Friday is historically known as the least eventful day in Westminster. However, it appears that this is not the case today, as MPs prepare for a crucial vote on assisted dying while the government experiences its first cabinet resignation. Many believed that politics with a majority government would be much calmer, but this theory has been proven false.
The first cabinet resignation is a significant event for any government, and the prime minister will now face his first reshuffle of personnel. Finding replacements is no easy task, as appointing an existing minister creates another vacancy. Sir Keir Starmer has already publicly reprimanded Louise Haigh for remarks she made last month surrounding P&O Ferries. With the exchange of letters taking place, the general mood within the Labour Party and government is one of bewilderment, with many feeling that the incident described in Haigh’s account was unimportant enough to warrant her resignation.
The circumstances surrounding Haigh’s departure relate to her non-disclosure of a fraud conviction to the government’s propriety and ethics team when she joined the cabinet in July. She did not divulge this information due to its classification as a spent offence, meaning it does not need to be disclosed in job applications. Haigh believed that her disclosure to Sir Keir during her time in opposition was sufficient. It has also come to light that Haigh was not aware of any investigation by Aviva, her former employer, involving more than one mobile phone, as reported by The Times.
The prime minister’s awareness of the situation has been seized upon by the Conservatives, who believe it raises questions about his judgement in appointing someone with a criminal background. This is particularly noteworthy given Sir Keir’s previous assertion that “lawbreakers can’t be lawmakers” during the Partygate rows. Haigh’s resignation letter referred to “our political project,” but she and the prime minister were not always politically aligned. The left-wing MP was frequently tipped for dismissal in the run-up to the election.
In conclusion, Friday may usually be the quietest day in Westminster, but today’s events have been far from uneventful. With the first cabinet resignation and questions surrounding Haigh’s conviction, it appears that politics under a majority government may not be as smooth as previously believed. While Haigh has resigned, it remains to be seen what other changes will occur within the government and what consequences Sir Keir will face in the aftermath of this event
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