that there are tough decisions to be made.

So, I thought it would be a good idea if we publicly agreed

with two government policies that we previously opposed.

That's all.

Can we talk about this? Yes absolutely, Malcolm.

We'll, we'll talk about this in Cabinet, OK?

I'll be talking, you'll be nodding.

I'm struggling here, you want us to agree with the government?

Not on everything, obviously.

No, we're just going to back two government policies -

the coastguard pay freeze

and the end of ring-fenced funding for primary school breakfast clubs.

So, what?

We're now in favour of drowning sailors and starving children?

We are, technically, the opposition. Can I be devil's advocate here for a moment?

Nicola's right, of course, she's right,

but we should at least think about what Dan has to say here

because we've already seen one set of quisling wankers cross the floor and join JB's barmy army.

If the opposition now join them

everyone will just be facing half an empty fucking chamber.

Yeah, it's important that we rise above partisan politics, Dan...

so that, Dan, so that we can take our poll ratings with us.

Malcolm? Malcolm...

Sorry.

Could you not, talk behind my back? Thank you. Sorry.

Now, you know, if you don't think that message is clear,

then that's fine but it is your job to clarify it.

Fine. Good. OK, great.

Before we finish,

I just want to throw one more pebble into the thought pool.

Ploop. Sorry, Ben, I missed that.

Just, sorry, I said "ploop".

It's just the noise of a pebble being dropped.

Er, we're still having a bit of trouble

connecting with the, the ordinary voter.

The, erm, the silent majority.