Steerpike

Less than two hours ago the Supreme Court released its verdict that Boris Johnson's decision to prorogue parliament was both unlawful and void. In its judgement, the Court decreed that since Parliament was never, legally, prorogued, the House of Commons could return as soon as the Speakers of the Commons and Lords arranged for it to be reconvened. It appears they have wasted no time in responding to the verdict. In a statement outside parliament this afternoon, the verbose Speaker John Bercow announced that he would resume Parliament's business tomorrow at 11.30am, saying: 'I have instructed the House authorities to prepare – not for the recall, the prorogation was unlawful and void – to prepare for the resumption of the business of the House of Commons.

Labour members are planning a mass walkout at Tom Watson's conference speech this afternoon. And as for Brexit, it's safe to say Labour remains divided on the issue of whether Britain should stay in or leave the EU. Not so, says Len McCluskey. The Unite boss was asked by Sky News's Beth Rigby about the split over Brexit currently tearing the Labour party apart. It's safe to say he did not take the question well: Rigby: 'Your friend Jon Lansman was really upset about this NEC statement. It's basically a stitch up' McCluskey: 'Don't be trying to cause division where no division exists. Jon Lansman never said that. Stop telling lies. You should be ashamed of yourself.' Oh dear. Another MSM plot to do down the Labour party...

There's been an uneasy mood at the Labour party conference in stormy Brighton this week, as the party has split over whether it should back Remain in a second referendum, argued over the abolition of its deputy leader Tom Watson, and fought over who should be the successor to Jeremy Corbyn's throne. But despite all the flux, some things at Labour conference never change. Especially the party's unadulterated passion for Jeremy Corbyn and 'Socialism', displayed throughout the conference venues on posters, books, and of course, themed goods which can be sold to delegates with deep pockets.

If Brexit can’t be sorted out by mere mortals, perhaps the UK and EU need some divine inspiration to break the deadlock. That was perhaps what an Irish priest was thinking when he presented Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with a bottle of holy water this afternoon. But it seems Varadkar had other ideas about what to do with it: Priest: ‘Taoiseach, I know you’re going to New York next week and meeting Boris Johnson, [here’s] a small little bit of added protection for you.’  Varadkar: ‘Do I pour it over him?’ https://twitter.com/skydavidblevins/status/1175049001126768647?

Students went on strike today worldwide to protest against climate change. Luckily, the London protest took place only a stone’s throw away from the Spectator office so Steerpike went down to Parliament Square to see what action the eco-protesters want taken as a country. Only, with signs ranging from ‘F--k Boris’ to ‘Defy Tory Rule’, and Palestinian and communist flags flying, the event could easily have been mistaken as a pre-party for Labour’s conference this weekend. Jeremy Corbyn and a slightly hoarse Owen Jones showed up to lend their support. It turns out that if you want to make a point on the environment, it's best to use plenty of expletives to get your point across.

Is Jeremy Corbyn pro Remain or pro Leave? Three years have passed since the EU referendum, but the Labour leader still won't answer that question. In an interview with ITV's Joe Pike, Corbyn was asked eight times whether he now backed leave or remain. And eight times he refused to say: https://twitter.com/joepike/status/1175034010671734784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Joe Pike: “So are you pro Remain or pro Leave” Jeremy Corbyn “I’m pro the British people to have their decision, I’m pro the British …” JP: “You are sitting on the fence Mr Corbyn aren’t you?” JC: “No I’m not sitting on the fence, you keep interrupting me my friend. What I want to say is this. People voted Leave or Remain.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the outgoing President of the EU Commission was in fine spirits today, as he passed on some positive news for those hoping a Brexit deal will be struck by Boris Johnson before 31 October. The former Luxembourg PM was interviewed by Sophy Ridge for Sky News, and assured her that a Brexit deal with the UK was possible, saying: 'I'm doing everything to have a deal because I don't like the idea of no deal.' But despite the news, Mr S was more struck by what Juncker had to say about the backstop. Asked by Ridge if he thought the chances of a deal being made are more than fifty-fifty, Juncker said he didn't know, before adding that: 'I don't have an erotic relation to the backship... to the backstop' A long lunch perhaps Mr Juncker? Watch here: https://youtu.

The Liberal Democrats have been going through something of a minor identity crisis as of late, after the party allowed the former Tory MP Phillip Lee to cross the aisle and join their ranks. Lee's support in the past for checking migrants at the border for HIV, and his abstention on a key vote for same-sex marriage in 2013 has led many in the party to wonder how 'liberal' a Liberal Democrat actually has to be to join the party. Happily, Mr S is on hand to inform the party that they're perhaps a more 'broad church' than many members realised.

There have been plenty of revelations about David Cameron this week, from the time he questioned Michael Gove's sanity to when he got 'off his head' on dope at Eton. But Mr S thinks our former prime minister might have saved the best admission until now. On ITV's This Morning, Cameron was talking about how he reacted when he saw the Vote Leave bus with its slogan suggesting £350m should be spent on the NHS instead of going to the EU. He told Holly and Phil: “Believe me, I did more than.. I shat at the…Sorry, I shouted at the TV”   https://twitter.com/petesaull/status/1174625857056444417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Mr. S feels sorry for whoever had to clean up the mess...