The Sketch: Time is running out for Tony's oldest crony

It's a fiasco with a triple F. The job application program for doctors is in such disarray it's been scrapped. Morning Report told us that the Department of Health wouldn't be answering questions about it because there was a Commons statement later in the day. As there was. A written statement.

The written statement laid the responsibility for withdrawing this f-f-fiasco on two groups. 1) Criminals (they found that confidential files were in the public domain and alerted the media to the fact), and 2) junior doctors. Yes, "Given the continuing concerns of junior doctors about MTAS, the system will not be used". The only wholly innocent parties were in the government. It's a daring defence and deserved to be tested on the floor of the House.

Why wasn't there an Urgent Question? The Tories must have applied for one. I'm sure they applied for one and the Speaker turned them down. We must do research to find out how many Private Notice Questions were allowed by the late Bernard Weatherill and how many have been allowed by the Auld Boobie.

William Hague produced a memorable parliamentary moment in his Opposition Day speech. His motion was to give Parliament the power to approve the use of force in armed conflict. He noted that the Government had come a long way on this question in the last two weeks. They seemed now to be embracing the spirit of the motion whereas two weeks ago the Lord Chancellor had described the idea as "damaging" and "wrong". This caused a remarkable reaction on the (aptly-named) Treasury benches. Laughter. Unembarrassed laughter. Damaging? Wrong? But that's Charlie Falconer all over, they seemed to be saying. Of course Charlie Falconer would find it damaging and wrong to allow Parliament a vote on these matters! He's one of them! He's a Blair babe! He's out, mate!

Lord Falconer didn't see the exchanges and wouldn't have been able to see them even on television, as the cameras aren't allowed reaction shots. But if he takes my word for it (and only he and I know how likely that is) he will resign. He will follow the Reid Protocol and announce a tactical resignation. He won't be soliciting dinner with the Chancellor. To be laughed at openly by Des Browne, Paddy Tipping and Jack Straw is not merely a fatal affront to his dignity, it is a frank admission his name has already been prick'd in the list.

Government support for increasing parliamentary control is built on the idea that the incoming prime minister is repudiating the unpopular parts of the outgoing one. But a close reading of Gordon's Amendment is a mastepiece of weasling. It allows any amount of room for emergencies, operational discretion and security. And finally it demands "consultation to produce more detailed proposals ... to consider." It allows anything. Except Charlie Falconer keeping his job.

simoncarr@sketch.sc

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