News / Politics

UK lawmaker formally quits, accuses PM Sunak of running a ‘zombie parliament’

Monday, 28 August 2023 9:44 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 28 August 2023 11:23 AM ]

British Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries walks outside Downing Street in London, Britain, on July 19, 2022. (Photo by Reuters)

A prominent member of the UK Parliament lashed out at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, accusing him of running a “zombie parliament” and lacking any political vision.

Nadine Dorries made the remarks in her formal resignation letter published on Sunday after Sunak criticized her for failing to represent her constituents properly.

“Since you took office a year ago, the country is run by a zombie parliament where nothing meaningful has happened. What exactly has been done or have you achieved?” Dorries said.

“You hold the office of prime minister unelected, without a single vote, not even from your own MPs. You have no mandate from the people and the government is adrift. You have squandered the goodwill of the nation, for what?” she added.

The Conservative lawmaker further accused Sunak of putting his personal ambition above the stability of the country and its economy.

“Bewildered, we look in vain for the grand political vision for the people of this great country to hold on to, that would make all this disruption and subsequent inertia worthwhile, and we find absolutely nothing,” she said.

She also accused Sunak of putting her personal safety at risk by “whipping a public frenzy” against her, stressing that the prime minister is “demeaning his office.”

Dorries last spoke in the Commons more than 400 days ago and has voted only six times so far this year.

Earlier this month, Sunak labeled Dorries an absentee MP who is not properly representing her constituents.

Rishi Sunak appointed UK’s PM, vows to fix Truss’ ‘mistakes’

Rishi Sunak has taken office as Britain

Sunak, a former chancellor of the Exchequer, was elected party leader by fellow Conservative lawmakers last October, just days after Liz Truss resigned from office following the humiliating collapse of her tax cuts plans, which further plunged the country into economic turmoil.

Sunak served as finance minister under former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Following his appointment, Johnson congratulated him and urged Tory party members to give Sunak their full support.

In June, Dorries, a close ally of Johnson, announced that she was quitting as an MP with immediate effect.

She then faced mounting criticism for not actually doing so, preventing the election to replace her from being held alongside three other local votes last month.

The by-election to replace the outgoing MP will likely take place in the autumn, presenting the Conservatives with another test of their popularity when they are trailing the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls.

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