This time last year, Boris Johnson marched into the summer recess with the lumbering swagger of an all-conquering prizefighter. In his first appearance in the Commons as Prime Minister, he pummelled Jeremy Corbyn through the ropes. Battered. Banjaxed. Jezza looked so punch drunk it’s a mercy he didn’t require smelling salts. Boris rarely emerges quite … Read more
Even when Sir Keir Starmer gets the better of Boris Johnson at PMQs, as he did yesterday, it’s hard to declare him the outright victor. For all the Labour leader’s clever clogs queries and forensic abilities, he remains the most insipid figure at the despatch box. Drab. Dull. Must give the news bulletin boys who … Read more
Boris Johnson blasted his way to victory over Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs, though it wasn’t pretty. A triumph of bludgeon over rapier, blunderbuss over pistolet. As displays go, this was a ragged, up-by-the-scruff-of-the-neck sort of performance. What tennis coaches call ‘winning ugly’. But it was no less enjoyable for that. Prime Minister Boris Johnson … 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
Downing Street is forced to deny claim Boris Johnson was wearing an EARPIECE and was ‘being fed answers by Dominic Cummings’ during bruising PMQs – so what is going on with PM’s ear? Labour MPs were among those who suggested he was receiving help today Social media wags suggested images showed communications device in his … Read more
Bond aficionados will know that early in each story comes an inaugural meeting between hero and foe. A chance encounter over highballs, perhaps, or a high-stakes hand of chemin de fer. The tone is formal yet courteous. Compliments might even be exchanged. Yet beneath this faux chumminess lingers a whiff of menace. There was a … Read more
Dominic Raab will square off against new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs tomorrow as MPs get back to work using a ‘virtual’ House of Commons. Senior MPs have agreed to plans to set up a digital debating chamber with 120 able to take part remotely using Zoom video conferencing software and a maximum … Read more
At precisely 1pm as Sir Lindsay Hoyle called time on Prime Minister’s Questions, Jeremy Corbyn uncrossed his legs, wrinkled his nose and breathed a little sigh of relief. He stood slowly, the old knees creaking a tad, before lugubriously making his way toward the exit, hovering briefly by the Speaker’s chair– no handshakes of course … Read more
A stripped back House of Commons met at lunchtime today for PMQs as MPs were told to stay away unless they were asking a question in a desperate bid to stop the spread of coronavirus in Westminster. Parliament attempted to set an example to the nation as MPs were told to comply with the government’s social … Read more
Boris Johnson heaped praise on Priti Patel at PMQs today despite fresh claims she bullied civil servants. Ms Patel was seated next to Mr Johnson for PMQs as he voiced ‘confidence’ in her and said she is doing an ‘outstanding job’. Challenged by Jeremy Corbyn on the issues, Mr Johnson said it was right that … Read more