Earlier in the week Eric Pickles responded to Hilary Benn’s vain attempt to find waste at DCLG by sending him a signed photo and one of John Prescott’s 20,000 vanity pens, for which the former Deputy PM billed the taxpayer £3,450. Today he’s winding up Emily Thornberry by flying the flag of Lancashire:

“Whatever one’s class, colour or creed, flags like the St George’s and the Union flag are unifying symbols for our nation. We should also champion the great diversity of local flags. Let’s fly them all with pride, because this sense of shared identity is one of the things that binds communities together.”

No doubt Emily has never seen anything like it…