In last week’s Watford Observer the Comment column asks the question ‘What is shovel ready?’ This is because on two separate occasions the phrase ‘shovel ready’ was used in respect to the redevelopment of Watford General Hospital.

The phrase ‘shovel ready’ was used in a meeting between West Herts Teaching Hospitals Trust Chairman Phil Townsend, Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Watford MP Dean Russell. It was then also used when Mr Russell asked a question at PM’s questions.

The English language is crammed full of colourful idioms, phrases and sayings that we use every day without thinking. When someone says something is ‘shovel ready’ they are endeavouring to lay it on with a trowel at winning the plaudits to receive acclaim or approval of those whom they seek to impress.

At PM’s questions on Wednesday I noticed the PM had an each-way bet on his answer to Mr Russell’s question regarding a new hospital for the area. I also note that Mr Russell has still not responded to the Watford Observer’s request to put some meat on the bone regarding “Partygate”.

Could it be the case Mr Russell is afraid of ending up like Mr Richard Harrington and the 20 other Tory MPs that were all banished from the Tory benches in 2019 and made to cross the House, sitting in exile on the opposition benches after speaking out against Prime Minister Johnson’s oven ready Brexit deal?

Ernie MacKenzie

Gammons Lane, Watford