That does have a very interesting first response which does show the difficulty if people are indeed innocent
ElphickeThe party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension. I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing.
ReplyHow about stop thinking about yourself and think about the person who has made the allegations as they are the one that is suffering.
It's interesting as if he has done something wrong then the righteous indignation in the reply will be very warranted, but if he is in fact innocent then he has in essence been told how dare he deny wrongdoing because someone is suffering, when if the allegations aren't substantiated they aren't suffering at all.
Twitter replies are also definitely not a place where you see many 'This isn't party political' comments. If Hopkins has a twitter account I assume he gets similar lack of benefit of the doubt.
I see this story says allegations against Elphicke have been referred to police. Not proof, of course, but if they are serious allegations then well done being referred for proper investigation.
If anything the last 3 years has taught me how glad I am that I never chose to follow my first career goal of working in politics. It's been a crazy few years and only seems to be getting crazier.
Much more fun watching it all unfold, Sunday is going to be interesting!
I think we need to get rid of all the bullshit in Westminster, and I say this as a monarchist and lover of all the pomp and ceremony and traditions that that entails. Parliament needs to be purely a place for lawmaking and government. Forget the billions needed to refurb the place, our MPs don't deserve it. Give them a purpose built building without the bars and listed architecture, they don't need it. Have a Premier Inn standard accommodation block next to it. Turn Westminster into something for the nation to enjoy and let the politicians get on with what we pay them to do.
Firstly, being an MP is not an ordinary job. An 'ordinary' job, even at the pay a backbencher gets, does not involve the public pressure and attention that being an MP gets (see recent events), and involves two very different workplaces, often widely distributed: Westminster and the constituency.
Secondly, it can be argued that MPs do get on and do what we pay them to do. The country works. Yes, it could be better (if only we could agree on what 'better' meant), but neither are we a failure.
Finally, does any major country have a political system and politicians that work in your eyes?
+1
I didn't say our system doesn't work (it does, mostly) although many politicians like to claim that our politics is "broken", and only they and their party can fix it. I just firmly believe that many MPs have bought into the myths and mystery of the place, and the way the building and system is set up, with all the archaic traditions and ceremonies, it enforces that belief that they are special. Give the building to the general public, and give the politicians a modern purpose built parliament without the bars and social locations, they can have a restaurant but shouldn't be drinking if they are working. It isn't an ordinary job, I agree, but it also shouldn't be the job it has become., and which they seem to be unable to let go of.
If anything the last 3 years has taught me how glad I am that I never chose to follow my first career goal of working in politics. It's been a crazy few years and only seems to be getting crazier.
Much more fun watching it all unfold, Sunday is going to be interesting!
I see this story says allegations against Elphicke have been referred to police. Not proof, of course, but if they are serious allegations then well done being referred for proper investigation.
That however raises two further questions:
1) why were they not made to the police directly if they were that serious and
2) what the hell was the Chief Whip thinking of to tell the press before the MP? That's a truly epic fail of management.
It's really not out of the question that CON could lose enough MP's over this sex scandal to make losing a no confidence vote a real possibility and force a general election next year?
On today's Mori, a 2% swing to Labour since June, the Tories would hold Dover where Labour need a 6% swing to take the seat. https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/926564500811276288 Plus Elphicke looks like he is coming out fighting and will not be resigning so unless he is convicted of a criminal offence and jailed for more than a year there will be no by election.
I’m beginning to think like yourself that this could lead to a GE.
The Tories have done the right thing in the circumstances though, re the Elphicke allegation.
We need a Government of national unity
Or maybe just a government?
What is the collective noun for a bunch of misfits?
Most collective nouns are nonsense anyway, so you may as well say it is parliament of misfits is the collective noun. Yes, Owls have that one, but we can share.
Michael Fabricant came out as bisexual on Celebrity First Dates I see, not much of a surprise, not that from the programme it looks like it makes much of a difference anyway.
I think we need to get rid of all the bullshit in Westminster, and I say this as a monarchist and lover of all the pomp and ceremony and traditions that that entails. Parliament needs to be purely a place for lawmaking and government. Forget the billions needed to refurb the place, our MPs don't deserve it. Give them a purpose built building without the bars and listed architecture, they don't need it. Have a Premier Inn standard accommodation block next to it. Turn Westminster into something for the nation to enjoy and let the politicians get on with what we pay them to do.
Firstly, being an MP is not an ordinary job. An 'ordinary' job, even at the pay a backbencher gets, does not involve the public pressure and attention that being an MP gets (see recent events), and involves two very different workplaces, often widely distributed: Westminster and the constituency.
Secondly, it can be argued that MPs do get on and do what we pay them to do. The country works. Yes, it could be better (if only we could agree on what 'better' meant), but neither are we a failure.
Finally, does any major country have a political system and politicians that work in your eyes?
+1
I didn't say our system doesn't work (it does, mostly) although many politicians like to claim that our politics is "broken", and only they and their party can fix it. I just firmly believe that many MPs have bought into the myths and mystery of the place, and the way the building and system is set up, with all the archaic traditions and ceremonies, it enforces that belief that they are special. Give the building to the general public, and give the politicians a modern purpose built parliament without the bars and social locations, they can have a restaurant but shouldn't be drinking if they are working. It isn't an ordinary job, I agree, but it also shouldn't be the job it has become., and which they seem to be unable to let go of.
I am deeply skeptical of the idea an old building (it really isn't that old, either) and some arcane procedures someone erodes the moral centre of MPs by making them think they are special and apart from the rest of us. People make the same claims that you get against MPs against councillors, and devolved parliamentarians, ones using old buildings and new ones, and places with other traditions or much less adherence to older procedures. It strikes me as a purported quick fix which would have very little impact.
I think we need to get rid of all the bullshit in Westminster, and I say this as a monarchist and lover of all the pomp and ceremony and traditions that that entails. Parliament needs to be purely a place for lawmaking and government. Forget the billions needed to refurb the place, our MPs don't deserve it. Give them a purpose built building without the bars and listed architecture, they don't need it. Have a Premier Inn standard accommodation block next to it. Turn Westminster into something for the nation to enjoy and let the politicians get on with what we pay them to do.
Firstly, being an MP is not an ordinary job. An 'ordinary' job, even at the pay a backbencher gets, does not involve the public pressure and attention that being an MP gets (see recent events), and involves two very different workplaces, often widely distributed: Westminster and the constituency.
Secondly, it can be argued that MPs do get on and do what we pay them to do. The country works. Yes, it could be better (if only we could agree on what 'better' meant), but neither are we a failure.
Finally, does any major country have a political system and politicians that work in your eyes?
+1
I didn't say our system doesn't work (it does, mostly) although many politicians like to claim that our politics is "broken", and only they and their party can fix it. I just firmly believe that many MPs have bought into the myths and mystery of the place, and the way the building and system is set up, with all the archaic traditions and ceremonies, it enforces that belief that they are special. Give the building to the general public, and give the politicians a modern purpose built parliament without the bars and social locations, they can have a restaurant but shouldn't be drinking if they are working. It isn't an ordinary job, I agree, but it also shouldn't be the job it has become., and which they seem to be unable to let go of.
I am deeply skeptical of the idea an old building (it really isn't that old, either) and some arcane procedures someone erodes the moral centre of MPs by making them think they are special and apart from the rest of us. People make the same claims that you get against MPs against councillors, and devolved parliamentarians, ones using old buildings and new ones, and places with other traditions or much less adherence to older procedures. It strikes me as a purported quick fix which would have very little impact.
I think we need to get rid of all the bullshit in Westminster, and I say this as a monarchist and lover of all the pomp and ceremony and traditions that that entails. Parliament needs to be purely a place for lawmaking and government. Forget the billions needed to refurb the place, our MPs don't deserve it. Give them a purpose built building without the bars and listed architecture, they don't need it. Have a Premier Inn standard accommodation block next to it. Turn Westminster into something for the nation to enjoy and let the politicians get on with what we pay them to do.
Firstly, being an MP is not an ordinary job. An 'ordinary' job, even at the pay a backbencher gets, does not involve the public pressure and attention that being an MP gets (see recent events), and involves two very different workplaces, often widely distributed: Westminster and the constituency.
Secondly, it can be argued that MPs do get on and do what we pay them to do. The country works. Yes, it could be better (if only we could agree on what 'better' meant), but neither are we a failure.
Finally, does any major country have a political system and politicians that work in your eyes?
+1
I didn't say our system doesn't work (it does, mostly) although many politicians like to claim that our politics is "broken", and only they and their party can fix it. I just firmly believe that many MPs have bought into the myths and mystery of the place, and the way the building and system is set up, with all the archaic traditions and ceremonies, it enforces that belief that they are special. Give the building to the general public, and give the politicians a modern purpose built parliament without the bars and social locations, they can have a restaurant but shouldn't be drinking if they are working. It isn't an ordinary job, I agree, but it also shouldn't be the job it has become., and which they seem to be unable to let go of.
I am deeply skeptical of the idea an old building (it really isn't that old, either) and some arcane procedures someone erodes the moral centre of MPs by making them think they are special and apart from the rest of us. People make the same claims that you get against MPs against councillors, and devolved parliamentarians, ones using old buildings and new ones, and places with other traditions or much less adherence to older procedures. It strikes me as a purported quick fix which would have very little impact.
It's really not out of the question that CON could lose enough MP's over this sex scandal to make losing a no confidence vote a real possibility and force a general election next year?
On today's Mori, a 2% swing to Labour since June, the Tories would hold Dover where Labour need a 6% swing to take the seat. https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/926564500811276288 Plus Elphicke looks like he is coming out fighting and will not be resigning so unless he is convicted of a criminal offence and jailed for more than a year there will be no by election.
Probably, although on the first point generally you expect oppositions to win by-elections don't you? You don't expect the same kind of result as a GE with minor variation, so one of that size majority I could see going. No matter how many times anyone says this issue is not party political, in such a scenario giving the government a kicking will be a popular option for all sorts of reasons.
The whole point of the past few months has been to demonstrate that the country is divided down the middle and we have a polarisation of two extremes holding all of the seats. We may need it but a government of national unity is not very likely.
You can still have access to the single market with a FTA and end free movement and replace it with a points system, you are just not members of the single market.
Exactly - much of the world has 'access' to the EU single market but that isn't the same as membership of it and they don't have FOM to secure that access.
The question should be membership of - not access to - the single market. As the former requires FOM and therefore not having control over EU immigration but the latter does not.
WOMAN: Ooh, my ickle handie-wandies are so cooooold! MAN: Poor thing! I've got somewhere you can stick them! WOMAN: Mrs May! He told me he had somewhere I could stick my hands!
The whole point of the past few months has been to demonstrate that the country is divided down the middle and we have a polarisation of two extremes holding all of the seats. We may need it but a government of national unity is not very likely.
You can still have access to the single market with a FTA and end free movement and replace it with a points system, you are just not members of the single market.
Exactly - much of the world has 'access' to the EU single market but that isn't the same as membership of it and they don't have FOM to secure that access.
The question should be membership of - not access to - the single market. As the former requires FOM and therefore not having control over EU immigration but the latter does not.
Exactly, it is misleading and sounds like we cannot export anything to the EU/EEA ever again if we end free movement.
Would May really have rocked the boat as much to have removed a prominent leaver like Leadsom? And was she even going to have a reshuffle? It all seems unlikely to me.
Thank goodness no scandal like this is erupting in the Catalonian parliament, that's the last thing they need right now.
If it erupted in the Spanish parliament, on the other hand...
(PS shouldn't that be 'Catalan?')
*shurgs* lord knows. We report on things happening in the German Bundestag for instance, but I don't see reference to the Cortes Generales in relation to Spain much, so reference in English usage is probably all over the place on these things.
Would May really have rocked the boat as much to have removed a prominent leaver like Leadsom? And was she even going to have a reshuffle? It all seems unlikely to me.
On Elphicke, we have yet to hear what the allegations are - but at this point I'd say he has a fair claim for constructive dismissal should the timeline be as he has tweeted. Tipping off the press about an allegation before being notified of it yrself is either piss poor, or the whips want him gone quickly.
It's really not out of the question that CON could lose enough MP's over this sex scandal to make losing a no confidence vote a real possibility and force a general election next year?
On today's Mori, a 2% swing to Labour since June, the Tories would hold Dover where Labour need a 6% swing to take the seat. https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/926564500811276288 Plus Elphicke looks like he is coming out fighting and will not be resigning so unless he is convicted of a criminal offence and jailed for more than a year there will be no by election.
Probably, although on the first point generally you expect oppositions to win by-elections don't you? You don't expect the same kind of result as a GE with minor variation, so one of that size majority I could see going. No matter how many times anyone says this issue is not party political, in such a scenario giving the government a kicking will be a popular option for all sorts of reasons.
Often but not always and Corbyn does not currently have the poll lead Blair or Kinnock had when they were winning Tory seats in by elections or even Ed Miliband had in 2012 when Labour won Corby.
On Elphicke, we have yet to hear what the allegations are - but at this point I'd say he has a fair claim for constructive dismissal should the timeline be as he has tweeted. Tipping off the press about an allegation before being notified of it yrself is either piss poor, or the whips want him gone quickly.
Or that they a placing avoiding an accusation of any hint of a cover up or failure to take accusations seriously above anything else. Tipping the press off before him would be a dick move, although I can see the logic of suspending without explaining the allegation if the police are about to get involved first.
Would May really have rocked the boat as much to have removed a prominent leaver like Leadsom? And was she even going to have a reshuffle? It all seems unlikely to me.
Me too. I think for one of several possible reasons Leadsom told May to sack Fallon and May couldn't refuse. If May had refused, Leadsom would then have resigned and accused May of softness on sexual harassment and it would have been curtains for May.
But what will happen to May if the Sunday papers bring down Johnson?
On Elphicke, we have yet to hear what the allegations are - but at this point I'd say he has a fair claim for constructive dismissal should the timeline be as he has tweeted. Tipping off the press about an allegation before being notified of it yrself is either piss poor, or the whips want him gone quickly.
If that's the case, then we really are fecked. The tossers are fighting amongst themselves, when they should be running the country.
Would May really have rocked the boat as much to have removed a prominent leaver like Leadsom? And was she even going to have a reshuffle? It all seems unlikely to me.
Me too. I think for one of several possible reasons Leadsom told May to sack Fallon and May couldn't refuse. If May had refused, Leadsom would then have resigned and accused May of softness on sexual harassment and it would have been curtains for May.
But what will happen to May if the Sunday papers bring down Johnson?
Depends if any Labour big fish are also brought down - so long as it seems like no party owns this scandal more than anything else, the government can handle having to swap people in and out, even big figures.
On Elphicke, we have yet to hear what the allegations are - but at this point I'd say he has a fair claim for constructive dismissal should the timeline be as he has tweeted. Tipping off the press about an allegation before being notified of it yrself is either piss poor, or the whips want him gone quickly.
If that's the case, then we really are fecked. The tossers are fighting amongst themselves, when they should be running the country.
It has been going on 18 months if you had been paying attention
On Elphicke, we have yet to hear what the allegations are - but at this point I'd say he has a fair claim for constructive dismissal should the timeline be as he has tweeted. Tipping off the press about an allegation before being notified of it yrself is either piss poor, or the whips want him gone quickly.
If that's the case, then we really are fecked. The tossers are fighting amongst themselves, when they should be running the country.
It has been going on 18 months if you had been paying attention
You kind of expect the Tories to be at it at a low level permanently, but grassing up one of your own to the press before you tell him he's on the naughty step is a bit much....
Never mind that -are the doctors in that top story well known? I just wonder why Dr Mosley gets his name in larger type than Dr Bailey. Sexism!
In the diet world Dr Moseley is. He invented the 5:2 diet, though his 800 calorie for eight weeks diet is so good at curing Diabetes T2, that Diabetes UK are running a formal trial on it.
The stories in the Mail and Telegraph are much more serious for the government IMO. If cabinet ministers are using the allegations to settle political scores this will poison relationships at the top of government even further and will hasten the day - not far off now I think - when the whole edifice collapses.
The stories in the Mail and Telegraph are much more serious for the government IMO. If cabinet ministers are using the allegations to settle political scores this will poison relationships at the top of government even further and will hasten the day - not far off now I think - when the whole edifice collapses.
Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.
I think that it is those papers following their own agenda
Seems more serious accusations involving Fallon are muted and Leadsom not involved
You would hope for something so serious they would do more than leave a voice message or a WhatsApp.
Again, in fairness, what if they could not get hold of him? Sit on the allegation until they can? That may not be the case, given they apparently tipped off the press first, but it is possible they had little choice but to move so harshly.
You would hope for something so serious they would do more than leave a voice message or a WhatsApp.
Again, in fairness, what if they could not get hold of him? Sit on the allegation until they can? That may not be the case, given they apparently tipped off the press first, but it is possible they had little choice but to move so harshly.
I wouldn’t be phoning his family, his agent, the local party, his friends, etc...get somebody to get to him in person and say emergency...
Any rumours of what the Sundays might have up their sleeves?
Mophead.
I'll just say he is in a weaker position than some because he's got less of a reputation. It is a matter of public record that he has been a liar at work (he got sacked for it twice), a serial adulterer, and a man who discussed with his pal Darius a plan to get the crap kicked out of a journalist (the tape is on Youtube). That doesn't mean any other allegation about him is true of course, but...
Friday morning going slow I'm watching the election show Lots of Ladbrokes slips on the floor Memories of the night before Out knocking up and having fun Now I've stopped reading The Sun Waiting for the results to show But why I voted no one knows
Voting, polling Blogging, trolling And now I'm all alone In Brexit Land My only home
I think it's time to write a thread To vent the bemusement in my head Spent my money on online bookies Got nowt here but all the cookies Clean my suit and my rosette Election promises to forget Start campaigning all over again Kid myself I'm having fun
Voting, polling Blogging, trolling And now I'm all alone In Brexit Land My only home
Looking out from my worldview I've really nothing else to do Seems like I have started fretting Let's read Political Betting Forget The Mirror and The Times The battle bus with such great lines Look around and I can see A thousand punters just like me
Voting, polling Blogging, trolling And now I'm all alone In Brexit Land My only home
Voting, polling Blogging, trolling And now I'm all alone In Brexit Land My only home
Any rumours of what the Sundays might have up their sleeves?
Mophead.
I'll just say he is in a weaker position than some because he's got less of a reputation. It is a matter of public record that he has been a liar at work (he got sacked for it twice), a serial adulterer, and a man who discussed with his pal Darius a plan to get the crap kicked out of a journalist (the tape is on Youtube). That doesn't mean any other allegation about him is true of course, but...
Perhaps all the ladies bonking boris has bedded have done so consenually?
On Elphicke, we have yet to hear what the allegations are - but at this point I'd say he has a fair claim for constructive dismissal should the timeline be as he has tweeted. Tipping off the press about an allegation before being notified of it yrself is either piss poor, or the whips want him gone quickly.
He hasn't been dismissed from his job as an MP though - is there legal redress for having your party whip withdrawn?
The Conservative Party is just like a sick dog that has to be put down. We can't be governed by people who hate each other so much that they can't work with each other.
The Conservative Party is just like a sick dog that has to be put down. We can't be governed by people who hate each other so much that they can't work with each other.
Comments
ElphickeThe party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension. I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing.
ReplyHow about stop thinking about yourself and think about the person who has made the allegations as they are the one that is suffering.
It's interesting as if he has done something wrong then the righteous indignation in the reply will be very warranted, but if he is in fact innocent then he has in essence been told how dare he deny wrongdoing because someone is suffering, when if the allegations aren't substantiated they aren't suffering at all.
Twitter replies are also definitely not a place where you see many 'This isn't party political' comments. If Hopkins has a twitter account I assume he gets similar lack of benefit of the doubt.
I see this story says allegations against Elphicke have been referred to police. Not proof, of course, but if they are serious allegations then well done being referred for proper investigation.
Much more fun watching it all unfold, Sunday is going to be interesting!
Is the Chief Whip’s first full day on the job.
It isn't an ordinary job, I agree, but it also shouldn't be the job it has become., and which they seem to be unable to let go of.
1) why were they not made to the police directly if they were that serious and
2) what the hell was the Chief Whip thinking of to tell the press before the MP? That's a truly epic fail of management.
https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/926564500811276288
Plus Elphicke looks like he is coming out fighting and will not be resigning so unless he is convicted of a criminal offence and jailed for more than a year there will be no by election.
(I am not comparing you to him in any other way, btw!)
That said nobody is going to miss Carl Sargeant.
The question should be membership of - not access to - the single market. As the former requires FOM and therefore not having control over EU immigration but the latter does not.
However Joe denies being the author of the dossier.
Current bbc top two headlines...
Tory MP Charlie....suspended
MP Hopkins denies...
(PS shouldn't that be 'Catalan?')
WOMAN: Ooh, my ickle handie-wandies are so cooooold!
MAN: Poor thing! I've got somewhere you can stick them!
WOMAN: Mrs May! He told me he had somewhere I could stick my hands!
Tipping off the press about an allegation before being notified of it yrself is either piss poor, or the whips want him gone quickly.
Gives a whole new meaning to the expression 'newsflash'...
But what will happen to May if the Sunday papers bring down Johnson?
I am not normally sorry for them but it must be overloading some news rooms
Does this tweet count as a hate crime against people of lower socio-economic class ?
I’m on Team Susan, Jonnie, Debbie, and Gemma.
Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.
Seems more serious accusations involving Fallon are muted and Leadsom not involved
I'll just say he is in a weaker position than some because he's got less of a reputation. It is a matter of public record that he has been a liar at work (he got sacked for it twice), a serial adulterer, and a man who discussed with his pal Darius a plan to get the crap kicked out of a journalist (the tape is on Youtube). That doesn't mean any other allegation about him is true of course, but...
-------------
New words by Sunil, original music by Marc Almond & Dave Ball.
Friday morning going slow
I'm watching the election show
Lots of Ladbrokes slips on the floor
Memories of the night before
Out knocking up and having fun
Now I've stopped reading The Sun
Waiting for the results to show
But why I voted no one knows
Voting, polling
Blogging, trolling
And now I'm all alone
In Brexit Land
My only home
I think it's time to write a thread
To vent the bemusement in my head
Spent my money on online bookies
Got nowt here but all the cookies
Clean my suit and my rosette
Election promises to forget
Start campaigning all over again
Kid myself I'm having fun
Voting, polling
Blogging, trolling
And now I'm all alone
In Brexit Land
My only home
Looking out from my worldview
I've really nothing else to do
Seems like I have started fretting
Let's read Political Betting
Forget The Mirror and The Times
The battle bus with such great lines
Look around and I can see
A thousand punters just like me
Voting, polling
Blogging, trolling
And now I'm all alone
In Brexit Land
My only home
Voting, polling
Blogging, trolling
And now I'm all alone
In Brexit Land
My only home
(I'm waiting for Brexit
Or am I wasting time)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-03/broadcom-is-said-to-explore-deal-to-acquire-chipmaker-qualcomm-j9k6u92n