Downing Street Says ... Every day the Prime Minister’s Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as ‘the lobby’ for a topical chat, or ‘briefing’.

Every day the Prime Minister's Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as 'the lobby' for a topical chat, or 'briefing'.

Downing Street Says... is an unofficial site that lets you read summaries of these briefings and add your own comments. Want to know more?

» Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Women Bishops

Asked for the Prime Minister’s reaction on women bishops the PMS said his personal view was that there should be women bishops and he shared the disappointment of the Archbishop that the Synod was unable to agree how to take this forward. It was ultimately a matter for the church to decide but clearly he […]

Prisoner voting

Answering questions on votes for prisoners the PMS said that The Prime Minister’s position on prison votes was very clear that prisoners should not be allowed to vote. The view of parliament was also clearly expressed earlier in the year. The Prime Minister’s view was that when you go to prison you lose certain rights […]

» Monday, November 19, 2012

Press Briefing afternoon 19 November 2012

Monday 19 November 2012 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on the EU Budget, Property Tax, MPs Expenses, Libel Tourism

EU Budget

Answering questions on the EU budget the PMS said over the weekend the Prime Minister spoke to numerous European partners as part of constructive efforts to find a deal for the EU’s multi-annual budgetary cycle. He spoke to counterparts in Poland, Sweden, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The Deputy Prime Minister would also speak […]

Property Tax

Responding to questions on property tax the PMS said tax was a matter for the Chancellor and we have been clear on our position on property tax. The Autumn Statement was a few weeks away but as a point of principle we have made clear that those with the broadest shoulders should bear the greatest […]

MPs Expenses

Answering questions on MPs’ expenses the PMS said the Independent Parliament Standards Authority (IPSA) was set up to deal with MPs’ expenses and that it was for IPSA to look at individual issues raised by the public and media. One of the reasons the independent body was established, was to take the politics out of […]

Libel tourism

Asked about the Mayor of London’s comments on libel tourism the PMS said she was not aware of the Mayor’s comments but we were not encouraging libel tourism on a point of principle.

Prisoner voting

Asked about when a draft bill on prisoner voting would be published the PMS said the situation now was that the Government was deciding how best to proceed following the judgements from the European Court of Human Rights and that we would make an announcement before the 23rd of November. Our general position has not […]

Press Briefing morning 19 November 2012

Monday 19 November 2012 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on the EU Budget, the Leveson Inquiry report, Ministerial Code and the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

EU Budget

Questioned about the PM’s calls with European leaders over the weekend and his approach to the upcoming European Union Budget negotiations, the PMS said that the PM was looking for the right deal for the UK taxpayer. The PM’s position had been made clear; at best he was looking for a cut in the budget, […]

Leveson

Asked about the Leveson Inquiry report, the PMS said the timing had not been made clear yet, but journalists should await the report before questioning the Government on next steps.

Ministerial Code

Setting out the Government’s position on ministers voting with the Government, the PMS said that there was a ministerial code and the PM expected Government ministers to adhere to it. Whether a minister had broken the code was ultimately a matter for the PM.

IPSA

Questioned whether the PM was concerned about the expenses system being open to abuse, the PMS said that it was a matter for IPSA; that was why the independent body was created.

» Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Press Briefing afternoon 7 November 2012

Wednesday 7 November 2012 The Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on Chancellor Merkel’s visit, The Archbishop of Canterbury and President Obama Angela Merkel visitAnswering questions on what the Prime Minister would be discussing with Chancellor Merkel the PMS said that he was looking forward to talking to her and would be discussing the EU […]

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» Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Women Bishops

Prisoner voting

» Monday, November 19, 2012

Press Briefing afternoon 19 November 2012

EU Budget

Property Tax

MPs Expenses

Libel tourism

Prisoner voting

Press Briefing morning 19 November 2012

EU Budget

Leveson

Ministerial Code

IPSA

» Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Press Briefing afternoon 7 November 2012

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