All articles written by Bernard Jenkin MP on PoliticsHome.com

15 Oct Brexit

Britain has barely begun capitalising on its new Brexit freedoms

The 2016 referendum decision was a watershed in British politics. Amid all the dispute since then, it is easy to lose sight of its main purpose. It was, and remains, to take back control over the United Kingdom’s laws, borders, trade and her national right of self-determination.

09 Aug Economy

The next prime minister must tackle the cost-of-living crisis or face dire electoral consequences

The two final candidates for the Conservative leadership have made promises on tax and borrowing. The new prime minister will, however, have to confront a rapidly deteriorating cost-of-living crisis that demands flexibility and decisive action.

21 Jun Brexit

Politically and economically, the Northern Ireland Protocol is not fit for purpose

The government is right to pursue major changes to the post-Brexit treaty.

28 Feb Defence

The British state must be transformed to meet the threats we face

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have observed years of Western failure to react to Russian encroachments and Chinese anti-democratic influence.

07 Jan Defence

Britain must do more to deter Russian aggression – diplomacy and sanctions are not enough

The term “grand strategy” may seem like a relic from previous centuries which became irrelevant with the end of the Cold War, but this is to ignore what is happening in today’s world.

02 Nov 2021 Parliament

We need a standards system that can cope with the conflicts facing MPs

The Standards Committee agreed I had to recuse myself from the consideration of the Owen Paterson case, so I have no comment on it, but I have put my name on the amendment which addresses process.

25 Jun 2021 Brexit

No one foresaw that any government would make such a mess of Brexit

The Northern Ireland Protocol, a forced inheritance from Mrs May’s backstop, is now destroying peace and political stability in Northern Ireland and will prove to be politically fraudulent.

01 Mar 2021 Culture

What Does Jeremy Think? Suzanne Heywood’s moving study of her late husband

Suzanne Heywood has produced an important and gripping account of her husband’s extraordinary career at the centre of government

13 Nov 2020 Political parties

Tory Backbenchers Have Welcomed The News That Dominic Cummings Will Leave Downing Street By The End Of The Year

Tory backbenchers have welcomed the news that the prime minister’s controversial chief adviser Dominic Cummings is set to leave Downing Street by the end of the year.

25 Oct 2020 Health

A Senior Tory Says The Government "Misread" The Country's Mood On Free School Meals After Labour Threatened To Force Another Vote

Labour has threatened to force another vote on free school meals if ministers refuse to U-turn before Christmas - and a Tory backbencher has suggested the government may not have enough to support to defeat the move.

24 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Senior Tory MP backs medics’ call for review of UK's readiness for second wave

A senior Conservative MP has supported calls from medics for a review into how ready the UK is to tackle a second wave of coronavirus infections.

27 May 2020 Coronavirus

Boris Johnson says inquiry into Dominic Cummings lockdown row ‘not a good use of official time’

Boris Johnson has dismissed calls from MPs for an inquiry into his senior adviser’s trip to Durham during the coronavirus lockdown.

27 May 2020 Coronavirus

Inside the Liaison Committee as senior MPs prepare to grill Boris Johnson on coronavirus and Dominic Cummings

Boris Johnson will appear before the powerful Liaison Committee for the first time this afternoon, to face questions over his handling of coronavirus, the economy and Dominic Cummings. Committee chairs past and present talk to Sebastian Whale about getting the truth out of the PM

23 May 2020 Political parties

Bernard Jenkin interview: ‘If Boris Johnson expects an easy ride, he's nominated the wrong man’

Bernard Jenkin’s appointment as chair of the Liaison Committee sparked a backlash from fellow Committee chairs, who accused the government of seeking to undermine parliamentary scrutiny. But as the Committee prepares to quiz the prime minister next week, Jenkin tells Georgina Bailey that he will not be "pulling his punches"

22 May 2020 Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson agrees to face hour-and-a-half grilling by top MPs next week

Boris Johnson has agreed to face an hour-and-a-half grilling from senior MPs on his response to the coronavirus pandemic next Wednesday.

22 May 2020 Political parties

Boris Johnson urged to face grilling by senior MPs ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’

The new chair of a powerful cross-party Commons committee has urged Boris Johnson to face a grilling when Parliament returns after recess.

28 Apr 2020 Coronavirus

Committee chairs protest Government plans to "undermine" scrutiny

Influential backbenchers have tabled an amendment to try to prevent the Government installing its own choice as chair of the powerful Liaison Committee

20 Apr 2020 Coronavirus

Why parliamentary scrutiny matters

As we enter the age of ‘virtual’ sitting, it will take time to adapt to the new ways of working. But we must swiftly re-establish our authority as Parliament, writes Bernard Jenkin

27 Jan 2020 Defence

Robust scrutiny is required at a critical time for UK defence

We need new thinking about how the government spends its defence budget. I have the experience to bring this as chair of the Defence Select Committee, writes Bernard Jenkin MP

28 Oct 2019 Political parties

The role of the Speaker is changing

Speakers now have to consider the impact of their personal public profile and how this relates to their responsibilities, says Bernard Jenkin MP

30 Aug 2019

Remainer MPs are reaping what they have sown

Many of the MPs most constitutionally outraged by the Prime Minister's decision to prorogue Parliament voted again and again for the laws and decisions that have led us to this point. They have no one to blame but themselves, writes Bernard Jenkin

20 Jun 2019 Health

The NHS must improve its care for patients with eating disorders

How can our health service expect to marshal its care for eating disorder sufferers if it doesn’t even know the scale of the challenge it faces? writes Bernard Jenkin

22 Feb 2019 Political parties

Tribute: Bernard Jenkin remembers Paul Flynn

Bernard Jenkin pays tribute to Paul Flynn, an ‘extraordinary parliamentarian’, and a generous, determined – and at times exasperating – colleague

08 Nov 2018 Political parties

Tribute to Jeremy Heywood: Whitehall has lost one of its all-time greats

Sir Jeremy Heywood was proud of the Civil Service and protective of its people from public criticism. Above all, he had a devout sense of duty and loyalty to the country, writes Bernard Jenkin

08 Oct 2018 Home affairs

Bernard Jenkin on the future of Parliament

As the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee launches a new series of inquiries, Bernard Jenkin sets out why future developments in our Parliamentary democracy deserve careful consideration

17 May 2018

Commons Diary: Bernard Jenkin

As a heavily-amended Brexit Bill leaves the Lords and heads to the Commons, Bernard Jenkin says it is now time for the ‘hard-core Remainers’ in his party to learn to compromise

05 Oct 2017 Political parties

‘Unreconciled' Remainers & Tory troubles – Bernard Jenkin's conference diary

Although Treasury plots, divisions and apparent indecision cast a cloud over a sombre conference, Bernard Jenkin is full of admiration for the Prime Minister's resilience

13 Jul 2017 Home affairs

Review: Committee (A New Musical)

Bernard Jenkin finds the Donmar’s new musical a fair and compelling portrayal of his committee’s hearing on the collapse of Kids Company