Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
MPs howl with laughter as Emily Thornberry nails a government in chaos
With Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May absent, Prime Minister’s Questions had the potential to be a low-key affair. But shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry had other ideas.
Tarantino meets the Chuckle Brothers
To howls of laughter, Thornberry compared this chaotic government to “Reservoir Dogs remade by the Chuckle Brothers”:
Talking Mutiny on the Bounty, Reservoir Dogs and the Chuckle Brothers – @EmilyThornberry to @DLidington #pmqs https://t.co/0lyRrv4v4q pic.twitter.com/DrJcP1h5Td
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) July 11, 2018
Her dig was so good it brought an “unforced” response from MPs:
At #PMQs @EmilyThornberry on cracking form. The Tory Cabinet “Reservoir Dogs remade by the Chuckle Brothers.” MPs reward her with unforced laughter.
— JOHN NICOLSON (@MrJohnNicolson) July 11, 2018
Others thought she was being kind:
.@EmilyThornberry compares this shambles of a Government to “Reservoir Dogs remade by the Chuckle Brothers” And that’s being kind. #PMQs
— Liz McInnes (@LizMcInnes_MP) July 11, 2018
But many weren’t surprised by the choice description, given Thornberry’s reputation:
Describing the Conservative Party as Reservoir Dogs remade by the Chuckle Brothers reaffirms why Emily Thornberry is Queen of Sass #PMQs
— Aman T (@AmanTsays) July 11, 2018
Although people should spare a thought for the feelings of the Chuckle Brothers:
Thornberry says govt looks like 'Reservoir Dogs, made by the Chuckle Brothers'. I think the Chuckle Brothers would be quite offended by that…to me, to you. #PMQs
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) July 11, 2018
The main course
After warming up the house, Thornberry proceeded to brutally dismantle the government’s Brexit plan:
“He cannot admit the truth – the truth is the Chequers proposal is total delusion” @EmilyThornberry to @DLidington #pmqs https://t.co/0lyRrv4v4q pic.twitter.com/bD8B4H3eYR
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) July 11, 2018
Thornberry described the Chequers proposal as “total delusion”, stating that the terms of the proposal describe “a customs union in all but name”.
The minister for the cabinet office, David Lidington, said very little in response, beyond advising Thornberry to “look at the White Paper when it’s published tomorrow”.
Meanwhile, others agreed with Thornberry’s stance:
https://twitter.com/ToryFibs/status/1017020690061459457
Thornberry is doing an excellent job of demolishing the Chequers agreement. Tory MPs very quiet. #pmqs
— Owen Bennett (@owenjbennett) July 11, 2018
No wonder people thought there was only one winner in the exchange:
Oh goodness me. Emily Thornberry is wiping the floor with David Lidington right now. A powerful and hilarious performance #PMQs
— Rachael Swindon #GTTO (@Rachael_Swindon) July 11, 2018
Farce
This government is farcical. Thornberry nailed how the constant backstabbing and quarrelling is reminiscent of a British take on Tarantino. There are no guns or theatrical fight scenes – just passive-aggressive resignations.
MPs rightly howled with laughter. But being ruled by this lot has gone beyond a laughing matter.
Get Involved!
– Join The Canary, so we can keep holding the powerful to account.
Featured image via BBC iPlayer.
We need your help ...
The coronavirus pandemic is changing our world, fast. And we will do all we can to keep bringing you news and analysis throughout. But we are worried about maintaining enough income to pay our staff and minimal overheads.
Now, more than ever, we need a vibrant, independent media that holds the government to account and calls it out when it puts vested economic interests above human lives. We need a media that shows solidarity with the people most affected by the crisis – and one that can help to build a world based on collaboration and compassion.
We have been fighting against an establishment that is trying to shut us down. And like most independent media, we don’t have the deep pockets of investors to call on to bail us out.
Can you help by chipping in a few pounds each month?
Support us 
