Press readers have had their say on Nigel Farage’s appointment to a role in North Yorkshire after stepping down from the House of Commons.
Last month, the leader of Reform UK was made the Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, Scarborough, following his decision to resign as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat.
Mr Farage was then re-elected MP for Clacton in the by-election on Thursday, August 13 with an increased majority of 12,784.
Last month's appointment, made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was a procedural device that allows members of parliament to resign from the House of Commons.
The “legal fiction” is used to circumvent a rule forbidding MPs from resigning.
“The Steward and Bailiffs of the Chiltern Hundreds and of the Manor of Northstead were positions traditionally paid for by the Crown.
“In modern times, they are unpaid, formal titles that are applied for when an MP needs to disqualify themselves from the Commons,” the UK Parliament website states.
It adds: “An elected MP has no right to resign: unless they die or are expelled, they must become disqualified if they wish to retire before the end of a Parliament. By law, taking on one of these titles immediately bars a person from being an MP.”
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Nigel Farage. House Of Commons.
(Image: PA)
Readers had their say in the comments section of The Press website and on Facebook.
TheGrumpyNihilist said: “The British constitution has always had a taste for theatre, but even the most imaginative playwright might struggle to invent a scene where the leading man resigns, accepts a fictional medieval appointment, and then campaigns to regain the position he voluntarily abandoned.
“One can only admire the confidence required to turn leaving into a publicity tour for returning.”
Sue noted: “It’s just the centuries-old parliamentary process for leaving the Commons.”
Heidi stated: “It’s an unpaid constitutional process for him to resign from parliament… not an actual job.”
NigeBoddy said: “As someone whose ancestors lived on The Manor for at least 300 years – and probably longer – I object to this appointment by Rachel Reeves.”
Joanne said: “Very pleased to have you, Nigel.”
Mick from Kirbymoorside commented: “As the article makes clear, the resignation process involves being given that appointment.”