20 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: What will become of the builder who sends his labourer for two tins of tartan paint?

Angela Rayner 's monitors of workplace chit-chat have already been dubbed 'banter police' or 'banter tsars', but a different Russian word would be more accurate.

Politics

42 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Step forward Comrades Corbyn and Sultana! It demands a special sort of dimness and self regard to make such a bungle of the launch of a new political party

QUENTIN LETTS: Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana revealed she had teamed up with Islington north MP Jeremy Corbyn to launch a new political party.

Politics

3 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Rachel Reeves resembled a sad, startled owlet. Heaven knows how this can be sustained...

All hail the embalmer's art. Labour spinners, in emergency reconstruction mode, paraded a remodelled Rachel Reeves at a London health-centre event.

Politics

4 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Rachel Reeves looked rinsed by dejection. But Sir Keir did not acknowledge her sadness

Rachel Reeves was a picture of melancholy from the moment she entered the chamber for PMQs. She was almost the last cabinet minister to arrive - it looked briefly as if there would be no room for her.

Politics

4 d. ago From landslide to mudslide, the PM's been buried under the sludge of Labour dissent: QUENTIN LETTS on the welfare reform vote

Welfare minister Liz Kendall summoned all the resolution in her slender veins. 'This Government,' she squeaked, 'must not and will not duck the big challenges!' Three and a bit hours later: capitulation.

Politics

5 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Lisa flew into a prolonged riff tearing into Glastonbury and the BBC... Nandy was jammin'!

Well that should have Glastonbury's founder Michael Eavis chewing his silly beard. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy came to the Commons to debate the BBC's hate-rapper incident.

Politics

9 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Welcome back, PM. You didn't miss much, just a mutiny of MPs and a plot by Ange to depose you!

Good Heavens, it was Sir Keir Starmer ! The Prime Minister swaggered into the Commons at 11.30am. First time for over a fortnight. He was lucky a clerk didn't ask to check his security pass.

Politics

1 week ago QUENTIN LETTS: MPs hurled questions at the glacial Mr Lammy like Sioux braves attacking cowboys

After an hour of David Lammy, MPs were still uncertain. Did the Starmer Government support America's bombing of Iran? Was it legal?

Events

2 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Something ominous was in the air, and possibly soon in your veins...

The assisted dying vote was reported at half past two. 'Unlock!' said Speaker Hoyle, and his voice went all strangulated. Had someone slipped Mr Speaker a lethal dose?

Politics

2 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Lucy the Leader rabbits away snippily. Can No 10 not find someone better?

Where was Sir Keir Starmer? It used to be customary for PMs, on their return from summits, to hasten to the Commons to make a statement.

Politics

2 w. ago Mrs Rayner's tone was markedly less fiery. A tigress tamed. A curry taken down from vindaloo to korma: QUENTIN LETTS on Prime Minister's Questions

With Sir Keir Starmer still not back from foreign jaunts - for so unexciting a man to have such wanderlust is psychologically intriguing - it fell to Angela Rayner to do the honours at PMQs.

Politics

2 w. ago WESTMINSTER SKETCH by QUENTIN LETTS: With his heavies, the ambassador proved adept at finger

Seyed Ali Mousavi, Iranian ambassador to the Court of St James's, swept into the foreign affairs committee. MPs wanted to hear his country's side of its war with Israel.

Politics

2 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Blimey, Kemi went for it. And a black woman saying anti

With Sir Keir Starmer on one of his foreign jaunts - it feels a bad time to be abroad - Kemi Badenoch seized the moment.

Politics

3 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Let Dad know you love him (even if he does blow his nose loudly, obsesses about stacking the dishwasher in a certain way, and wears awful holiday shorts)

This Father's Day, if you have given or received a card, what does it depict? A foaming tankard? A sports car, wheel barrow, tie, rugby ball? Pictured: A young Quentin Letts with his father Richard

Politics

3 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Mrs Badenoch was perkier than usual. Does she finally glimpse hope?

Mrs Badenoch can be a dull performer. This time she was perkier. Maybe it was because she could say wonkish things and know that the audience would follow.

Politics

3 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: One Labour MP sat with pen poised to write down all the Chancellor's thrilling announcements. It was soon lowered

Save perhaps in those first days after the general election, Rachel Reeves's Chancellorship has yet to have its time of pomp. QUENTIN LETTS asks: Will it ever?

Politics

3 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Criticising Red China is a moreish activity. You try some and before long hanker for another plateful

China's vice-premier He Lifeng, a big yam, is in London and spent his morning with Rachel Reeves.

Politics