Guido hears there was intense drama at a dinner held by the National Franchised Dealers Association – which represents car dealers – in the House of Lords last night. Labour is not popular…
The relevant transport minister Keir Mather (28 years-old tomorrow) turned up, spoke for two minutes, then left. Leaving shadow business minister Gareth Davies and NFDA chairman David Newman free to point out exactly how the government is strangling the sector with taxes and green policies…
The situation then descended into bedlam as Labour MP Sharon Hodgson – who has ‘championed’ car dealers – complained that comments made at the dinner about Labour had made her uncomfortable despite the fact she has the “ear of the government.” Hodgson complained that there wasn’t a government minister at the event – having forgotten that Mather was actually briefly there…
Labour veteran Lord Rooker then got up and slammed minister Mather for coming and going so rapidly, which he claimed would “never happen” in the Blair years. Guido hears people were shouting at this point – Hodgson said of Mather’s refusal to stay that she would “discuss it with the chief whip”…
Car dealers are not the only ones upset with Labour’s fiscal policy. Ministers have resorted to hiding from industry now…
