This week he has been in Rio, though not just for the G20. That had wrapped up in plenty of time for him to have made it back for PMQs. But why turn up jetlagged to face some awkward questions on inflation, farmers and winter fuel payments when you could extend your stay for another half-day to catch a football match? Call it a perk of the job.
So on Wednesday we were back to deputy PMQs. Angela Rayner vs AN Other. Kemi Badenoch has not got round to appointing a deputy best to keep everyone guessing.
First to be given an audition was Alex Who?, AKA the floppy-haired Alex Burghart to his friends and family. Though there are plenty of floppy-haired Tories to choose from. Telling you he's also the shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster probably doesn't help you narrow it down.
Never mind. All you need to know is he absolutely aced it.
Badenoch could stop the Tories Haven't Got Talent show right now and give Alex the job in perpetuity.
No party leader could have asked more of a stand-in. Because Alex was - how to put this gently? - a wee bit crap. And that's being kind.
Denne historien er fra November 21, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra November 21, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Amorim asks for survival mode after Wolves loss
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United must adopt survival mode to end their miserable run after a fourth defeat in five Premier League matches dropped them to 14th, eight points above the relegation zone.
'We have to try' Guardiola calls for January signings after Everton draw
Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City board will discuss new signings for the January transfer window this week, the manager said after his team dropped another two points in the 1-1 draw with Everton.
Arteta backs Martinelli to step up after Saka injury
Mikel Arteta is hoping Gabriel Martinelli can help to fill the void created by Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury, with the England forward likely to miss key fixtures including the north London derby next month.
Wilson and Muniz pounce late to cast doubt on Chelsea's title credentials
Perhaps there will be some debate around Fulham's equaliser after 82 minutes of this 2-1 derby win for Marco Silva's team at Stamford Bridge.
Jones and Salah clear path at the top for Liverpool
Liverpool have kicked off at 8pm on a Boxing Day twice in their history.
Tonali helps Newcastle ease past 10-man Villa
Sandro Tonali has brought Newcastle an abundance of gifts but perhaps foremost among them is the rare ability to slow games down that offers Eddie Howe's high-intensity team the sort of invaluable control they have so often lacked in recent months.
Elanga takes Forest third and deepens Postecoglou's pain
The mist rolled in with such increasing density from the Trent that eventually it was difficult to make out which Tottenham player was running down which blind alley. But what is crystal clear is Nottingham Forest's momentum which, after Anthony Elanga's third goal in successive games, has lifted them into third place in the Premier League.
Haaland's wasted spot-kick adds to Guardiola's gloom
Manchester City's plight is their individual kind of déjà vu nightmare.
Fabianski carried off but Bowen edges out Juric's new Saints
If we take the view that Southampton are doomed - as a reminder, no club has ever stayed in the Premier League with such a lowly points tally at this stage of the season - then small positives must be sought wherever possible for the beleaguered regulars at St Mary's.
'Rubbish game' but Guéhi content with valuable point
The visiting captain, Marc Guéhi, branded Crystal Palace's goalless draw with Bournemouth a \"rubbish game\" and \"boring for the neutral\".
