Overview
- More than 40 MPs joined Strictly Come Dancing alumni in Portcullis House, with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle taking part and inviting colleagues.
- Footage circulated widely on social media as critics questioned priorities during heightened Middle East tensions, including posts from MP Zarah Sultana and former minister Nadhim Zahawi.
- The controversy was sharpened by IPSA’s confirmation that MPs’ basic pay will rise to £98,599 next month, with a stated path toward about £110,000 by 2029.
- Organisers linked the event to the Let’s Dance campaign, and supporters such as Angela Rippon and Health Secretary Wes Streeting say dance can boost health and ease NHS pressures, citing a claim of freeing up 2.7 million GP visits.
- Participants, including Labour MP Lee Pitcher, said the routine lasted minutes before parliamentary work began, and there have been no formal repercussions beyond continuing public and political criticism.