If Truss runs I wonder if her Young Lib Dem past will be brought up, believe in the early 90's she was part of a conference motion to abolish the monarchy or something akin!!!
I don't think she'd be a strong candidate - reminds me a bit of Leadsom, who had a big ConHome and broader Tory fan club, but was only credible as long as you didn't spend five minutes listening to her. I think Sunak would crush her if it came to that.
However, I don't think the Lib Dem past is an issue for her at all. The answer is very simple - people explore their political identity a bit as youngsters, and can say she thought about it and matured. In the real world, strong supporters of Party X have often supported Party Y at some point - and it's not like she was in the BNP - it's the Lib Dems a quarter of a century ago.
Dear god. This reminds me of Bill Clinton’s ‘it depends what your definition of the word “is” is’
When you’ve reached those levels of absurd, shambolic semi-denial, you’re done
I guess their only hope now is to brazen it out. Just keep lying and hope bad Covid news overtakes. Anyone who admits to being at the parties will now be toast. This also applies to political journalists, of course. A dangerous scandalette for many
Except Bill Clinton wasn't done. He would have won a third term in office, if term limits hadn't prevented him.
Come to think of it, if any contemporary-ish politician reminds me of Boris (even a bit - he is unique) , it must be Clinton. A political triangulator, interesting approach to personal conduct, always in trouble, seat of the pants operator, but a hokey personality that people instinctively like.
You mean I can get an article published in the Speccie pointing out that Boris is a useless solipsistic twat.
Nothing in his career suggested a man capable of making a success of one of the country’s most demanding jobs. What was foreseeable was in fact foreseen.
What does Johnson actually want to do as Prime Minister? Your guess will have to be better than mine because I haven’t a clue.
This is a government that does not even possess the courage — the moral courage — to own its decisions. It is a profoundly unserious administration of a sort that has no equivalent in living memory. There have been bad or failing governments, of course, but this one is bad and fails in a different way. When everything can be a joke nothing really matters; when everything is a performance who worries about actual reality? What is the point of any of it? This is a government without a purpose, without a vision, and without any keen interest in having any of these notionally useful things.
It's tedious to repeat but by that analysis BJ really is Trumpian, except that DT and his coterie had the boorish, arrogant ego to own and stand by his decisions. Unfortunately for BJ the UK doesn't have a violently divided US style electorate, yet.
Have they announced a Press Conference or a Commons statement yet? Or are they introducing Plan B via Twitter?
Latest tweet seems to be they're cooling down. Given ut seems this rush all came from Boris rather than due process, hopefully the mockery his dead cat got at PMQs has steered the tolley back from the edge a bit.
Until Boris is replaced at which point whoever is the new leader he gets a software upgrade to become their biggest fan.
I'll laugh so hard if its Truss.
Boris will stay through to the general election in my view.
If he went and Truss was is the last 2 I would vote for whoever her opponent is.
However I would still stay in the party if she ended up leader, provided she kept her past republicanism quiet as she has done so far. If not I would vote RefUK
.
Is it essential to be a monarchist to be either a conservative or Conservative?
To be a UK Tory and certainly to be UK Tory leader absolutely, otherwise the Tory party ceases to exist.
In which case Tories can explore other options until the party returns to true Toryism once again
Toryism - someone who upholds the supremacy of social order as it has evolved in the English culture throughout history
And yet you vote for Boris and support a party which from just todays news
Decided to hold a party on the day 500+ people died of covid after implementing rules the previous day that banned such parties was shown to prioiritise the extradition of dogs rather than Afghans who were in danger because they had worked for us seemingly plan to implement a plan b lockdown without any ideas Oh and removed Northern Ireland from being part of the UK's customs union because it was the easy option for Boris.
Plan B the rapper and Plan B the crypto modelling guy are going to get some nasty shocks in their twitter mentions when the government announce the move to stricter restrictions.....
If Truss runs I wonder if her Young Lib Dem past will be brought up, believe in the early 90's she was part of a conference motion to abolish the monarchy or something akin!!!
I don't think she'd be a strong candidate - reminds me a bit of Leadsom, who had a big ConHome and broader Tory fan club, but was only credible as long as you didn't spend five minutes listening to her. I think Sunak would crush her if it came to that.
However, I don't think the Lib Dem past is an issue for her at all. The answer is very simple - people explore their political identity a bit as youngsters, and can say she thought about it and matured. In the real world, strong supporters of Party X have often supported Party Y at some point - and it's not like she was in the BNP - it's the Lib Dems a quarter of a century ago.
Why would you compare her to Leadsom?
Leadsom had never been in the Cabinet before she ran against May.
Truss holds one of the Great Offices of State, has long been a leading Cabinet member and is as far as I'm aware now the longest-serving continuous member of the Cabinet dating back to Cameron's premiership.
And after nearly a decade in the Cabinet the worst thing people can criticise Truss for it seems is how she spoke about cheese in her very first Conference speech nearly a decade ago.
Public Accounts Committee hearing with Dept for Education Perm Sec Susan Acland-Hood begins with questions about ... the Christmas bash at DfE in 2021!
Plan B the rapper and Plan B the crypto modelling guy are going to get some nasty shocks in their twitter mentions when the government announce the move to stricter restrictions.....
There's a rather good restaurant in Siracusa called Piano B that might welcome a few more customers.
Agree with @Flatlander FPT - I thought Johnson did ok listening over the radio. Not so good for him are the callers in who are absolutely incandescent.
Going to watch on TV now to see if there is a Nixon/Kennedy effect.
Laura K: "What is surprising is that PM was still trying to say that he didn't really know what was going on.....after seven days".
"Boris Johnson is in a very very very uncomfortable position, despite having apologised, and I think there are very few Conservatives prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, frankly"
Hm.
What follows, I wonder.
If we get polls showing the voters have turned - and they stay that way - perhaps he'll have to go. I'm taking this prospect seriously for the first time.
Attendee of the party says they were asked to go by both political and civil service staff -even tho briefing earlier this week claimed it'd been arranged by civil servants... https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1468585042607759362
Until Boris is replaced at which point whoever is the new leader he gets a software upgrade to become their biggest fan.
I'll laugh so hard if its Truss.
Boris will stay through to the general election in my view.
If he went and Truss was is the last 2 I would vote for whoever her opponent is.
However I would still stay in the party if she ended up leader, provided she kept her past republicanism quiet as she has done so far. If not I would vote RefUK
.
Is it essential to be a monarchist to be either a conservative or Conservative?
To be a UK Tory and certainly to be UK Tory leader absolutely, otherwise the Tory party ceases to exist.
In which case Tories can explore other options until the party returns to true Toryism once again
Toryism - someone who upholds the supremacy of social order as it has evolved in the English culture throughout history
And yet you vote for Boris and support a party which from just todays news
Decided to hold a party on the day 500+ people died of covid after implementing rules the previous day that banned such parties was shown to prioiritise the extradition of dogs rather than Afghans who were in danger because they had worked for us seemingly plan to implement a plan b lockdown without any ideas Oh and removed Northern Ireland from being part of the UK's customs union because it was the easy option for Boris.
The key point of being a Tory from its foundation is preservation of the monarchy and Church of England and landed estates. Nothing else encompasses the core principles of Toryism beyond those 3 aims. There are broader centre right conservative or free market principles the party has adopted as today's Conservative Party and in opposition to the socialism of Labour but they are not Toryism. Indeed the Union emerged after the Tory party too.
However Boris was not at this party in question, it was Biden who led the Afghanistan withdrawal and it was the EU who demanded the Irish Sea border as the only means of GB getting a post Brexit trade deal with them that left the CU and SM
Chise DNAPetri dishMicrobeSyringe @sailorrooscout Fantastic news. Initial lab studies show a third dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine neutralizes Omicron. A booster with the current version of the vaccine RAISES antibodies 25-FOLD providing a similar level as observed after two doses against the original virus and other variants!
Considering the study last night showing Omicron was 41 times less covered by 2 doses compared to original variant, which equates to 6.5x less covered than delta, a 25x increase could easily suggest 3 doses vs Omicron is considerably better protection than 2 doses vs Delta was.
So confirmation we're really not in bad shape with over a 3rd of the population covering most of the vulnerable now better protected than ever. What possible reason could their be for a sudden rush to restrictions...
If Truss runs I wonder if her Young Lib Dem past will be brought up, believe in the early 90's she was part of a conference motion to abolish the monarchy or something akin!!!
I don't think she'd be a strong candidate - reminds me a bit of Leadsom, who had a big ConHome and broader Tory fan club, but was only credible as long as you didn't spend five minutes listening to her. I think Sunak would crush her if it came to that.
However, I don't think the Lib Dem past is an issue for her at all. The answer is very simple - people explore their political identity a bit as youngsters, and can say she thought about it and matured. In the real world, strong supporters of Party X have often supported Party Y at some point - and it's not like she was in the BNP - it's the Lib Dems a quarter of a century ago.
Why would you compare her to Leadsom?
Leadsom had never been in the Cabinet before she ran against May.
Truss holds one of the Great Offices of State, has long been a leading Cabinet member and is as far as I'm aware now the longest-serving continuous member of the Cabinet dating back to Cameron's premiership.
And after nearly a decade in the Cabinet the worst thing people can criticise Truss for it seems is how she spoke about cheese in her very first Conference speech nearly a decade ago.
Truss is eminently qualified. 👍
Not much of an ad. Messrs Johnson, Raab and Grayling held one of the Great Offices. (I know, but I think Transport is very important!)
Agree with @Flatlander FPT - I thought Johnson did ok listening over the radio. Not so good for him are the callers in who are absolutely incandescent.
Going to watch on TV now to see if there is a Nixon/Kennedy effect.
There is, primarily because of Boris' ludicrous hair.
Err, havent they spent the last decade trying to get him the job?
Tory MPs too. They knew he'd be a terrible PM but they went for him because of voter appeal. And I don't see why this should change now. Unless the polls show their GE19 voters want him gone, I don't expect him to go.
Mr. Z, Napoleon wasn't short. It's a triumph of British cartoonery that that's one of the most obvious things people 'know' about him.
1.6 m whereas sunak is 1.7
The guesstimates for Napoleon put him at 1.68, IIRC
Looked up Nelson.
It said 52m.
At that height, you'd have to look up.
He was doubly useful at sea; If they lost a mast they could use him as one - and if they chopped him up, they could probably get a few useful spars as well.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Mr. Z, Napoleon wasn't short. It's a triumph of British cartoonery that that's one of the most obvious things people 'know' about him.
1.6 m whereas sunak is 1.7
The guesstimates for Napoleon put him at 1.68, IIRC
Looked up Nelson.
It said 52m.
At that height, you'd have to look up.
He was doubly useful at sea; If they lost a mast they could use him as one - and if they chopped him up, they could probably get a few useful spars as well.
Oh, and great position for snipers.
On the last point, I think it's something he would agree about from personal experience.
Agree with @Flatlander FPT - I thought Johnson did ok listening over the radio. Not so good for him are the callers in who are absolutely incandescent.
Going to watch on TV now to see if there is a Nixon/Kennedy effect.
There is, primarily because of Boris' ludicrous hair.
I shall have to watch later. I think it is down to Starmer's voice, and not seeing Boris's body language.
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Boris had childcare in on christmas day. No idea why you'd do that unless you were planning on getting seriously shitfaced.
Depends on the kids, perhaps? And the parents.
He used for the one household rule to invite Wilfred's godparent to look after young Wilfred. I know he has many kids but he just has the one with Carrie for the moment.
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
I have sympathy with the view that this goes too far beyond what can be proven, but if I were defending this leaflet to the regulator I'd argue that the primary message wasn't literal about a specific day or action but simply that Johnson wasn't taking Covid rules seriously last Christmas. You may suggest that's bullshitting a bit, but I think it's defensible enough vs Woolas' statement (which pretty directly stated his opponent had taken illegal donations, there wasn't any ambiguity really).
Chise DNAPetri dishMicrobeSyringe @sailorrooscout Fantastic news. Initial lab studies show a third dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine neutralizes Omicron. A booster with the current version of the vaccine RAISES antibodies 25-FOLD providing a similar level as observed after two doses against the original virus and other variants!
Considering the study last night showing Omicron was 41 times less covered by 2 doses compared to original variant, which equates to 6.5x less covered than delta, a 25x increase could easily suggest 3 doses vs Omicron is considerably better protection than 2 doses vs Delta was.
So confirmation we're really not in bad shape with over a 3rd of the population covering most of the vulnerable now better protected than ever. What possible reason could their be for a sudden rush to restrictions...
Because sufficient people want them. Populism, remember, not science . And Johnson needs a diversion.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Trying to drag Carrie into everything just belittles the "sources" claims. Just doesn't pass the sniff test that there were "always parties in the flat" and nobody found out for twelve months.
Having a staff Christmas piss-up is so easily believable because its plausible. Constant parties that were kept a secret for a year just aren't.
"They falsely suggested that Mr Watkins took this craven stance to the point of refusing to condemn death threats which Mr Woolas claimed had been made against him because he was 'in the pay' of a rich Arab sheikh," she said.
"They falsely stated he had committed criminal offences by spending more than the law allowed him to on printing election leaflets and by illicitly channelling funds from a foreign donor.
"Finally they falsely said he had broken his promises to move into the constituency."
Being blunt attacking Boris is fair game for many reasons 1 of which is that Boris isn't the Tory candidate.
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
I have sympathy with the view that this goes too far beyond what can be proven, but if I were defending this leaflet to the regulator I'd argue that the primary message wasn't literal about a specific day or action but simply that Johnson wasn't taking Covid rules seriously last Christmas. You may suggest that's bullshitting a bit, but I think it's defensible enough vs Woolas' statement (which pretty directly stated his opponent had taken illegal donations, there wasn't any ambiguity really).
Remember also that there’s this other party that the PM is rumoured to have attended. The LibDems will know that the Tories don’t want that tested in court, therefore they are safe with the leaflet.
Boris only needs to have attended one party last Xmas for the leaflet to be fine. The picture doesn’t say that he broke the law or that the party he went to was against the regulations in force at the time.
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Ah, that should be easily verified then
Shouldn't the burden of proof be on those making the accusation?
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
In Westminster they’ll already know what parties the PM went to. Not least because Dom is busy reminding them.
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
In Westminster they’ll already know what parties the PM went to. Not least because Dom is busy reminding them.
Agree with @Flatlander FPT - I thought Johnson did ok listening over the radio. Not so good for him are the callers in who are absolutely incandescent.
Going to watch on TV now to see if there is a Nixon/Kennedy effect.
There is, primarily because of Boris' ludicrous hair.
I shall have to watch later. I think it is down to Starmer's voice, and not seeing Boris's body language.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Ah, that should be easily verified then
So many of Bojo's problems spiral back to his wife. Perhaps that explains his "buyer's remorse"
This is not a personal thing. She seems perfectly pleasant to me, albeit a bit air-headed, maybe
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Ah, that should be easily verified then
Shouldn't the burden of proof be on those making the accusation?
There’s a lot of misconception about burden of proof in defamation. First up the claimant has to prove that the offending item was prima facie defamatory. Then, if the defendant offers truth as a defence then the burden passes to them to prove that. It’s a bit more complex than that but you get the drift.
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
Mr Carmichael MP got in hot water over that [edit] sort of thing in an election, too, though in a different way.
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
In Westminster they’ll already know what parties the PM went to. Not least because Dom is busy reminding them.
Why would Dom even know? He was already persona non grata by then.
131 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 Omicron cases in the UK is 568.
131 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 Omicron cases in the UK is 568.
So Johnson can announce Plan B in a press conference, where presumably he’d take questions from the press and public, or in the Commons? The timing would be brave after those PMQs
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
In Westminster they’ll already know what parties the PM went to. Not least because Dom is busy reminding them.
Why would Dom even know? He was already persona non grata by then.
Not all of his supporters, or moles, left number 10, though, and I think he was still in the process of disengaging from No.10 and his work duties there into December last year, when all this was alleged to have taken place.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Ah, that should be easily verified then
So many of Bojo's problems spiral back to his wife. Perhaps that explains his "buyer's remorse"
This is not a personal thing. She seems perfectly pleasant to me, albeit a bit air-headed, maybe
But: cherchez la femme
No, the story here is quite simple and has nothing to do with his latest wife.
He’s spent his life getting away with denying things that are true.
The strategy with the party was - “it was a year ago, they can’t prove anything, just deny the party and say all regulations were complied with”
Which they’ve been busy parroting all week.
Except for Dom having got passed the video, it might have worked.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Ah, that should be easily verified then
Shouldn't the burden of proof be on those making the accusation?
There’s a lot of misconception about burden of proof in defamation. First up the claimant has to prove that the offending item was prima facie defamatory. Then, if the defendant offers truth as a defence then the burden passes to them to prove that. It’s a bit more complex than that but you get the drift.
Nothing to do with defamation in this case though - the question is surely whether the Representation of the People Act has been breached?
131 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 Omicron cases in the UK is 568.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Ah, that should be easily verified then
Shouldn't the burden of proof be on those making the accusation?
There’s a lot of misconception about burden of proof in defamation. First up the claimant has to prove that the offending item was prima facie defamatory. Then, if the defendant offers truth as a defence then the burden passes to them to prove that. It’s a bit more complex than that but you get the drift.
Nothing to do with defamation in this case though - the question is surely whether the Representation of the People Act has been breached?
Yeah, sorry, someone mentioned defamation up thread.
Maybe he wants more time with his balls? Wouldn't blame him. But I think it's just that 80% of voters in Scotland already thought Mr J is numpty grade or below and only 16& of them thought he was OK. Not a great job to have to preach union and subordination (with possible future abolition of devolution, given Mr J's reported comments) to such a PM.
If they only have 2 jobs their antibody resistance to OMICRON YE KINGGE OF GERMES is approximately zero.
They are fucked. Unless it is incredibly mild. All of them will get it, many will go to hospital
Did you see the report from the hopital in Cape Town ( the 2nd largest in SA) who confirmed that they had zero Covid cases in ICU or in the HDU? Compare that to Italy in late Feb 2020 when Doctors were deciding who to admit and who to leave outside to die.
If they only have 2 jobs their antibody resistance to OMICRON YE KINGGE OF GERMES is approximately zero.
They are fucked. Unless it is incredibly mild. All of them will get it, many will go to hospital
It does look though so far as if it might be mild, or very mild.
I fear this might turn out to be similar to the "90% of cases in Wuhan are mild".....the bulk of infections in SA so far have been in the 10-30 year old age group.
It can still be milder, but its a numbers of game. Too many 50+ year olds not having much protection against, will still result in loads of hospitalizations and deaths even if it is statistically a bit milder than Delta.
131 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 Omicron cases in the UK is 568.
If they only have 2 jobs their antibody resistance to OMICRON YE KINGGE OF GERMES is approximately zero.
They are fucked. Unless it is incredibly mild. All of them will get it, many will go to hospital
Isn't it too early to say that? There's too many uncertain variables. For instance, whilst antibody response is low, there might be enough B/T-cell response to prevent serious illness.
It would be rather (By)-ronic if a deactivated virus, like Sinovac, worked 'better' against Omicron than the more complex vaccines. And that's a possibility, if it creates immunity against more than just Covid's spike.
Pippa Crerar @PippaCrerar Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
Ah, that should be easily verified then
So many of Bojo's problems spiral back to his wife. Perhaps that explains his "buyer's remorse"
This is not a personal thing. She seems perfectly pleasant to me, albeit a bit air-headed, maybe
But: cherchez la femme
No, the story here is quite simple and has nothing to do with his latest wife.
He’s spent his life getting away with denying things that are true.
The strategy with the party was - “it was a year ago, they can’t prove anything, just deny the party and say all regulations were complied with”
Which they’ve been busy parroting all week.
Except for Dom having got passed the video, it might have worked.
Minor correction- Boris doesn't always get away with lying; see his brief career at The Times, or his time as Higher Ed spokesman under Howard.
Where BoJo excels is in failing upwards- getting sacked or dumped and still snagging a better gig or girl.
"The other thing I keep reading is that #Omicron is “mild” — that’s misinformation. It’s mild*er* for *vaccinated* persons. The number of hospitalizations in South Africa (where only 25% of the population is fully vaxed) is rising and the case fatality rate remains ~3%"
There's nerves in the civil service this afternoon that all the blame for the No 10 Xmas party will be pointed at officials - that's what the Simon Case review could find - even though I understand political advisors were invited (and were due to feature in Xmas 'awards') https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1468594003948060676
Just had a look and I can't find my oximeter, which I bought at the start of the pandemic. There are now loads on Amazon, should one be worried about the quality of those, or is the tech even for cheap Chinese knock-offs good enough?
If they only have 2 jobs their antibody resistance to OMICRON YE KINGGE OF GERMES is approximately zero.
They are fucked. Unless it is incredibly mild. All of them will get it, many will go to hospital
It does look though so far as if it might be mild, or very mild.
I fear this might turn out to be similar to the "90% of cases in Wuhan are mild".....the bulk of infections in SA so far have been in the 10-30 year old age group.
It can still be milder, but its a numbers of game. Too many 50+ year olds not having much protection against, will still result in loads of hospitalizations and deaths even if it is statistically a bit milder than Delta.
Its really still too early to tell.
In many part of the world, they don't have many older people with other health conditions. Due to a slight intersection with death.
If they only have 2 jobs their antibody resistance to OMICRON YE KINGGE OF GERMES is approximately zero.
They are fucked. Unless it is incredibly mild. All of them will get it, many will go to hospital
It does look though so far as if it might be mild, or very mild.
I fear this might turn out to be similar to the "90% of cases in Wuhan are mild".....the bulk of infections in SA so far have been in the 10-30 year old age group.
It can still be milder, but its a numbers of game. Too many 50+ year olds not having much protection against, will still result in loads of hospitalizations and deaths even if it is statistically a bit milder than Delta.
Its really still too early to tell.
To me it looks not dissimilar to Delta. People still catching it, numbers rising rapidly, but prior vaccination or infection doing a good job of reducing severe outcomes.
The only difference from Delta is potentially speed of spread but that's only a problem if it puts irresistible pressure on the NHS. If it'd a case of either say 3,000 admissions per day over a short sharp 2 month surge (which based on Delta would imply a daily cases of around 250,000+) or 500 admissions per day over a year, and capacity can manage both, then there's an argument that the former might be better for public health long term.
"The other thing I keep reading is that #Omicron is “mild” — that’s misinformation. It’s mild*er* for *vaccinated* persons. The number of hospitalizations in South Africa (where only 25% of the population is fully vaxed) is rising and the case fatality rate remains ~3%"
Just had a look and I can't find my oximeter, which I bought at the start of the pandemic. There are now loads on Amazon, should one be worried about the quality of those, or is the tech even for cheap Chinese knock-offs good enough?
"Prof. Christina Pagel @chrischirp I think many elements of plan B could help slow spread. but vaccine passports seem entirely pointless when we have already seen superspreader events of Omicron in fully vaxxed groups."
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
Mr Carmichael MP got in hot water over that [edit] sort of thing in an election, too, though in a different way.
"The other thing I keep reading is that #Omicron is “mild” — that’s misinformation. It’s mild*er* for *vaccinated* persons. The number of hospitalizations in South Africa (where only 25% of the population is fully vaxed) is rising and the case fatality rate remains ~3%"
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Anything is fair game in an election advert - up to outright lies provided they aren't libel.
What's the key difference between this and Phil Woolas?
Phil Woolas did it to a candidate standing in the election.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
Mr Carmichael MP got in hot water over that [edit] sort of thing in an election, too, though in a different way.
Comments
However, I don't think the Lib Dem past is an issue for her at all. The answer is very simple - people explore their political identity a bit as youngsters, and can say she thought about it and matured. In the real world, strong supporters of Party X have often supported Party Y at some point - and it's not like she was in the BNP - it's the Lib Dems a quarter of a century ago.
Come to think of it, if any contemporary-ish politician reminds me of Boris (even a bit - he is unique) , it must be Clinton. A political triangulator, interesting approach to personal conduct, always in trouble, seat of the pants operator, but a hokey personality that people instinctively like.
And yet you vote for Boris and support a party which from just todays news
Decided to hold a party on the day 500+ people died of covid after implementing rules the previous day that banned such parties
was shown to prioiritise the extradition of dogs rather than Afghans who were in danger because they had worked for us
seemingly plan to implement a plan b lockdown without any ideas
Oh and removed Northern Ireland from being part of the UK's customs union because it was the easy option for Boris.
Can't find it anywhere to watch, that said.
Leadsom had never been in the Cabinet before she ran against May.
Truss holds one of the Great Offices of State, has long been a leading Cabinet member and is as far as I'm aware now the longest-serving continuous member of the Cabinet dating back to Cameron's premiership.
And after nearly a decade in the Cabinet the worst thing people can criticise Truss for it seems is how she spoke about cheese in her very first Conference speech nearly a decade ago.
Truss is eminently qualified. 👍
https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/81b5b10c-4dbc-4118-a69b-f97251c808ce
🚨 Acland-Hood says she has spoken to the Cabinet Secretary and the party WILL BE INCLUDED IN HIS INVESTIGATION INTO THE 18 DECEMBER DOWNING STREET PARTY.
https://twitter.com/e_casalicchio/status/1468584366339239948
https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1468584552872488963
https://twitter.com/BBCVickiYoung/status/1468572054786134019
Going to watch on TV now to see if there is a Nixon/Kennedy effect.
https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1468585042607759362
However Boris was not at this party in question, it was Biden who led the Afghanistan withdrawal and it was the EU who demanded the Irish Sea border as the only means of GB getting a post Brexit trade deal with them that left the CU and SM
Wow, great news – Pfizer says three doses is just as good against omicron as two doses were against the OG Covid (ie, extremely good). https://pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-provide-update-omicron-variant
So confirmation we're really not in bad shape with over a 3rd of the population covering most of the vulnerable now better protected than ever. What possible reason could their be for a sudden rush to restrictions...
Seems a bit like Phil Woolas in Oldham East and Saddleworth.
Oh, and great position for snipers.
My only comment on the leaflet is that is too good a photo of Boris - there are way worse ones in the public domain.
@PippaCrerar
Sources told me last week there were “many social gatherings” in Downing Street - even suggesting there were “always parties” in the flat Mr Johnson shares with wife, adding: “Carrie’s addicted to them”.
A spokesman for Mrs Johnson described the claims as "total nonsense".
I shall have to watch later. I think it is down to Starmer's voice, and not seeing Boris's body language.
Having a staff Christmas piss-up is so easily believable because its plausible. Constant parties that were kept a secret for a year just aren't.
"They falsely suggested that Mr Watkins took this craven stance to the point of refusing to condemn death threats which Mr Woolas claimed had been made against him because he was 'in the pay' of a rich Arab sheikh," she said.
"They falsely stated he had committed criminal offences by spending more than the law allowed him to on printing election leaflets and by illicitly channelling funds from a foreign donor.
"Finally they falsely said he had broken his promises to move into the constituency."
Being blunt attacking Boris is fair game for many reasons 1 of which is that Boris isn't the Tory candidate.
Boris only needs to have attended one party last Xmas for the leaflet to be fine. The picture doesn’t say that he broke the law or that the party he went to was against the regulations in force at the time.
All the same, it's at best an unproven extrapolation and at worst an outright lie. The Lib Dems do themselves no favours playing politics like that. No wonder no-one takes them seriously.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10285043/Covid-19-UK-Just-FIFTH-50s-inner-city-areas-booster-vaccine.html
https://twitter.com/skynewsniall/status/1468590347093790731
https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/1468586369480118272
This is not a personal thing. She seems perfectly pleasant to me, albeit a bit air-headed, maybe
But: cherchez la femme
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/09/alistair-carmichael-lib-dem-election-court-throws-out-attempt-to-unseat-mp
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 Omicron cases in the UK is 568.
They are fucked. Unless it is incredibly mild. All of them will get it, many will go to hospital
He’s spent his life getting away with denying things that are true.
The strategy with the party was - “it was a year ago, they can’t prove anything, just deny the party and say all regulations were complied with”
Which they’ve been busy parroting all week.
Except for Dom having got passed the video, it might have worked.
News of no great importance, but it's their publication.
There's no need for satire any longer.
A third of Conservative voters also say this (33%).
Almost three in five say party attendees should resign (58%). One in five say they should not (22%).
1,036 UK adults, 8 Dec
https://twitter.com/SavantaComRes/status/1468591910348591112
It can still be milder, but its a numbers of game. Too many 50+ year olds not having much protection against, will still result in loads of hospitalizations and deaths even if it is statistically a bit milder than Delta.
Its really still too early to tell.
This includes three-quarters of Conservative voters (77%).
1,036 UK adults, 8 Dec
Three in ten say they are less likely to follow Covid rules as a result (29%).
This rises to a third of Labour voters (33%) and those aged 18-34 (33%) who say the same.
Over half say they are just as likely to follow the rules (54%).
Was awake with a temperature for a couple of hours last night. Sore throat. That's it thus far.
It would be rather (By)-ronic if a deactivated virus, like Sinovac, worked 'better' against Omicron than the more complex vaccines. And that's a possibility, if it creates immunity against more than just Covid's spike.
Hope it remains mild for you.
Where BoJo excels is in failing upwards- getting sacked or dumped and still snagging a better gig or girl.
He can't do that this time, can he?
On the one hand:
"Omicron Symptoms ‘Far Milder,’ South Africa Hospital Group CEO Says - Bloomberg"
https://twitter.com/DoomedRambo/status/1468591040840060944?s=20
Yay. But on the other
"The other thing I keep reading is that #Omicron is “mild” — that’s misinformation. It’s mild*er* for *vaccinated* persons. The number of hospitalizations in South Africa (where only 25% of the population is fully vaxed) is rising and the case fatality rate remains ~3%"
https://twitter.com/DataDrivenMD/status/1467666453591560194?s=20
Oh
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/12/carson-makin-supreme-court-religious-liberty-public-education.html
https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1468594003948060676
We do.
The only difference from Delta is potentially speed of spread but that's only a problem if it puts irresistible pressure on the NHS. If it'd a case of either say 3,000 admissions per day over a short sharp 2 month surge (which based on Delta would imply a daily cases of around 250,000+) or 500 admissions per day over a year, and capacity can manage both, then there's an argument that the former might be better for public health long term.
@chrischirp
I think many elements of plan B could help slow spread. but vaccine passports seem entirely pointless when we have already seen superspreader events of Omicron in fully vaxxed groups."
https://twitter.com/chrischirp/status/1468538711293972481
What it does is count the number of actual days between publication day and today then divides it by 365.
Now leap years throws that off. As we've had two leap years since publication day it explains why it appears as more than six years old.
Edit: ignore: TSE being very intelligent like me despite a lawyer has resolved it as well.