MANNERS MAKETH MAN: We must end the outdated, and deeply annoying, tradition of behaving like children in the House of Commons. This statement from the Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg, is surprising from a man known to be looked after by his childhood nanny.
The only surprising fact is that he did not condemn the lower orders for lying down and taking a nap on the job. When it was put to him that this was a lie, he merely commented suavely, “One does not lie, one reclines.”
Long-standing Commons traditions of booing, making fart noises, coughing at inappropriate moments, and shooting dried peas from a catapult, were roundly condemned as being childish and rather silly. “Nanny always says that one should act one’s age,” he said, without a trace of irony. “She ensures that one is properly attired for one’s day’s work, and insists that one speaks with respect, even during playtime.”
Rees-Mogg further disclosed that during his years in the House, he had not once messed up his duties as milk monitor.
But what is life really like at home with the Rees-Moggs? Staff working at his modest 179-room mansion, with grounds occupying a mere 12% of East Somerset, were only too eager to spill the beans (and wipe them up afterwards).
“It’s hard to distinguish the children from the adults,” said under-butler Bowen Scrape. “When Jacob and Mrs Jacob line up at the dinner table with Unicycle, Duopoly, Tribble, Quattro, Pentagram, Sixtus, Septicaemia, Octet, Nonentity and Decadence, all with their bibs on, you don’t know which way to look. In the end, you just have to pretend it’s totally normal.”
“Bedtime is eight o’clock sharp for all,” said nursemaid Tanya Hyde. “They all sit around the fireside, while I read them ghastly 17th century fairy tales from a priceless manuscript. Then it’s a cup of warm milk, here is a candle to light you to bed, and a sharp smack if they step out of line.”
Peter Pan syndrome? Only kidding.
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