WHAT a difference a day makes.
After ticking off the SNP battalion of MPs for clapping, urging it to show some respect for Westminster's arcane traditions, the Commons Speaker was in a friendlier mood when he praised the Nationalists for their "solidarity".
With 50 new MPs, the greatly enlarged party grouping includes a host of rookie politicians having to make their debut in the chamber.
But it has been noticeable that every time an SNP MP stands up to make their maiden speech, the Nationalists' tartan army makes sure the speaker is, to use a parliamentary term, "doughnutted".
In his first remarks to the chamber, Tommy Sheppard, who represents Edinburgh East, offered a heartfelt explanation for the SNP's parliamentary faux pas in applauding their leader Angus Robertson.
"Mr Speaker, you gave us a gentle rebuke yesterday for the applause we gave in this chamber. We take that with good grace.
"We know, of course, it is not traditional practice in the chamber but we didn't know just how unacceptable it might be found. We will refrain from doing that again."
The backbencher added: "It will take us time to learn the processes that work here, it will take us time to get our feet under the table and it will take you time to get used to us. But I hope we will be able to do that in the weeks and months ahead."
A charmed Mr Bercow replied: "I know I'll be joined by a great many colleagues in admiring the spirit of solidarity which motivates large numbers of members of one party to turn up at the same time. I say that in a spirit of genuine respect and so thank you for what you have said."
Later, SNP grandee Alex Salmond turned out for an adjournment debate on Trident safety.
Normally, so-called adjournment debates are poorly attended; often with just the promoter of the debate, a Government Minister and a few others in attendance.
But on this occasion, while there were just a scattering of Conservative and Labour MPs in the chamber, the SNP battalion turned out en masse to provide the MP for Gordon with a larger than usual parliamentary doughnut.
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