Matthew Parris Matthew Parris

When party leaders depart from the script, all hell breaks loose

Don't expect to be thanked, Dave. Photo: Getty Images

It is within the experience of even the humblest of MPs that those who oppose what you do will berate you with a great deal more passion than you will ever attract from those who support your plans. Any help you can give may be treated by its beneficiaries as no more than your duty; but the people on the other side will treat your unhelpfulness as a massive personal injury.

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