MINSTERS fear a breakdown in behindthe-scenes
communications with the opposition, known as “the usual channels”, following the retirement this week of Sir Roy Stone, the top civil servant in the Government Chief Whip’s Office for more than 20 years. “He knows this place inside out and ran the usual channels with complete discretion,” said one government insider, adding: “No one quite knows how things are going to work now he’s gone.”
JACOB Rees-Mogg had a modest reply when Labour frontbencher Thangam Debbonaire hit out at “his hopeless Government”. The Commons Leader told her that she “very kindly promoted me. Of course, the Government are not mine but Her Majesty’s, and that is not a role to which I aspire.”
TORY MP Kevin Hollinrake brushed off a jibe from Labour foe Neil Coyle by telling the Commons: “He is a far more friendly chap outside the Chamber, particularly in Strangers Bar, than he is in here.” Mr Coyle hit back by saying it was unfair to reveal “I am nicer outside the Chamber”.
PETER Bone came up with an intriguing suggestion after not a single Labour, Lib Dem or SNP MP turned up for Wednesday’s Commons debate on extending Covid rules by four weeks. “Would it be appropriate, because the Conservative benches are packed, for half of us to move over to the other side of the House to improve social distancing?” the Tory MP asked. His request was turned down by Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans.
MEMBERS reported an incorrect vote result following the Commons division about extending Covid restrictions on Tuesday. It took two days for officials to correct the record to show that 489 backed the move rather than 461 mistakenly reported on the night. It sounds like another reason for MPs to fully return to Westminster and vote in person rather than running democracy by unreliable remote control.
DOMINIC Grieve, ousted from the Tories by the PM for trying to block Brexit, had a withering verdict on his former party’s defeat in the Chesham and Amersham by-election. “It’s because this is a sophisticated electorate and they have a very low opinion of the Prime Minister,” the ex-attorney general said. Presumably he sees Beaconsfield voters, who failed to re-elect him at the last general election, as a load of oiks.