
PM was skewered at Liaison Committee
Is Rishi Sunak ‘uninterested’ within the atmosphere?

Former cupboard minister Robert Buckland defended Mr Sunak, telling Sky News’ Kay Burley: “I really think missing two Prime Minister’s Questions out of many, many, in a year is hardly skipping his responsibility to answer for his actions.

“He is accountable day by day by way of the media and thru the glare of the House of Commons, and I believe the British system means prime ministers are among the many moist accountable on the planet.”