Thread by @IanDunt

Although I suppose I'm also under obligation to mention PMQs parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/63…

Took two questions for Starmer to visibly enrage the prime minister.

Starmer focusing on the deletion of hundreds of thousands of criminal records. PM says he doesn't know how many investigations damaged.

Starmer: Deletion impacting live policy investigation and includes DNA records marked for indefinite retention - therefore most serious cases. But days after incident came to light, PM still can't answer basic questions.

Starmer asked how long it takes for the wrongly deleted records to be restored to the policy database. Johnson has no answer, except that they are working "round the clock" and then bangs on about how much they have invested in policing.

Fish in barrels. Starmer turns to covid. Quotes Patel saying she wanted to close borders last March. Why did he overrule her. Johnson says something about Captain Hindsight.

Starmer repeats the question: "Why did he overrule the home secretary"? Johnson says Starmer "supported an open border approach" in March and calls Starmer a "weather vane".

We're not getting very far with these. The pattern is set. Starmer wins them all. I don't think you can credibly suggest that it's otherwise. Each week the same dynamic, each week any normal observer would conclude the opposition leader was on top of it, the PM wasn't.

I can;t think of a single one where you could say Johnson came out of it looking more prepared or competent. Even his gags don't land.

There's only so much impact this has. Most people don't watch PMQs etc etc. You've heard all that before. But when a government is against the ropes, it's useful to have a fairly reliable event each week in which you make the weak spots as painful as possible.

It's also quite effective at chipping away at Johnson's credibility as people watch him week after week struggle in the spotlight.

Yes I can hear you Clem Fandango.

Ed Davey has the most dreadful artwork in his house. Like the kind of thing you'd see in a mid-range suburban hotel.

Neil O'Brien having a nightmare with his phone. We've had pretty much every Zoom meeting nightmare so far in this PMQs.

I love the way the Speaker treats this like a 80s gameshow. "Let's head up to Lancashire with Rosie Cooper. Rosie Cooper."

He'd be fucking great at bingo.

Johnson says he "remains the champion of liberty in all its aspects". Apart from the liberty to live somewhere else, of course, which is the bad kind.

Right fuck that shit. Back to CNN.