THE SNP have suggested that the UK Government sign over powers to a “fully functioning” government in Holyrood, after dozens of Westminster ministers and aides quit in recent days.
Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss described Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis as “one of the last remaining living crew on the ghost ship HMG”, after the resignations of more than 50 Government figures in protest over Boris Johnson's leadership.
Although Johnson planned to keep going, on Thursday morning the resignations kept coming - with Brandon Lewis, Damian Hinds and Helen Whately all handing in their notices.
With fears over the functioning of government sparked by some departments being left with just one minister, deputy Labour chief Angela Rayner put forward an urgent question in the Commons.
"The chaos of the last three days is more than just petty Tory infighting," she told MPs. "These actions have serious consequences for the running of our country."
She added: “In the middle of the deepest cost-of-living crisis of a generation, with families unable to make ends meet, a dangerous war in Europe threatening our borders, and a possible trade crisis in Northern Ireland, Britain has no functioning government.”
Thewliss made the suggestion that Scotland could help out by holding indyref2.
The SNP MP told the House: “In an effort to assist the burden of the skeleton crew that remain, would perhaps he like to arrange for the signing of a Section 30 order to begin the process of moving some of the functions of Government to a fully-functioning set of ministers in Holyrood?”
Cabinet office minister Michael Ellis (below) replied: “No matter who forms the Government of this country, the Union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is of paramount importance, as the people of Scotland themselves decided in the referendum in 2014.”
But Ellis sought to reassure MPs, claiming the “Government continues to function in the meantime”.
He said “our focus now is fully on the stability and continuity of Government”.
“Any necessary ministerial vacancies can and will be filled, other secretaries of state can make decisions if necessary. There is a rich reserve of people who are both dedicated and talented, and who remain dedicated to serving our country and their constituents.
“Calmness and professionalism are now required, our focus now is fully on the stability and continuity of Government. Now is the time to serve in the interests of our country as it always is and our constituents during the period ahead.”
