Most of the action has been over Covid-related divisions. And most of the dissenters are from older intakes.
Nineteen Conservative backbenchers spoke against the policy. It’s doubtful whether a top-down targets system will pass the Commons.
Ellwood to chair the Defence Committee. Tugendhat to chair Foreign Affairs. Hunt to chair Health and Social Care.
He is one of the few elements of continuity in what has been a turbulent year at the Government’s top table.
One could sense Labour MPs, and some Tory ones too, grasping that “everything is changing”.
Margot James resigned as a minister following her rebellion. Meanwhile, the Chancellor joined Gauke and Clark in failing to support the Government.
Also: Bebb to stand down as MP over Tory policy on Brexit; Bradley criticised for rushing ill-drafted Northern Irish legislation.
Also: don’t cut members out of the contest. And the right exam question for candidates is: who can best win a general election?
Also: Davidson urges Tories to work harder for Euros; Bradley branded ‘unfit to govern’ by abuse victims; SNP turmoil deepens; and more!
Also: Ministry of Defence and Northern Irish Office clash over protecting ex-servicemen and police; and another bad week for Scottish Labour.
Also: Will Lyra McKee’s murder in Londonderry be enough to re-start the political process in Northern Ireland? It doesn’t seem likely.
If she insists on a functioning Assembly before a no-deal Brexit, why on earth would Sinn Fein oblige her?
If the Government continues to maintain an ironclad grip on Commons business, it will lead to less than perfect results.