[ad_1]
History has been made when Boris Johnson answered the prime minister’s questions virtually from Downing Street, unable to be physically present in parliament during what was supposed to be his big week of reigning government.
Alone four days in self-isolation due to being in close contact with a Conservative MP who contracted coronavirus, appeared in front of a silver screen with the brand of the office on his floor above number 10.
Only access to space Mr johnson and it can be used because the building is a “work house,” his spokesman later said.
MPs must socially distance themselves when in the House of Commons
Addressing the socially estranged chamber of deputies, Johnson turned the usual response that is repeated at every PMQ in response to the first question asking the prime minister to list his commitments that day.
“This morning I had virtual meetings … in addition to my virtual meetings in this Chamber, I will have more virtual meetings of this type later today,” the Conservative said the leader with a slight smile.
But the business as usual got under way quickly, with Work Leader Sir Keir Starmer appearing in person at the dispatch box to direct pointed attacks at the screen on the opposite wall, over the head of Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Twice he challenged Mr. Johnson for supposedly calling the return in Scotland a “disaster” – something Downing Street has not denied.
The prime minister did not hold back from his usual ad hoc flourishes
Neither did the prime minister, but he turned it into an attack on the Scottish National Party, who said it had been a “disaster” for pursuing independence and not focusing on important policies such as crime and education.
He was criticized by Commons Speaker Sir lindsay hoyle for calling them the “Scottish Nationalist Party”, but the technology didn’t seem like a barrier for Johnson to apply some ad hoc responses.
Sir Keir Starmer Increased Return, COVID Contracts, And Insulation Pay
“I’m very sorry, they are nationals, but not nationalists, I see,” agreed the prime minister, again with a slight smile.
But Sir Lindsay pointed out that he was not going to let things get out of hand even if the prime minister was not present for a reprimand, telling him: “We can play pedantry another time. It is not a decision, it is a fact.”
When the tide came down to Johnson, he was quick to shed light on the Labor position on Scottish independence, challenging Sir Keir to say whether he backed it or not.
“Of course I don’t want the union to break up, but if something is fueling that break it is the prime minister,” the Labor leader replied.
Jacob Rees-Mogg sat in the government dispatch box during PMQ
He continued to pressure the prime minister to Government COVID contracts were found to go to companies with political connections. and asking people forced to isolate themselves to get more financial support.
And while Johnson picked up the packages that were already available, he may not have had all the cards he would have had if the reboot of his government had been smoother after the departure of Dominic Cummings and another aide.
Hours later, the new face of the Number 10 television press conference, former journalist Allegra Stratton, gave her first briefing to reporters by phone.
And in a marked change from comments by some Downing Street figures, she praised the media, saying they had played a “good and powerful role during the pandemic so far.”
