Despite what appears to be a crumbling rebellion, May has announced that for the first time in her parliamentary career, she will vote against a three-line whip tonight. MPs were informed by the whips that today “will be a 3 line whip from 12:30 and until all govt business has been secured.” Theresa argued:

“We’re told there will be dire consequences for tax and public spending…we’ve borrowed £400 billion! Where are the dire warnings about that? It seems that £4 billion is really bad news. £400 billion? Who cares…”

Rightly pointing out she knows better than anyone the impact of being a PM beset by rebels…

As the number of rebels ahead of Monday’s vote on cutting foreign aid rises, a senior Tory source has slammed the group of wets as “old timers” who are “more interested in patronising and preaching than representing.” 

Around 30 Tory MPs have now signed up to vote for an amendment by Andrew Mitchell, tabled for next Monday’s debate, with only 10 or so more required to overturn the Tory majority. Backers include a number of old hand Rt. Hons., including Theresa May, Sir Peter Bottomley, Damian Green, Sir Edward Leigh, Tobias Ellwood, Jeremy Hunt, Sir Roger Gale and Sir Desmond Swayne. As Guido’s rottweiler Tory source points out, the sort of MPs with massive majorities and who represent “largely well off constituencies”…

Tobias Ellwood won’t have won over any waverers with his ultra-patronising performance on the Today Programme this morning. When pointed out by Mishal Husain that the majority of the public support the government’s move, he said he hoped the amendment’s vote “will actually help educate the nation”.

Guido’s top Tory source blasted the rebels:

“We are still spending £10 billion this year on aid, but it’s just never enough for these people who seem totally out of touch with public opinion. Cutting the overseas aid budget is overwhelmingly popular, especially in those newly won red wall seats.”

Monday looks like it’s heading for an increasingly rare parliamentary fireworks display…

With the Downing Street flat decor debacle raging on, Guido’s been looking back through the interior design choices of Boris’s predecessors. What’s surprising is that much need spending at all, given the Camerons oversaw extensive renovations, including the installation of a new £25,000 second kitchen in their first year living there. By 2011 alone, Dave had spent his full £30,000 allowance and an additional £34,000 in out-of-pocket costs doing the place up. By Theresa May’s era, the decor was hardly unlivable. Albeit looking like a slightly up-market hotel room…

Ironically, given the current ‘bodies piled high’ row, the David Cameron-era flat can be seen in the Sun video bedecked with a giant wall display above their dining room table, reading “Kill” or “Vaccinate” in regards to the old foot and mouth debate. Guido presumes the poster is no longer on display…

ITV introducing an interview with Theresa May commenting on Prince Philip:

“She also has a husband called Philip”

The backgrounds of political interviews are coming into increasingly sharper focus after it was spotted yesterday Matt Hancock had surreptitiously taken down a photo of the Cock Inn from behind him, which is currently embroiled in a crony Covid contract row. Giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee this morning, permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft appeared to be celebrating former Home Secretary Theresa May – surprisingly with her Prime Ministerial portrait rather than a framed photo of her Home Office days. Oddly, Rycroft never served under Theresa May either at the Home Office or No. 10. Did Philip Rutnam forget to clear his desk?

Aside from praising the Government’s vaccine strategy, Labour’s Party Political Broadcast last night took another decidedly Tory turn. Sir Keir’s new catchphrase about growing up and growing old inspired nostalgia in Guido for another well known and equally bland politician. Who said it best?

Keir Starmer:

“And together, we can build that better future. Together we can make Britain the best place to grow up in. And the best place to grow old in.”

Theresa May:

“It’s about making sure Britain is the best possible country for our children to grow up in and for our elderly to grow old in …”

Come to think of it, Sir Keir does have a bit of a robotic nature about him…