Labour MP Mike Gapes had clearly had his Weetabix this morning when he logged on to Twitter.
The Ilford South MP, who has served in the Commons since 1992, has not been shy in questioning the direction of Labour since Jeremy Corbyn’s election as leader this summer.
But today, after listening to Diane Abbott laugh off Labour’s u-turn on whether to support the Government’s plan to run a surplus in “normal” economic conditions, something snapped.
Taking to the social media network, Mr Gapes kicked off what would be a feisty tweeting session:
There is now no collective Shadow cabinet responsibility in our Party, no clarity on economic policy and no credible leadership. @BBCr4today
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015His comments lead to the now sadly inevitable calls from some Corbynistas for him to quit the party, which really fired the West Ham supporting backbencher up:
Another one For the Hard of Reading. I AM LABOUR. I AM LABOUR. Get it ? https://t.co/dNf2lq7qVV
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015Mr Gapes, who has always served as a backbencher, then tore into claims he was being disloyal to Mr Corbyn:
I will show loyalty in the same way as he was loyal to Kinnock Smith Blair Brown Beckett Miliband and Harman. Ok ? https://t.co/8O3Ka2qRK9
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015Neil Kinnock and Tony Blair won majority of members votes. Didn't stop JC voting against whip. Double standards https://t.co/abtS1VHZg1
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015Some felt he shouldn’t be airing his disagreements with his party’s leadership in public. Mr Gapes did not agree:
Yes let's pretend there was no PLP meeting, no economic policy U turn, no Diane on radio attacking other MPs .... https://t.co/YvZEuiQ4qE
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015Let's pretend there is no debate. Thought we were in favour of new open politics. And using social media ? https://t.co/dssrtHulMg
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015And as for any suggestion that Mr Gapes would quit the party or stand down, well, that idea didn’t really fly:
I'm not resigning. I'm Labour. If you want me out you will have to deselect me. I'm not going anywhere. https://t.co/JrLofujjRd
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015I always do consider them, my party and my views. Elected 6 times, majority was 402 in 92, and was 19,777 in 2015. https://t.co/wM9YIOSdEG
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) October 13, 2015Political commentators praised Mr Gapes for standing up to the trolls, while fellow Labour MP Wes Streeting – a big fan of Tony Blair – sent a message of solidarity from the neighbouring constituency of Ilford North:
@MikeGapes Yeah, like you tried to destroy Labour by winning for Labour against the odds in '92. Solidarity, Mike. Ilford's behind you.
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) October 13, 2015Photoshop wizard General Boles pretty much summed up Mr Gapes’s actions:
.@MikeGapes taking on the Jezuits (h/t @Callies895 @wallaceme) pic.twitter.com/WLiVRQfMpy
— General Boles (@GeneralBoles) October 13, 2015It's fair to say Mr Gapes hasn't always been totally convinced by John McDonnell's appointment as Shadow Chancellor.
Reacting to news of his appointment while live on the radio, he initially appeared not to believe the veteran backbencher had been given the job.
"Well, I, hmm, are you sure about that?" he said when told by BBC presenter Carolyn Quinn.
