There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
No, and maybe I expressed myself poorly. It's not just disagreeing with a set of opponents (again, that's politics). There's a very specific view about a conspiracy against the many - a constant war against a deep state out to thwart US.
You are describing Blair to a T. His rhetoric about the oppression of "the British people" by "the forces of conservatism" was borderline fascistic.
The old order, those forces of conservatism, for all their language about promoting the individual, and freedom and liberty, they held people back. They kept people down. They stunted people’s potential. Year after year. Decade after decade.
Look at this Party’s greatest achievement. The forces of conservatism, and the force of the Conservative Party, pulled every trick in the book - voting 51 times, yes 51 times, against the creation of the NHS. One leading Tory, Mr Henry Willink, said at the time that the NHS ‘will destroy so much in this country that we value,’ when we knew human potential can never be realised when whether you are well or ill depends on wealth not need. The forces of conservatism allied to racism are why one of the heroes of the 20th Century, Martin Luther King, is dead. It’s why another, Nelson Mandela, spent the best years of his life in a cell the size of a bed.
Genuine legal and procedural question. Does the recommendation of punishment of Johnson not go ahead now he has resigned as an MP? Surely it must still hang over him, because resigning Uxbridge winning Mid Staffs shouldn’t by pass the procedure and punishment completely?
Further to this. Looking at the HoC guidance on this stuff. Once a member has left Parliament it looks like the slate is wiped clean. Even if expelled he can immediately stand again.
"An expelled Member may seek re-election to the House, even within the term of the same Parliament that elected him, a principle established in 1782 as a result of the case of John Wilkes, who was expelled three times and once had his return amended in favour of his defeated opponent."
It's just gone quarter past 11 and I still can't fathom Sir Michael Fabricant. I think we are done with the "honours" system now.
It hasn’t technically gone to fabricant, it’s given to his rug for its steadfast commitment to duty and sterling work all these years. In fact Michael should stay away from the palace, so that it can be brought in on a cushion and receive the sword alone.
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
No, and maybe I expressed myself poorly. It's not just disagreeing with a set of opponents (again, that's politics). There's a very specific view about a conspiracy against the many - a constant war against a deep state out to thwart US.
It doesn't have to be "deep state". Other "elites", real or imaginary, will do. You see populist sentiments on here and elsewhere when people complain about North London liberals, Soros, Davos, Jews, lefty lawyers, out of touch academics, The EU, bankers, and so on.
Sometimes, they have a point. Usually, they do not. Only sometimes are they talking about people with real hard political power.
Yes and Blair did that with his targeting of 'the forces of conservativism' or the toffs in red coats etc
While calling Labour "the political wing of the British people". Pure populism that.
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
No, and maybe I expressed myself poorly. It's not just disagreeing with a set of opponents (again, that's politics). There's a very specific view about a conspiracy against the many - a constant war against a deep state out to thwart US.
It doesn't have to be "deep state". Other "elites", real or imaginary, will do. You see populist sentiments on here and elsewhere when people complain about North London liberals, Soros, Davos, Jews, lefty lawyers, out of touch academics, The EU, bankers, and so on.
Sometimes, they have a point. Usually, they do not. Only sometimes are they talking about people with real hard political power.
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
No, and maybe I expressed myself poorly. It's not just disagreeing with a set of opponents (again, that's politics). There's a very specific view about a conspiracy against the many - a constant war against a deep state out to thwart US.
You are describing Blair to a T. His rhetoric about the oppression of "the British people" by "the forces of conservatism" was borderline fascistic.
The old order, those forces of conservatism, for all their language about promoting the individual, and freedom and liberty, they held people back. They kept people down. They stunted people’s potential. Year after year. Decade after decade.
Look at this Party’s greatest achievement. The forces of conservatism, and the force of the Conservative Party, pulled every trick in the book - voting 51 times, yes 51 times, against the creation of the NHS. One leading Tory, Mr Henry Willink, said at the time that the NHS ‘will destroy so much in this country that we value,’ when we knew human potential can never be realised when whether you are well or ill depends on wealth not need. The forces of conservatism allied to racism are why one of the heroes of the 20th Century, Martin Luther King, is dead. It’s why another, Nelson Mandela, spent the best years of his life in a cell the size of a bed.
And Big G is utterly wrong imo there is no reason Nadine should have been blocked by Rishi.
She wasn't
The HOL appointment committee changed Johnson list and sent it back to Sunak and precluded Dorries and others from the original one
On what grounds?
At least the decent genuine sort Sharma got one for his COP work quite rightly, so there’s an awkward by election there too. Sharma will be an asset to the House of Lords, especially with environmentalism his specialism he can speak with insight on.
I would expect Sharma and Jack to be elevated in Sunak's list
So a cozy deal just to avoid awkward by elections, and the awful publicity that will come with them? Because on what grounds The HOL appointment committee removed Sharma?
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
That's a good point. If Boris does win Mid-Beds for REFORM and becomes leader the one thing that 100% won't happen in the next Parliament will be a change from FPTP to PR.
Lab and Lib won't dare risk a Con/Ref coalition in Election 2029 lol!
It’s very, very scant consolation that the series of events began by Cameron’s foolish referendum, the most glaring, egregious example of putting party before country, is now tearing the Tories apart.
It might have been partygate that’s pulled the trigger, but Johnson wouldn’t have been PM without Brexit, and all the countless lies he’s told before and since, the relentless boosterish bullshit he’s spewed since 2016, backing a Brexit he never really believed in, never bothered to properly understand the consequences of. It’s all culminated in today.
It’s all a game to Johnson, we are merely the pawns. He and the Conservative Party deserve each other for the chaos, division and terrible, terrible government they have inflicted on us. The Covid dithering, the parties and piss ups whilst we were locked down, the corrupt PPE contracts, bunging millions to three-week-old companies owned by their mates, the Patels and Bravermans, Cummings, Raab sunning himself whilst Afghanistan fell apart. The ‘oven ready deal’. The whole sorry, rotten, stinking mess.
I hope they go soon. They have allowed their foolish, blinkered, frothing ideologues to take control. They have globally diminished and materially impoverished this amazing country. The damage will take decades to undo.
I take no pleasure from today. None at all.
Surly you can take some comfort from the fact that in future the voters might take the trouble to think about what's in front of them and do at least a tiny bit of due diligence. I also think we are tonight closer to rejoinimg the EU than we have been anytime in the last three years
Genuine legal and procedural question. Does the recommendation of punishment of Johnson not go ahead now he has resigned as an MP? Surely it must still hang over him, because resigning Uxbridge winning Mid Staffs shouldn’t by pass the procedure and punishment completely?
Ah, the Mid Staffs by-election. Remember it well. Glorious weather, door knocking and leafleting in Rugeley for Sylvia Heal.
Getting an air con unit is an absolute game changer, it makes these warm days somehow bearable indoors
Unfortunately while they may be good for your immediate environment they are pretty disastrous for the wider environment.
I'm not sure what they're selling in the UK nowadays but over here a typical aircon unit can be run in reverse to generate heat when you're cold, and being a heat pump it will typically be quite a bit more efficient than whatever you were using for that purpose before. Since the UK isn't hot for very long, and when you do run an aircon it only has to change the temperature by a few degrees, I wouldn't be surprised if installing units like this ended up saving more power than it uses.
As a heating system, 4 and 5 to 1 are typical values, for air source heating. That is, you put in a 1kw of leccy and get 5 or 6kw of heating.
You can easily deal with the aircon requirement with solar panels on the roof.
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
No, and maybe I expressed myself poorly. It's not just disagreeing with a set of opponents (again, that's politics). There's a very specific view about a conspiracy against the many - a constant war against a deep state out to thwart US.
You are describing Blair to a T. His rhetoric about the oppression of "the British people" by "the forces of conservatism" was borderline fascistic.
The old order, those forces of conservatism, for all their language about promoting the individual, and freedom and liberty, they held people back. They kept people down. They stunted people’s potential. Year after year. Decade after decade.
Look at this Party’s greatest achievement. The forces of conservatism, and the force of the Conservative Party, pulled every trick in the book - voting 51 times, yes 51 times, against the creation of the NHS. One leading Tory, Mr Henry Willink, said at the time that the NHS ‘will destroy so much in this country that we value,’ when we knew human potential can never be realised when whether you are well or ill depends on wealth not need. The forces of conservatism allied to racism are why one of the heroes of the 20th Century, Martin Luther King, is dead. It’s why another, Nelson Mandela, spent the best years of his life in a cell the size of a bed.
Re; Roger's comment on Campbell-Bannerman on Newsnight, I particularly liked the about 12 pictures of Spitfires displayed prominently, and pointing in various directions behind him.
Clearly, the man is a Patriot, in case anyone was doubting that.
I saw that too. By patriot do you really mean "gammon"? Because that's what he looked like to me.
It's all a conspiracy between Harman and Gray. Lock them up!
"He trusted the instincts of the people over the Establishment - and was never forgiven for it: As Boris Johnson resigns from Parliament the nation has lost a transformative political genius whose like we shall not see again, DANIEL JOHNSON writes"
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
If Dabby Finkelsten is right, Boris could be best placed to fill the gap in the market for a leader who is protectionist or even left wing on occasion in economic rhetoric but right-wing and socially conservative in the culture wars. Something he was starting to do as PM before his removal https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theres-a-gap-in-the-market-for-a-tory-populist-n8s8t890p
If you get a heat pump to replace a boiler, it can then work as an aircon when it's hot.
...but only if it's an air-to-air heat pump, not an air-to-water heat pump. And the former are explicitly not elegible for the government subsidies for replacing your boiler with a heat pump...
Though you don’t pay VAT on installing air-air (aircon with a reverse option).
In theory you could install units in every room in the house and heat/cool the entire house from them.
"He trusted the instincts of the people over the Establishment - and was never forgiven for it: As Boris Johnson resigns from Parliament the nation has lost a transformative political genius whose like we shall not see again, DANIEL JOHNSON writes"
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
Genuine legal and procedural question. Does the recommendation of punishment of Johnson not go ahead now he has resigned as an MP? Surely it must still hang over him, because resigning Uxbridge winning Mid Staffs shouldn’t by pass the procedure and punishment completely?
Ah, the Mid Staffs by-election. Remember it well. Glorious weather, door knocking and leafleting in Rugeley for Sylvia Heal.
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
No, and maybe I expressed myself poorly. It's not just disagreeing with a set of opponents (again, that's politics). There's a very specific view about a conspiracy against the many - a constant war against a deep state out to thwart US.
You are describing Blair to a T. His rhetoric about the oppression of "the British people" by "the forces of conservatism" was borderline fascistic.
The old order, those forces of conservatism, for all their language about promoting the individual, and freedom and liberty, they held people back. They kept people down. They stunted people’s potential. Year after year. Decade after decade.
Look at this Party’s greatest achievement. The forces of conservatism, and the force of the Conservative Party, pulled every trick in the book - voting 51 times, yes 51 times, against the creation of the NHS. One leading Tory, Mr Henry Willink, said at the time that the NHS ‘will destroy so much in this country that we value,’ when we knew human potential can never be realised when whether you are well or ill depends on wealth not need. The forces of conservatism allied to racism are why one of the heroes of the 20th Century, Martin Luther King, is dead. It’s why another, Nelson Mandela, spent the best years of his life in a cell the size of a bed.
Not a particularly good example. You need to find something where he claims to represent the will of the British people, and people who disagree with him are traitors, or not proper British people. I'm sure he said some populist stuff, but just attacking 'the forces of conservatism' isn't really enoigh.
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
What about fox hunting was populist?
It was the classic of a dog whistle to the base. Get them riled up over toffs in red coats to keep them happy.
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
Indeed not. And as with most cases of people raising the prospect of a new party its obvious wish fulfillment. Goodwin has had media success and attention, and as with a lot of people on that path he needs to keep finding new hooks to keep people interested - so he plugs for a new party to break the 'system'.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I just do not get the impression Boris is the kind of politician who is really interested in that sort of thing. I'm sure he is furious about being ousted and happy to cause trouble, but trying to break the Westminster establishment? That's a fantasy for Corbynite oiks and Faragist nutters, not a most unideological Tory with a talent for rabble rousing.
"He trusted the instincts of the people over the Establishment - and was never forgiven for it: As Boris Johnson resigns from Parliament the nation has lost a transformative political genius whose like we shall not see again, DANIEL JOHNSON writes"
Any defence of Johnson tonight is utter shite. He trusted the instincts that would propel him up the greasy pole. He never gave a flying f*** for ANYTHING or ANYONE else.
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
If Britain is broken who does Goodwin (and Johnson) think broke it?
I have some ideas.
So do I. Personally I think it was Tony Blair. He was responsible for so many of the constitutional changes that have caused such disagreement in the country including our relationship with the EU. Brexit was the inevitable solution to many of the problems caused by Blair. And the worst thing is he didn't do them because he really believed in them. All he believed in was gaining and retaining power. In that way he and Johnson are far more similar than either would like to admit.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I just do not get the impression Boris is the kind of politician who is really interested in that sort of thing. I'm sure he is furious about being ousted and happy to cause trouble, but trying to break the Westminster establishment? That's a fantasy for Corbynite oiks and Faragist nutters, not a most unideological Tory with a talent for rabble rousing.
Mmm; I get the impression he likes success and status and an easy life; being at the head of a new party in an FPTP system gets you none of those.
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
What about fox hunting was populist?
It was the classic of a dog whistle to the base. Get them riled up over toffs in red coats to keep them happy.
And who talked about these toffs in red coats? I remember -- vaguely -- from the time about the argument being between cruelty on the one hand and livelihoods on the other. Who was talking about toffs in red coats?
It's just gone quarter past 11 and I still can't fathom Sir Michael Fabricant. I think we are done with the "honours" system now.
I really don't think his appointment is any worse than many seen before. People have moaned about useless duffers and sycophants getting rewarded as long as I can remember. They seem to be more common for backbench fools than frontliners, though we unusually have two knights leading parties at present.
Is it just a coincidence that Lord Ashcroft conducted a constituency poll in Uxbridge a few days ago?
No. It was in response to the possibility that Boris would face a recall election and there might be a by-election. It's that prospect that Boris is running from. He's not running towards some mighty principle despite what he'd have us think.
Of course not. If he was genuinely angry at a cabal of biased committee members forcing him out he'd welcome a by-election to show them what for.
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
If Britain is broken who does Goodwin (and Johnson) think broke it?
I have some ideas.
So do I. Personally I think it was Tony Blair. He was responsible for so many of the constitutional changes that have caused such disagreement in the country including our relationship with the EU. Brexit was the inevitable solution to many of the problems caused by Blair. And the worst thing is he didn't do them because he really believed in them. All he believed in was gaining and retaining power. In that way he and Johnson are far more similar than either would like to admit.
Due exclusively to Iraq I have no time for Blair these days. However I believe your interpretation of Blair and how he set about his journey was wholly different to that of Johnson. The similarity is they both ended up as discredited busted flushes. Save for Iraq history will be more favourable for Blair than it will be for Johnson.
For good or ill Johnson will be seen as the bogus facilitator of Brexit.
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
If Britain is broken who does Goodwin (and Johnson) think broke it?
I have some ideas.
So do I. Personally I think it was Tony Blair. He was responsible for so many of the constitutional changes that have caused such disagreement in the country including our relationship with the EU. Brexit was the inevitable solution to many of the problems caused by Blair. And the worst thing is he didn't do them because he really believed in them. All he believed in was gaining and retaining power. In that way he and Johnson are far more similar than either would like to admit.
Due exclusively to Iraq I have no time for Blair these days. However I believe your interpretation of Blair and how he set about his journey was wholly different to that of Johnson. The similarity is they both ended up as discredited busted flushes. Save for Iraq history will be more favourable for Blair than it will be for Johnson.
For good or ill Johnson will be seen as the bogus facilitator of Brexit.
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
What does he do if he wins Mid Beds? If he becomes Reform Prime Minister it means he's killed the Conservative Party. Or does he immediately cross the floor back to the Tories? Nigel won't like that.
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
I tend to agree with this, but there's always a chance Boris will chicken out like he did in 2016 after Michael Gove stabbed him in the back.
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
If Britain is broken who does Goodwin (and Johnson) think broke it?
I have some ideas.
So do I. Personally I think it was Tony Blair. He was responsible for so many of the constitutional changes that have caused such disagreement in the country including our relationship with the EU. Brexit was the inevitable solution to many of the problems caused by Blair. And the worst thing is he didn't do them because he really believed in them. All he believed in was gaining and retaining power. In that way he and Johnson are far more similar than either would like to admit.
Due exclusively to Iraq I have no time for Blair these days. However I believe your interpretation of Blair and how he set about his journey was wholly different to that of Johnson. The similarity is they both ended up as discredited busted flushes. Save for Iraq history will be more favourable for Blair than it will be for Johnson.
For good or ill Johnson will be seen as the bogus facilitator of Brexit.
Boris also voted for war against Iraq.
He wasn't the incumbent Prime Minister so I am afraid that doesn't count.
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
I REALLY don't think Boris Johnson is the answer to Britain's growing list of problems. But it would also be the biggest f-you to his critics and much of the establishment if he declared Westminster is completely broken, the system is utterly rotten, the Tories are totally lost, Labour want to reverse Brexit and then sets up a new party and wins the pro-Leave Mid Beds by-election. Lolz."
If Britain is broken who does Goodwin (and Johnson) think broke it?
I have some ideas.
So do I. Personally I think it was Tony Blair. He was responsible for so many of the constitutional changes that have caused such disagreement in the country including our relationship with the EU. Brexit was the inevitable solution to many of the problems caused by Blair. And the worst thing is he didn't do them because he really believed in them. All he believed in was gaining and retaining power. In that way he and Johnson are far more similar than either would like to admit.
Due exclusively to Iraq I have no time for Blair these days. However I believe your interpretation of Blair and how he set about his journey was wholly different to that of Johnson. The similarity is they both ended up as discredited busted flushes. Save for Iraq history will be more favourable for Blair than it will be for Johnson.
For good or ill Johnson will be seen as the bogus facilitator of Brexit.
Boris also voted for war against Iraq.
He wasn't the incumbent Prime Minister so I am afraid that doesn't count.
It counts. Not as much as it does against Blair, but it really fucking counts. I haven't forgiven a single one of them who voted for it.
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
What does he do if he wins Mid Beds? If he becomes Reform Prime Minister it means he's killed the Conservative Party. Or does he immediately cross the floor back to the Tories? Nigel won't like that.
Oh he won't become REFORM PM while we have FPTP. That could only happen under PR.
All he'd do is split the Con vote and ensure Lab government for years to come (sometimes on their own or with Lib support)
Those saying Boris won't win Mid-Beds if he stands for REFORM remember Boris Johnson has never lost an election he's stood in.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
What about fox hunting was populist?
It was the classic of a dog whistle to the base. Get them riled up over toffs in red coats to keep them happy.
And who talked about these toffs in red coats? I remember -- vaguely -- from the time about the argument being between cruelty on the one hand and livelihoods on the other. Who was talking about toffs in red coats?
Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu, one of the leading pro-hunt campaigners in the Lords, said: "This is, I am afraid, an attack on people.
"I heard a Labour MP say the other day 'This is not about foxes. It is about who runs Britain, us or the Tory toffs'. It is a terrible misconception that the people who enjoy hunting, the people for who it is a way of life and a culture, are rich nobs. They are not."
There has long been an unfulfilled desire among many to replace the Tories with a more populist centre-right party. The timing when they're at a cyclical weak point would be a good moment to strike if Boris is minded to do it.
Didn't that already happen?
No, the current Tories are delivering something akin to Blairism on steroids.
You... you didn't see the populism at the heart of government over the last few years then? You missed all that?
Blairism was populism.
It was not. That isn't to say it was good or bad, but it definitely wasn't populism.
People fundamentally misunderstand this term. Populism is NOT about seeking to be popular, being good at spin or whatever. That is simply politics. Populism is setting it up as them (elites) versus us (the people - hence populism). It is draining the swamp, taking back control and so on.
Again, that's not a judgment (albeit I personally do have a view). Populists could be right. But it's a very specific thing, and Blair just isn't an example.
Which Blair did. Hence things like Lords Reform, Fox Hunting, railing against the "forces of conservativism" etc
He did that aplenty.
What about fox hunting was populist?
It was the classic of a dog whistle to the base. Get them riled up over toffs in red coats to keep them happy.
And who talked about these toffs in red coats? I remember -- vaguely -- from the time about the argument being between cruelty on the one hand and livelihoods on the other. Who was talking about toffs in red coats?
Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu, one of the leading pro-hunt campaigners in the Lords, said: "This is, I am afraid, an attack on people.
"I heard a Labour MP say the other day 'This is not about foxes. It is about who runs Britain, us or the Tory toffs'. It is a terrible misconception that the people who enjoy hunting, the people for who it is a way of life and a culture, are rich nobs. They are not."
@Anabobazina has sent me a message saying they are prevented from posting again. @TSE, @rcs1000, can you press your magic buttons again and fix things plz?
In the indictment, another fine Trump quote (from 2018).
“As the head of the executive branch and Commander in Chief, I have a unique, Constitutional responsibility to protect the Nation's classified information, including by controlling access to it. More broadly, the issue of [a former executive branch official's] security clearance raises larger questions about the practice of former officials maintaining access to our Nation's most sensitive secrets long after their time in Government has ended. Such access is particularly inappropriate when former officials have transitioned into highly partisan positions and seek to use real or perceived access to sensitive information to validate their political attacks. Any access granted to our Nation's secrets should be in furtherance of national, not personal, interests.”
"I am not alone in thinking that there is a witch hunt under way, to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result.
My removal is the necessary first step, and I believe there has been a concerted attempt to bring it about. I am afraid I no longer believe that it is any coincidence that Sue Gray - who investigated gatherings in Number 10 - is now the chief of staff designate of the Labour leader.
Nor do I believe that it is any coincidence that her supposedly impartial chief counsel, Daniel Stilitz KC, turned out to be a strong Labour supporter who repeatedly tweeted personal attacks on me and the government. "
"I am not alone in thinking that there is a witch hunt under way, to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result.
My removal is the necessary first step, and I believe there has been a concerted attempt to bring it about. I am afraid I no longer believe that it is any coincidence that Sue Gray - who investigated gatherings in Number 10 - is now the chief of staff designate of the Labour leader.
Nor do I believe that it is any coincidence that her supposedly impartial chief counsel, Daniel Stilitz KC, turned out to be a strong Labour supporter who repeatedly tweeted personal attacks on me and the government. "
Maybe if he hadn't done all the things that it turned out he had done he might have a point. But he did, so he hasn't.
It's just gone quarter past 11 and I still can't fathom Sir Michael Fabricant. I think we are done with the "honours" system now.
I really don't think his appointment is any worse than many seen before. People have moaned about useless duffers and sycophants getting rewarded as long as I can remember. They seem to be more common for backbench fools than frontliners, though we unusually have two knights leading parties at present.
He's been an MP since 1992 and he's self-confessedly one of the most socially liberal Tory MPs. He also gets votes from otherwise Lab and LD supporters in his constituency.
My heart has joined the Thousand for MightyAlex stopped running today. 😞
Treat him well Lord Frith.
It took me a moment to get this. Sorry about your rabbit, @MoonRabbit
No, I havn’t lost a rabbit, not recently. It was PBs MightyAlex posting c-word, c-word, c-word. Has MightyAlex been seen since?
I think I'm still here. Mods seem to show mercy when the Barclays are concerned.
mods = gods etc.
By the mercy of Lord Frith!
Now if Barclays is a trigger word for you, I’ll do my best not to post it in future. But as Barclays is a big player in the banking world, and Barclay’s Bank rhyming slang, and the Barclay Bros selling off Telegraph titles, you will need to be extra vigilant yourself to avoid it.
My heart has joined the Thousand for MightyAlex stopped running today. 😞
Treat him well Lord Frith.
It took me a moment to get this. Sorry about your rabbit, @MoonRabbit
No, I havn’t lost a rabbit, not recently. It was PBs MightyAlex posting c-word, c-word, c-word. Has MightyAlex been seen since?
I think I'm still here. Mods seem to show mercy when the Barclays are concerned.
mods = gods etc.
By the mercy of Lord Frith!
Now if Barclays is a trigger word for you, I’ll do my best not to post it in future. But as Barclays is a big player in the banking world, and Barclay’s Bank rhyming slang, and the Barclay Bros selling off Telegraph titles, you will need to be extra vigilant yourself to avoid it.
The court papers were fascinating - Particularly the judges comments. Freely available online.
There are some people in guernsey, to whom I doff my hat.
I have not read the non peer reviewed books of individual GCs who do not specialise in the area of gender..... I highly recommend the videos of Abigail Thorn of PhilosophyTube, I would also suggest the work of Mia Mulder, Katy Montgomerie
Abigail Thorn, actor, transwoman and (now) lesbian? To be clear, a man who says he's a woman and is attracted to women. And people wonder why lesbians get upset.
How many peer reviewed works have they, Ms Montgomerie or Mulder published?
The unexpected announcement could signal the end of a flamboyant career by a politician known for breaking rules and disregarding norms. But it could also be merely a twist in a career marked by frequent surges and setbacks.
“Politically, he hasn’t got that many friends,” Jonathan Powell, who served as chief of staff to a former prime minister, Tony Blair, said of Mr. Johnson. “He has a few die-hard supporters. But he doesn’t get a sympathy vote for his troubles, and he doesn’t have people behind him.”
Does she follow pb.com?! Steven Swinford probably does.
Boris Johnson will not be an MP again anytime soon. His dying rump of supporters and sycophants will have to hope Rishi Sunak fails utterly at the next election. Then, perhaps, their white knight will ride to the rescue.
Boris is pretty astute about avoiding fights he can’t win. Look at the withdrawal from the leadership election after Cameron resigned. He must have calculated that without the active support of Sunak he had no chance of overturning the committee’s recommendations. He was probably right.
Will he be back? Not while Sunak is there but that is only 15 months or so.
Why would he want to come back?
I've been saying for a long time he'd take the Chiltern Hundreds and coin it in from the lecture tour.
He'd have more dignity if he'd done so when he resigned as PM, like Blair and Cameron, instead of doing so now though.
His attitude today is just pathetic.
Don't you feel cheated? Someone you praised to the hilt just two years ago turns out to be the creep many suspected he was
All political careers end in failure.
*snip*
Not strictly true - untimely death happens occasionally.
Getting an air con unit is an absolute game changer, it makes these warm days somehow bearable indoors
Unfortunately while they may be good for your immediate environment they are pretty disastrous for the wider environment.
An air-con unit is just a form of heat pump. They're more efficient than gas boilers.
But quite unnecessary in UK homes.
Sky TV is quite unnecessary.
Beer is quite unnecessary.
Fibre broadband is quite unnecessary.
Playstations are quite unnecessary.
Life is about more than necessities. Why deny someone a pleasure, just because it uses electricity, which should be generated cleanly anyway?
Oh, come down off your high-horse, I'm in no position to stop anybody wasting their money on home aircon.
I'm just pointing out was a waste of money and energy it is in the UK. And until we are using no renewables in the summer every home aircon will be adding to global warming.
If you have the lights on in your home, or a Playstation running, or anything else then you are 'adding to global warming'. Indeed virtually anything you ever do will, unless we make electricity clean, which is why we need to eliminate the notion of reducing things, and make things clean instead.
I don't have an Air Con, and I don't want one either. But a house with Solar Panels and an Air Con is far better for the environment than a house with neither.
We've got a hot tub warming up overnight. What does that do for our carbon footprint?
Big Emms Thornberry putting collaboration with LDs to the sword.
‘No chance of working with the Libdems in Mid Beds or Uxbridge?’
‘Certainly not!’
In Islington they have history.
Your mate Bob Seely was on Newsnight too, batting for Richie Rich. I hadn't quite realised what an utter tosser Bob really is.
Sometimes he comes across intelligently, especially when it’s a foreign affairs or military issue playing to his strengths, and at other times he can be a really puerile politician, you’re right. He’ll stand in the west seat which ought to be safe, although recent polling is tempting Labour to fantasise about gains here.
Big Emms Thornberry putting collaboration with LDs to the sword.
‘No chance of working with the Libdems in Mid Beds or Uxbridge?’
‘Certainly not!’
In Islington they have history.
Your mate Bob Seely was on Newsnight too, batting for Richie Rich. I hadn't quite realised what an utter tosser Bob really is.
Sometimes he comes across intelligently, especially when it’s a foreign affairs or military issue playing to his strengths, and at other times he can be a really puerile politician, you’re right. He’ll stand in the west seat which ought to be safe, although recent polling is tempting Labour to fantasise about gains here.
After Boris Johnson's call to arms yesterday maybe Bob Seely, ex MP is more likely than it was this time yesterday.
What was Johnson asking his audience to do on his behalf in his rambling resignation essay? Are his disciples supposed to go out and seek revenge on the assassins?
The sun is already shining through on what looks like a beautiful day to come
It is also the day Johnson and Dorries are ex mps, and who expected that joyous news this time yesterday
And my wife and I are going for a 5 day break in the Isle of Man tomorrow following the footsteps of my beloved mother and father who went there regularly, not least due to my father's love of motorbikes. We have been promising we would do this trip since 1964 when we first moved to Llandudno and so it comes to pass
I have no idea what happens to the conservative party now but at least Sunak has a chance to start the purge of the ever decreasing number of Johnson sycophants
I expect the last 24 hours has ended any idea of a Spring 24 election with Oct 24 even more likely
Apparently my daughter told me that returning home from Leeds yesterday afternoon the queuing traffic coming into North Wales was almost at a standstill and her journey was long and very frustrating
It just affirms what those of us who live in North Wales know that we live in a delightful and beautiful part of the UK and we hope all our visitors have a wonderful time and spend their money in our attractions and shops
"He trusted the instincts of the people over the Establishment - and was never forgiven for it: As Boris Johnson resigns from Parliament the nation has lost a transformative political genius whose like we shall not see again, DANIEL JOHNSON writes"
Boris Johnson was a political genius in the same way the Angeli provided a stable dynasty for quiet competence and growing prosperity for Constantinople.
*) Even if this is the end of BJ's political career, he will not go quietly. He will spend years writing articles and appearing on TV moaning about how all his successors are doing things wrong. Think Heath on acid.
*) Back when he was MoL, I decided that BJ was unsuitable for high office. It's interesting that his downfall have been due not to bad governance, but the character flaws that were all too visible then. A propensity to help his mates; a tendency to ignore advice; a habit of non-cooperation with critics. An obfuscation of the truth. A policy of spreading mistruths and bluster. All these were plainly visible in the Garden Bridge debacle.
Comments
The old order, those forces of conservatism, for all their language about promoting the individual, and freedom and liberty, they held people back. They kept people down. They stunted people’s potential. Year after year. Decade after decade.
Look at this Party’s greatest achievement. The forces of conservatism, and the force of the Conservative Party, pulled every trick in the book - voting 51 times, yes 51 times, against the creation of the NHS. One leading Tory, Mr Henry Willink, said at the time that the NHS ‘will destroy so much in this country that we value,’ when we knew human potential can never be realised when whether you are well or ill depends on wealth not need. The forces of conservatism allied to racism are why one of the heroes of the 20th Century, Martin Luther King, is dead. It’s why another, Nelson Mandela, spent the best years of his life in a cell the size of a bed.
http://www.britishpoliticalspeech.org/speech-archive.htm?speech=205
Maybe to lead the OMRLP.
"An expelled Member may seek re-election to the House, even within the term of the same Parliament that elected him, a principle established in 1782 as a result of the case of John Wilkes, who was expelled three times and once had his return amended in favour of his defeated opponent."
While calling Labour "the political wing of the British people". Pure populism that.
https://www.openculture.com/2020/06/john-cleeses-comedically-explains-the-psychological-advantages-of-extremism.html
If I remember correctly, he was trading around 8/1, about a month ago.
Lab and Lib won't dare risk a Con/Ref coalition in Election 2029 lol!
You can easily deal with the aircon requirement with solar panels on the roof.
It's all a conspiracy between Harman and Gray. Lock them up!
"He trusted the instincts of the people over the Establishment - and was never forgiven for it: As Boris Johnson resigns from Parliament the nation has lost a transformative political genius whose like we shall not see again, DANIEL JOHNSON writes"
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12179517/DANIEL-JOHNSON-nation-lost-transformative-political-genius-like-wont-again.html
In theory you could install units in every room in the house and heat/cool the entire house from them.
20% off is nice.
I have some ideas.
Time to tap out.
It seems they will now finish this quickly and the report will be out very soon .
Hopefully this really is the political end for the pathological liar and stain on UK politics
Maybe I'm wrong, but I just do not get the impression Boris is the kind of politician who is really interested in that sort of thing. I'm sure he is furious about being ousted and happy to cause trouble, but trying to break the Westminster establishment? That's a fantasy for Corbynite oiks and Faragist nutters, not a most unideological Tory with a talent for rabble rousing.
For good or ill Johnson will be seen as the bogus facilitator of Brexit.
Obviously there's a first time for everything but I would give Johnson at least a 50% chance of winning Mid-Beds if he stands (as I'm sure he will as it's all clearly orchestrated between him and Nadine)
I haven't forgiven a single one of them who voted for it.
All he'd do is split the Con vote and ensure Lab government for years to come (sometimes on their own or with Lib support)
Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu, one of the leading pro-hunt campaigners in the Lords, said: "This is, I am afraid, an attack on people.
"I heard a Labour MP say the other day 'This is not about foxes. It is about who runs Britain, us or the Tory toffs'. It is a terrible misconception that the people who enjoy hunting, the people for who it is a way of life and a culture, are rich nobs. They are not."
“As the head of the executive branch and Commander in Chief, I have a unique, Constitutional responsibility to protect the Nation's
classified information, including by controlling access to it. More broadly, the issue of [a former executive branch official's] security clearance raises larger questions about the practice of former officials maintaining access to our Nation's most sensitive secrets long after their time in Government has ended. Such access is particularly inappropriate when former officials have transitioned into highly partisan positions and seek to use real or perceived
access to sensitive information to validate their political attacks. Any access granted to our Nation's secrets should be in furtherance of national, not personal, interests.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65863336
"I am not alone in thinking that there is a witch hunt under way, to take revenge for Brexit and ultimately to reverse the 2016 referendum result.
My removal is the necessary first step, and I believe there has been a concerted attempt to bring it about. I am afraid I no longer believe that it is any coincidence that Sue Gray - who investigated gatherings in Number 10 - is now the chief of staff designate of the Labour leader.
Nor do I believe that it is any coincidence that her supposedly impartial chief counsel, Daniel Stilitz KC, turned out to be a strong Labour supporter who repeatedly tweeted personal attacks on me and the government. "
https://archive.org/details/BBC_Chillers/01+2002-01-24+Who+Goes+There+[by+John+W+Campbell].mp3
A bit of football related news my GF shared with me.
mods = gods etc.
Now if Barclays is a trigger word for you, I’ll do my best not to post it in future. But as Barclays is a big player in the banking world, and Barclay’s Bank rhyming slang, and the Barclay Bros selling off Telegraph titles, you will need to be extra vigilant yourself to avoid it.
There are some people in guernsey, to whom I doff my hat.
FPT: Abigail Thorn, actor, transwoman and (now) lesbian? To be clear, a man who says he's a woman and is attracted to women. And people wonder why lesbians get upset.
How many peer reviewed works have they, Ms Montgomerie or Mulder published?
Meanwhile, Elon tweets:
Powerful article
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1667297563719122945
4.2million views - which the Telegraph no doubt would be delighted by, except he posts a non-paywall link immediately after it:
The cult of gender ideology is finally disintegrating
https://archive.is/20230609223701/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2023/05/30/the-cult-of-gender-ideology-finally-crumbling/#selection-2959.4-2959.57
The unexpected announcement could signal the end of a flamboyant career by a politician known for breaking rules and disregarding norms. But it could also be merely a twist in a career marked by frequent surges and setbacks.
“Politically, he hasn’t got that many friends,” Jonathan Powell, who served as chief of staff to a former prime minister, Tony Blair, said of Mr. Johnson. “He has a few die-hard supporters. But he doesn’t get a sympathy vote for his troubles, and he doesn’t have people behind him.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/09/world/europe/boris-johson-resigns.html
Say "Cf" and "L"? Or maybe "MR" and "BG_NW"? Or perhaps . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpzOWzm4EDM (or your favourite podcast platform)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/22627496/ben-white-milly-adams-arsenal-ibiza-honeymoon/
The end of Boris Johnson's life as a British MP, for some time.
It's a shame TSE got carried away last night as he'd got it right up until his mid-Beds madness.
Two crooks whose lies wrecked the West.
Does she follow pb.com?! Steven Swinford probably does.
Boris Johnson will not be an MP again anytime soon. His dying rump of supporters and sycophants will have to hope Rishi Sunak fails utterly at the next election. Then, perhaps, their white knight will ride to the rescue.
Campbell was a devious, foul-mouthed, and nasty operator. So to hear him now pontificating from a moral high ground is really a bit much.
Was surprised by this news story. I do wonder if Nadine Dorries' previous announcement was made to be deliberately helpful, though.
What was Johnson asking his audience to do on his behalf in his rambling resignation essay? Are his disciples supposed to go out and seek revenge on the assassins?
The sun is already shining through on what looks like a beautiful day to come
It is also the day Johnson and Dorries are ex mps, and who expected that joyous news this time yesterday
And my wife and I are going for a 5 day break in the Isle of Man tomorrow following the footsteps of my beloved mother and father who went there regularly, not least due to my father's love of motorbikes. We have been promising we would do this trip since 1964 when we first moved to Llandudno and so it comes to pass
I have no idea what happens to the conservative party now but at least Sunak has a chance to start the purge of the ever decreasing number of Johnson sycophants
I expect the last 24 hours has ended any idea of a Spring 24 election with Oct 24 even more likely
Apparently my daughter told me that returning home from Leeds yesterday afternoon the queuing traffic coming into North Wales was almost at a standstill and her journey was long and very frustrating
It just affirms what those of us who live in North Wales know that we live in a delightful and beautiful part of the UK and we hope all our visitors have a wonderful time and spend their money in our attractions and shops
Not the Iraqis, not the soldiers killed and maimed. Not Dr Kelly.
Some people said some really, really hurtful things about him.
NEW THREAD
*) Even if this is the end of BJ's political career, he will not go quietly. He will spend years writing articles and appearing on TV moaning about how all his successors are doing things wrong. Think Heath on acid.
*) Back when he was MoL, I decided that BJ was unsuitable for high office. It's interesting that his downfall have been due not to bad governance, but the character flaws that were all too visible then. A propensity to help his mates; a tendency to ignore advice; a habit of non-cooperation with critics. An obfuscation of the truth. A policy of spreading mistruths and bluster. All these were plainly visible in the Garden Bridge debacle.