By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter We live in the age of the Twitter MP. A smart Whip told ConservativeHome that the Parliamentary Party "is now unwhippable". Zac Goldsmith is the ultimate unwhippable Twitter MP – a symbol of how the Parliamentary Party is changing. I am not complaining. Mr Goldsmith is the MP for […]
By Paul GoodmanFollow Paul on Twitter
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter. 5.45pm Update: Expanding upon his earlier remarks, Jesse Norman appeared on The World At One, and described the reform proposals as "a constitutional monstrosity", saying the Bill "should never have reached the House of Commons": "Unfortunately the Conservative manifesto didn’t contain anything like the commitment that everyone’s pretending it […]
A variety of reactions are pasted in this blog. The names of those calling for some change of message, priority or operational changes are emboldened. We have also included the contributions of MPs who have not advocated substantial changes. 5.45pm A little round-up of what Tory MPs have said during the day: David Ruffley MP […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter Sky News' annual St Valentine’s Day poll, compiled by Sky News’ political team sees the Conservative MP for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith, retaining his position as the most fanciable male MP. Labour's Luciana Berger also retained her position as the most fanciable female MP, although Tory women are rated as the most attractive […]
By Joseph Willits Follow Joseph on Twitter Both Douglas Carswell and Zac Goldsmith condemned Government proposals yesterday for the recall of MPs for wrongdoing when they appeared before the Commons's political and constitutional reform committee. The plans would mean that if over 10% of constituents signed a petition calling for a by-election, an MP could be recalled […]
By Joseph Willits Follow Joseph on Twitter Zac Goldsmith would rather be known by the term "effective backbencher", than "rebellious backbencher". In a BBC Hardtalk interview today with Zeinab Badawi, rebellion and party dissent over Europe and the environment, proved to be the main focus. Although critical of the Government over its handling of an EU referendum, […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter As reported last week, this Parliament has seen more rebellions than during the Major years, and in fact, the 2010 intake has been the most rebellious since at least 1945. The last Parliamentary year has seen Conservative rebellions on issues such as European bailouts, recognising marriage in the tax system, or […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter. Last night at least 32 Tory MPs (listed below) voted with Labour against an 88% hike in Britain's contribution to the IMF. The hike is to partly fund the IMF's ability to fund bailouts. I write "at least" because I've only quickly scanned the voting list. Please email tim@conservativehome.com […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter Redoubtable Labour Member Chris Bryant managed to secure an emergency debate in the Commons yesterday, following Prime Minister's Questions and a statement by the Prime Minister on the situation in Afghanistan, to discuss the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. Although the debate was abused by some Members (Labour's […]
By Jonathan IsabyFollow Jonathan on Twitter Paul has already covered the row yesterday afternoon between Tory MP and 1922 Committee Secretary, Mark Pritchard, and the Government Whips' Office and their attempt to persuade him to withdraw his motion proposing an outright ban on wild animals from circuses. So what was the substance of the debate? […]