It was the morning after the night before in Parliament’s Wild West saloon.
The dust had barely begun to settle in the Commons chamber from Wednesday’s Gaza vote chaos when the rowdy rabble were allowed back in.
Tensions were still high after Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle was accused of “bending” Commons rules to save Keir Starmer from a damaging revolt.
Outside, the “Just stop Hoyle” campaign was in full swing, with dozens of SNP and Tory MPs, signing a no-confidence motion in the Speaker.
On the green benches, Penny Mordaunt, did her best to rile Labour MPs for their party’s role in events.
The Commons Leader blamed “party politics on behalf of the Labour Party” for the previous day’s chaotic scenes.
Sir Keir Starmer is “not fit” to lead Britain, she blasted during Business Questions.
“We have seen into the heart of Labour’s leadership. Nothing is more important than the interests of the Labour Party,” she said.
A shell-shocked Lucy Powell, shadow leader of the house, didn’t quite know how to react.
MPs from all sides of the House had their say on the “shameful” events from the previous day.
The usually pugnacious Mark Francois powerfully referencing the tragic death of his “best friend” and fellow Conservative MP David Amess at the hands of an Islamic fanatic as he urged everyone to calm down and move on.
Other Tories echoed Ms Mordaunt in blaming Labour. Labour MPs claimed they were not to blame.
Then it was time for the two main protagonists – the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Speaker Lindsay Hoyle – to face off.
Scottish gunslinger Flynn was itching to draw first. The House hushed as he rose to his feet first, hand in pocket and eyeballing a pensive-looking Sir Lyndsay.
It was High drama at high noon.
All that was missing was a tartan stetson.
Flynn said he had called for a vote of no confidence in the Speaker after the day-before’s vote “descended into farce”.
“As I have expressed to you privately prior to proceedings here today, we do not on these benches therefore believe that you can continue in your role as Speaker,” he thundered.
It was bruising stuff which left the Chorley cake-loving Sir Lyndsay pinned to his seat.
Chest puffed out and arms gesturing, Sir Lindsay made his second grovelling apology in 24 hours.
“I will reiterate, I made a judgement call that didn’t end up in the position where I expected it to,” he said.
“I regret it. I apologise to the SNP. I apologise and I apologise to the House. I made a mistake. We do make mistakes. I own up to mine.”
His voice faltering, Sir Lindsay – arms outstretched pointing to the plaques of murdered MPs Jo Cox and David Amess – he added: “I never ever want to go through a situation where I pick up a phone to find a friend, of whatever side, has been murdered by terrorists.”
“I have a duty of care, and I say that, and if my mistake is looking after Members I am guilty.”
Sir Lindsay didn’t stick around for too much longer as the recriminations continued to rumble on.
Meanwhile, Grant Shapps was spotted lurking behind the Speaker’s chair fiddling with his fancy folding smartphone.
No doubt the Defence Secretary, who is known to be fond of a spreadsheet, was keeping a tally of MPs wanting to oust the Speaker.
64 at the time of writing this….
