All articles written by Chris Bryant MP on PoliticsHome.com

15 Aug 2023 Books & culture

Engaging, thoughtful and funny: Kathryn Stone reviews 'Code of Conduct'

A powerful examination of parliamentary conduct and the eroding of standards, Chris Bryant’s book begins on 3 November 2021 – a day I will always remember

11 Aug 2023 Political parties

Chris Bryant Wants To Resurrect Two Hundred Year Old Rule To Oust Nadine Dorries

Chair of the Commons standards committee Chris Bryant has threatened to try to resurrect an arcane parliamentary rule to force Nadine Dorries out of parliament after the MP failed to formally resign, despite announcing her intention to do so in June.

28 Feb 2023 Parliament

New Code of Conduct for MPs will tighten loopholes and improve standards in Westminster for all

To read some of the press, you would think every single MP is an identikit crook, thief, and habitual liar. But politics is an honourable profession. It is based in public service and many colleagues have made phenomenal contributions to our national life, often way beyond the call of duty.

26 Nov 2022 Political parties

The Chris Bryant interview: "It is a bizarre irony that I am chair of the Committee on Standards"

Chris Bryant has been through a few political scrapes, so recognises the irony that he is now chair of the Standards Committee. He tells Tali Fraser about the recent furore in the division lobbies, trying to hold his tongue and surviving cancer. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer.

26 Nov 2022 Parliament

Chris Bryant Says MPs Have Tried To Lobby Him Over Misconduct Cases

Chris Bryant, chair of the standards committee, says he has been forced to report MPs for trying to lobby him over complaints being handled by his committee.

19 Oct 2022 Political parties

Government Accused Of "Manhandling" Tory MPs In Chaotic Vote On Fracking

The government has been accused of physically manhandling Conservative MPs during a vote on fracking on a chaotic night in which Liz Truss's leadership continued to hang in the balance.

26 Jul 2022 Foreign affairs

Boris Johnson Accused Of "Deflecting Attention” From Meeting With Ex-KGB Agent

A senior Labour MP has accused Boris Johnson of trying to “deflect attention” from his meeting with ex-KGB agent Alexander Lebedev without officials present when he was Foreign Secretary by highlighting connections other MPs have to his media mogul son.

02 Jun 2022 Parliament

Children’s Parliament event planned to mark Sir David Amess’ death

In the latest issue of the magazine, we cover Westminster news, from a ban on MPs giving paid parliamentary advice to those drawn in the Private Members’ Bill ballot – and more...

24 May 2022 Political parties

MPs Won't Have A Limit On Second Job Earnings Or Hours After Failure To Find Cross-Party Consensus

A new code of conduct for MPs will clamp down on paid consultancy roles but will not place a time limit on second jobs, or an upper limit on outside earnings.

03 Dec 2021 Health

Covid Testing Company Sponsored Parliamentary Group Which Called For Additional Testing Requirements

A major Covid testing firm sponsors an All-Party Parliamentary Group which called for the government to introduce new Covid testing requirements.

29 Nov 2021 Political parties

How MPs Could Be Hit By Proposed Changes To Parliament’s Code Of Conduct

The standards committee has recommended a host of changes to the rules which govern MPs' conduct, including second jobs, after a major row over sleaze.

29 Nov 2021 Political parties

Boris Johnson Would Be Forced To Declare Cost Of Spain Holiday Under New MP Rules

New rules recommended by the Commons standards committee on how MPs declare gifts would force Boris Johnson to reveal how much his free holiday to a luxury Spanish villa would have cost the minister who owns it.

24 Nov 2021 Health

A national cross-departmental strategy for acquired brain injury is long overdue

MPs must be getting very bored with me. “No, no”, I don’t hear you cry. Whatever question session it is, whether it’s defence, justice, education, treasury or an urgent question on Covid, I raise the issue of acquired brain injury.

18 Nov 2021 Political parties

MPs' Second Jobs Are Still Far From Banned And Some Fear Reforms Will Be "Kicked Into The Long Grass"

The government has claimed a vote on standards reform will update Parliament’s code of conduct to outlaw controversial second jobs for MPs, but the man in charge of drafting the rules has reminded them that is not in fact the case.

09 Nov 2021 Political parties

Boris Johnson Accused Of “Unhelpful” Application Of Gift Rules To His Advantage Over Spanish Holiday

The Prime Minister has been accused of an “unhelpful” application of the rules on gifts to avoid scrutiny of his holiday to Spain and the Downing Street flat redecoration, by declaring them under a system that he is in charge of.

02 May 2021 Coronavirus

It is time to give select committees more teeth

Committees of Enquiry have been a vital part of how Parliament does its work for centuries. When the governor and chaplain at Newgate were forced to tell the truth to a parliamentary committee about the appalling conditions in the jail – including the practice of prisoners having to pay other inmates ‘garnish’ just for a filthy mattress – that led to demands for prison reform in 1818.

14 Apr 2021 Political parties

The Greensill case demonstrates why we need absolute transparency at every level of government

Instead of a government review, we need a proper parliamentary committee charged with instituting a full review of lobbying, the ministerial code and the revolving door of ministers and officials securing profitable jobs after they leave office.

22 Jul 2020 Coronavirus

Mike Pompeo tells MPs World Health Organisation chief has been ‘bought’ by China

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told MPs that the head of the World Health Organisation was “bought” by China, as he accused the international body of being responsible for “dead Britons”.

16 Jul 2020 Political parties

Boris Johnson suggests moving Parliament to York amid major renovation programme

Boris Johnson has proposed moving both Houses of Parliament to York while the Palace of Westminster undergoes major refurbishment work.

24 May 2020 Coronavirus

Ending virtual Parliament would ‘disenfranchise’ vulnerable Members, MPs warn

A cross-party group of more than 70 MPs have signed a letter protesting Government plans to end the virtual Parliament.

14 May 2020 Coronavirus

"This is not 'survival of the fittest" – MPs split over ‘premature’ return to Parliament

The leader of the Commons has announced that virtual proceedings will end later this month – much sooner than many MPs expected. For some Members, a return to Westminster is a welcome sign that the country is re-opening. But others say it will be impossible to return safely – and fear the move will leave them, and their constituents, disenfranchised

18 Mar 2020 Coronavirus

Some powers in the Coronavirus Bill are draconian and impinge on people’s liberty

These powers will remain in place for two years. Any measure that restricts liberty should be subject to a renewal clause, so that at the very least Parliament has a say on whether they are still needed.

24 Jan 2020 Home affairs

I am acutely aware of the areas of DWP policy that need urgent attention

As a former shadow welfare minister representing a deprived area, I have the know-how and the heart to lead the Work and Pensions Committee, writes Chris Bryant MP

14 Oct 2019

A good Speaker should be an umpire, not a player

Writing ahead of The House magazine’s Speaker Hustings this week, Chris Bryant MP says as Speaker he would tackle bullying and harassment, simplify the parliamentary day and put backbenchers first

19 Sep 2019

As Speaker, I will ensure those working in Parliament do so without fear of bullying or harassment

Chris Bryant MP writes that if elected Speaker, he would never seek to belittle a colleague and would put in place a "proper" Human Resources department to give MPs and staff advice and support when they need it.

27 Jun 2019 Brexit

The next PM must come to Parliament and prove his mandate

At this moment of national crisis, Parliament and Government must not be set against one another. The new PM has a duty to bring MPs back into the fold, writes Chris Bryant

08 Feb 2019 Health

Chris Bryant and Baroness Finlay: Victims of CO poisoning must be given the treatment they need

Even low levels of carbon monoxide exposure can cause permanent damage. But models to improve treatment exist, as does the appetite amongst the medical community, write Chris Bryant and Baroness Finlay

15 Mar 2018 Defence

Commons Diary: Chris Bryant

From Commons power cuts to when foreign power corrupts, a defiant Chris Bryant’s calls for a strong response to the Skripal attack results in torrent of abuse

13 Dec 2017 Foreign affairs

MPs must be 'ready to act' against the Russian threat

Chair of the APPG on Russia, Labour MP Chris Bryant, says the "resurgence of overt aggression and interference" by Russia must not go ignored.

19 Oct 2017 Communities

It's time for politicians to step up and protect the protectors

Members of Parliament have a duty to curb this spiral of violence against emergency service workers, writes Chris Bryant