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Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle says he is prepared to keep MPs in Westminster until Christmas Eve if necessary to achieve a Brexit deal in Parliament.
He told Sky News that the current plan is for the Commons to rise on December 21, but it would be better to sit for a few more days rather than go through the difficulty of returning to MPs after the breakup.
Sir Lindsay spoke after attending a socially distanced carol service for MPs and Commons staff around the giant Christmas tree in New Palace Yard, the open-air area above Parliament’s underground parking lot.
People gathered near the giant Christmas tree at New Palace Yard
Also speaking to Sky News, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said Boris Johnson was defending “the big issue” of sovereignty in his talks in Brussels and was defending Britain.
In his interview, after telling MPs earlier that next week’s PMQs should be the last before Christmas, Sir Lindsay said: “I would like to believe that we will all go up to the expected date of the House.”
“But if need be, the House is the servant and I am happy to be that servant to ensure that we can run, as far as I am concerned, even until Christmas Eve.
“I’d like to believe that we can finish the Monday before Christmas. I’d like to put everything on the bed and get everyone out of here.”
Sir Lindsay added: “This is not about MPs. It is also about the staff who have kept the House on track. Keeping the tap running is one thing, but turning it off and back on would be very difficult.”
Speaking as the prime minister dined with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Rees-Mogg said of Johnson’s dinner with fate: “Essentially, it comes down to one thing: sovereignty.
Jacob Rees-Mogg defended prime minister for ‘defending Britain’
“We have to be in charge of our own affairs, which is what people voted for in 2016 and then they voted again in 2019 and the prime minister is defending the British people.”
The carol service was conducted by the Speaker and his chaplain, the Rev. Tricia Hillas, as a “big Christmas thank you” to the parliamentary staff for keeping the House of Commons going during the coronavirus pandemic.
The scaled-down gathering was broadcast live for staff working from home and music was provided by a small Salvation Army band, whose annual Westminster Hall Christmas carol concert was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“ Sadly, Christmas is different this year, ” the crowd recalled.
Addressing the 70-strong congregation spread across New Palace Yard, Sir Lindsay said, “Like everyone else, I wish we could have Christmas events to come together and celebrate the holiday season.
“After the year we’ve had, we all need a little joy, but sadly COVID has meant that all of our plans must be different this year.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he would keep the Parliement until Christmas Eve
“While we have had to lower our sights, I still wanted to do something special to show my appreciation to our wonderful staff, who have kept us safe, kept us going and allowed business to continue.
“This Christmas carol service is not as great as we would like, but it is safe and socially distant, and it gives me the opportunity to thank our parliamentary community, both here and at home, for working together during a difficult time, and to wish them a very merry and well deserved Christmas.
“But rest assured, once the vaccine comes in and the COVID restrictions are lifted, I am confident, like the rest of the country, that we will host a lovely celebration.”
