PMQs sketch: Coronation Street may be 60, but the soap opera of Brexit is the omnibus that never ends

The soap opera that is Prime Minister’s Question kicked off today with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pointing out: “A year ago the Prime Minister stood on the steps of Downing Street and promised the country – these were his words – ‘a permanent break from talking about Brexit’.”

If only we were so lucky, instead it feels like having missed all the episodes over the past few months we’re catching up on the Sunday omnibus instead.

The country had to endure a global pandemic, no less, to make politicians stop talking about Brexit.

And now that a vaccine has been found it seems we’re straight back onto the topic.

Just in time for families to fall out over Christmas - albeit just for five days - oh joy.

But who are we, anyway, to believe what the PM said on the doorstep on No 10 a year ago? Naive, really.

Johnson also said there was a ploy to overhaul social care, which has yet to be revealed, and he promised to level up the North, but calls for a comprehensive plan or document go unheeded.

But despite Starmer’s attempts to highlight broken, or not-yet-fulfilled, promises, there is no denying the virtual format by which he was forced to appear due to being in self-isolation somewhat stunted proceedings.

Starmer did not suffer the loss of sound that plagued Johnson’s virtual appearance last month, but a loss of omph was palatable.

Maybe an admission Labour would back a Brexit deal after Starmer himself spent so long campaigning for Remain was not easy to deliver.

Nonetheless, Labour MP Chris Bryant captured the mood of a nation sick of Brexit by throwing his toys out of the pram when asked to move just an inch - ironically also what both the Government and the EU seem unwilling to do in negotiations.

Stood at the door of the Commons - apparently blocking the ventilation which keeps the chamber Covid-secure - Bryant got into a fight with the Speaker.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle called out for Bryant to reappear in the chamber after taking exception to apparent “disgraceful” heckling.

It is understood Bryant would not move when asked, and then got into a face-pulling, finger-pointing row with Hoyle.

Hoyle called after Bryant as he stormed off, as many of us have, after terse words with the boss: "Order, Mr Bryant....Mr Bryant....?"

"I suggest the whip goes and has a word with him. We’re not having that disgraceful behaviour,” Hoyle said.

But in schoolmaster fashion when Bryant did return, and after a heated discussion and much arm crossing, Hoyle dismissed him, declaring: “Mr Bryant, I think we need this conversation later.”

A bit of entertainment, perhaps, but nothing compared to feuds seen out in the Rovers.