The Prime Minister began today’s PMQs by wishing a ‘happy 78th birthday’ to the NHS. This is the sort of weird, abstract and inanimate thing he is comfortable showing affection for. What next? Happy Birthday to the Nuclear Deterrent, to the Protestant Succession? How will everyone be celebrating? Being left on a trolley for 48 hours? Perhaps by the time the NHS has turned 80, you’ll be able to get an appointment. 

He has essentially painted a Burnham shaped tunnel on the side of a sheer rock face, failing to commit the requisite money to defence

He has essentially painted a Burnham shaped tunnel on the side of a sheer rock face, failing to commit the requisite money to defence

Next came a bit of – unexpected – mutual congratulation, courtesy of Sir Keir and Mrs Badenoch. A Lib Dem MP who looked like he’d escaped from a game of Guess Who asked a rambling question about planning permission for a local hospital. Starmer in his answer revealed that the MP in question, Dr Al Pinkerton, had been quoted as saying ‘if the hospital goes ahead there’ll be no........

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