COVID ACT WAVED THROUGH

'Democracy dies in darkness' is a very apt description of how the Coronavirus Act was renewed for a further five months.  It was not renewed for six months, as it had been in September 2020 and March 2021, because the Act is due to expire in March 2022.

Tuesday's debate began with a speech from the Health Secretary on why the Act should be renewed.  This was followed by just 90 minutes of debate, after which the deputy speaker (Rosie Winterton) waved through the motion without a Parliamentary vote.

Click below to see the extraordinary moment this despotic piece of legislation was waved through.

The media largely ignored this disgraceful escapade.  This was the BBC News politics pages last night - not one mention of the Coronavirus Act.

Around half of the provisions contained in the original Act were rescinded earlier this year.  Labour had indicated prior to the debate that they would not oppose the renewal of the remaining powers, effectively negating a Tory rebellion.  A proper vote would have undoubtedly extended the Act, but in dodging it MPs have avoided individual responsibility for whatever nightmare is about to unfold this winter.  Calls for lockdown restrictions to return are already growing in the mainstream media.

During Tuesday's debate the Tory backbencher and lockdown sceptic Steve Baker deplored his party's damaged reputation: "With great respect to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State - he's a great man who believes in liberty, but it's going to be very difficult for all people who stayed in the Cabinet and took these decisions to say that they stand for freedom in the years ahead".  It was a damning point.  Baker went on to call for the overhaul of the 1984 Public Health Act, under which many of the Covid restrictions were implemented: "We're going to need to show the public that we stand for freedom... and actually in the long run their rights are sacrosant and we're never ever going to do to them again what we've done in the last couple of years". 

Baker is spot on.  The Conservative Party will take many years to recover from what they have overseen in government, if the damage is not permanently irreversible.  The behaviour of this government has been anything but conservative.

Although the Coronavirus Act is due to expire in March 2022, a UK government response to a recent petition on their webside read ominously: "In the spring, the government will review this legislation and the other remaining regulations and measures and decide whether any need to remain in place".

NEXT SPEAKER RUNNERS & RIDERS

There are nine candidates in the running to replace the Poison Dwarf as Speaker, five Labour and four Conservative.  The election will take place on November 4th by secret ballot.  The winner must obtain an absolute majority of more than 50%, with the lowest placed candidates dropping out after each round until there is a winner.  Here's a rundown of all the candidates, including the latest betting odds.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Labour, Chorley since 1997).  Age 62, originally from Lancashire.  One of the three incumbent deputy speakers, a role he has held since 2010.  He abstains on all Brexit votes and does not have a public stance.  Odds:  4/6 (Ladbrokes, William Hill), 8/13 (Betfred)

Harriet Harman (Labour, Camberwell & Peckham since 1982).  Age 69, from London.  Longest serving female MP in the Commons and a vocal Remainer who has voted in favour of revoking Article 50 (despite voting to trigger it in 2017).  Odds:  5/2 (Betfred), 9/4 (William Hill), 11/4 (Ladbrokes)

Chris Bryant (Labour, Rhondda since 2001).  Age 57, from Cardiff.  Nicknamed 'Captain Underpants' after his exploits on a gay website, Bryant has been eyeing up the Speaker's role for a while.  An ardent Remainer, he has consistently voted to block Brexit at every opportunity, despite his constituency's 60% Leave vote.  Odds:  6/1 (William Hill), 10/1 (Ladbrokes), 12/1 (Betfred)

Dame Eleanor Laing (Conservative, Epping Forest since 1997).  Age 61, originally from Renfrewshire.  Another deputy speaker (since 2013), she does not have a public stance on Brexit.  Odds:  10/1 (Ladbrokes), 16/1 (Betfred, William Hill)

Sir Edward Leigh (Conservative, Gainsborough since 1983).  Age 69, originally from London.  Long-standing Eurosceptic and Brexiteer, renowned for voting in line with his own principles rather than party loyalty.  A mere ten days older than Harriet Harman, making him the oldest contender.  Odds:  25/1 (Ladbrokes, Betfred), 33/1 (William Hill)

Sir Henry Bellingham (Conservative, North West Norfolk 1983-1997, 2001-present).  Age 64, originally from Gloucestershire.  Another Brexiteer, he has multiple business interests outside Parliament and is a board member of several companies.  No odds available.

Dame Rosie Winterton (Labour, Doncaster Central since 1997).  Age 61, from Doncaster.  The third and final deputy speaker (since 2017), she campaigned for Remain in 2016.  Served as a minister under Gordon Brown.  No odds available.

Meg Hillier (Labour, Hackney South & Shoreditch since 2005).  Age 50, from London.  The youngest of the candidates and an ardent Remainer who has called for Article 50 to be revoked.  No odds available.

Shailesh Vara (Conservative, North West Cambridgeshire since 2005).  Age 59, born in Uganda and raised in Buckinghamshire.  Backed Remain in 2016, but resigned from the cabinet last year in protest at Theresa May's proposed withdrawal agreement, saying it did not honour the referendum result.  No odds available.