Off topic Thank you to Rob Smithson for getting the Isthmian league Division one North on Crowdscores. I can now follow the mighty Potters Bar Town without turning round from my barstool.
Off topic Thank you to Rob Smithson for getting the Isthmian league Division one North on Crowdscores. I can now follow the mighty Potters Bar Town without turning round from my barstool.
I have a personal liking, plus a career debt, AND a political admiration for Boris. But yes, I fear he has blown it. He hasn't quite got the persona for PM (or even FM) in these straintened circumstances.
He would make a fine, charismatic wartime leader, but we aren't quite in wartime, whatever these nappy-wearing Remoaners would have us believe.
Of course if Brexit turns to shit, and we get a feeble minority led Corbyn government, who knows. Boris might suddenly appear to be The Man. Like Churchill. Who knows.....
I'd put him at 6/1 as next PM
Blimey mate, if you think he's a gonner, it's deffo curtains.
Off topic Thank you to Rob Smithson for getting the Isthmian league Division one North on Crowdscores. I can now follow the mighty Potters Bar Town without turning round from my barstool.
I have a personal liking, plus a career debt, AND a political admiration for Boris. But yes, I fear he has blown it. He hasn't quite got the persona for PM (or even FM) in these straintened circumstances.
He would make a fine, charismatic wartime leader, but we aren't quite in wartime, whatever these nappy-wearing Remoaners would have us believe.
Of course if Brexit turns to shit, and we get a feeble minority led Corbyn government, who knows. Boris might suddenly appear to be The Man. Like Churchill. Who knows.....
I'd put him at 6/1 as next PM
Blimey mate, if you think he's a gonner, it's deffo curtains.
Yes, looking grim for Boris. Everyone knew he could entertain, but when he became Foreign Sec. it was vital that he demonstrated he could handle the boring complexities and was a safe pair of hands. He now just looks like Trump with added bonhomie. Shame because he added some gaiety to political life.
But by then the dithering will have gone on too long and been damaging in itself - she will look as if she is caving into pressure not taking charge of events.
Patel and Johnson should have been fired today. They haven't been. Even if it is because as we have discussed before she doesn't know who will or won't be tainted in his scandal, that will be costly.
The problem is that she is not showing any leadership. No one admires a ditherer.
John Major was mentioned earlier on this thread. The parallels are becoming painfully obvious. Thatcher, Blair, Cameron with their many faults were leaders - decisive and willing to back their judgements. Brown, May, Major are all as you say ditherers. It is no coincidence that the first three won elections and Brown and May couldn't (I know Major did, but he started well ahead of the other two in terms of seats).
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
Priti is in Africa till monday. Be interesting to see if she is recalled
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
I agree. There are no circumstances where it is acceptable for a cabinet minister to pursue a parallel foreign policy, and to then lie to the Foreign Secretary, the PM and the press. May should have fired her in August when she first admitted (a small amount of) what she had done.
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
It's ironical that Patel's possible sacking is partly because she slighted Boris. Arguably, if she's sacked it strengthens him - the man you shouldn't cross, etc.
But the far more significant item in that clipping is that 40 Tory rebels are allegedly preparing to call for May to set a date to quit "if she does not do so next week". I think from the wording "do so" means "set a date to resign" rather than "sack Patel". If that's right, then Jan-Mar exit date looks plausible at 5.6 on Betfair, unless you think that she can stave it off by saying "I'll quit in April 2019".
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
I agree. There are no circumstances where it is acceptable for a cabinet minister to pursue a parallel foreign policy, and to then lie to the Foreign Secretary, the PM and the press. May should have fired her in August when she first admitted (a small amount of) what she had done.
Depends whether she was meeting these people in a personal capacity or an official capacity. It seems that the main problem was the blurring of the two.
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
I agree. There are no circumstances where it is acceptable for a cabinet minister to pursue a parallel foreign policy, and to then lie to the Foreign Secretary, the PM and the press. May should have fired her in August when she first admitted (a small amount of) what she had done.
I agree. Boris made an unfortunate and careless remark. He should have known better, and we should perhaps have a more astute FS, but it happens. It was a mistake, not a crime.
Patel appears to have been mischief making, or at the very least running her own foreign policy. She has no place in anybody's government, if that's the case.
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
I agree. There are no circumstances where it is acceptable for a cabinet minister to pursue a parallel foreign policy, and to then lie to the Foreign Secretary, the PM and the press. May should have fired her in August when she first admitted (a small amount of) what she had done.
I agree. Boris made an unfortunate and careless remark. He should have known better, and we should perhaps have a more astute FS, but it happens. It was a mistake, not a crime.
Patel appears to have been mischief making, or at the very least running her own foreign policy. She has no place in anybody's government, if that's the case.
Some mistakes are also serious crimes (involuntary manslaughter, death by careless driving). Boris's remark falls into that category; Jack Straw was not exaggerating when he said that "careless talk costs lives".
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
His was a sin of omission...not doing the work to realise how his words would be taken. Hers was deliberate. It took planning. And was lied about. The 2 are not comparable.
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
I agree. There are no circumstances where it is acceptable for a cabinet minister to pursue a parallel foreign policy, and to then lie to the Foreign Secretary, the PM and the press. May should have fired her in August when she first admitted (a small amount of) what she had done.
I agree. Boris made an unfortunate and careless remark. He should have known better, and we should perhaps have a more astute FS, but it happens. It was a mistake, not a crime.
Patel appears to have been mischief making, or at the very least running her own foreign policy. She has no place in anybody's government, if that's the case.
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
His was a sin of omission...not doing the work to realise how his words would be taken. Hers was deliberate. It took planning. And was lied about. The 2 are not comparable.
Johnson's mistake is sackable because:
Although it's a mistake, it's habitual; He refused to apologise properly or admit fault; He's a total c*** unfit to be representing this country abroad.
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
His was a sin of omission...not doing the work to realise how his words would be taken. Hers was deliberate. It took planning. And was lied about. The 2 are not comparable.
But even so, while Patel certainly shouldn't have done what she did, no harm has really been done - the things she lobbied for during/after her trip were all kiboshed by the civil servants in her department, right?
By contrast, Boris could be directly responsible for someone being jailed for much longer than she would otherwise have been, in a country where jail conditions are particularly unpleasant.
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
His was a sin of omission...not doing the work to realise how his words would be taken. Hers was deliberate. It took planning. And was lied about. The 2 are not comparable.
I think we can recognise this as an "A plague on both their houses" situation. If I were Mrs Z-R or a member of her family I wouldn't be terribly consoled by the assurance that Johnson was just a lazy arse rather than actively malevolent.
So much for Global Britain. 0.7% of GNI with an economy our size makes us an Aid Superpower. If Brexiters, of whom Patel is one, were serious then this is an area where flair and innovation could be demonstrated. In it's modern firm the Aid budget was founded by a Conservative government and we reached 0.7% GNI under one.
Instead the department is giving to someone who doesn't really believe in it purely as part of a post Referendum balancing act. Then she spends her time in office pandering to anti Aid sentiment. Then this happens.
Meanwhile we progress with Brexit which will exclude our world leading Aid agencies from the EU Aid budget from which they won a disproportionate share.
If May wants to scrape a few shards of redemption from her remaining months in office she'll make Rory Stewert DIfD Sec before she goes.
@paulwaugh: Priti Patel cd be back in London for breakfast tmrw (flight via Kenya tonight). And once back here, her career could be eaten for breakfast.
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
His was a sin of omission...not doing the work to realise how his words would be taken. Hers was deliberate. It took planning. And was lied about. The 2 are not comparable.
Johnson's mistake is sackable because:
Although it's a mistake, it's habitual; He refused to apologise properly or admit fault; He's a total c*** unfit to be representing this country abroad.
I do not disagree. However, Patel's was, I think you will agree of an entirely different order. Boris ought to go because 1) He simply is incapable of doing the work to be on top of the brief. 2) When questioned, he blurts out the first thing that pops into his head. Sometimes this is amusing or erudite. Occasionally idiotic. 3) He seems psychologically unable to admit error.
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
His was a sin of omission...not doing the work to realise how his words would be taken. Hers was deliberate. It took planning. And was lied about. The 2 are not comparable.
I think we can recognise this as an "A plague on both their houses" situation. If I were Mrs Z-R or a member of her family I wouldn't be terribly consoled by the assurance that Johnson was just a lazy arse rather than actively malevolent.
So much for Global Britain. 0.7% of GNI with an economy our size makes us an Aid Superpower. If Brexiters, of whom Patel is one, were serious then this is an area where flair and innovation could be demonstrated. In it's modern firm the Aid budget was founded by a Conservative government and we reached 0.7% GNI under one.
Instead the department is giving to someone who doesn't really believe in it purely as part of a post Referendum balancing act. Then she spends her time in office pandering to anti Aid sentiment. Then this happens.
Meanwhile we progress with Brexit which will exclude our world leading Aid agencies from the EU Aid budget from which they won a disproportionate share.
If May wants to scrape a few shards of redemption from her remaining months in office she'll make Rory Stewert DIfD Sec before she goes.
Kwasi, Tugendhat, Raab, Stewart now. And McVey needs a proper job.
Or, she is just a bedblocker and needs to be terminated with due dignitas.
So much for Global Britain. 0.7% of GNI with an economy our size makes us an Aid Superpower. If Brexiters, of whom Patel is one, were serious then this is an area where flair and innovation could be demonstrated. In it's modern firm the Aid budget was founded by a Conservative government and we reached 0.7% GNI under one.
Instead the department is giving to someone who doesn't really believe in it purely as part of a post Referendum balancing act. Then she spends her time in office pandering to anti Aid sentiment. Then this happens.
Meanwhile we progress with Brexit which will exclude our world leading Aid agencies from the EU Aid budget from which they won a disproportionate share.
If May wants to scrape a few shards of redemption from her remaining months in office she'll make Rory Stewert DIfD Sec before she goes.
Kwasi, Tugendhat, Raab, Stewart now. And McVey needs a proper job.
Or, she is just a bedblocker and needs to be terminated with due dignitas.
I would fire Patel, Fox, and Johnson. I would promote Gove to Foreign Secretary.
And I would bring in Kwasi Kwarteng, JRM and Rory Stewart.
All good calls. Time for grown-ups who can deliver - I'd also promote Dom Raab. alistair Burt, Tracey Crouch, Sarah Wollaston, Andrew Selous and Jeremy Hunt. I'd demote Leadsom and Truss to make way.
Comments
Good night.
https://twitter.com/TSEofPB/status/748471159621095424
Thank you to Rob Smithson for getting the Isthmian league Division one North on Crowdscores.
I can now follow the mighty Potters Bar Town without turning round from my barstool.
#Esther4Leader
He was never ever a contender.
https://twitter.com/MsHelicat/status/928010318642647042
Hurrah!
Unbridled joy.
And I would bring in Kwasi Kwarteng, JRM and Rory Stewart.
#Priti2FO
Fleeing the sinking ship.
WTF was Patel playing at? Seems like only a matter of time b4 she is gone.
Boris I have more sympathy for - and not just because I occasionally mis-say things. His words have been bigged up and taken out of context for political-point scoring, and those who did that have as much to answer for as Boris.
She has to get a grip, re shuffle the cabinet, and bring in new blood.
Or she will need to go I am afaid
https://twitter.com/patel4witham
https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/928020582200995840
I really can't see the case for her going, but Boris staying.... there are much more serious consequences likely from his actions than there are from Patel's.
But the far more significant item in that clipping is that 40 Tory rebels are allegedly preparing to call for May to set a date to quit "if she does not do so next week". I think from the wording "do so" means "set a date to resign" rather than "sack Patel". If that's right, then Jan-Mar exit date looks plausible at 5.6 on Betfair, unless you think that she can stave it off by saying "I'll quit in April 2019".
Patel appears to have been mischief making, or at the very least running her own foreign policy. She has no place in anybody's government, if that's the case.
Waits for press to go to bed.
Of the entire Cabinet only Javid and Gove have impressed, with honorary mention to Jeremy Hunt for avoiding political calamity in Health.
Abort the lot of them.
The PM confirms yet again (as if confirmation was needed) that she is weak and useless.
Time for Tory MPs to do the decent thing and demand a vote of confidence in her leadership.
Hers was deliberate. It took planning. And was lied about.
The 2 are not comparable.
Although it's a mistake, it's habitual;
He refused to apologise properly or admit fault;
He's a total c*** unfit to be representing this country abroad.
By contrast, Boris could be directly responsible for someone being jailed for much longer than she would otherwise have been, in a country where jail conditions are particularly unpleasant.
Mike's next holiday starts in less than a fortnight.
Instead the department is giving to someone who doesn't really believe in it purely as part of a post Referendum balancing act. Then she spends her time in office pandering to anti Aid sentiment. Then this happens.
Meanwhile we progress with Brexit which will exclude our world leading Aid agencies from the EU Aid budget from which they won a disproportionate share.
If May wants to scrape a few shards of redemption from her remaining months in office she'll make Rory Stewert DIfD Sec before she goes.
Boris ought to go because
1) He simply is incapable of doing the work to be on top of the brief.
2) When questioned, he blurts out the first thing that pops into his head. Sometimes this is amusing or erudite. Occasionally idiotic.
3) He seems psychologically unable to admit error.
a. Someone vaguely competent from the new intake?
b. Another Brexiteer. Bill Cash or John Redwood?
And McVey needs a proper job.
Or, she is just a bedblocker and needs to be terminated with due dignitas.