A reminder that Paula Vennells is an ordained Church of England priest.
I suggest she concentrates on that rather than trying to run complex businesses.
Ironically the smarter voices in the CofE have observed that a lot of that organisation's current troubles are from people (e.g. Justin Welby) trying to run it like a complex business.
Appointing an oil exec as Archbishop is clear proof of the Biblical dictum 'he that toucheth pitch shall be defiled.'
What a brilliant point (again) by Beer - Vennells in her statement still in denial blaming "the Horizon system". Not the Post Office. He picks her up on this.
I know it is an epic tautology, but lawyers are awesome, Jason Beer KC is primus inter pares.
You being typically overmodest, TSE? He's nearly as good as you, perhaps, but....
Edit: Seriously, she is really floundering. He's skewering her.
A reminder that Paula Vennells is an ordained Church of England priest.
I suggest she concentrates on that rather than trying to run complex businesses.
Ironically the smarter voices in the CofE have observed that a lot of that organisation's current troubles are from people (e.g. Justin Welby) trying to run it like a complex business.
Appointing an oil exec as Archbishop is clear proof of the Biblical dictum 'he that toucheth pitch shall be defiled.'
He read History and Law at Cambridge, he truly is the best of the best.
He is relentless, fantastically well briefed, and displays the right level of snark.
To me arguably the funniest of his quotes was when they were reading a document from Second Sight which was in Comic Sans. He read through it as it was on screen and said "if XXX can look at the, frankly headache-inducing document..."
What a brilliant point (again) by Beer - Vennells in her statement still in denial blaming "the Horizon system". Not the Post Office. He picks her up on this.
This whole thing is basically Hitler trying to play the Nuremberg defence.
What a brilliant point (again) by Beer - Vennells in her statement still in denial blaming "the Horizon system". Not the Post Office. He picks her up on this.
I know it is an epic tautology, but lawyers are awesome, Jason Beer KC is primus inter pares.
You being typically overmodest, TSE? He's nearly as good as you, perhaps, but....
Edit: Seriously, she is really floundering. He's skewering her.
If this was a boxing match the referee would have stepped in already.
A reminder that Paula Vennells is an ordained Church of England priest.
I suggest she concentrates on that rather than trying to run complex businesses.
There’s a saying in Glasgow about particularly useless folk that they couldn’t run a minodge (an informal savings collective). Couldn’t run a church raffle would have a similar vibe.
This morning PM reiterated his line that the general election will be in the second half of the year. Worth noting the second half of the year is now just 40 days away…
There is no good time for an election but - and I appreciate this is a niche concern - it would be nice to be able to make some holiday plans. So just get on with it, one way or the other.
This is the position of everyone in Westminster. Not 'get on with it' but 'can we have some clarity, please'. Spouses about to commit murder. Special pleading for those trying to submit a book manuscript...
A reminder that Paula Vennells is an ordained Church of England priest.
I suggest she concentrates on that rather than trying to run complex businesses.
Ironically the smarter voices in the CofE have observed that a lot of that organisation's current troubles are from people (e.g. Justin Welby) trying to run it like a complex business.
Westminster rumour mill in overdrive that Sunak is about to call election for July 4. May yet prove to be unfounded but No 10 currently silent on the question
Once again there are snap election rumours. I have been a sceptic every time so far. More importantly, people I trust who are in the loop have told me it's nonsense. This time, those people are silent
This morning PM reiterated his line that the general election will be in the second half of the year. Worth noting the second half of the year is now just 40 days away…
There is no good time for an election but - and I appreciate this is a niche concern - it would be nice to be able to make some holiday plans. So just get on with it, one way or the other.
This is the position of everyone in Westminster. Not 'get on with it' but 'can we have some clarity, please'. Spouses about to commit murder. Special pleading for those trying to submit a book manuscript...
Once again there are snap election rumours. I have been a sceptic every time so far. More importantly, people I trust who are in the loop have told me it's nonsense. This time, those people are silent
Westminster rumour mill in overdrive that Sunak is about to call election for July 4. May yet prove to be unfounded but No 10 currently silent on the question
What a brilliant point (again) by Beer - Vennells in her statement still in denial blaming "the Horizon system". Not the Post Office. He picks her up on this.
This whole thing is basically Hitler trying to play the Nuremberg defence.
This morning PM reiterated his line that the general election will be in the second half of the year. Worth noting the second half of the year is now just 40 days away…
There is no good time for an election but - and I appreciate this is a niche concern - it would be nice to be able to make some holiday plans. So just get on with it, one way or the other.
This is the position of everyone in Westminster. Not 'get on with it' but 'can we have some clarity, please'. Spouses about to commit murder. Special pleading for those trying to submit a book manuscript...
What a brilliant point (again) by Beer - Vennells in her statement still in denial blaming "the Horizon system". Not the Post Office. He picks her up on this.
This whole thing is basically Hitler trying to play the Nuremberg defence.
It's becoming difficult to watch.
She might have preferred a couple of years in the slammer to this.
Once again there are snap election rumours. I have been a sceptic every time so far. More importantly, people I trust who are in the loop have told me it's nonsense. This time, those people are silent
If he calls one later today, it'll save Vennells from being centre stage on tonight's news broadcasts.
Once again there are snap election rumours. I have been a sceptic every time so far. More importantly, people I trust who are in the loop have told me it's nonsense. This time, those people are silent
If he calls one later today, it'll save Vennells from being centre stage on tonight's news broadcasts.
You could definitely argue that this inquiry is more important than here today gone tomorrow governments.
Calling a snap summer election shortly after the lobby & most of your own MPs have booked summer hols on the understanding there wouldn't be a summer election would make for such a furiously bad-tempered campaign launch I'm almost curious to see it
1. Still Jan 25 for the GE. 2. Of course terrorism works. Archbishop Makarios/EOKA is usually a textbook example. But look at Ireland and also Israel. One man's terrorist, etc...
Just to make clear that when I made a post the other day saying that Sunak would be calling a GE today, this was just BS, not based on inside knowledge from CCHQ!
"That there is an issue of unknown unknowns. If you don’t know something exists, it’s difficult to ask questions about it."
I am starting to get seriously now
Rumsfeld was actually articulating the point that you need to go out and look for trouble in your organisation. Because trouble is there, and it will find you.
Once again there are snap election rumours. I have been a sceptic every time so far. More importantly, people I trust who are in the loop have told me it's nonsense. This time, those people are silent
If he calls one later today, it'll save Vennells from being centre stage on tonight's news broadcasts.
You could definitely argue that this inquiry is more important than here today gone tomorrow governments.
This, and the Blood Inquiry, Flat, to name just two.
Maybe, just maybe, the punters will start giving some thought to how we are governed, and try to lift their sights above the usual Punch & Judy politics?
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
He does.
Last time a government with a working majority was replaced by another party with a working majority was 1970 which took place during an international tournament in which England were the tournament favourites.
Quite limiting in English really. You can occassionally get away with thus, herewith, that one, such, but I would really recommend coming to terms with this.
A reminder that Paula Vennells is an ordained Church of England priest.
I suggest she concentrates on that rather than trying to run complex businesses.
Ironically the smarter voices in the CofE have observed that a lot of that organisation's current troubles are from people (e.g. Justin Welby) trying to run it like a complex business.
There are some smarter voices in the CofE?
C of E synods good prep for Post Office board meetings, a lot of bods earnestly declaring their unwavering faith in the absolute rightness of a system they don't begin to understand but do privately know for sure is bollocks
"That there is an issue of unknown unknowns. If you don’t know something exists, it’s difficult to ask questions about it."
I am starting to get seriously now
Rumsfeld was actually articulating the point that you need to go out and look for trouble in your organisation. Because trouble is there, and it will find you.
Why did he go looking for trouble in Iraq, then ?
One danger of addressing known unknowns is that it reveals unknown unknowns. But that's not necessarily a reason for not dealing with the known unknowns.
(FWIW, in this case - Iraq - it *was* a reason for not doing it, or certainly for not planning properly for the aftermath; but a specific instance is a poor platform on which to base a general case)
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
He does.
Last time a government with a working majority was replaced by another party with a working majority was 1970 which took place during an international tournament in which England were the tournament favourites.
England cannot be favourites for the Euros, surely. If so that is a lay
Just to make clear that when I made a post the other day saying that Sunak would be calling a GE today, this was just BS, not based on inside knowledge from CCHQ!
Very strong rumour from inside Westminster that important announcement will be made at 5pm following the Cabinet meeting.
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
He does.
Last time a government with a working majority was replaced by another party with a working majority was 1970 which took place during an international tournament in which England were the tournament favourites.
England cannot be favourites for the Euros, surely. If so that is a lay
I wouldn't make them favourites for the Home Championship
Former Sky News Political Editor Tweets in response to Ireland recognising Palestine
"Terrorism works"
Was that in reference to the foundation of the state of Ireland, State of Israel or of Palestine?
Or Northern Ireland for that matter.
Or anywhere. I'm struggling to think of a country whose foundation didn't involve violence. Any suggestions?
The split of Czechoslovakia seemed to be relatively peaceful, but then to what extent do you consider the violence that occurred to Czechoslovakia over many years part of the foundation of Slovakia and Czechia?
Just to make clear that when I made a post the other day saying that Sunak would be calling a GE today, this was just BS, not based on inside knowledge from CCHQ!
Very strong rumour from inside Westminster that important announcement will be made at 5pm following the Cabinet meeting.
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
He does.
Last time a government with a working majority was replaced by another party with a working majority was 1970 which took place during an international tournament in which England were the tournament favourites.
England cannot be favourites for the Euros, surely. If so that is a lay
We're favourites on Betfair.
I lay England at every tournament, I am not changing my strategy.
Just to make clear that when I made a post the other day saying that Sunak would be calling a GE today, this was just BS, not based on inside knowledge from CCHQ!
Very strong rumour from inside Westminster that important announcement will be made at 5pm following the Cabinet meeting.
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
No games on Thursday 4 July.
He will have to pick a date when England are still looking good and haven't yet sent a penalty kick to the moon.
England should still be in it by then. Good chance they lose to France in the semi final on Wednesday 10 July, so Thursday 11 July would be suboptimal.
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
The distraction would be a good thing for Sunak. A 4th July election would be in between England safely negotiating the round of 16, but before any defeat at a later stage - peak feelgood factor and irrational optimism.
Imagine if the 1970 GE had been before England's defeat...
Just to make clear that when I made a post the other day saying that Sunak would be calling a GE today, this was just BS, not based on inside knowledge from CCHQ!
Very strong rumour from inside Westminster that important announcement will be made at 5pm following the Cabinet meeting.
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
The distraction would be a good thing for Sunak. A 4th July election would be in between England safely negotiating the round of 16, but before any defeat at a later stage - peak feelgood factor and irrational optimism.
Imagine if the 1970 GE had been before England's defeat in the final...
Scotland have never progressed to the knockout round of any major tournament.
Just to make clear that when I made a post the other day saying that Sunak would be calling a GE today, this was just BS, not based on inside knowledge from CCHQ!
Very strong rumour from inside Westminster that important announcement will be made at 5pm following the Cabinet meeting.
Probably about reintroducing the cones hotline.
Inspired. Let Starmer demand an election at PMQs then give him one like a good ickle boy
Two thoughts: 1) if the election is not on, this is Gordon Brown levels of in competence at not killing the rumours 2) judging by the levels of angst in my whatsapps from ministers and MPs, a cabinet and/or 1922 committee revolt is not out of the question
July is a screaming lay. What would be the reason for it? The only one I can see is that it is a response by Sunak personally to an attempted putsch, following his sub Truss ratings.
A reminder that Paula Vennells is an ordained Church of England priest.
I suggest she concentrates on that rather than trying to run complex businesses.
Ironically the smarter voices in the CofE have observed that a lot of that organisation's current troubles are from people (e.g. Justin Welby) trying to run it like a complex business.
There are some smarter voices in the CofE?
The CofE includes some incredibly wise people.
It's just that wisdom doesn't equal smart, and the really wise ones aren't in charge. And that's only partially because nobody wise would want to run the Church of England.
But the importing of KPI culture (which London did and does a lot- Rev was a very well-researched comedy show, much like Yes, Minister) has created a lot of problems.
A reminder that Paula Vennells is an ordained Church of England priest.
I suggest she concentrates on that rather than trying to run complex businesses.
Ironically the smarter voices in the CofE have observed that a lot of that organisation's current troubles are from people (e.g. Justin Welby) trying to run it like a complex business.
Weekly C of E church attendance did rise last year however
Just to make clear that when I made a post the other day saying that Sunak would be calling a GE today, this was just BS, not based on inside knowledge from CCHQ!
Very strong rumour from inside Westminster that important announcement will be made at 5pm following the Cabinet meeting.
"That there is an issue of unknown unknowns. If you don’t know something exists, it’s difficult to ask questions about it."
I am starting to get seriously now
Rumsfeld was actually articulating the point that you need to go out and look for trouble in your organisation. Because trouble is there, and it will find you.
Why did he go looking for trouble in Iraq, then ?
One danger of addressing known unknowns is that it reveals unknown unknowns. But that's not necessarily a reason for not dealing with the known unknowns.
(FWIW, in this case - Iraq - it *was* a reason for not doing it, or certainly for not planning properly for the aftermath; but a specific instance is a poor platform on which to base a general case)
I have always considered that statement by Rumsfeld to be one of the most important made by a politician in modern times and something that should be taught in schools. The 'certainty' with which most people seem to view life and events and the inability to comprehend just how much we don't know is one of our great failings both as individuals and as society.
Sunak knows the euro footy is on this summer doesn't he?
Surely?
The distraction would be a good thing for Sunak. A 4th July election would be in between England safely negotiating the round of 16, but before any defeat at a later stage - peak feelgood factor and irrational optimism.
Imagine if the 1970 GE had been before England's defeat...
Scotland have never progressed to the knockout round of any major tournament.
SNP down to zero seats?
That could be a fun twist. Scotland have their best ever performance, and the SNP hold enough seats to deny Labour a majority.
Comments
He is relentless, fantastically well briefed, and displays the right level of snark.
Edit: Seriously, she is really floundering. He's skewering her.
Can we put Jason Beer on the Today programme?
Paula Vennells: Ex-Post Office boss was shortlisted to be Bishop of London
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67923190.amp
Presumably during some of those unfortunate periods during which you had to work for a living.
Speculation continues to ramp up in Westminster that Rishi Sunak could choose to cut & run today for a summer snap election…
We revealed in @FT last Sat that Tory bosses were exploring funding for a pre-recess poll…
Usual caveats apply, of course - we’ve all been here before!
This article from The Fence is gruesome: https://archive.ph/92iMy
Families will today be urged to stockpile three days' worth of food and water to help build national 'resilience'. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will advise people to make contingency plans for dealing with potential emergencies such as prolonged power cuts, cyber attacks and floods.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/galleries/article-13446309/Families-today-urged-amass-3-days-worth-food-water.html
HMG is making plans for the zombie apocalypse. Oliver Dowden is a Cambridge-educated lawyer.
This morning PM reiterated his line that the general election will be in the second half of the year. Worth noting the second half of the year is now just 40 days away…
@alexmassie
There is no good time for an election but - and I appreciate this is a niche concern - it would be nice to be able to make some holiday plans. So just get on with it, one way or the other.
@ShippersUnbound
This is the position of everyone in Westminster. Not 'get on with it' but 'can we have some clarity, please'. Spouses about to commit murder. Special pleading for those trying to submit a book manuscript...
@hoffman_noa
For the sake of everyone's sanity the No10 comms team needs to either *explicitly* shut this down or give some sort of direction...
Tedious morning!
Westminster rumour mill in overdrive that Sunak is about to call election for July 4. May yet prove to be unfounded but No 10 currently silent on the question
@Smyth_Chris
There is Cabinet meeting this afternoon and lots of talk in Whitehall that announcement will come after
Silence from the centre
Some say July 4. But intriguing suggestion from some that the date set may be after the summer. Or even reshuffle
But something is definitely up
Once again there are snap election rumours. I have been a sceptic every time so far. More importantly, people I trust who are in the loop have told me it's nonsense. This time, those people are silent
Once again there are snap election rumours. I have been a sceptic every time so far. More importantly, people I trust who are in the loop have told me it's nonsense. This time, those people are silent
Just at the point that Jason Beer's clear inference is that she lied to the Select Committee.
Absolutely no sympathy for the victims. She only cries when it looks like she herself is in trouble.
They are taking a break.
Also, 35 weeks (and a day) to a January 25th election!
If she really wanted to help the poor sodding SPMs, she had plenty of opportunity before today.
Calling a snap summer election shortly after the lobby & most of your own MPs have booked summer hols on the understanding there wouldn't be a summer election would make for such a furiously bad-tempered campaign launch I'm almost curious to see it
1. Still Jan 25 for the GE.
2. Of course terrorism works. Archbishop Makarios/EOKA is usually a textbook example. But look at Ireland and also Israel. One man's terrorist, etc...
Surely?
Maybe, just maybe, the punters will start giving some thought to how we are governed, and try to lift their sights above the usual Punch & Judy politics?
Last time a government with a working majority was replaced by another party with a working majority was 1970 which took place during an international tournament in which England were the tournament favourites.
Subtle is unlikely from this government, though. Perhaps they're still assuming they'll be re-elected.
Crockett moves to trademark ‘bleach blonde bad built butch body’
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4677117-jasmine-crockett-trademark-bleach-blonde-bad-built-butch-body-marjorie-taylor-greene/
(FWIW, in this case - Iraq - it *was* a reason for not doing it, or certainly for not planning properly for the aftermath; but a specific instance is a poor platform on which to base a general case)
It's not on his spreadsheet
Probably about reintroducing the cones hotline.
Can't imagine the PM heading off for his weekly scheduled audience with the King after lunch will calm anything down...
I lay England at every tournament, I am not changing my strategy.
The curse of Harry Kane/Spurs is real.
Although even if she had done no wrong she was very much the wrong person / skill set for that job
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/03/24/viewcode-on-the-chronicle-of-a-bet-foretold/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/09/15/the-bad-boys-of-brexit-a-review/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/09/22/chronicle-of-a-bet-foretold-part-2/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/10/06/national-populism-the-revolt-against-liberal-democracy-a-review/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2022/05/02/why-ukraine-was-particularly-vulnerable/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2023/01/29/the-intermarium/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2023/05/06/ceremonies/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2024/01/07/classification/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2024/01/13/elites/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2024/01/21/finland/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2024/04/07/transhumanism/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2024/04/21/the-history-of-gambling/
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2024/05/12/solarpunk/
If I have missed one please say
I may well be asleep during this election announcement.
Imagine if the 1970 GE had been before England's defeat...
Have very annoyingly had a longstanding meeting with a Minister- that was scheduled for this afternoon - cancelled!😡
SNP down to zero seats?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/26/former-post-office-boss-steps-back-church-role-wake-miscarriage/
Two thoughts:
1) if the election is not on, this is Gordon Brown levels of in competence at not killing the rumours
2) judging by the levels of angst in my whatsapps from ministers and MPs, a cabinet and/or 1922 committee revolt is not out of the question
This post may not age well.
It's just that wisdom doesn't equal smart, and the really wise ones aren't in charge. And that's only partially because nobody wise would want to run the Church of England.
But the importing of KPI culture (which London did and does a lot- Rev was a very well-researched comedy show, much like Yes, Minister) has created a lot of problems.
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/24-may/news/uk/archbishops-take-comfort-from-small-signs-of-growth-in-church-attendance