The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has apologised to parliament over his handling of an amendment procedure.

There are two people who need never apologise to parliament: the King, and the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The King agrees not to comment on or interfere in the affairs of Parliament, the body professing to run the country, but failing daily. In return, Parliament allows the King to live in comfort and luxury and promises not to cut off his head. (would they do the same for me, if I promise not to be truthful about them? Nah.)

The Speaker is chosen by parliament to be their referee, their arbiter and to conduct the business of the body in accordance with the rules that they have accumulated.

Provided he has interpreted the rules as he sees them to the best of his abilities, he has fully discharged his duty.

Whatever the problem, he has no need to apologise to this troupe of juvenile baboons ( I apologise to all baboons, who would not dream of conducting their affairs in such a ridiculous manner)

For the Government to flounce off to its bedroom in a hissy fit is a disgrace.

If there is one thing a government needs to do, it is: Make It Work.

It is not acceptable to say, “ ‘snot fair, we weren’t expecting that. Not going to play now.”

Unfortunately, government, of all parties, more or less has this reaction to each and every unexpected turn of events, global or domestic.

If a government cannot react and cope, on the wing, with this kind of setback, what chance does it have? About the same as it’s got now. And what credibility and value will the resulting decision have? Bugger all.