Lloyd Evans Lloyd Evans

Unbowed Boris has put his Tory rivals in their places

(UK Parliament)

Boris was resurgent at PMQs today. He sprinkled scorn, merriment and mischief in all directions. He even boasted that last night’s Plan B crackdown was a Tory triumph that had not been won with Labour votes. Sir Keir Starmer (who also had a good day) clasped at his hair in incredulity. ‘He’s so far socially distanced from the truth that he actually believes that,’ scoffed the Labour leader.

Boris is surrounded by cabinet plotters who are not without their qualities. Liz Truss has nice hair. Rishi Sunak looks like the perfect son-in-law. Priti Patel’s mean streak may win her a few votes. But that doesn’t add up to a leader tough enough to come out swinging after a sustained blitz orchestrated by the media and abetted by droves of disillusioned backbenchers. Today, an unbowed Boris reminded the party that his challengers are untested novices. He’s been a street-fighter for decades. He knows about winning elections. He knows about getting re-elected too.

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He accused Sir Keir of playing politics with the pandemic, and he boasted that Tory policies have created the fastest growth in the G7. Some may have lost faith in the PM but he still believes in himself. When Ian Blackford was called the entire Commons gave up a groan of anguish. It was like the howl of a packed Wetherspoons when the TV link fails during a Premier League nail-biter.

The SNP man had his begging bowl out, as usual. He likes to characterise Scotland as Oliver Twist although he personally seems better fed than Mr Bumble, the beadle. The ravening trencherman advanced his favourite complaint, ‘No new money for Scotland!’ he seethed.

Boris struck back with two blows.

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