Jeremy Corbyn’s PMQs conundrum

With Labour’s list of all-male mayoral candidates announced last week, there has been some speculation that the potential loss of Andy Burnham to Manchester and Steve Rotheram to Liverpool will spell disaster for the Commons football team. While this of course hinges on both MPs being successful in their efforts, Mr S understands that should victory beckon Corbyn will have a far more pressing matter on his hands.

As well as losing the shadow Home Secretary, the Labour leader would have to go without the man who preps him for PMQs. Since Rotherham was appointed as Jeremy Corbyn’s chief aide in September he has taken on a hands-on role assisting with speech writing and — most importantly — helping to prep the Labour leader for Prime Minister’s Questions. It’s understood that Rotherham is largely responsible for the — very — occasional jokes put forward by Corbyn in the chamber. ‘If you thought he was bad at PMQs now, just wait til Steve is off in Liverpool,’ Mr S’s mole remarks.