Dennis Skinner wins Westminster turf war against the SNP
Of all the MPs to pick a fight with, Dennis Skinner is not high on Mr S’s list. Still, that hasn’t stopped the new SNP intake from spending their first week in Parliament battling the 83-year-old...
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Will Dennis Skinner take a pop at the SNP?
He may be a national treasure, but it’s safe to say that Dennis Skinner’s annual crack during the Queen’s Speech have been a bit lame of late. The veteran MP always makes a joke in the silence as Black...
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Alex Salmond insists on Nats dining separately from hacks
The Kennington Tandoori is a favourite late-night eatery for MPs of all persuasions. Last night was no exception, with Tom Watson spotted planning his bid for deputy leader of Labour over curry and...
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The war of Skinner’s seat: SNP allow Dennis to stay
The first PMQs of the new Parliament will kick off shortly and Commons watchers will be looking to see if Dennis Skinner remains in his usual spot. The socialist firebrand, along with fellow members of...
View ArticleHas Mhairi Black been trespassing in George Osborne’s office?
Since the 56 SNP MPs entered Parliament, they have taken to ‘rebelling’ against the establishment in a number of ways. So far they have focussed their time on trying to nab Dennis Skinner’s seat, going...
View ArticleDennis Skinner: ‘Gordon Brown and I were the Northern Powerhouse’
After Dennis Skinner successfully won the SNP turf war over his favoured seat in the Commons, the Labour backbencher has been relatively quiet of late. So Mr S was pleased to see him back on fighting...
View ArticlePMQs: David Cameron gives the impression he isn’t sold on a third runway at...
Harriet Harman began at PMQs by asking about the situation in Tunisia. The mood of the House was appropriately sombre as this issue was discussed and there was much agreement between her and Cameron....
View ArticleJeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet: runners and riders
Who could Jeremy Corbyn invite into his shadow cabinet if elected Labour leader? Some frontbenchers are suggesting today that he could find two thirds of his shadow ministerial positions unfilled as...
View ArticleWatch: Dennis Skinner takes a pop at Nick Clegg –‘what on earth was the Queen...
Today’s Mail claims that Michael Gove is ‘clinging to office’ as a result of accusations that he was the source of the Sun‘s ‘Queen backs Brexit‘ story. So, in a bid to keep the pressure on the...
View ArticleWatch: Dennis Skinner takes Cameron to task over Osborne’s ‘nine lives’
With George Osborne’s disastrous Budget the main topic of conversation today in the Chamber, Jeremy Corbyn surprised his colleagues by opting not to mention the Tories’ current inner-party turmoil —...
View ArticleWatch: Dennis Skinner ejected from Commons over ‘dodgy Dave’ insult
This afternoon David Cameron has had to face the music in the Commons over his shares in his father’s offshore fund. While he received a lukewarm response from his own party, the most hostile response...
View ArticleHas David Cameron’s tax debacle united the Tories?
Yet again, David Cameron has reason to be grateful for the quality of the opposition facing him. First of all, Jeremy Corbyn took until Cameron’s statement to release his own tax return, meaning that...
View ArticleToday in audio: PM branded ‘dodgy Dave’ as tax row rumbles on
David Cameron has been defending himself in the Commons following the publication of his tax return. He said he found some of the comments about his father ‘deeply hurtful’. He also held his hands up...
View ArticleToday in audio: Jeremy Hunt stands firm ahead of junior doctors strike
Jeremy Hunt has been facing questions in the Commons ahead of tomorrow’s junior doctors strike. The Health Secretary said the industrial action was ‘wholly unjustified’ and said ‘we are proud of the...
View ArticleWatch: Dennis Skinner tells Jeremy Hunt to ‘wipe that smirk off his face’
Given that the last time Dennis Skinner criticised a Tory Cabinet member in the Chamber he was ejected from the Commons, the Beast of Bolsover was on remarkably mild form today. Following Jeremy Hunt’s...
View ArticleWatch: Dennis Skinner makes his annual contribution to the Queen’s Speech...
Last year the Beast of Bolsover failed to make his annual contribution to the Queen’s Speech after he found himself preoccupied battling the SNP for his favourite seat. With that fight now won, Dennis...
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Beast of Bolsover backs Brexit
At this late stage in the EU referendum campaign, the majority of MPs have declared their voting intentions — with some even finding time to do so twice. However, one crucial voice has been missing in...
View ArticleWatch: John Bercow lets the Beast of Bolsover’s ‘dodgy Dave’ comment slide
In April, Dennis Skinner was ejected by the Speaker from the Commons after he called the Prime Minister ‘dodgy Dave’. However, today John Bercow appeared to feel no need to discipline the Beast of...
View Article2017 General Election: the ten ‘Portillo moments’ to watch out for
PERTH, SCOTLAND - MAY 30: Angus Robertson deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party introduces SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon launches the party's general election manifesto at the Perth Concert Hall on...
View ArticleThe Beast of Bolsover takes centre stage at conference
Sadiq Khan had to fight for his speaking slot at this year’s Labour’s conference. But while it was apparently difficult…
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