DURING a landmark day at Westminster, it was inevitable some events would be overshadowed by the Brexit vote.
That is not to say that the sideshow was not worth keeping an eye on. Here are a few of they day’s happenings that might have passed you by.
lTHE SNP’s Philippa Whitford raised the plight of Tulip Siddiq in Parliament.
The heavily pregnant Labour MP was wheeled into the Commons by her husband for last night’s vote, delaying a caesarean section in order to take part. Siddiq said she expects to be back for today’s no-confidence vote. Whitford called the scenario “disgraceful” and underlined her belief that Westminster should ditch its pairing voting system in favour of a proxy system for MPs on maternity leave or with a serious illness.
Siddiq tweeted: “Thank you all for supportive messages. My decision to delay my baby’s birth is not one
I take lightly. Let me be clear, I have no faith in the pairing system – in July the Govt stole the vote of a new mother. It’s my duty to represent Hampstead & Kilburn, and I will do just that.”
SCOTTISH Conservative MP Ross Thomson made waves when he produced a unique interpretation of the Brexit vote result. He claimed the unprecedented rejection of Theresa May’s deal in Parliament “strengthened” the Prime Minister’s position in negotiations with the EU. “Tonight the House of Commons has overwhelmingly sent the strongest possible message to the EU that their deal, particularly the Northern Irish backstop, is unacceptable. The hand of the PM has been strengthened. There is now a pathway to a #BetterDeal,” he said.
AND finally, Tory turmoil in Westminster has often led to people south of the Border looking with envious eyes at Scotland. The latest to do so was none other than Boy George, who tweeted: “I’m moving to Scotland!” shortly after the vote.
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