“I’m sorry.” After Rishi Sunak’s stint as the UK Prime Minister ended after two years, here’s what he had to say in the House of Commons…
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Let me begin with a message to those who are no longer sitting behind me.
00:03I am sorry.
00:30We have lost too many diligent, community-spirited representatives, whose wisdom and expertise will be missed in the debates and discussions ahead.
00:36It is important that after 14 years in government, the Conservative Party rebuilds.
00:42So now we will take up the crucial role of His Majesty's official opposition, professionally, effectively and socially.
00:48I am sorry.
00:50We have lost too many diligent, community-spirited representatives, whose wisdom and expertise will be missed in the debates and discussions ahead.
00:56So now we will take up the crucial role of His Majesty's official opposition, professionally, effectively and humbly.
01:02And restoring trust begins by remembering that being here is an opportunity to do what those we serve expect of us.
01:08And in our case, that means holding the new government to account.
01:12Can I congratulate the Father of the House, the Member for Gainsborough.
01:16My Right Honourable Friend has given 41 years of remarkable, dedicated service to this House and his constituency.
01:24I know full well how ferociously my Right Honourable Friend fights for the interests of his constituents, and I applaud him for that.
01:30My Right Honourable Friend is also testament to the benefits of an early morning dip in the Serpentine.
01:36Members may be interested to note that the Bottomleys have also had a big influence on my Right Honourable Friend's career.
01:44It was in 1974 that my Right Honourable Friend ran against Arthur Bottomley in Middlesbrough in his first effort to enter this place.
01:52And today he takes over from Sir Peter, who will be missed.
01:58And can I also congratulate the new Mother of the House, the Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
02:04We have our differences on policy, but no one can deny the Right Honourable Lady's important role in this House,
02:10and the inspiration for so many young women of colour that she has provided.
02:16The Right Honourable Lady is true in every sense of the word, a trailblazer.
02:22And can I join with you, Mr Speaker-elect, to thank House staff for their hard work in welcoming our new colleagues to this House and their service over the coming Parliament.
02:32And finally, may I congratulate you, Mr Speaker-elect.
02:36When you first ascended to the Speaker's Chair, you did so with a healthy majority,
02:40and that was testament to your wide appeal and the confidence in which this House places in you and your judgements.
02:48The last Conservative Prime Minister, the Right Honourable John Major, who spoke from these Opposition benches,
02:52said about the role of the Speaker,
02:55The job certification is pretty daunting.
02:58The patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon are only the basic requirements.
03:04We demand also impartiality, independence and fairness.
03:08Well, Mr Speaker-elect, you have shown over the past four and a half years how to protect that careful balance.
03:14The last few years in this House have been at times difficult, and you, Sir, have always brought this House together.
03:21That was clear when we lost our colleague, Sir David Amess.
03:25And I know your guidance and support for members then was greatly appreciated.
03:29It is a privilege to be in this House.
03:31Our democracy is powerful, and as we have witnessed, it can be definitive.
03:37But I know that this House will, true to its best traditions, hold the Executive to account.
03:42And I know that Mr Speaker-elect will facilitate that.
03:45So in conclusion, Mr Speaker-elect, I have no doubt that we will face difficult days together in this place.
03:51But I also know that I speak for the whole House when I say that we will all welcome your leadership and guidance in the months and years ahead.
03:58Yeah!