Among the many advantages of not being prime minister – an end to speed-grieving for dead citizens, lie-in on Wednesdays, no more phone calls – is not having to discuss Inflammatory Bowel Disease with backbenchers. Tom Gordon offered his personal experience of the affliction (he didn’t get the ripple of applause that MPs get confessing their failed suicide bids, mental incapacity, crippling depression). Maybe he should have gone into the history of his symptoms in more detail, maybe he will next time. It’s what this Parliament deserves – a good, long colonic celebration.
It is said that Keir is determined to fight a challenge, as and when it should arise. He hinted at it today: “I’m going to keep fighting for the people who elected a Labour government.” Will he really stand against Burnham? He doesn’t need the support of his MPs (who hate him) or the unions (who despise him) – it’s down to the membership (but they vastly prefer the likeable version of vacant Starmer to vacuous Starmer). The PM certainly behaves in the chamber as if he’s a contender, notwithstanding the emptying benches, his MPs chatting among themselves and playing pontoon.
