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Commons blow Lords away in shooting cup

Commons blow Lords away in shooting cup

Spectator18-07-2025
The big guns of parliament were out in force this morning. The annual cross-party Commons v Lords shooting match has long been a fixture in the annual political calendar. After last year's contest was dominated by the shadow of the general election, this year was a much more relaxed affair. Peers and MPs descended on Ruislip to see which of the two Houses came out on top. And in the true spirit of the Parliament Act, it was the elected Commons who (narrowly) triumphed today…
The final scores from an enjoyable morning of shooting proved to be 245 for the Commons versus 212 for the Lords. Captain Greg Smith, who stepped into the breach left by Bill Wiggin, received the silver cup, heroically rescued from the Bishops' Bar in the House of Lords. Kit Malthouse meanwhile wrestled the accolade of 'top gun' off the Earl of Effingham. Graham Brady, the captain of the Lords, graciously conceded defeat, assuring his fellow peers that his 'last minute transfer' from the Commons team had not seen him act as a double agent for MPs.
As for Mr S, after a lamentable performance, there was only one piece of advice: musket better. The Commons team would be well shot of him next year…
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