After the recent expenses hoopla, MPs just want to let their hair down and have a bit of fun – and if that involves acting like you’re part of the Muppet Show audience during Prime Minister’s Questions, then so be it.
So imagine our surprise when Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw was rebuked in the Commons for acting the giddy goat while Tory leader David Cameron was at the despatch box.
Speaker John Bercow singled out the Culture Secretary for a telling off, pointing out, not unreasonably, that disruption led to less time for MPs to quiz the PM during the weekly 30-minute session.
Cameron added to Bradshaw’s humiliation by piping up: “That’s another one who should be defending his marginal constituency.”
Afterwards Ben hit back at the Conservative leader saying: “It’s extraordinary for Cameron to suggest I have been neglecting my parliamentary duties.” Bradshaw offered no further evidence to dispute the accusation.
He did, however, play down his telling off. “It was a friendly, humorous rebuke. I am not sure what for, except I was enjoying myself,” he smirked (possibly).
It didn’t look that ‘friendly’ or ‘humorous’ to us – in fact, it looked pretty embarrassing. Judge for yourself on the BBC website. It all kicks off at the 11 mins 41 secs mark. Fight! Fight! Fight!
Meanwhile, Green councillor and amateur statistician Paula Black is rubbing her hands and jealously eying Bradshaw’s Exeter seat. Better watch your back, laughing boy.
• Should MPs act like school children to make a point? Comments below, please!
Come and enjoy Devon – book a hotel and get away!
