‘The deputy speaker can tell me off all day and every day’: Nusrat Ghani wows viewers and leaves MPs squirming with her withering Budget put-downs
Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani drew attention for her sharp reprimands to MPs during debate after Chancellor John Healey’s Budget statement. Her interventions helped curb heckling and were widely praised by social media users, making her a prominent figure in the Commons proceedings.
Ghani, the Conservative MP for Sussex Weald, has chaired the Ways and Means committee since 2024 and traditionally presides over Budget discussions. She told Luke Evans to write himself a prescription to calm down, noted that James Cartlidge had spoken more than the Chancellor, and rebuked other MPs for their behaviour. She also wore a tie featuring Sussex’s flag, with six gold martlets on a blue field.
In short
- Nusrat Ghani’s Commons put-downs drew praise after the Budget.
- She reprimanded several MPs for heckling and misbehaviour.
- Her Sussex flag tie also caught attention.
Explained simply
The House of Commons is where MPs debate laws and question the government. The Chancellor presents the Budget there, setting out plans for taxes and public spending; MPs then respond, often amid lively exchanges.
Nusrat Ghani is a Conservative MP who represents Sussex Weald. Since 2024, she has chaired the Commons Ways and Means committee, whose chair traditionally presides over Budget debates and is responsible for keeping proceedings in order.
The deputy speaker helps the Speaker manage debates and calls MPs to speak. Their interventions matter because they shape how orderly and fair the discussion is, while allowing Parliament to scrutinise the government’s financial plans.