Last week Britain was a free-market democracy. Now we’re living in a one-party state. The transition became clear at PMQs today where General-Secretary Johnson gave bland and reassuring replies to super-soft questions from tame MPs.
The House was half empty. Members practised a sort of semi-self-isolation. They sat apart from each other by a distance of about four feet, or the width of Cyril Smith.
The mood – one of hunched defiance – doesn’t suit the Commons which prefers a rowdy, combative carnival atmosphere. All political differences seem to have been cancelled. Previous sins are forgiven. Past idiocies forgotten.
Jeremy Corbyn went into a U-turn on small businesses. For years he has threatened to bankrupt sole-traders by banning zero-hours contracts. Today he called for special protection for the self-employed. And he wants sick-pay increased, more help for carers, and cash support for private tenants.
‘He’s making a series of very powerful points,’ nodded Boris meekly.
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