Twas the Week in Westminster before Christmas

Read our latest piece in Public Affairs Networking by Head of Public Affairs, Havard Hughes: 

As you are reading this, both Houses of Parliament are now in recess. Just in case you are thinking no creature will be stirring, not even a parliamentary mouse, then think again. Recess is of course the one opportunity the Commons authorities have to engage in what some would categorise elsewhere as major building work. Cavernous holes in the floor are all part of the usual recess experience for the legion of parliamentary staff.

Parliamentarians too will be returning to their constituencies with only one thing in mind. Today, 19th December, marks the commencement of the “long campaign” which runs up until dissolution on the 30th March 2015. It won’t be much easier for those who have already decided that they will move on to pastures new. There is that frantic business of sorting out a series of company directorships/peerages/consultancies to attend to. Blair has set a new bar to what is considered the acceptable standard for the retiring MP. So today’s contingent will have to work all the harder.

This week’s pre-Christmas PMQs was the predictable Punch and Judy show that increasingly characterises this 1960s anachronism. Christmas spirit and seasonal goodwill were distinctly lacking between Government and opposition. You didn’t have to be a “masosadist” to enjoy it, but it probably helped. You can’t help but think that Conservative backbenchers must wish that Santa would deliver them polls reflecting the ignominy heaped on a hapless Miliband.

Click here to read the full article.

Follow the MRM Public and Regulatory Affairs division on LinkedIn and on Twitter.