DEPUTY Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is set to stand in for Rishi Sunak at today’s PMQs.
Dowden was appointed to the role following Dominic Raab’s resignation and has already served in several senior roles within the Conservative Party.
So, who is Dowden and why is he standing in for Sunak?
Who is Oliver Dowden?
Dowden was elected as the MP for Hertsmere in Hertfordshire at the 2015 General Election, succeeding former Tory MP James Clappison.
Hertfordshire is where he was born and grew up, before going on to study law at Cambridge University.
READ MORE: Alister Jack would have to immediately quit as MP if he accepts Lords seat
Before becoming an MP, he worked in Downing Street advising the then PM David Cameron and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
What Cabinet roles has he held?
Since becoming an MP, Dowden has held several senior roles. He has been culture secretary, the minister without portfolio and was chairman of the Conservative Party until June 2022.
As well as serving as Deputy Prime Minister, Dowden is also the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Why is he standing in for Rishi Sunak at PMQs?
The Prime Minister is currently undertaking a tour of international engagements this week in a bid to “drive economic growth and investment in the UK”.
On May 16, he attended the Council of Europe summit in Iceland and will travel to Tokyo for a bilateral visit ahead of the G7.
As such, he will not be attending PMQs today meaning that Oliver Dowden will be up against Labour’s Angela Rayner.
This should also mean that the SNP’s deputy leader in Westminster, Mhairi Black, speaks instead of Stephen Flynn.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here