Defra Questions today, when I raised with the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, the scandalous issue of the collapse of Dairy Famers of Britain.
The occasion was notable for illustrating Benn’s wonderful facility for putting his foot in it.
The former farming minister, the very competent and personable Jane Kennedy, was making her first appearance on the back benches after comprehensively dissing Gordon and resigning her ministerial position in the wake of the Euro elections.
Kennedy was effusive in her welcome for the new Speaker and, indeed, for everyone else:
Jane Kennedy (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab): What a pleasure it is to see you in the Chair, Mr. Speaker.
May I ask my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to pass on my welcome to my two colleagues who have joined him on the Front Bench? Food and food production are far too important to be left entirely to the advocacy of Members with rural constituencies. They are of importance to everyone…
Benn, apparently surprised by the absence of bile in Kennedy’s contribution, attempted, disastrously, to return the compliment:
Hilary Benn: First, may I say that it is very good to see my right hon. Friend in her new place? [Interruption.]
The “interruption” was, principally, Chorley’s Lindsay Hoyle collapsing in seemingly uncontrollable mirth at poor Benn’s gaffe. To be fair, he was assisted by a number of other Members on both sides of the House.
Benn, realising the unintended slight, desperately attempted to retrieve the situation:
At the last Question Time, I expressed my sorrow at her departure. To make it clear, I refer to the fact that she continues to take an interest in DEFRA matters.
Too late; the hole was dug and poor Hilary was still digging.
