Teeth flashing, eyebrows arched stiffly like two bows stretched at full twang, in a hot and humid House of Commons Labour’s Sarah Champion was not happy. She was unleashing a torrent of anger over the Prime Minister’s decision to merge the Department for International Development (Dfid) with the Foreign Office. It was ‘incredulous’ that the … Read more
Who was this cheery chap arriving in the Commons with a nod and a wink and a cheery ‘wot ho’? Why, it was Robert Jenrick, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Or the current minister, at any rate. His cheeks were flushed peony pink, his brow a frown-free zone. As he waited for departmental … Read more
Priti Patel was not happy. No, she was not. Ragin’… Fumin’… in fact. She had come to the chamber to issue a statement on Public Order – and the word ‘order’ fell from her mouth with an aggressive grrrrrrr. It was not long ago that many were confidently predicting the Home Secretary’s demise. Her drippy … Read more
Colourful outfits, jazzy production values and a telegenic anchor who, despite technical difficulties, never let her Colgate smile drop once. Despite the serious nature of the Global Vaccine Summit, there was a welcome hint of Eurovision about proceedings. Welcome because the virtual conference, which aimed to raise $7.4billion for global vaccines over the next five … Read more
PMQs is back. No, I don’t mean back as in back after the recess. I mean back, back. As in back to its punchy old self. The session was rowdy, even if there were only 50-odd members in the chamber. With the TV screens gone and the noisy SNP lot back in situ, there was … Read more
More than half a mile the line snaked back through the Parliamentary Estate. From the Commons chamber it began, out through the cavernous environs of Westminster Hall before spilling out into New Palace Yard. For three months, the whole of this area had been totally deserted bar the odd armed policeman. Now, at 4pm on … Read more
HENRY DEEDES: Break out the Pimm’s but don’t mention the ‘C’ word (that’s Dominic Cummings, who is strictly off limits, says Boris Johnson) By Henry Deedes for the Daily Mail Published: 07:35 BST, 29 May 2020 | Updated: 07:35 BST, 29 May 2020 Pull out the Pimm’s, fire up the barbecues. Boris Johnson is getting … Read more
Hair skew-whiff, a homely fireplace as backdrop and matey, first-name terms only. The Prime Minister appeared before a chosen collection of Westminster’s most self-regarding bobbies yesterday trying to appear as relaxed possible. It was clear, though, that events of recent days had knocked him off-kilter. His jowls were walrussy, the bags under his eyes bulging … Read more
A double bill of Westminster drama yesterday. Statements from both Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson. Contrition in short supply from both players. Were it a play we could have called it No Regrets: A Tragedy in Two Parts. For Act One we were treated to Dominic Cummings’ statement on his recent lockdown controversy. News that … Read more
Dismal. Deluded. Deranged? Well, let’s not quite go that far but it was not good. Boris Johnson’s Downing Street press briefing last night made for uncomfortable viewing. The Prime Minister had yanked on his Sunday suiting to address the hoo-ha over his senior aide Dominic Cummings. He was a late call-up. We were originally due … Read more