Ever since the 56 SNP MPs arrived in Parliament, their main focus seems to be battling Dennis Skinner for his seat. Happily, the Scottish Nationalists appeared to have a night off from pestering the 83-year-old MP yesterday, with Angus MacNeil teaming up with the Conservatives to take on the Lords in Macmillan Cancer Support’s annual Parliamentary Tug of War:
Angus MacNeil, the SNP MP, helps his team to clinch victory against the Lords
Although the battle was close, the Commons men, captained by Mike Penning MP, came out on top over the Lords, who were led jointly by Lord Dobbs and Lord Collins of Highbury.
With the House of Commons taking victory over the House of Lords for the sixth year running, Dobbs was in no laughing mood today when Mr S caught up with him for a post match analysis. ‘The MPs weighed 30 stone more than us and were on average 20 years younger,’ the House of Cards creator explained. ‘But we didn’t lose so much as came a close second. Again.’
Furthermore, Dobbs suspects there may be some foul play afoot:
‘I suspect the tug of war is the main reason why the Commons has insisted on reform of the House of Lords. Ejecting most of the hereditaries meant that we have been deprived of young, vigorous countryfolk who used to sit on the red benches. It’s another political fix. But we know our role in the unelected Lords is to test the Commons, not to constantly defeat them (Labour and LibDem peers please take note).’
Still, he was at least heartened to see the Conservatives working with the SNP: ‘Nice to see them pulling in the same direction for once.’
Perhaps there is hope for the union after all.
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