Member News
By Philippa Silverman - 24th February 2011
The prime minister remains prime minister at all times
Nick Clegg's office
The prime minister has insisted that he remains "fully in charge" even when travelling abroad, following comments from his deputy Nick Clegg.
The deputy prime minister said he "forgot" he was running the country in Cameron's absence as the government faces criticism over its response as hundreds of British nationals remain in Libya.
Asked if he was in charge of the nation, Clegg told the Metro newspaper: "Yeah. I suppose I am. I forgot about that."
He added: "I'm holding the fort but I'm hoping to take the end of the week off with my kids. Someone else will have to do it then. It sounds more haphazard than it probably is."
The prime minister dismissed the Lib Dem leader's comments as a "throwaway line" as he made clear that he remained in charge, regardless of where he was.
Cameron said: "I'm not absent, that is the way government works. In the age of the BlackBerry, the telephone, the internet, just because I leave the country doesn't mean I am not in charge."
Clegg had already come under attack for his work rate, following a leaked memo to not send him routine reports and memos in his red box after 3pm between Monday and Thursday.
Labour MP's accused Clegg of "putting his feet up", a claim strongly denied by the deputy prime minister's office.
In a recent parliamentary question, Tory backbencher Peter Bone asked what responsibilities Clegg has in the event that the prime minister was "incapacitated and unable to carry out his duties".
He was told by Clegg's office: "The prime minister remains prime minister at all times but arrangements, appropriate at the time, would be put in place as necessary, as has been the practice under successive administrations."
Article Comments
Nonsense, pinkslippers44 and, incidentally, Mr Clegg. Deputy Prime Minister, while described by the Cabinet Office as deputy head of government, does not have a formal role under the British consititution that would put him in a position to 'hold the fort' while the Prime Minister is abroad.
Nick Clegg has specific duties as part of the Coalition Agreement and deputises at PMQs where he goes up against his counterpart from the official Opposition . He certainly has no business in being 'in charge' of the country while the Prime Minister is away.
PMQs, like all other parliamentary business, does not take place during recess, of course.
Benefits to the UK of Mr Cameron travelling to the Middle East at this precise time however are a matter for a totally different discussion
EllieS
24th Feb 2011 at 6:22 pm
No, pinkslippers44, that will be because Parliament isn't sitting this week.
This is a silly story attempting to make something out of a light-hearted remark.
George C
24th Feb 2011 at 6:01 pm
There were probably no PMQs yesterday because parliament's in recess... just a guess.
JS
24th Feb 2011 at 5:10 pm
hey Mr Clegg...... is that why there was no PMQ y'day? and as 'you forgot'; you sent Michael Fallon to say the NHS redundany figures of 53,000 were 'confused'???
pinkslippers44
24th Feb 2011 at 4:47 pm
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.