Parliament could be recalled for a rare August sitting next month to allow Members of Parliament to question Andy Burnham, who is poised to become the next prime minister. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has indicated he is willing to order a two-day recall to enable MPs to quiz the incoming leader.
Burnham is on course to be officially named Labour leader unopposed on Friday, with his assumption of the prime ministership scheduled for the following Monday. His ascent to power comes after he did not run on a specific party manifesto and has not faced a leadership challenge. The limited number of voters who backed him in a previous by-election represent a small fraction of the overall electorate, leading to criticism that he holds the position with a weak democratic mandate.
Labour has reportedly blocked opposition attempts to extend the current Parliamentary session into next week, which would allow for scrutiny before the summer recess. This has raised concerns about a period of government without parliamentary oversight for approximately six weeks until parliament reconvenes in September. The duration between a new prime minister taking office and presenting their plans to parliament is described as unprecedented.
Conservative figures have criticized the process, with one frontbencher accusing Burnham of "running scared" from scrutiny. Parliamentary sources suggest Burnham's team has indicated a need for at least two weeks to establish his new government before facing MPs. However, Speaker Hoyle has opened the possibility of a session in early August, stating that he would not prevent MPs from returning for a couple of days if they wished.
Plans are also being drawn up for a more extensive questioning session in the autumn, potentially involving a three-hour period of questions for Burnham and other senior figures if a recall is not convened in August. The last time Parliament sat in August was in 2021 to debate the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Any move to recall Parliament next month would require Burnham's approval, though some MPs believe it would be politically advantageous for him to agree to the session rather than face mounting pressure over the summer.