The schoolboy antics that convince no one

LIKE schoolchildren left alone by teacher, Labour MPs and their nationalist allies seize the chance to indulge in a bout of end- of-term anarchy in the House of Commons. Scuffling with staff, chanting slogans and bellowing the ‘Red Flag’.

Except that the teacher – retiring Speaker John Bercow – is there, egging them on.

And the reason for this pretend riot? Because Parliament has been prorogued for a few days longer than usual.

This is opportunistic grandstanding, pure and simple. A calculated assault on the dignity of our once-revered legislature.

Now, at last, as blissful quiet descends on Westminster, what exactly are we losing by our representatives’ absence? Were they about to come up with a cunning solution to Brexit, the issue bedevilling our national life? No.

Were they about to vote for a general election to lay this matter to rest once and for all? No.

Remainer MPs simply want to continue tearing chunks out of the Government – while offering no solutions. Destruction is their desire – of Boris Johnson’s premiership and any strategy on Brexit short of abject surrender to the European Union. These same MPs then try to compel Government officials to disclose personal communications regarding prorogation. If allowed, this cynical fishing expedition will cripple the ability of ministers to speak frankly with advisers in private. The Prime Minister and henchman Dominic Cummings do not help with their heavy-handed approach. By refusing to publish the Yellowhammer assessment of the effects of No Deal they fuel suspicion that there is something to hide.

And Mr Cummings is hardly in a position to bleat about his private mobile being examined when he demanded similar access to that of a Treasury adviser – who he then brutally sacked.

These reservations aside, Mr Johnson appears to be sincere in wanting a deal with the EU at this late hour. He may even move on the Northern Ireland border.

Yet, Remainers hobble him by insisting on yet another extension if a deal is not reached immediately after Parliament resumes. As we know, Brussels will blink only at 11.59pm on October 31. This is akin to shooting the Prime Minister in the foot and then condemning him for limping.

With his majority gone, Mr Johnson is ready to take Brexit to the people in a general election. Yet, Labour prefers to leave him – and the country – swinging in the wind until the time is right to strike.

The classroom antics in the Commons this week cannot disguise the cold, hard cynicism motivating those who still cleave to that old red flag.