10k is a lot of money - particuarly now the bloke that stuffed the last fox I collared with the hounds has heard this story. He is charging me £15k for the badger I dropped into him this morning.
Aaaanyway. The point I was trying to make was that the snake would have been stuffed regardless of the colour of government in the department. I doubt Mr Hague was even aware the snake had been booked in for a refil. I can see the political impact of it, and its not great, but like I said, the fact Red Ed, Mr Balls or any member of the Opposition front bench haven't really gone into one over it, suggests there is little to be gained over the story. Particularly on a day one of their own big beasts is going to get chucked out of Parliament for 12 months. I can see how for many people this is a pretty galling story, over a years wages for many on filling a snake with cotton wool or whatever they use.
Its a shame for Labour about Dennis because they are actually so much better at Opposition politics than the Tories. Regardless of what they say and whether you believe in or agree with it. Hague and his snake would on any other day be a licence to hammer the government and ruthlessly take the piss.