POOLE’S MP has said there was an “element of pantomime” after yesterday's allegations of ‘manhandling’ in the lobby in Westminster.
MP Sir Robert Syms added he didn’t think it was a great day for the prime minster, and that if another day like yesterday is to happen she will “run out of rope”.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman was sacked yesterday afternoon after accidentally sending an official document from her personal email account, which constitutes a “technical infringement of the rules”, there was allegations of bullying and “manhandling” in the voting lobby and the Tory Chief Whip and Deputy Whip resigned – then un-resigned.
Read more: Poole MP Sir Robert Syms pays tribute to Her Majesty the Queen
Speaking with the Daily Echo this morning, Sir Robert said yesterday was “largely an attempt by the opposition to take over the order paper, which means that they can start to control business, which is what we had under various difficulties in Brexit.
“That's why the government needed effectively a vote of confidence, which we won by 96.
Sir Robert added there was “some confusion” at the end of the vote “because the minister indicated it wasn't a full confidence vote which sent the whips up in the air.
The Poole MP added he was “sad” to see Suella Braverman leave but is “quite happy” with Grant Shapps’ appointment.
Read more: Conor Burns: 'Circus of instability' cannot continue within government
“Taking the general issue I just think there was an element of pantomime about it. Labour MPs talk about people being shoved into lobbies when the reality is if you're going to win a vote by 96, you're not pushing one person into a lobby,” he added. “Things got very excited.
“Do I think it was a great day for the prime minister? No. I was hoping that the Prime Minister would up her game and so far she hasn't.
“I think colleagues are starting to get rather short with the way things are going. If things don't improve very quickly then I suspect that colleagues will put their foot down.
“She still has a bit of space. I was hoping that we would get the statement on October 31. The financial situation of the country is the most important thing. One can sort leadership things out a little later.
“But if we have any more days next week like yesterday, frankly I don't think she will run out of rope.
“It’s not a good look for the government], it looks chaotic. But sometimes when the media report things there is a tendency to overdramatise things. When they follow politics, it tends to be when there's a little bit of a row or something like yesterday goes on rather than the day-to-day.
“I sat on a committee yesterday which was perfectly fine. Most of the business is going, but a little bit of excitement, which is for about 10 minutes, doesn't necessarily represent the government.
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