After the farrago of the past fortnight, it’s damage control time in No. 10. Within the parliamentary party there’s a palpable sense of divide between the ‘oiks’ and ‘toffs,’ ‘officers’ and ‘infantry,’ old guard versus new. Some younger, newer members feel neglected and ignored, having repeatedly followed orders to go over the top, only for the whips to order a U-turn after humiliation. In such circumstances, Downing Street has decided to launch a rearguard operation to lovebomb the newbies and do some long-overdue outreach.
Such an operation is many pronged, with one such tactic being the Prime Minister signing as many bottles of port and champagne he can lay his hands on. Such beverages are intended for MPs to give away at local Christmas raffles, with one backbencher joking to Mr S he could start a winery with the amount of autographed merch he’s got.
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