EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Why the King could have refused election request
If Liz Truss had opted for a general election, King Charles could have refused her request.
Under the Lascelles Principles, formulated by George VI’s private secretary Sir Alan Lascelles in 1950, the King can refuse an election if it would be detrimental to the economy and, crucially, if he can call on someone able to command a majority in the Commons.
Those fearful of losing their seats need to find someone to rally around quickly.
Surely they’re echoing the refrain of Dad’s Army’s Private Frazer: ‘We’re doomed!’
The wails of anguish from the overburdened Honours Unit increases by several decibels at the resignation of Liz Truss. Already working flat out on the forthcoming New Year gongs, processing Boris Johnson’s resignation recommendations and the Queen’s demise honours, they are now faced with the short-lived PM’s resignation selections – the first time the unit has had to deal with two ex-PMs’ lists in the same year. Bolstered by temporary secondments to help with the workload, fingers crossed they can stave off a meltdown of the gong boffins!
As the political rollercoaster hurtles at warp speed, newly minted Home Secretary Grant Shapps gets round to telling a podcast about his sacking as transport secretary when Truss was appointed PM. ‘There is an anteroom for those who are about to be fired,’ he says. ‘It is called an executioner’s waiting room for reference. ‘Well you didn’t support me,’ she said. ‘And there’s no room at the inn.’
With ITV political editor Robert Peston, pictured, performing a Marr/Naughtie mispronunciation of Jeremy Hunt’s surname – he announced on air: ‘Jeremy C***’s, Hunt’s cuts’ – former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel mischievously inquires: ‘Why did he think that having the script line ‘Jeremy Hunt’s cuts’ would end well?’
Peston was telling anyone who would listen at ITN early yesterday that Liz would be in Downing Street until Halloween. His deputy Anushka Asthana insisted to ITN colleagues that she would not last the day. Job swap anyone?
Confirmation of Boris’s popularity compared to Liz. A pair of ping-pong bats signed by Johnson at a Tory constituency auction in Yorkshire fetched £1,500. And the highest bid for a Truss-signed bottle of booze? £350.
As colleagues plan a memorial service for Mavis Nicholson, the late broadcaster will be joining chums Kingsley Amis and Philip Larkin in the celestial cocktail bar. Lots to talk about – particularly the night they shared a double bed in Mavis’s Waterloo home. ‘They built a big wall down the middle of the bed with pillows and bolsters, each fearing the other might get amorous in the night,’ she recalled. ‘They also positioned their shoes by the side of the bed in readiness for a swift getaway.’
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