Labour MP Plays The Mace Card

Labour MP John McDonnell has committed the Parliamentary sin of picking up the Commons Mace and walking off with it.

Daley says it looked like a premeditated stunt, designed to draw attention to the fact that he's not exactly chuffed at the government's go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow. Nothing like drumming up a bit of publicity, I suppose. When Michael Heseltine did the same thing in a fit of temper a good few years ago he got absolutely slated and it was recalled for years afterwards. Is the same thing going to happen to McDonnell ? I'm not convinced.

Interestingly, there appears to be some censorship going on here. The Youtube video has already been withdrawn, and the BBC coverage cuts to the Speaker as soon as possible after McDonnell picks up the Mace. Someone absuses a symbol of royal authority. Gosh. We can't show too much of that then, can we ?

Hague The Hilarious

It's a commonly held belief that there aren't any great orators in politics anymore. But William Hague is simply fabulous in the House of Commons. He always used to take Tony Blair apart at Prime Minister's Questions. His use of humour is a joy, and this recent festivity of fun at Gordon Brown's expense while simultaneously making a serious point about the role of EU President is just wonderful.


Hat-tip: Political Betting

He's one od the few politicans I'd like to meet. I bet he'd make a superb dinner party guest.

Nice "Work" If You Can Get It

I see that our esteemed legislators are going to get an extra four days holiday next year.

MPs will take 91 days off in 2008. That's 18 working weeks. That's even more than teachers.

Nice to see that they do so much to earn their £60,000 salary.

Mind you, there is an upside.

If they're not sitting in the Commons, they're not passing legislation that buggers up our country.