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Politics

Tory MPs had 'champagne bash' while families struggled to 'afford energy price hike'

'They're partying through the cost of living emergency,' said the SNP's Ian Blackford

Ian Blackford

SNP MP Ian Blackford has called on the PM to resign Image: Parliament TV

Conservative MPs have been accused of having a “champagne bash” while millions of families “desperately” try to afford the upcoming energy price rise.

Boris Johnson hosted his party’s MPs on Tuesday at London’s Park Plaza hotel, for a dinner widely considered the Prime Minister’s attempt to win his fellow parliamentarians round after the Partygate scandals.

At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday afternoon, Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, called the event out of touch.

Blackford said: “Last night, millions of families will have been desperately trying to figure out how they could possibly afford a £700 energy price hike that will hit them this week.

“At the very same time, Tory MPs were gathering across the street for a champagne bash in the Park Plaza.”

Attendees at last night’s dinner were served smoked haddock tart, chicken ballotine, and “textures of hazelnut praline”, according to POLITICO.

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Despite a number of MPs submitting no-confidence letters in Johnson, he was met with a standing ovation after his speech at the dinner.

Blackford added: “We all know that the Tories partied during lockdown, and now they’re partying through the cost of living emergency.”

On Friday, April 1, the energy price cap will increase by 54 per cent, rising to £1,971 a year for direct debit customers.

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