Ministers have abandoned plans to pass the online security bill next week amid disputes over the Conservative leadership race, as opposition parties accused them of having “given up governing”.
The final stages of the bill, which have been criticized by some candidates vying to replace Boris Johnson, who argue it will violate freedom of expression, were due to end next Wednesday in the Commons.
But a government source said the bill had been diverted in the fall, which could end up with a major law because it will now be inherited by a new prime minister and potentially another secretary of culture who may not have it. will support in its current form.
The source blamed Labor for filing a motion of censure on the Boris Johnson administration, the wording the government responded to, and therefore presents its own motion on the issue to be debated next Monday.
Alex Davies-Jones, Minister of Culture in the Shadow of Labor, said MPs’ work on the bill “may now be in vain thanks to the self-interest of this useless government” and described the news of “absolutely devastating blow and another example of conservatives.” prioritizing their own ideals over the safety of people online ”.
While the Conservatives pledged to the bill as part of their 2019 manifesto and will remain in the Commons instead of being completely assassinated, the next administration could dilute it to appease those figures who have spoken out in against during the Conservative leadership contest. .
Kemi Badenoch, who finished fourth in Wednesday’s Conservative leadership vote, said it was the right decision and that the bill “was not in a position to become law.” He added: “If I am elected prime minister, I will make sure that the bill is not exceeded. We should not legislate for hurt feelings.”
The measure means that the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which is due to be completed on Monday and Tuesday next week, will be brought forward one day, removing the online security bill from the agenda. Commons.
A spokesman for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports declined to comment. The official announcement on government affairs next week will be presented by Commons leader Mark Spencer on Thursday.
It came after Priti Patel withdrew from a questioning session of MPs with minimal warning, while a health minister was sent to explain a crisis to ambulance services.
Johnson’s role is now that of interim prime minister, with a commission to implement existing policies, but without making significant new decisions. However, there is concern that the lack of interest within the number 10 and a large rotation of ministers has created a power vacuum.
Patel, the interior secretary, was due to brief MEPs on Wednesday morning on policies that include progress on the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda.
But late Tuesday, Patel said he could not attend because of “recent changes in government,” without an apparent elaboration.
Patel had spent days considering whether to join the crowded camp to succeed Johnson as Conservative leader and therefore prime minister, but ultimately decided against it.
Later on Wednesday, Labor received an urgent question about ambulance services in England, all of which were placed at the highest alert level due to the scale of demand fueled by factors such as Covid and the current wave of heat.
But instead of Steve Barclay, the health secretary, who replaced Sajid Javid last week after Javid resigned at the start of a wave of ministerial outings that eliminated Johnson, Maria Caulfield, a junior minister, responded.
Barclay’s absence was “a disgrace,” Wes Streeting, Labor’s shadow health secretary, told the Commons. “Our NHS is going through the biggest crisis in its history, all ambulance services are at the highest level of alert, patients are forced to wait hours with pain and discomfort, and has not yet said a word about that, ”Streeting. dit.
Downing Street has exposed that Johnson, who will remain prime minister until Sept. 5, when the new leader takes over, will not make any major tax changes or introduce new policies.
While this officially means that even controversial policies such as the Rwanda scheme can be pushed forward, it has since emerged that there are now no more deportation flights.
“This is a government that has simply given up governing,” said Thangam Debbonaire, leader in the shadow of the Commons.
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“From blatant breaches of long-standing conventions to simply not showing up for the day’s work, ministers are afraid of being controlled.
“The Conservatives are out of touch, without ideas and supporting this interim government which … does not want and is not able to govern.”
Deputy Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader, said: “After months of doing nothing but protecting Boris Johnson, the top Conservatives now seem to have completely given up on the idea of governing the country.”
The No. 10 vacuum has caused conservatives to “give up governing,” the opposition says