We are now on the end of term adjournment debate where MPs can raise any subject they like. (Harry Cohen is talking about Ronnie Biggs, as I write). Unlike the pre-Easter debate which finished early there's no shortage of speakers tonight, and a seven minute limit on speeches. But we've finished voting and the vast majority of MPs have departed Westminster for the summer.
So spare a thought for those of us who are not yet free to leave. And a special thought please for the 'last whip on the bench'. There's a whips rota for 'bench duty' in the Chamber, and it falls upon me to occupy the very last slot today, from 10pm to 11pm. A less trusting soul than I might suspect a stitch up, with someone in the Whips' office working backwards from the last day of term, just to make sure they didn't get the graveyard slot.
Earlier I was approached by the whip who's doing the 9pm to 10pm slot. Foolishly, for a moment I thought she was offering to swap. But no, she was suggesting that 'seeing as you've got to be here anyway' I might want to do her slot as well as mine. So I'm here for the duration...
6 comments:
Fair play - nice favour too. We've just dodged quite a big bullet in our local authority so that's good - few weeks off meself I reckon. Defo on just wandering round aimlessley.
Have a good few weeks & get some quality reading done and eat - plans your day around eating for food is tasty and good and nice. Have a gud un.
It's tough at the top - especially when you have to stand on tiptoes
I thought you said 7 minutes - this nobber's boring himself.
Just saw you bobbing up and down begging to move.
Think I'd be a bit intimidated by that Bercow stare... it's - simply - too - intense.
Given the timing of Dick's comment I think he may have been refering to the Opposition frontbench spokesman, Shailesh Vara, who was allowed longer. And a very ungracious, mean-spirited contribution it was too. I think he needs a holiday.
I was indeed referring to a Mr Shailesh Vara and yes, he defo needs a jolly. Geez, did someone nick his laughter stash? Anywho - job done.
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