Jacob Rees-Mogg 'trivialises' politics with poem in response to Brexit question

Jacob Rees-Mogg in the House of Commons. Photograph: Parliament TV. - Credit: Archant

The House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg has been accused of ‘trivialising’ politics in his answer to why there were no further debates tabled about Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill.

The Tory Brexiteer decided to make a joke in response to the business question, which was asked by SNP MP Pete Wishart.

He followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Andrea Leadsom – by using poetry at the despatch box.

Referencing Sir Percy Blakeney, a fictional character from The Scarlet Pimpernel, he said: “The honourable gentleman wondered what had happened to the Withdrawal Bill.

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“And here I think the answer lies with Sir Percy Blakeney.

“They seek it here, they seek it there, those parliamentarians seek it everywhere.

“Is it in heaven or is it in hell? That damned elusive Brexit bill.”

There was laughter in the House of Commons following the response, but those on social media were less than impressed.

One said: “Want to see a multimillionaire trivialise the state of play with Brexit? Great that some of them are having fun eh!”

“Seems your poetry is as popular as your books,” said another.

Lee Sheppard tweeted Rees-Mogg saying: “How can you mess around at these crucial times, my livelihood is at stake!”