Lindsay Hoyle voices fury at Rishi Sunak’s Net Zero announcement outside the Commons

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has published an excoriating statement, attacking Downing Street and Rishi Sunak for announcing a major climbdown on Net Zero targets outside of the House of Commons. 

MPs rose for their conference recess tomorrow, meaning Mr Sunak is unable to make announcements in the Palace of Westminster bar recalling parliament. 

In a statement published this afternoon by his official spokesperson, she said: “If he had the power, the Speaker would recall the house immediately – and he is writing to the prime minister today to express that view in the strongest of terms.

“This is a major policy shift, and it should have been announced when the house was sitting. Members with very different views on this issue have expressed their disquiet on the way this has been handled, especially as the Commons rose early last night, so there was plenty of time for this statement to be made.

“Instead, the unelected House of Lords will have the opportunity to scrutinise this change in direction this afternoon, when it hears the government’s response to a private notice question on this issue.

“This is not the way to do business. Ministers are answerable to MPs – we do not have a presidential system here.

“The House of Commons is where laws are made, national debates are had – and where statements should be made.”

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