Virus: PM must be accountable

Scrutiny of Ministers crucial

EVEN THOUGH Parliament is now in abeyance over coronavirus, the scrutiny of Ministers matters even more. It is the combined political pressure applied by backbench Tory MPs – and especially senior Labour politicians – which is forcing the Government, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, to announce further help for up to five million selfemployed workers.

And it is this accountability which is forcing Boris Johnson to speed up efforts to get the right personal protection equipment to the NHS front line. Yet, while Mr Johnson accepted the need at PMQs for scrutiny, his undertaking – though sincere – was, as is so often the case, opaque.

It should not be like this – especially as the Tory leader does not always attend Downing Street’s 5pm press conferences. As new technology enables the media to pose questions by Skype, a virtual PMQs is possible if there’s a will.

Talking to senior politicians from all parties, all relevant Ministers should be speaking – by telephone – to their Opposition counterparts at least twice a day so Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth can, for example, question Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

The same applies to the key select committees. Headed by experienced politicians, they, too, can become conduits for backbench MPs and the Business Committee has already given Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves powers to write letters, and put out statements, on its behalf.

And it is also important these committees use new technology to question officials and Ministers when necessary – time is of the essence as Britain comes to terms with this pandemic.

In fairness, the coronavirus crisis has brought out the best in most Ministers and MPs – interventions have been courteous and constructive – but it is does not exempt the Government from being held to account when lives are – literally – on the line. Quite the opposite.