The Lucky Five are soon to become four as the contest limps on. Meanwhile, Victoria Atkins assists herself to an own goal
et another day in the land of shadows. Where politics goes largely unseen. If not totally unheard. Providing you can read the puffs of smoke. This is the new world order. All the big decisions taken away from the public gaze. All we are left with is a puppet show embedded in interpretive dance. Even in Westminster the show must go on.. Here the blind are leading the blind. There are no more public events in which the gameshow contestants can road-test their policies.
Now, just 10 minutes before the start, the committee room was totally empty. By the scheduled start of 4pm, there were barely 10 MPs. A few more turned up in dribs and drabs over the next 20 minutes – clearly disappointed not to have missed the opening credits – but there was no sense of excitement. Most had chosen to have a snooze – opposition is good for that – rather than be bothered to turn up to hear what their next party leader might say.
All this was observed by me and two other journalists. Without us, the Tories wouldn’t even have known they were really there. Call it a public service. At about 4.15pm, sensing there was not going to be a late surge of Tory MPs, the chair of the 1922 Committee summoned the Lucky Five into the room. Still, Rachel Reeves did make the token gesture of addressing Labour MPs late in the day. A stroke of largesse from the Ministering Angel of Death. Not that she was there to change her mind. More to let everyone know she wouldn’t. But also to say that she really wanted to do her bit for pensioners. So every speech she made from now on would be accompanied by a phone number for the Samaritans helpline. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this sketch call 116 123.
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