The mood in the house? Depends where you’re looking… | thearticle

It’s unsurprising, given the election results, that the mood across Westminster is somewhat varied at the minute. It’s a real mix of excitement, anticipation, exhaustion, bewilderment, anger

and resentment – perhaps not a great combination with just a week until Christmas.  Without a doubt, the happiest bunch are those Conservative MPs who were returned safely after the

election. Many truly thought they might not make it back, and it’s unlikely anyone thought it would be in such high numbers. The previous mood and mudslinging that dogged the Government

benches before the election has disappeared and been replaced by a Party who finally all have a common position on Europe. A determination to (dare we say) “Get Brexit Done” and a realism

that this time it might actually happen. Those MPs are finishing their year on a high. Festive cheer abounds. For the new Conservative intake, there is a sense of great excitement: a

monumental victory that will go down in history. The picture of Dehenna Davison and her “Blue Wall” colleagues taking the train to Westminster gives a real sense of just how determined these

MPs are to make a mark. They are bullish in their numbers and packs are forming, such as Team Tees and the Welsh Tories. These friendships and alliances will last for many years to come. 

However, the post-election excitement is wearing off, as new MPs realise just how frenzied the first week can be. A new MP can expect to be overwhelmed at the best of times, and this

induction process has been more intense than ever before. Called in over the weekend to begin, they have been engaged in endless workshops and all-day training sessions – with swearing in,

Party receptions and visits to Downing Street being slotted in around the schedule. Mindful that they want to deliver on the promises they made to those that elected them, many have been

catching up on emails and trying to establish an office in the midnight hours before they start again the next day. After a brutal election campaign, Christmas fast approaching, and the

deadline to deliver Brexit looming, the eager faces full of energy from days one and two are now changing to ashen and slightly panic-stricken ones.  Walk around Westminster at the moment

and it’s not hard to tell whether an MP is Conservative or Labour. Among the latter, there are many depressed faces — but also real anger. There were scathing attacks on Jeremy Corbyn at

this week’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, particularly from those furious at their leaders for taking them in to battle woefully unprepared. Upset on behalf of colleagues who

lost their seats and fury mounting as Corbyn’s top team look set to stay in place until January, while junior Party staff have been told to expect redundancy meetings before Christmas. With

a leadership contest looming, everyone will be hoping – particularly after such a bitter election campaign – that someone with a positive offering will rise from the ashes and be able to

provide the credible opposition that has been lacking for so long.  Next week will see the House go into recess, so this period of jubilation, exhaustion and fury is likely to be brief.

There is much work to do in this Parliament, and with a hearty majority behind him, Boris has finally been able to set out an ambitious legislative programme in today’s Queens Speech. 

However, it won’t all be plain sailing, and there are already rumours of a split in Cabinet ahead of tomorrow’s vote on the Brexit Bill. But with numbers on his side, will Boris take much

notice? Don’t underestimate the strength of the new intake here. They may currently be worn ragged and looking slightly terrified, but collectively they make up a significant proportion of

the Parliamentary Conservative Party – and they are unlikely to stand for return to the divisions we saw pre-election.  For now, though, the festive spirit continues and after Friday’s vote

the Christmas break will allow MPs – old and new – to regroup ready for the challenges ahead.