I recently made my first speech as a full Backbench MP in the House of Commons in some 10 years in support of the Counsellors of State Bill. The Bill increases the number of members of the Royal Family who can stand in for The King for official duties. Princess Anne and Prince Edward have now become "counsellors of state" and are therefore able to deputise for the Sovereign if he is unable to carry out his essential duties as head of state.
I had the following to say in favour of the Bill:
"I rise to strongly support the Bill. It is clearly a non-political piece of legislation, as the royal message from His Majesty the King to Parliament made clear, and will ensure that he is ably supported in the discharge of his constitutional duties. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said, the Bill follows long-established precedent. Her late Majesty the Queen, of blessed and glorious memory, asked her Parliament to do the same thing after her accession to the throne, and thus Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother was added to the list of Counsellors of State in 1953.
The daily workload of the sovereign is, of course, significant. His Majesty is extremely industrious and absolutely passionate about his work, as we all know, and always has been. In that way, as in many others, the King takes after the late Queen, if I may say so. We are lucky to have him and we should support him in this endeavour."
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, said the following during the debate:
"We have been debating a Bill that serves one narrow purpose: to ensure that Counsellors of State are available when His Majesty requires one to deputise in his essential duties. I want to mention—I hope I can call him a friend—my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Northampton North (Michael Ellis). I absolutely miss him and our exchanges, and I absolutely agree with his comments."
You can watch my speech and Angela Rayner’s response at the following website: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/65aca00f-90f8-4280-a4d7-b6c31147d684?in=12:17:10
(Photo: Michael Ellis MP speaking in the House of Commons during the Counsellors of State Bill.)