Thread by @uk_domain_names

FYI. About to start: a debate about the toxicity of the atmosphere and language of Parliament, based on an Urgent Question.

Should be noted the Government have fielded a minister, rather than Boris Johnson, even though the question was largely prompted by his behavour yesterday.

Kevin Foster is the chap batting for the Government.

Jess Phillips: "I am not, and noone in here is a traitor."

Jess Phillips: "I had a death threat this week that literally quoted the Prime Minister, and used his words to threaten me."

"We're all ambitious. I'm not going to pretend I'm not ambitious. But I also have a soul." 👏

Jess Phillips outlining that it is engineered and tested outrage, designed from the outset to provoke.

"I want to ask the Prime Minister to apologise, and to tell him that the bravest, strongest thing to say is 'Sorry'."

"I will not react. The Prime Minister wants me to react so that it keeps this hate and chaos on our streets. I will not."

[A pin would echo at this point. HOC silent as the grave as she finishes her speech.]

Jeremy Corbyn praising Theresa May for her behaviour [in contrast to Boris Johnson]. It's a fair cop I think.

Lots and lots of sandbagging from the Minister. Has suggested several times that MPs should have gone for a GE or a VONC if they were so unhappy.

Bernard Jenkin says that MPs should no longer evoke the names of any victims of attacks to score political points. Loud [and I think genuine] gasps of disbelief.

Jo Swinson: "We see worrying Trumpian echoes in our own politics."

Minister keeps playing the same tune: what inflames debate is more Brexit delay. So get on with it!

Harriet Harman calls for the rules of the HOC to be updated to prohibit certain types of language (she gives outdated examples of things MPs are not allowed to call each other, like "stool pigeons".)

Justine Greening directly disavows the "race to gutter politics".

Ed Miliband: "I spent 4 1/2 years opposite David Cameron. I never saw a performance like we saw last night."

Ed Miliband: "This, and the language of surrender, suggests that we are at war with Europe or with each other. As someone whose parents grew up in the shadows of war, let me say this: we are not at war with Europe. We are not at war with each other."

Snow job from the minister continues. But he's only a junior, so it's hardly surprising he's not saying anything constructive.

To be clear: he is not being offensive (not by recent standards). He is quiet and measured. But he has not done anything to defuse the tensions. Hardly surprising when his boss's boss is in the 1922 Committee, declaring he plans to keep using the language of surrender.

This tweet targetting Paula Sherriff was explicitly referenced.

Rosena Allin-Khan: "It is beyond embarrassing that the PM has sent a junior minister with a folder full of excuses in his place."

David Gauke: "At best, the PM's answers to many questions last night were deeply divisive." Goes on to highlight his concerns that it is part of a deliberate strategy.

Well that was... something.

The tone was much better. Very much better. But in substance, I don't feel that the debate moved on at all. Having Boris Johnson insulated at two removes by a junior minister whose go to line was "get Brexit done" didn't achieve anything.