MPs knock off up to five hours early as Tories face 'Zombie Government' claim

05 November 2023 , 22:30

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Rishi Sunak's Government has not managed to fill the parliamentary timetable

Rishi Sunak has been accused of leading a “zombie government” as it is revealed MPs were sent home early on almost half the days Parliament sat.

Ahead of the King’s Speech, Labour declared that the Conservatives have given up on tackling the country’s problems. The Government’s plan for what laws it wants to introduce before the next election will be read out in the Commons by King Charles on Tuesday.

Research shows that MPs knocked off early on 100 of the 213 sitting days in the 18 months since the last State Opening of Parliament in May last year. According to the House of Commons Library, there were 134 hours of parliamentary time that went unused.

MPs rose more than five hours early on one occasion. The Commons began sitting at 11.30am on Tuesday June 6, but finished at 2.20pm as government business was thin on the ground. Usually, the Commons runs until 7.30pm on Tuesdays. Despite the Tories promising action to protect renters from eviction, ban conversion therapy and introduce a football regulator, legislation to make these things happen has not been passed despite there being spare parliamentary time.

Shadow Commons Leader Lucy Powell said: “The country is crying out for change, yet all we’re getting is Tory failure heaped on more failure. With families struggling with the cost of living and Tory mortgage mayhem the Conservatives have given up on governing, making MPs clock off early half the time. Whilst the Government flails around, Labour MPs are desperate to use this time the Tories are wasting.”

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The House of Commons usually sits until 10.30pm on Monday, 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 5.30pm on Thursdays. As well as taking part in debates and votes in the chamber, MPs perform duties including helping constituents and sitting on select committees.

The King’s Speech will be King Charles’ first since becoming monarch - although he gave the Queen's Speech on behalf of his mother in May 2022. The new session of Parliament is likely to be the last before the next general election, which must take place by January 2025.

John Stevens