Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, has condemned the Prime Minister’s flagrant disregard for the rule of law and is doing all she can to reflect constituents’ anger at his lying.
Since the Metropolitan Police concluded that the Prime Minister broke the law, Karin Smyth has received scores of emails from constituents, many of whom have never been in contact with their MP before, raising their concerns and disgust at the behaviour of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
One constituent wrote that “My Mother was dying from terminal cancer during this same time and I was not able to hug her as she died, and they were having cheese and wine with their mates against legal guidelines that they created. It is a disgrace”.
These sentiments are similarly expressed by a large number of other constituents, who feel the actions of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are “shameful”, with another constituent writing that they are “utterly appalled, disillusioned and disgusted with how Boris Johnson [has] conducted himself during lockdown and in the House of Commons where he has lied to the House on countless occasions.”
A censure motion was heard in Parliament on Thursday 21 April. This motion has referred the Prime Minister’s lying to the Privileges Committee. If the Prime Minister was found in contempt of parliamentary rules he could have been suspended from the Commons and even face a by-election.
The motion passed following a Government U-turn to vote down Labour’s motion. This occurred due to a growing rebellion on their own benches.
Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, said:
“I have heard from a large number of constituents expressing their anger and disgust at the rule-breaking behaviour of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak during the pandemic since the issuing of the Fixed Notice Penalties.
“Whilst people in Bristol South were making sacrifices to keep to the rules and protect their loved ones, the Prime Minister and Chancellor were flouting the rules to go to a party. What’s caused even more anger is the fact that they have lied to the House and to the public about their actions.
“In order to keep to the rules, my constituents have had to go through operations alone, have not been able to hug dying loved ones, and have suffered mentally and physically. They are understandably angry that it is one rule for them, another for the Prime Minister.
“Boris Johnson has shown no respect for the British public. Many people are joining calls from Labour for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to resign.”