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
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
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
Should you ever find yourself at Waterloo Station with an urgent train to catch, chances are the person in front of you at the ticket kiosk will be in no rush at all. He will um and ah and examine the touch screen quizzically, his expression caught somewhere between wonder and confusion, as though trying … Read more
There’s a fun bit of pop trivia I once read which claims that, at any given point in time, somewhere in the world, at least one radio station is playing the Eagles’ Hotel California. Those with a close ear to news programming during this lockdown might think the same is true of Matt Hancock. The … 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