Letters | 17 April 2019

Moaning minnie MPs

Sir: I was recently quoted in the Sun newspaper in a story about how MPs were reacting to the Brexit drama in the House of Commons. I said: ‘It feels like the Commons is having a collective breakdown — a cross between Lord of the Flies and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. People are behaving in ways that were unimaginable even just a year ago, whether they be Remainers, Leavers or in-betweens. The Brexit madness has affected us all.’

Following Melissa Kite’s article in last week’s Spectator berating MPs for being such wastrels and using my quote as an example of ‘wimpishness’ personified, I learn we are all moaning minnies and should just get on with the job of delivering Brexit (‘Uncool Britannnia’, 13 April).

I feel suitably admonished, and realise that in some ways Ms Kite has a strong point. Rather than quoting Lord of the Flies or One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, when asked in future by journalists about the political temperature in Parliament, I shall only say ‘I am Spartacus’.