Alex Burghart to Question Angela Rayner at Prime Minister’s Questions

This week’s Prime Minister’s Questions will feature Conservative frontbencher Alex Burghart in a prominent role. As the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, he is set to stand in for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during the weekly question session. Given that the prime minister is attending the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will be answering questions on behalf of the government. According to established parliamentary practice, when the prime minister is absent, the Conservative party also designates a representative to participate. Kemi Badenoch had opted not to name a deputy when she formed her frontbench team, leading to initial uncertainty regarding who would substitute for her. This would have marked only her third appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions, but she will now be absent for the week. The Conservative party received formal notification today concerning the prime minister’s absence. He is anticipated to return to the UK later on Wednesday. Mr. Burghart, who additionally holds the position of shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has been part of the team assisting Mrs. Badenoch in preparing for her exchanges with Sir Keir. He will now have the opportunity to pose questions directly. The previous occasion Sir Keir was unavailable on a Wednesday, Sir Oliver Dowden posed questions on behalf of the Conservatives, which occurred prior to Kemi Badenoch succeeding Rishi Sunak as the Conservative leader.