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So this is what history looks like. For the first time in its 700 year old history, the House of Commons first virtual sitting has begun.
. @Simonhartmp is the first virtual minister to take department questions.
Wales Question Time has begun with Hart in his departmental office (or very formal home)
Wales Question Time has begun with Hart in his departmental office (or very formal home)
First remote questions from @marcolonghi4dn and @Christian4BuryS came from tasteful plain white backgrounds.
@GeraldJonesLAB gives us an insight into his living room. Strong chandelier.
@GeraldJonesLAB gives us an insight into his living room. Strong chandelier.
BREAKING: @KevinBrennanMP becomes the first MP in Commons history to loose his virtual question due to a poor internet connection.
I blame the backdrop and clear use of a caricature to bolster his standing
I blame the backdrop and clear use of a caricature to bolster his standing
Former Welsh secretary @AlunCairns has gone for the professional church cafe look. Well framed and lit shot.
Labour MP @CPJElmore asks a question from the sparsely populated chamber. MPs have listened to the Speaker and stayed at home.
. @ChrisM4Chester is addressing the Commons live from his sofa. Very Lib Dem/Brexit party cushion selection
. @NiaGriffithMP appears to have put in a grey blind in front of the bookshelves in her study. Might have been easier just to move the books.
Plaid Cymru leader @LSRPlaid has picked some cheerful flowers to brighten her bookshelves. Some objet also tactfully positioned.
She is admonished by the Speaker for an overly long question.
She is admonished by the Speaker for an overly long question.
. @SDoughtyMP has a strategically placed Union Jack on top of his piano. Just in case you weren’t sure he was a unionist.
Former Welsh secretary @SCrabbPembs has cleared out several of his bookshelves. Spring clean during lockdown?
It’s PMQs time!
Debut for @DominicRaab and @Keir_Starmer who both discover it is lonely at the top. Social distancing guidelines means they’re both standing on their own.
Debut for @DominicRaab and @Keir_Starmer who both discover it is lonely at the top. Social distancing guidelines means they’re both standing on their own.
Starmer makes a strong debut with specific queries on testing and the question everyone wants answered:
“Why isn’t the government using the tests available every day?"
“Why isn’t the government using the tests available every day?"
I’ve been reminded what it is like to have a proper opposition party, with a leader who is capable of asking detailed follow up questions instead of reading a script to produce cheap soundbites for social media.
It’s been a long time.
It’s been a long time.
Starmer on sourcing more PPE from British manufacturers:
"Something is going wrong and there is a pattern emerging here. We were slow into lockdown, slow on testing, slow on protective equipment, and now slow to take up these offers on British firms."
"Something is going wrong and there is a pattern emerging here. We were slow into lockdown, slow on testing, slow on protective equipment, and now slow to take up these offers on British firms."
SNP Westminster leader @Ianblackford_MP gives us the first PMQs question from home. It’s still far too long as usual.
I think he might be a football fan,
I think he might be a football fan,
We are through the looking glass: Mr @PeterBoneUK is on Zoom.
Sadly he was muted before fully explaining his question. Can only assume Mrs Bone is to blame.
Sadly he was muted before fully explaining his question. Can only assume Mrs Bone is to blame.
. @sallyann1066 speaking from her living room in “beautiful” Hastings and Rye to ask about tourism.
Her traditional curtains and give @michaelgove and @WestminsterWAG a run for their money.
Her traditional curtains and give @michaelgove and @WestminsterWAG a run for their money.
The People’s Gardiner is back! @BarryGardiner appears to be speaking from a trendy hotel room with matching wall and bed covers.
. @NickFletcherMP has helpfully dressed to match his wallpaper
Labour’s @SKinnock is the first MP to stand up to ask a question via Zoom. I am sure Dominic Raab appreciated it.
. @RuthCadbury is showing off her art collection to the Commons. Wonder if she will shuffle the paintings each week.
. @Nicola4WBE has bought some cheerful spring tulips to brighten her PMQs question about Britons stuck abroad.
Trying to think what @EdwardJDavey’s pair of geometric paintings tell us about the state of the Lib Dems.
Nope nothing coming to mind.
Nope nothing coming to mind.
. @JonesyFay has one of those pink statues of the Queen that waves with solar power.
Not waving today - a shame a day after Her Majesty's 94th birthday.
Not waving today - a shame a day after Her Majesty's 94th birthday.
. @angelaeagle speaking from the Senior Common Room library
