Finally, Out Came the Knives...

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Doris Pooh the Younger is finally in retreat, albeit in absentia, as himself is in India 'on a trade mission' and out of earshot of all the nasty things people are saying about him in Parliament today. Bet his ears are still burning, though. The Paymaster General was wheeled in at the end of proceedings to trot out the Johnsonian Get Out of Jail Free card of waiting for the conclusion of the Met investigation/publication of report and blah, blah. To no avail in any case, as the decision was made without a vote, there being nary a single No from anyone on either side of the House. The matter is now before Standards.

There were many Tory dissenters - some incredibly eloquent in their condemnation of and subsequent distancing from their inglorious leader. The debate took a religious turn at intervals, which gave the affair a somewhat old-fashioned or even American flavour. Still, what was said was heartfelt and genuine, unlike the serial 'contrition' shown by their erstwhile boss. The debate was left unwhipped by the Tories, their (PM's) wrecking amendment consigned to the bin; which goes a long way to suggest that the Emperor's new clothes have finally vanished in the eyes of his acolytes.

Either that, or they simply now realize the jig's up if they dare to throw any more of their reputations away in his support, preferring the kind of damage limitation the Party engaged in at the fag-end of the Thatcher experiment. We heard some good, genuine and heartfelt political speaking today, untainted by the presence of the PM or the more odious members of his cabal. A good day for Parliament and a good day for the rest of us. Long may it continue in the (final, permanent) absence of The Bear Who Thought He'd Got Away With It.

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