Jack Doyle has resigned as director of communications at No 10. He's told friends he always planned to leave after two years and that his departure is not linked to that of Munira Mirza https://twitter.com/JasonGroves1/status/1489300293661728773
Now the boys who put the powder On the noses of the faces Of the ladies of the harem Of the court of King Caractacus …Were just passing by
Interesting that the only poster on here who showed support and understanding for Johnson's Saville smear was MrEd which shows that the wind that blows through the Alt Right in the US breezes its way back here through right wing Ultras and Trump supporters. An excruciating thought
The ERG will have to move now to remove Boris. Mirza was the ideological driver of Brexit within the PM's staff, she was the ultimate guarantee for them that Boris wouldn't backslide, without her being head of policy I don't see how the ERG will let Boris stay on as leader, they know he's doesn't give a shit either way.
It's really, really hard to overestimate just how important Mirza was to team Boris. A huge player, her loss is a dagger for Boris. His inability to ever admit he did something wrong or broke the rules has caught up with him, and over something really trivial as well that he could have walked back really easily.
The ERG are meaningless in this. The cabinet is where this happens.
The ERG is over 100 MPs at last count, they can get to 55 letters and then ensure Boris loses the VONC by allying with the ONC grouping to get rid.
Yes of course, but if it was the ERG alone they'd lose. This is about the broad spectrum of Tory MPs.
Workers must not ask for big pay rises to try and stop prices rising out of control, the Bank of England governor has told the BBC.
Andrew Bailey said the Bank raised rates to 0.5% from 0.25% to prevent rising prices becoming “ingrained”.
Asked if the Bank was also implicitly asking workers not to demand big pay rises, he said: “Broadly, yes”, the BBC reports.
Mr Bailey said that while it would be “painful” for workers to accept that prices would rise faster than their wages, he added that some “moderation of wage rises” was needed to prevent inflation becoming entrenched.
“In the sense of saying, we do need to see a moderation of wage rises, now that’s painful. I don’t want to in any sense sugar that, it is painful. But we need to see that in order to get through this problem more quickly.”
An alternative view is that today's resignations in 10 Downing St could be linked to the shake up of the whole operation unveiled by Boris Johnson on Monday, in response to the Sue Gray report. https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/1489302905152851981
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Except Boris and Thatcher won bigger election victories than Heath ever did. Heath was only removed after losing the 1974 general election not midterm having won a landslide the election before like Thatcher and maybe Boris.
Though Thatcher had the last laugh. The Thatcher backed candidate ie Major, Hague and IDS beat Heseltine and Clarke in every Tory leadership election after she lost office until Cameron won in 2005 for a new generation not in the Commons when Thatcher was there
- Cases are flat(ish). R is clustered about 1. R remains lower for the older groups - Admissions down - MV beds down - In hospital down - Deaths down
Thanks Malmesbury. I'm glad we're able to give this less attention nowadays - it's an infinitely healthier position to be in. But I for one still enjoy getting your updates - not least from a point of general interest, but also as a marker point in the day.
Thank you - I'm just disappointed that no one has remarked on the picture I use. A great character, built by a great actor - much against type, in a great film.
I had no idea what you were talking about and went and re-looked. Sorry to report, but in my thread it just comes up as a little 5mm/5mm icon and the word 'image'.
Who is it meant to be?
Jumping in - it is a frame from the film "Fail-Safe".
Same year as Dr Strangelove and on the same topic, but somewhat overshadowed by its better known twin.
Suitably apocalyptic (or not, as the case may be).
It's a better film than Strangelove.
In particular, the Prof Groeteschele (played by Walter Matthau) is introduced at a Washington cocktail party ( (pictured above). A brilliant strategist - is he simply clear sighted, dispassionate and cynical, mad or evil? Or all three?
The genius of Matthau's performance is that he leaves it entirely to the audience to decide - and the view of the character changes as the plot progress. Much as in the Bedford Incident the characters remain true to themselves, but our understanding of them evolves.
Hmm, I've got the novel, but haven't read it for decades. Wonder how it compares to the film?
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
It's easy to imagine Boris as a very part time MP merely turning up to score a few points as and when.
Doesn't he need to earn loads of money? Even he might find his hands tied in the HoC.
And his ego is so huge that I don't think he'd live it down on the backbenches.
I reckon if he's deposed he'll be out faster than Tony Blair.
It’s easy to watch from afar and criticise the lack of quality among MPs - but there’s an increasingly small number of people willing to put themselves up for such public scrutiny, especially given that most of them can lead equally lucrative and private lives away from the spotlight.
You have to be politically motivated, in which case it's mostly water off a duck's back. I had lots of friendly posts, a moderate amount of abuse, a small amount of obscene abuse and a single death threat - overall it was fine, and the nasty bits were a minor price for the chance to influence national policy in what I felt to be a positive direction. But if it had just been a way of earning a living? Hell no.
The people who get put off - and this is a serious loss - are the "public servant" types, who don't have strong opinions, but would like to help run the country well. The traditional Conservative Party was particularly strong in those, but Labour and LibDems had a good many too - typically from local council backgrounds. If you populate Parliament exclusively with people (like me) who have strong views and want radical change, you turn up the temperature of politics and risk getting characters who hate the other side (unlike me). You need a mixture of passionate reformers and steady public servants. You don't IMO really need anyone who just thinks it's a job like any other.
I think it has got a lot worse since you left parliament, though, not least because of the effect of social media and the general increase in polarisation of politics. The problem is especially bad for women MPs, and even worse for ethnic minority women MPs, but it's bad for all MPs now.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
It's easy to imagine Boris as a very part time MP merely turning up to score a few points as and when.
If Johnson follows Heath down that path, the irony meter will surely explode.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
In our dotage we’ll probably find ourselves on some Saga cruise to who knows where and he’ll be giving a lecture talk in the main lounge.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Naah, he doesn't want outcomes, he wants status. And if you can't fake up a convincing account of Johnsonism in no 10 you sure as fuck can't cook it up and sell it from the back benches. Chiltern hundreds ahoy.
Sir Jeffery Donaldson also told reporters that Boris Johnson told him at the Tory party conference that he would get a revised deal with Brussels in a "short sharp three weeks" of negotiations. Four months, Donaldson said it was time to take action.
Sir Jeffery actually believed that? Talk about the triumph of hope over experience.
It’s worth noting that whatever the question about Britain’s state, Rishi is not the answer.
He’s a fully paid up Treasury stooge who thinks levelling up is a waste of time.
But he’s more impressive than Boris. If I was Keir I’d be a bit concerned.
there isn't any Tory that is going to spend money levelling up - that's the problem. It's going to take a Labour party willing to look at Treasury models and destroy the appalling foundations they are built on.
Unfortunately the people who understand that earn £100,000+ way more than the Treasury fools you currently use the models and don't see the flaws or missing factors.
Hint for anyone reading infrastructure sometimes needs to be built because it solves problems.
Funny how we agree violently on this but (IIRC) disagree equally violently on immigration.
Don't think I've ever commented on immigration that much.
Were I to do so my only comment would be you allow skilled workers into the country (using a sane minimum pay level well above the average wage) and ensure that you don't allow unskilled / low paid workers in.
Sadly we can't use the tricks other European countries could use (native language tests) because everyone speaks English better than you typical English native.
It is worth noting that the most successful economies in the world - places like Switzerland and Singapore - have done such a good job upskilling their own citizens, that it is unskilled labour that their economies demand.
Both also have populations of less than 5% and have low tax so long attracted high net worth residents and financial services.
Both are also expensive to live in, so also limiting the attraction for the non high skilled and non high paid
Wait: the UK has a population of more than 172 million people???
Wow.
More seriously, let me turn the question around. Would you rather your child was educated to the level where they could be a well paid software engineer? Or would you rather they decided that we needed to have more people who were only skilled to clean toilets?
Sonntagsfrage zur Bundestagswahl • Infratest dimap / ARD: CDU/CSU 27 % | SPD 22 % | GRÜNE 16 % | AfD 12 % | FDP 10 % | DIE LINKE 5 % | Sonstige 8 %
I did not expect the CDU/CSU to begin recovering so quickly.
Clear shift from FDP to Union as the Union shifts right under Merz while the FDP shifts left in government with the SPD
Yes although probably mainly the FDP's older voters. I imagine most of the younger FDP voters are probably still quite happy. We will probably see more SPD-Green-FDP state coalitions in Germany this year as well.
My German friends say that the Ukrainian issue has moved the jigsaw of German politics - and not in ways that a UK observer might expect.
For example, the Greens are resolutely anti-Putin and all his works...
Sir Jeffery Donaldson also told reporters that Boris Johnson told him at the Tory party conference that he would get a revised deal with Brussels in a "short sharp three weeks" of negotiations. Four months, Donaldson said it was time to take action.
Sir Jeffery actually believed that? Talk about the triumph of hope over experience.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Maybe but I don’t think Boris has any ideology apart from promote himself, earn money, try and be clever with words and chase women so I can’t see him hanging around - he would stay MP to draw salary until he has enough guaranteed earnings to drop that then be off.
I can’t see him holding his seat at next GE anyway so that choice won’t be in his hands.
Also not going to be harping on about his replacement as it will devalue him (yes it could even get lower) and remind everyone he was a loser.
He might be investigating if Albania is looking for a king or something…..
The problem is that the mainstream media have been hollowed out by social media must increasingly turn to “social media” for “news”.
Not sure how to fix it. It’s lethal for democracy though.
Yes, there is a problem with news reporters just trawling social media for stories.
I think though that the controlling, media management, unnamed sources and spin doctors of the press baron era and Alastair Campbell was not much better, just a different sort of bad.
This is incredibly conflicting for a good centre-leftie like myself.
Dominic Cummings, the man who screwed up schools beyond measure? Resigned/fired and has been knifing Boris ever since.
David Frost, the self-satisfied Mr Brexit? Resigned and knifed Boris on the way out.
Munira Mirza, the cynical author of the "war on woke"? Resigned and knifed Boris today.
Boris Johnson, leader of a generally loathsome government who yet has been the prime mover behind something I particularly care about (Dutch-style safe cycle tracks).
Help me, who am I supposed to be rooting for here?
They are all utter scum. The next Tory PM will be less of a bloated narcissistic liar, but even more objectionable in policy terms. Hurrah!
Make yourself a negroni, keep a glass of hemlock handy, and enjoy the show. There's far more debasing entertainment to come.
This is the sort of zealous partisanship that has destroyed American politics. Mirza and Frost might disagree with you but they are clearly decent people with character. Cummings is an oddball but most of the evidence suggests schools are improving since his reforms. Some people however just seem to have the sort of personality where online bubbles allow them to become utterly tribal and unable to step back and think things through.
Munira Mirza? Of RCP, Living Marxism and Spiked fame? Scum is undercooking it, if anything. I'll admit, I'm partisan about movements that aid and abet genocide, but I think one should be.
As for Frosty, let's just call him very flexible on his principles. I'll give it a rest in his regard.
I think you're getting a wee bit aerated Mango.
The path of person-does-not-agree-with-me to person's-views-are-absolutely-and-tantamount-to-genocide-and-person-is-abhorrent is far too lightly trod.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
In our dotage we’ll probably find ourselves on some Saga cruise to who knows where and he’ll be giving a lecture talk in the main lounge.
Lol. And you know what? We will both go along and listen. Who wouldn’t?
That’s why I am sure he will make bazillions. He is witty and clever and has a unique, remarkable story to tell, and 40 years of anecdotes
OTOH I can see you storming out halfway through in anger (when he gets to Brexit) then I will run after you and try and placate you with free blancmange, as that is all that we will be capable of eating
It’s worth noting that whatever the question about Britain’s state, Rishi is not the answer.
He’s a fully paid up Treasury stooge who thinks levelling up is a waste of time.
But he’s more impressive than Boris. If I was Keir I’d be a bit concerned.
there isn't any Tory that is going to spend money levelling up - that's the problem. It's going to take a Labour party willing to look at Treasury models and destroy the appalling foundations they are built on.
Unfortunately the people who understand that earn £100,000+ way more than the Treasury fools you currently use the models and don't see the flaws or missing factors.
Hint for anyone reading infrastructure sometimes needs to be built because it solves problems.
Funny how we agree violently on this but (IIRC) disagree equally violently on immigration.
Don't think I've ever commented on immigration that much.
Were I to do so my only comment would be you allow skilled workers into the country (using a sane minimum pay level well above the average wage) and ensure that you don't allow unskilled / low paid workers in.
Sadly we can't use the tricks other European countries could use (native language tests) because everyone speaks English better than you typical English native.
It is worth noting that the most successful economies in the world - places like Switzerland and Singapore - have done such a good job upskilling their own citizens, that it is unskilled labour that their economies demand.
Both also have populations of less than 5% and have low tax so long attracted high net worth residents and financial services.
Both are also expensive to live in, so also limiting the attraction for the non high skilled and non high paid
Wait: the UK has a population of more than 172 million people???
Wow.
More seriously, let me turn the question around. Would you rather your child was educated to the level where they could be a well paid software engineer? Or would you rather they decided that we needed to have more people who were only skilled to clean toilets?
How many of the unskilled immigrants in Singapore or Switzerland, can ever attain citizenship of those countries?
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Hmmm.. I know the second resignation is explained as “I always intended on leaving after two years”. But interesting timing, isn’t it?
..is something stirring?
The police investigation?
Really not a great point, surely? I mean, would Fred West have evaded justice if he had sold the Cromwell Street house and moved round the corner prior to trial?
It’s worth noting that whatever the question about Britain’s state, Rishi is not the answer.
He’s a fully paid up Treasury stooge who thinks levelling up is a waste of time.
But he’s more impressive than Boris. If I was Keir I’d be a bit concerned.
there isn't any Tory that is going to spend money levelling up - that's the problem. It's going to take a Labour party willing to look at Treasury models and destroy the appalling foundations they are built on.
Unfortunately the people who understand that earn £100,000+ way more than the Treasury fools you currently use the models and don't see the flaws or missing factors.
Hint for anyone reading infrastructure sometimes needs to be built because it solves problems.
Funny how we agree violently on this but (IIRC) disagree equally violently on immigration.
Don't think I've ever commented on immigration that much.
Were I to do so my only comment would be you allow skilled workers into the country (using a sane minimum pay level well above the average wage) and ensure that you don't allow unskilled / low paid workers in.
Sadly we can't use the tricks other European countries could use (native language tests) because everyone speaks English better than you typical English native.
It is worth noting that the most successful economies in the world - places like Switzerland and Singapore - have done such a good job upskilling their own citizens, that it is unskilled labour that their economies demand.
Both also have populations of less than 5% and have low tax so long attracted high net worth residents and financial services.
Both are also expensive to live in, so also limiting the attraction for the non high skilled and non high paid
Wait: the UK has a population of more than 172 million people???
That must be why a weekly shop in the Welsh valleys cost £400.....
Sonntagsfrage zur Bundestagswahl • Infratest dimap / ARD: CDU/CSU 27 % | SPD 22 % | GRÜNE 16 % | AfD 12 % | FDP 10 % | DIE LINKE 5 % | Sonstige 8 %
I did not expect the CDU/CSU to begin recovering so quickly.
Clear shift from FDP to Union as the Union shifts right under Merz while the FDP shifts left in government with the SPD
Yes although probably mainly the FDP's older voters. I imagine most of the younger FDP voters are probably still quite happy. We will probably see more SPD-Green-FDP state coalitions in Germany this year as well.
My German friends say that the Ukrainian issue has moved the jigsaw of German politics - and not in ways that a UK observer might expect.
For example, the Greens are resolutely anti-Putin and all his works...
Given Putin is such a source of hydrocarbons into Europe, not exactly a stretch is it?
Sonntagsfrage zur Bundestagswahl • Infratest dimap / ARD: CDU/CSU 27 % | SPD 22 % | GRÜNE 16 % | AfD 12 % | FDP 10 % | DIE LINKE 5 % | Sonstige 8 %
I did not expect the CDU/CSU to begin recovering so quickly.
Clear shift from FDP to Union as the Union shifts right under Merz while the FDP shifts left in government with the SPD
Yes although probably mainly the FDP's older voters. I imagine most of the younger FDP voters are probably still quite happy. We will probably see more SPD-Green-FDP state coalitions in Germany this year as well.
My German friends say that the Ukrainian issue has moved the jigsaw of German politics - and not in ways that a UK observer might expect.
For example, the Greens are resolutely anti-Putin and all his works...
Given Putin is such a source of hydrocarbons into Europe, not exactly a stretch is it?
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Maybe but I don’t think Boris has any ideology apart from promote himself, earn money, try and be clever with words and chase women so I can’t see him hanging around - he would stay MP to draw salary until he has enough guaranteed earnings to drop that then be off.
I can’t see him holding his seat at next GE anyway so that choice won’t be in his hands.
Also not going to be harping on about his replacement as it will devalue him (yes it could even get lower) and remind everyone he was a loser.
He might be investigating if Albania is looking for a king or something…..
Maybe he’ll succeed in finding the lost kingdom of the twats, before our Sean does?
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
In our dotage we’ll probably find ourselves on some Saga cruise to who knows where and he’ll be giving a lecture talk in the main lounge.
Lol. And you know what? We will both go along and listen. Who wouldn’t?
That’s why I am sure he will make bazillions. He is witty and clever and has a unique, remarkable story to tell, and 40 years of anecdotes
OTOH I can see you storming out halfway through in anger (when he gets to Brexit) then I will run after you and try and placate you with free blancmange, as that is all that we will be capable of eating
An alternative view is that today's resignations in 10 Downing St could be linked to the shake up of the whole operation unveiled by Boris Johnson on Monday, in response to the Sue Gray report. https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/1489302905152851981
If there's a resignation in protest against you smearing someone, why wouldn't you smear the person who's resigned?
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
It's easy to imagine Boris as a very part time MP merely turning up to score a few points as and when.
Also easy to imagine L Hoyle having an inexplicable blind spot when it comes to calling him at pmqs
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
If he had the concentration span and work ethic, he should get himself a gig writing fiction for Netflix.
Sonntagsfrage zur Bundestagswahl • Infratest dimap / ARD: CDU/CSU 27 % | SPD 22 % | GRÜNE 16 % | AfD 12 % | FDP 10 % | DIE LINKE 5 % | Sonstige 8 %
I did not expect the CDU/CSU to begin recovering so quickly.
Clear shift from FDP to Union as the Union shifts right under Merz while the FDP shifts left in government with the SPD
Yes although probably mainly the FDP's older voters. I imagine most of the younger FDP voters are probably still quite happy. We will probably see more SPD-Green-FDP state coalitions in Germany this year as well.
My German friends say that the Ukrainian issue has moved the jigsaw of German politics - and not in ways that a UK observer might expect.
For example, the Greens are resolutely anti-Putin and all his works...
Given Putin is such a source of hydrocarbons into Europe, not exactly a stretch is it?
It's a long term thing - going back to the politics of the early Greens, and attitude towards the Soviet Union and it's appalling records on human rights and the environment. Unlike some other left wing groups in Europe they don't have that reflexive twitch that makes some strange defenders of Putins Russia.
Jack Doyle has resigned as director of communications at No 10. He's told friends he always planned to leave after two years and that his departure is not linked to that of Munira Mirza https://twitter.com/JasonGroves1/status/1489300293661728773
Now the boys who put the powder On the noses of the faces Of the ladies of the harem Of the court of King Caractacus …Were just passing by
Tory activists are the great unknown in all this. Ultimately I think it absurd that MPs shouldn't be responsible for choosing the Prime minister.
Voters are responsible for choosing the PM at general elections (confirmed by the Queen).
No reason party members should not get to choose the PM if their party has a majority in the Commons and the PM is changed midterm. MPs in any case nominate the candidates and in the Tory party select the final 2 the members pick from
Er, you're muddling voters and party members. And voters choose MPs first and foremost. This isn't a presidential system.
No I am not. Voters get a say at general elections. Party members select the leaders they get to choose from at those general elections (and to elect the PMs too if the party has a majority in Parliament and a new PM is elected midterm).
Most voters vote for the PM and the party.
The number who give a personal vote for their MP is less than 5%
It's bad enough that under FPTP about 1% of the population decide who the rest of us get to vote for as PM once every 5 years. When those members give us a choice between Corbyn and Johnson then it's high time the system was overhauled.
The majority of those who are going to choose our next PM believe that the lying clown they chose last time is still the best person for the job. That ought to set alarm bells ringing far and wide.
It’s easy to watch from afar and criticise the lack of quality among MPs - but there’s an increasingly small number of people willing to put themselves up for such public scrutiny, especially given that most of them can lead equally lucrative and private lives away from the spotlight.
You have to be politically motivated, in which case it's mostly water off a duck's back. I had lots of friendly posts, a moderate amount of abuse, a small amount of obscene abuse and a single death threat - overall it was fine, and the nasty bits were a minor price for the chance to influence national policy in what I felt to be a positive direction. But if it had just been a way of earning a living? Hell no.
The people who get put off - and this is a serious loss - are the "public servant" types, who don't have strong opinions, but would like to help run the country well. The traditional Conservative Party was particularly strong in those, but Labour and LibDems had a good many too - typically from local council backgrounds. If you populate Parliament exclusively with people (like me) who have strong views and want radical change, you turn up the temperature of politics and risk getting characters who hate the other side (unlike me). You need a mixture of passionate reformers and steady public servants. You don't IMO really need anyone who just thinks it's a job like any other.
I think it has got a lot worse since you left parliament, though, not least because of the effect of social media and the general increase in polarisation of politics. The problem is especially bad for women MPs, and even worse for ethnic minority women MPs, but it's bad for all MPs now.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
I remember once riffling through the papers in a newsagent in central Nottingham (miles away from my constituency) and my eye being caught by some sex story in the Sun. The man standing next to me guffawed and said "Ha, that's what our MP reads, eh?" I smiled vaguely and turned away but yes, it was a goldfish bowl moment. Another time a woman leant over when I was sitting on the bus and said "You're one of those dirty bastards in Parliament, aren't you?"
Social media was warming up then too, and I got 100+ emails a day, some of them nasty. But the overwhelming majority were warm, friendly and/or interesting, and I lost count of the number of times that people came up in the street or the supermarket to thank me for something - even after I'd left Parliament. I don't think it's changed all that much, judging by the local social media and by what MPs who I know tell me.
I'm sure that Richard is right about disgusting abuse to women MPs and minorities in particular, and social media does empower the misogynists and racists out there to get in one's face. But it's just a mistake to think that it's not a rewarding job. 4 days a week you're in with a chance to influence the future of 70 million people. 3 days a week you're able to help individuals and often make a visible difference to their lives. How many MPs stand down voluntarily before they reach 70 or so? Not many. It's still a hugely satisfying way to spend your time.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
I’m hoping that in the downing st flat right now Carrie has laid out all the newspaper cuttings about Spotify paying Harry and Meghan 18m to do nothing and Joe Rogan 100m to be a bit of an arse and saying “Boris darling, we cover both bases - just think what we can earn”…..
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
The government should fear the voice of the people through the the ballot box, not by more direct means.
We are sadly seeing a by-election today, because of a breakdown in this relationship.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
In our dotage we’ll probably find ourselves on some Saga cruise to who knows where and he’ll be giving a lecture talk in the main lounge.
Lol. And you know what? We will both go along and listen. Who wouldn’t?
That’s why I am sure he will make bazillions. He is witty and clever and has a unique, remarkable story to tell, and 40 years of anecdotes
OTOH I can see you storming out halfway through in anger (when he gets to Brexit) then I will run after you and try and placate you with free blancmange, as that is all that we will be capable of eating
Then we will play cribbage
Leon I didn't want to leave our earlier interaction without acknowledging what you said about suicide. I've been thinking about it ever since and I'm really sorry you went through that. I feel terrible for my tetchy and downright nasty remarks about you posting from around the globe. If this is a place you feel able to share, shout, sing and any other s's that keep up the alliteration then who the hell am I to diss it? No one, that's who. And I've plunged into deep dark places myself.
I too am glad we've made peace.
So I look forward to those cooking and, yes, travel tips and the occasional vent about wokeness
It’s easy to watch from afar and criticise the lack of quality among MPs - but there’s an increasingly small number of people willing to put themselves up for such public scrutiny, especially given that most of them can lead equally lucrative and private lives away from the spotlight.
You have to be politically motivated, in which case it's mostly water off a duck's back. I had lots of friendly posts, a moderate amount of abuse, a small amount of obscene abuse and a single death threat - overall it was fine, and the nasty bits were a minor price for the chance to influence national policy in what I felt to be a positive direction. But if it had just been a way of earning a living? Hell no.
The people who get put off - and this is a serious loss - are the "public servant" types, who don't have strong opinions, but would like to help run the country well. The traditional Conservative Party was particularly strong in those, but Labour and LibDems had a good many too - typically from local council backgrounds. If you populate Parliament exclusively with people (like me) who have strong views and want radical change, you turn up the temperature of politics and risk getting characters who hate the other side (unlike me). You need a mixture of passionate reformers and steady public servants. You don't IMO really need anyone who just thinks it's a job like any other.
I think it has got a lot worse since you left parliament, though, not least because of the effect of social media and the general increase in polarisation of politics. The problem is especially bad for women MPs, and even worse for ethnic minority women MPs, but it's bad for all MPs now.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
I remember once riffling through the papers in a newsagent in central Nottingham (miles away from my constituency) and my eye being caught by some sex story in the Sun. The man standing next to me guffawed and said "Ha, that's what our MP reads, eh?" I smiled vaguely and turned away but yes, it was a goldfish bowl moment. Another time a woman leant over when I was sitting on the bus and said "You're one of those dirty bastards in Parliament, aren't you?"
Social media was warming up then too, and I got 100+ emails a day, some of them nasty. But the overwhelming majority were warm, friendly and/or interesting, and I lost count of the number of times that people came up in the street or the supermarket to thank me for something - even after I'd left Parliament. I don't think it's changed all that much, judging by the local social media and by what MPs who I know tell me.
I'm sure that Richard is right about disgusting abuse to women MPs and minorities in particular, and social media does empower the misogynists and racists out there to get in one's face. But it's just a mistake to think that it's not a rewarding job. 4 days a week you're in with a chance to influence the future of 70 million people. 3 days a week you're able to help individuals and often make a visible difference to their lives. How many MPs stand down voluntarily before they reach 70 or so? Not many. It's still a hugely satisfying way to spend your time.
Also good to remember that every study of that abuse usually leads to a small group of people operating under a number of accounts (see the England footballers after the Euros).
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
If he had the concentration span and work ethic, he should get himself a gig writing fiction for Netflix.
Genius insight. That is exactly what he'll do, and be author of an updated House of Cards about a fat immoral slob who makes it to the top in English politics. If they can pay the Sussexes $18m for hebephrenic wibble, they can pay him twice that, and he can shell out a tiny fraction of it to an impoverished ghostwriter to do the actual work
It’s easy to watch from afar and criticise the lack of quality among MPs - but there’s an increasingly small number of people willing to put themselves up for such public scrutiny, especially given that most of them can lead equally lucrative and private lives away from the spotlight.
You have to be politically motivated, in which case it's mostly water off a duck's back. I had lots of friendly posts, a moderate amount of abuse, a small amount of obscene abuse and a single death threat - overall it was fine, and the nasty bits were a minor price for the chance to influence national policy in what I felt to be a positive direction. But if it had just been a way of earning a living? Hell no.
The people who get put off - and this is a serious loss - are the "public servant" types, who don't have strong opinions, but would like to help run the country well. The traditional Conservative Party was particularly strong in those, but Labour and LibDems had a good many too - typically from local council backgrounds. If you populate Parliament exclusively with people (like me) who have strong views and want radical change, you turn up the temperature of politics and risk getting characters who hate the other side (unlike me). You need a mixture of passionate reformers and steady public servants. You don't IMO really need anyone who just thinks it's a job like any other.
I think it has got a lot worse since you left parliament, though, not least because of the effect of social media and the general increase in polarisation of politics. The problem is especially bad for women MPs, and even worse for ethnic minority women MPs, but it's bad for all MPs now.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
I remember once riffling through the papers in a newsagent in central Nottingham (miles away from my constituency) and my eye being caught by some sex story in the Sun. The man standing next to me guffawed and said "Ha, that's what our MP reads, eh?" I smiled vaguely and turned away but yes, it was a goldfish bowl moment. Another time a woman leant over when I was sitting on the bus and said "You're one of those dirty bastards in Parliament, aren't you?"
Social media was warming up then too, and I got 100+ emails a day, some of them nasty. But the overwhelming majority were warm, friendly and/or interesting, and I lost count of the number of times that people came up in the street or the supermarket to thank me for something - even after I'd left Parliament. I don't think it's changed all that much, judging by the local social media and by what MPs who I know tell me.
I'm sure that Richard is right about disgusting abuse to women MPs and minorities in particular, and social media does empower the misogynists and racists out there to get in one's face. But it's just a mistake to think that it's not a rewarding job. 4 days a week you're in with a chance to influence the future of 70 million people. 3 days a week you're able to help individuals and often make a visible difference to their lives. How many MPs stand down voluntarily before they reach 70 or so? Not many. It's still a hugely satisfying way to spend your time.
Also good to remember that every study of that abuse usually leads to a small group of people operating under a number of accounts (see the England footballers after the Euros).
The problem is, they drive and define the conversation. Even on here, 50% of posts seem to be @HYUFD and @BartholomewRoberts. Although the latter has gone quiet of late.
I’m hoping that in the downing st flat right now Carrie has laid out all the newspaper cuttings about Spotify paying Harry and Meghan 18m to do nothing and Joe Rogan 100m to be a bit of an arse and saying “Boris darling, we cover both bases - just think what we can earn”…..
Yep.
And if they cross the pond, as is his birthright, then he could earn a fortune over there. He'll be able to churn out pieces for Charles Moore (Letter from America, anyone?), speaking engagements too, alongside all the other things you mention.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
Boris Uncut! Not the pink petticoat version of Leon's dreams but written by a peceptive writer who knows him well. Long but worth the effort. Good photo too
It’s worth noting that whatever the question about Britain’s state, Rishi is not the answer.
He’s a fully paid up Treasury stooge who thinks levelling up is a waste of time.
But he’s more impressive than Boris. If I was Keir I’d be a bit concerned.
there isn't any Tory that is going to spend money levelling up - that's the problem. It's going to take a Labour party willing to look at Treasury models and destroy the appalling foundations they are built on.
Unfortunately the people who understand that earn £100,000+ way more than the Treasury fools you currently use the models and don't see the flaws or missing factors.
Hint for anyone reading infrastructure sometimes needs to be built because it solves problems.
Funny how we agree violently on this but (IIRC) disagree equally violently on immigration.
Don't think I've ever commented on immigration that much.
Were I to do so my only comment would be you allow skilled workers into the country (using a sane minimum pay level well above the average wage) and ensure that you don't allow unskilled / low paid workers in.
Sadly we can't use the tricks other European countries could use (native language tests) because everyone speaks English better than you typical English native.
It is worth noting that the most successful economies in the world - places like Switzerland and Singapore - have done such a good job upskilling their own citizens, that it is unskilled labour that their economies demand.
Both also have populations of less than 5% and have low tax so long attracted high net worth residents and financial services.
Both are also expensive to live in, so also limiting the attraction for the non high skilled and non high paid
Wait: the UK has a population of more than 172 million people???
Wow.
More seriously, let me turn the question around. Would you rather your child was educated to the level where they could be a well paid software engineer? Or would you rather they decided that we needed to have more people who were only skilled to clean toilets?
In 95% of countries the average citizen is not going to be able to be educated to be a well paid software engineer. For starters as there are only so many well paid software engineer jobs to go round globally.
We will also still need some people to clean the toilets
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
Politically motivated crimes, including harassment and violence, are corrosive for democracy. It's not because politicians are inherently more worth as people -- they aren't -- but because to defend politicians robustly from targeted crimes is to defend democracy itself.
We expect higher standards from politicians because of their position. We should also expect them to get the best level of protection anyone can have.
Look at Rees Mogg in this clip, and explain how he is not corrosive for democracy
And I don't expect higher standards from politicians, I expect the same standards from everybody. Are you saying that you are more OK with your butcher lying to you than your MP? Why?
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
Politically motivated crimes, including harassment and violence, are corrosive for democracy. It's not because politicians are inherently more worth as people -- they aren't -- but because to defend politicians robustly from targeted crimes is to defend democracy itself.
We expect higher standards from politicians because of their position. We should also expect them to get the best level of protection anyone can have.
I completely understand why politicians retreat behind guards and walls, but it is an unhealthy distance from the real lives of people.
Do you think your slightly younger self would still want to do it though, in the current era of social media, Twitter-based politics and extreme polarisation of opinion?
Like a shot. I'd do it today if I thought I could get selected. Tempus bloody fugit, sadly.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
If he had the concentration span and work ethic, he should get himself a gig writing fiction for Netflix.
Genius insight. That is exactly what he'll do, and be author of an updated House of Cards about a fat immoral slob who makes it to the top in English politics. If they can pay the Sussexes $18m for hebephrenic wibble, they can pay him twice that, and he can shell out a tiny fraction of it to an impoverished ghostwriter to do the actual work
It would be more interesting to see something from him marketed as fiction but with a strong ring of truth than marketed as memoirs but with barely a hint of it. As you say, a new House of Cards type thing but with the flavour of The Ghost. Which was terrific fun because depending on your views of the Blairs you could believe none of it was true or all of it.
I’m not saying that the Johnson support club is now down to its irreducible core, but (per Sebastian Payne), Dorries is all they have for tomorrow’s broadcast round.
I’m hoping that in the downing st flat right now Carrie has laid out all the newspaper cuttings about Spotify paying Harry and Meghan 18m to do nothing and Joe Rogan 100m to be a bit of an arse and saying “Boris darling, we cover both bases - just think what we can earn”…..
Yep.
And if they cross the pond, as is his birthright, then he could earn a fortune over there. He'll be able to churn out pieces for Charles Moore (Letter from America, anyone?), speaking engagements too, alongside all the other things you mention.
Thinking about it vaguely seriously he could earn a fortune - Spotify would take a regular podcast from him at the drop of a hat (whatever you think of him he’s infinitely more interesting than the Sussexes), Carrie could be the new Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen of You-tube with guest appearances by Lulu Little, GB news (if they have the money) would take him to do a weekly phone in with Boris (like Frasier but not funny), rugby and finance dinners up and down the country would be paying for after dinner speaches, Chinese TV might mistake him for Chris Patten and hire him.
On another note I’m very happy that you and Sean T have called a truce - this site is so much better with a breadth of personality and experience and I felt for you with what you shared today as it shouldn’t happen to anyone and was brave of you to bring it up in what can be a knockabout place.
It’s worth noting that whatever the question about Britain’s state, Rishi is not the answer.
He’s a fully paid up Treasury stooge who thinks levelling up is a waste of time.
But he’s more impressive than Boris. If I was Keir I’d be a bit concerned.
there isn't any Tory that is going to spend money levelling up - that's the problem. It's going to take a Labour party willing to look at Treasury models and destroy the appalling foundations they are built on.
Unfortunately the people who understand that earn £100,000+ way more than the Treasury fools you currently use the models and don't see the flaws or missing factors.
Hint for anyone reading infrastructure sometimes needs to be built because it solves problems.
Funny how we agree violently on this but (IIRC) disagree equally violently on immigration.
Don't think I've ever commented on immigration that much.
Were I to do so my only comment would be you allow skilled workers into the country (using a sane minimum pay level well above the average wage) and ensure that you don't allow unskilled / low paid workers in.
Sadly we can't use the tricks other European countries could use (native language tests) because everyone speaks English better than you typical English native.
It is worth noting that the most successful economies in the world - places like Switzerland and Singapore - have done such a good job upskilling their own citizens, that it is unskilled labour that their economies demand.
Both also have populations of less than 5% and have low tax so long attracted high net worth residents and financial services.
Both are also expensive to live in, so also limiting the attraction for the non high skilled and non high paid
Wait: the UK has a population of more than 172 million people???
Wow.
More seriously, let me turn the question around. Would you rather your child was educated to the level where they could be a well paid software engineer? Or would you rather they decided that we needed to have more people who were only skilled to clean toilets?
In 95% of countries the average citizen is not going to be able to be educated to be a well paid software engineer. For starters as there are only so many well paid software engineer jobs to go round globally.
We will also still need some people to clean the toilets
We also need for toilet cleaners to get enough pay and respect in society to be able to live a good life, with home and family.
I’m not saying that the Johnson support club is now down to its irreducible core, but (per Sebastian Payne), Dorries is all they have for tomorrow’s broadcast round.
At this rate by next week it will be HYFUD that will be traipsing from The Today studios to Newsround.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
Politically motivated crimes, including harassment and violence, are corrosive for democracy. It's not because politicians are inherently more worth as people -- they aren't -- but because to defend politicians robustly from targeted crimes is to defend democracy itself.
We expect higher standards from politicians because of their position. We should also expect them to get the best level of protection anyone can have.
I completely understand why politicians retreat behind guards and walls, but it is an unhealthy distance from the real lives of people.
I heard it suggested by a politician that the only cure for the doorstepping aggression etc. will be when a suitably skilled politician delivers a physical beating on one such attacker. On camera.
I’m not saying that the Johnson support club is now down to its irreducible core, but (per Sebastian Payne), Dorries is all they have for tomorrow’s broadcast round.
At this rate by next week it will be HYFUD that will be traipsing from The Today studios to Newsround.
I would like the ermine though Boris before you go. Lord HYUFD of Epping would be fine
I’m not saying that the Johnson support club is now down to its irreducible core, but (per Sebastian Payne), Dorries is all they have for tomorrow’s broadcast round.
At this rate by next week it will be HYFUD that will be traipsing from The Today studios to Newsround.
Someone’s got to do it I guess. In 95% of countries we can’t all be well-paid software engineers.
It’s easy to watch from afar and criticise the lack of quality among MPs - but there’s an increasingly small number of people willing to put themselves up for such public scrutiny, especially given that most of them can lead equally lucrative and private lives away from the spotlight.
You have to be politically motivated, in which case it's mostly water off a duck's back. I had lots of friendly posts, a moderate amount of abuse, a small amount of obscene abuse and a single death threat - overall it was fine, and the nasty bits were a minor price for the chance to influence national policy in what I felt to be a positive direction. But if it had just been a way of earning a living? Hell no.
The people who get put off - and this is a serious loss - are the "public servant" types, who don't have strong opinions, but would like to help run the country well. The traditional Conservative Party was particularly strong in those, but Labour and LibDems had a good many too - typically from local council backgrounds. If you populate Parliament exclusively with people (like me) who have strong views and want radical change, you turn up the temperature of politics and risk getting characters who hate the other side (unlike me). You need a mixture of passionate reformers and steady public servants. You don't IMO really need anyone who just thinks it's a job like any other.
I think it has got a lot worse since you left parliament, though, not least because of the effect of social media and the general increase in polarisation of politics. The problem is especially bad for women MPs, and even worse for ethnic minority women MPs, but it's bad for all MPs now.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
I remember once riffling through the papers in a newsagent in central Nottingham (miles away from my constituency) and my eye being caught by some sex story in the Sun. The man standing next to me guffawed and said "Ha, that's what our MP reads, eh?" I smiled vaguely and turned away but yes, it was a goldfish bowl moment. Another time a woman leant over when I was sitting on the bus and said "You're one of those dirty bastards in Parliament, aren't you?"
Social media was warming up then too, and I got 100+ emails a day, some of them nasty. But the overwhelming majority were warm, friendly and/or interesting, and I lost count of the number of times that people came up in the street or the supermarket to thank me for something - even after I'd left Parliament. I don't think it's changed all that much, judging by the local social media and by what MPs who I know tell me.
I'm sure that Richard is right about disgusting abuse to women MPs and minorities in particular, and social media does empower the misogynists and racists out there to get in one's face. But it's just a mistake to think that it's not a rewarding job. 4 days a week you're in with a chance to influence the future of 70 million people. 3 days a week you're able to help individuals and often make a visible difference to their lives. How many MPs stand down voluntarily before they reach 70 or so? Not many. It's still a hugely satisfying way to spend your time.
Interesting, eloquent and enlightening
My god, what is happening to PB? The imminent fall of Boris is turning us all into pathetic, amiable weeds
I hope the normal service of vituperative and unnecessary nastiness returns soon
The whips office have been neutralised, the No.10 communications office is paralysed, Red-Wallers, Spartans, Grandees, One-Nation Group are mobilising, and the cabinet are publicly cutting the PM loose. Apart from that Operation Save Big Dog is going swimmingly.
I’m not saying that the Johnson support club is now down to its irreducible core, but (per Sebastian Payne), Dorries is all they have for tomorrow’s broadcast round.
At this rate by next week it will be HYFUD that will be traipsing from The Today studios to Newsround.
I would like the ermine though Boris before you go. Lord HYUFD of Epping would be fine
It’s worth noting that whatever the question about Britain’s state, Rishi is not the answer.
He’s a fully paid up Treasury stooge who thinks levelling up is a waste of time.
But he’s more impressive than Boris. If I was Keir I’d be a bit concerned.
there isn't any Tory that is going to spend money levelling up - that's the problem. It's going to take a Labour party willing to look at Treasury models and destroy the appalling foundations they are built on.
Unfortunately the people who understand that earn £100,000+ way more than the Treasury fools you currently use the models and don't see the flaws or missing factors.
Hint for anyone reading infrastructure sometimes needs to be built because it solves problems.
Funny how we agree violently on this but (IIRC) disagree equally violently on immigration.
Don't think I've ever commented on immigration that much.
Were I to do so my only comment would be you allow skilled workers into the country (using a sane minimum pay level well above the average wage) and ensure that you don't allow unskilled / low paid workers in.
Sadly we can't use the tricks other European countries could use (native language tests) because everyone speaks English better than you typical English native.
It is worth noting that the most successful economies in the world - places like Switzerland and Singapore - have done such a good job upskilling their own citizens, that it is unskilled labour that their economies demand.
Both also have populations of less than 5% and have low tax so long attracted high net worth residents and financial services.
Both are also expensive to live in, so also limiting the attraction for the non high skilled and non high paid
Wait: the UK has a population of more than 172 million people???
Wow.
More seriously, let me turn the question around. Would you rather your child was educated to the level where they could be a well paid software engineer? Or would you rather they decided that we needed to have more people who were only skilled to clean toilets?
In 95% of countries the average citizen is not going to be able to be educated to be a well paid software engineer. For starters as there are only so many well paid software engineer jobs to go round globally.
We will also still need some people to clean the toilets
We need to train more software engineers so that we can start to pay them less. Supply and demand. Good Tory principle.
And then to start to pay very much more for jobs that people do not want to do, like toilet cleaners.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
The government should fear the voice of the people through the the ballot box, not by more direct means.
We are sadly seeing a by-election today, because of a breakdown in this relationship.
There were 600 odd homicides in E and W in 2021, nearly two a day. I am really hard pushed to whip up any more sadness for any one instance than the other 599.
I’m hoping that in the downing st flat right now Carrie has laid out all the newspaper cuttings about Spotify paying Harry and Meghan 18m to do nothing and Joe Rogan 100m to be a bit of an arse and saying “Boris darling, we cover both bases - just think what we can earn”…..
Yep.
And if they cross the pond, as is his birthright, then he could earn a fortune over there. He'll be able to churn out pieces for Charles Moore (Letter from America, anyone?), speaking engagements too, alongside all the other things you mention.
Thinking about it vaguely seriously he could earn a fortune - Spotify would take a regular podcast from him at the drop of a hat (whatever you think of him he’s infinitely more interesting than the Sussexes), Carrie could be the new Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen of You-tube with guest appearances by Lulu Little, GB news (if they have the money) would take him to do a weekly phone in with Boris (like Frasier but not funny), rugby and finance dinners up and down the country would be paying for after dinner speaches, Chinese TV might mistake him for Chris Patten and hire him.
On another note I’m very happy that you and Sean T have called a truce - this site is so much better with a breadth of personality and experience and I felt for you with what you shared today as it shouldn’t happen to anyone and was brave of you to bring it up in what can be a knockabout place.
Very true. He could make tens of millions from a podcast alone
The whips office have been neutralised, the No.10 communications office is paralysed, Red-Wallers, Spartans, Grandees, One-Nation Group are mobilising, and the cabinet are publicly cutting the PM loose. Apart from that Operation Save Big Dog is going swimmingly.
Oh gosh. She'll double down. She'll be suggesting that it wasn't actually Savile doing all that abuse, it was somebody else whose surname also starts with S.
I watched on iPlayer a doc about the Blair and Brown years and was struck by the mutual admiration between them despite the clear antagonism between them at the changeover time.
I cannot wait however, if Rishi replaces Boris, for a repeat documentary in 10 years time as I don’t think there will be much love lost - will be suitably brutal I imagine…..
I'm toying with doing a thread on Sunday where I predict if Boris goes soon he will undermine his successor in the way Thatcher did to Major and take the Incredible Sulk title from Ted Heath.
Unlikely. Boris has many flaws but he’s not the type to stew in a futile sulk.
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
If he had the concentration span and work ethic, he should get himself a gig writing fiction for Netflix.
Genius insight. That is exactly what he'll do, and be author of an updated House of Cards about a fat immoral slob who makes it to the top in English politics. If they can pay the Sussexes $18m for hebephrenic wibble, they can pay him twice that, and he can shell out a tiny fraction of it to an impoverished ghostwriter to do the actual work
Oh gosh. She'll double down. She'll be suggesting that it wasn't actually Savile doing all that abuse, it was somebody else whose surname also starts with S.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
Politically motivated crimes, including harassment and violence, are corrosive for democracy. It's not because politicians are inherently more worth as people -- they aren't -- but because to defend politicians robustly from targeted crimes is to defend democracy itself.
We expect higher standards from politicians because of their position. We should also expect them to get the best level of protection anyone can have.
I completely understand why politicians retreat behind guards and walls, but it is an unhealthy distance from the real lives of people.
I heard it suggested by a politician that the only cure for the doorstepping aggression etc. will be when a suitably skilled politician delivers a physical beating on one such attacker. On camera.
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
The government should fear the voice of the people through the the ballot box, not by more direct means.
We are sadly seeing a by-election today, because of a breakdown in this relationship.
There were 600 odd homicides in E and W in 2021, nearly two a day. I am really hard pushed to whip up any more sadness for any one instance than the other 599.
Ooh, I am. This was a man killed doing what was necessary for our lifestyle to function. He didn't work for me directly - I don't live in Southend - but I do feel a sense of ownership. I may not advocate his views, but I believe very strongly in the principle of representative democracy. He's basically employed by me doing something I paid him to do. Of course I feel more strongly. As I would over, say, a policeman or a teacher killed while doing their jobs.
It’s worth noting that whatever the question about Britain’s state, Rishi is not the answer.
He’s a fully paid up Treasury stooge who thinks levelling up is a waste of time.
But he’s more impressive than Boris. If I was Keir I’d be a bit concerned.
there isn't any Tory that is going to spend money levelling up - that's the problem. It's going to take a Labour party willing to look at Treasury models and destroy the appalling foundations they are built on.
Unfortunately the people who understand that earn £100,000+ way more than the Treasury fools you currently use the models and don't see the flaws or missing factors.
Hint for anyone reading infrastructure sometimes needs to be built because it solves problems.
Funny how we agree violently on this but (IIRC) disagree equally violently on immigration.
Don't think I've ever commented on immigration that much.
Were I to do so my only comment would be you allow skilled workers into the country (using a sane minimum pay level well above the average wage) and ensure that you don't allow unskilled / low paid workers in.
Sadly we can't use the tricks other European countries could use (native language tests) because everyone speaks English better than you typical English native.
It is worth noting that the most successful economies in the world - places like Switzerland and Singapore - have done such a good job upskilling their own citizens, that it is unskilled labour that their economies demand.
Both also have populations of less than 5% and have low tax so long attracted high net worth residents and financial services.
Both are also expensive to live in, so also limiting the attraction for the non high skilled and non high paid
Wait: the UK has a population of more than 172 million people???
Wow.
More seriously, let me turn the question around. Would you rather your child was educated to the level where they could be a well paid software engineer? Or would you rather they decided that we needed to have more people who were only skilled to clean toilets?
In 95% of countries the average citizen is not going to be able to be educated to be a well paid software engineer. For starters as there are only so many well paid software engineer jobs to go round globally.
We will also still need some people to clean the toilets
We also need for toilet cleaners to get enough pay and respect in society to be able to live a good life, with home and family.
Have you heard of these things called “robots”?
There really won’t be a need for toilet cleaners, very soon . And that is a good thing, it is not a nice job
Its not just what people write on social media about you, its even if you are "off the clock" and some twat always has a camera phone ready to film absolutely anything you do. This is true for anybody in the public eye and I can't imagine it is a particularly good for you mental health.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
Yes, true, but I wasn't referring only to nasty comments on social media. It gets beyond that, spilling over into actual physical threats or turning up at MPs' homes and intimidating the families.
Absolutely, JRM and Corybn's homes being targeted. Totally unacceptable.
When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
Politically motivated crimes, including harassment and violence, are corrosive for democracy. It's not because politicians are inherently more worth as people -- they aren't -- but because to defend politicians robustly from targeted crimes is to defend democracy itself.
We expect higher standards from politicians because of their position. We should also expect them to get the best level of protection anyone can have.
I completely understand why politicians retreat behind guards and walls, but it is an unhealthy distance from the real lives of people.
I heard it suggested by a politician that the only cure for the doorstepping aggression etc. will be when a suitably skilled politician delivers a physical beating on one such attacker. On camera.
Surely John Prescott did that, many years ago?
We were talking about that incident - the politician in question thought that it would take putting an assailant into hospital, with a trial and acquittal before the doorstoppers would get frightened off.
Comments
On the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem
Of the court of King Caractacus
…Were just passing by
I really would.
Remember Esther McVey is a Conservative MP.
An alternative view is that today's resignations in 10 Downing St could be linked to the shake up of the whole operation unveiled by Boris Johnson on Monday, in response to the Sue Gray report.
https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/1489302905152851981
Though Thatcher had the last laugh. The Thatcher backed candidate ie Major, Hague and IDS beat Heseltine and Clarke in every Tory leadership election after she lost office until Cameron won in 2005 for a new generation not in the Commons when Thatcher was there
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXZF6DwKvCI
For a start he will want to make TONS of money. Sitting in the Commons sniping at Sunak (or whoever) does not serve that purpose. He will want to turn the page and do something unexpected (along with the memoirs)
He is still a man with exceptional political talents, and he is a good writer, and he has amazing contacts. How does he use all this?
And his ego is so huge that I don't think he'd live it down on the backbenches.
I reckon if he's deposed he'll be out faster than Tony Blair.
I personally would never "volunteer" myself for something like that.
For goodness sake Boris for once in your life do the decent thing and resign
Sir Jeffery Donaldson also told reporters that Boris Johnson told him at the Tory party conference that he would get a revised deal with Brussels in a "short sharp three weeks" of negotiations. Four months, Donaldson said it was time to take action.
Sir Jeffery actually believed that? Talk about the triumph of hope over experience.
Wow.
More seriously, let me turn the question around. Would you rather your child was educated to the level where they could be a well paid software engineer? Or would you rather they decided that we needed to have more people who were only skilled to clean toilets?
For example, the Greens are resolutely anti-Putin and all his works...
I can’t see him holding his seat at next GE anyway so that choice won’t be in his hands.
Also not going to be harping on about his replacement as it will devalue him (yes it could even get lower) and remind everyone he was a loser.
He might be investigating if Albania is looking for a king or something…..
I think though that the controlling, media management, unnamed sources and spin doctors of the press baron era and Alastair Campbell was not much better, just a different sort of bad.
The path of person-does-not-agree-with-me to person's-views-are-absolutely-and-tantamount-to-genocide-and-person-is-abhorrent is far too lightly trod.
Given that they’re all lined up for the sack, why wouldn’t you?
That’s why I am sure he will make bazillions. He is witty and clever and has a unique, remarkable story to tell, and 40 years of anecdotes
OTOH I can see you storming out halfway through in anger (when he gets to Brexit) then I will run after you and try and placate you with free blancmange, as that is all that we will be capable of eating
Then we will play cribbage
Have they learned nothing?
The majority of those who are going to choose our next PM believe that the lying clown they chose last time is still the best person for the job. That ought to set alarm bells ringing far and wide.
Social media was warming up then too, and I got 100+ emails a day, some of them nasty. But the overwhelming majority were warm, friendly and/or interesting, and I lost count of the number of times that people came up in the street or the supermarket to thank me for something - even after I'd left Parliament. I don't think it's changed all that much, judging by the local social media and by what MPs who I know tell me.
I'm sure that Richard is right about disgusting abuse to women MPs and minorities in particular, and social media does empower the misogynists and racists out there to get in one's face. But it's just a mistake to think that it's not a rewarding job. 4 days a week you're in with a chance to influence the future of 70 million people. 3 days a week you're able to help individuals and often make a visible difference to their lives. How many MPs stand down voluntarily before they reach 70 or so? Not many. It's still a hugely satisfying way to spend your time.
It is very wrong of me of course, but given the complete innocence of 99% of victims of crime, the thought of evil people posting dog poo through JRM's or Jezza's letterbox leaves me strangely unmoved.
We are sadly seeing a by-election today, because of a breakdown in this relationship.
I too am glad we've made peace.
So I look forward to those cooking and, yes, travel tips and the occasional vent about wokeness
And if they cross the pond, as is his birthright, then he could earn a fortune over there. He'll be able to churn out pieces for Charles Moore (Letter from America, anyone?), speaking engagements too, alongside all the other things you mention.
Only three aides in No 10 are paid £140k+. Two just quit (Mirza, Doyle) and the third (Rosenfield) is set to be fired or moved any minute.
With Lister, Frost, Cummings, Cain, da Costa, and Stratton all already gone, there are in effect no senior figures left in Downing Street.
Reynolds gone as well.
Johnson doesn't even have enough aides to have his own Downfall Führerbunker moment.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/01/boris-johnson-party-pressure/621325/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB
We will also still need some people to clean the toilets
https://twitter.com/sturdyAlex/status/1489298607106887683
And I don't expect higher standards from politicians, I expect the same standards from everybody. Are you saying that you are more OK with your butcher lying to you than your MP? Why?
https://twitter.com/SebastianEPayne/status/1489311564704407564
On another note I’m very happy that you and Sean T have called a truce - this site is so much better with a breadth of personality and experience and I felt for you with what you shared today as it shouldn’t happen to anyone and was brave of you to bring it up in what can be a knockabout place.
My god, what is happening to PB? The imminent fall of Boris is turning us all into pathetic, amiable weeds
I hope the normal service of vituperative and unnecessary nastiness returns soon
The whips office have been neutralised, the No.10 communications office is paralysed, Red-Wallers, Spartans, Grandees, One-Nation Group are mobilising, and the cabinet are publicly cutting the PM loose. Apart from that Operation Save Big Dog is going swimmingly.
I reckon Cameroon are on fire, Egypt a bit hohum, despite Salah.
And then to start to pay very much more for jobs that people do not want to do, like toilet cleaners.
Chris Silverwood has gone.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59754595
This was a man killed doing what was necessary for our lifestyle to function.
He didn't work for me directly - I don't live in Southend - but I do feel a sense of ownership. I may not advocate his views, but I believe very strongly in the principle of representative democracy. He's basically employed by me doing something I paid him to do. Of course I feel more strongly. As I would over, say, a policeman or a teacher killed while doing their jobs.
There really won’t be a need for toilet cleaners, very soon . And that is a good thing, it is not a nice job
One of the worst parts of the No.10 PartyGate saga? Being reminded that Boris Johnson calls Carrie "Little Otter".