[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas

Yeah we both know that he is talking out of his ass but unfortunately with this circus act of a government you never can quite tell where the barometer swings for the level of incompetence. (Or even impotence).

Yes, the ass was involved for the talking thereof:

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Brandon_Lewis

Breaking of pairing agreement
On 17 July 2018, Lewis was paired with Liberal Democrat Jo Swinson (who was on maternity leave) during "key House of Commons votes" on the Trade Bill. Despite this, Lewis voted with the government on two votes. Lewis initially claimed that this had been an honest mistake, but it was revealed that while Lewis had in fact abstained on some votes during the day's proceedings, he had broken the agreement to vote on these two "crunch" issues[34]. In response to suggestions that this was just a mistake, fellow Conservative Andrew Bridgen said that the careful selection of the important votes allowed people to deduce what was happening. Breaking House of Commons voting conventions has “appalling consequences for the management of government” warned Michael Heseltine. [35]

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen casts doubt on claims broken pair incident was honest mistake

This is what Andrew Bridgen, the Conservative MP, told the Daily Politics a few minutes ago when asked what he thought actually happened in the broken pair incident. (See 12.37pm.) He said:

I think the fact that Brandon Lewis abstained on six votes and then just mysteriously voted on the vital two - I think it tells you all you need to know.