When Lord Kerr whistled, voters turned the Nelsonian equivalent of a deaf ear. When they whistled, he was dragged helplessly along by the command of a democratic vote.
He is one of the few elements of continuity in what has been a turbulent year at the Government’s top table.
One has to pinch oneself to remember that as recently as last July May was Prime Minister, Hammond Chancellor of the Exchequer and Gauke Lord Chancellor.
It’s not just about there being more Tory MPs. There has been a remarkable clearout of the establishment figures.
Plus: Leaders who will have to go and reflections on my eleventh general election. How things have changed.
Rather than abandon the Apprenticeship Levy, the Conservatives should radically reform it.
“I cannot embark on a course of action that would represent a direct challenge in a general election to the party I have supported all my adult life.”
Former Chancellor Philip Hammond dismisses Johnson’s deal as ‘a limited achievement, maybe, but a limited achievement”.
This is Ireland’s deal as much as the UK’s. So the Taoiseach has an interest in assisting the Prime Minister over extension.
The Prime Minister falls 14 votes short – and says that the Bill will be paused while he speaks to EU leaders.
It’s a surprisingly large Government majority: 24 independents and 19 Labour MPs voted with the Government.
On a vote on the deal, our calculation is that the Government will lose by two – though that bypasses abstentions. But such a vote is very unlikely today,
At stake here is whether Britain ultimately repatriates meaningful economy policy, or remains only ever one small step away from EU re-entry.
If it happens, he must not just win but keep the backing of the DUP, Spartans, Labour rebels and as many of the whipless 21 as he can – and stave off a referendum too.
An obscure, unused agreement struck by Cameron and the 1922 Committee back in 2006 is set to come into play.