‘Sad times to lose the political giants’

I’VE had the privilege over the past couple of days of being able to follow the momentous ‘no deal’ withdrawal debate, which has led to major historical upheavals in the Tory party.

Besides one of the members crossing the House and reducing their majority to zero, we’ve also had several Tory MPS being thrown out of the party – including such illustrious political figures as Ken Clarke, who has served in high offices of state over decades.

Another of those who have lost the Tory whip is none other than Sir Winston Churchill’s grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames MP, who has served his constituency for 37 years and will not be standing as an MP at the next General Election.

The following is an extract from the latter’s short valedictory speech, which carried a poignant derisory reminder to the House (and beyond) what has been happening to the Tory Party since the 2016 referendum and its slow lurch to the extreme right of British politics, notably by the influence of the ERG (European Research Group) with its now wellknown lack of courtesy and respect for tradition and protocol:

“I rise to support this Bill, but before I do so I want to make clear that I’ve always believed that the referendum result must be honoured, and indeed, I’ve voted for the Withdrawal Agreement on every occasion it’s been presented to the House, which is more than can be said for my Rt Honourable friend the Prime Minister, or the Leader of the House (Rees Mogg), and other members of the Cabinet, whose serial disloyalty has been such an inspiration to so many of us.”

Sad times in the Mother of

Parliaments. Mick Penning Name and address supplied