Conservative party

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

The Waugh Zone writes today
" [The] former chancellor George Osborne, whose Evening Standard newspaper has been supportive of Johnson, stressed that an uneasy public needs more open displays of grip and leadership at times of crisis.


Osborne urged the PM to put the government on a “war footing”, chair regular Cobra meetings and put ministers on “all major media shows”.
[... like R4 morning news :?: ]

“The public is fearful, wants information and needs to know their leaders have got a grip,” he tweeted."
- and call in Jeremy Hunt, to double up with Hancock so that the 'real' minister can deal with the flow and the 'roaming one' with the international liaising/ coordination
... that would be like :idea: "getting a grip" and "getting real"
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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SKB
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Re: Conservative party

Post by SKB »


:lol:

Lord Jim
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Re: Conservative party

Post by Lord Jim »

So that where he was, on a two week bender, alternating between bar and bedroom. :lol:

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SKB
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Re: Conservative party

Post by SKB »

Plot twist. Boris is still married to second wife Marina Wheeler QC, but they are in the process of divorcing.

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

SKB wrote: second wife Marina Wheeler QC
looks like legal troubles are a way of life?
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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SKB
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Re: Conservative party

Post by SKB »

It seems the baby will become Boris' sixth child!

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

This legal trouble is not a storm in a tea cup... but rather: in the Home Office.
"I believe these events give me very strong grounds to claim constructive, unfair dismissal and I will be pursuing that claim in the courts."
- due process call for witnesses being called
- cannot see how the minister in charge could avoid being one of those; we've seen of late that declining to name witnesses or turn up in person is likely to be looked on unfavourably in the courts

One of the Labour leadership candidates, the one that used to be heading Public Prosecutions, has just been handed an opportunity to hit a home [pun intended] run, with related questions in the Parliament.
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

HuffPost of today says about employment tribunal/ courts/ the MPs sitting in the Parliament that
"credible evidence of a pattern of behaviour is what is most important. And in Patel’s case, the fear in government must be that the evidence is stacking up"
- details in the tabloids... and also in the more serious press
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Same source as above has an update today:
"Given that former permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam has decided not to be bought off with a payoff, as many staff are forced to do in these circumstances, there is however the parallel process of an industrial tribunal, at which Patel will be called to give evidence on oath. That could be politically very embarrassing indeed, especially if special advisers and No.10 are dragged into it.

[...]


The PM and others in No10 are determined not to see their plans stymied by what they see as ‘No Minister’ civil servants. It’s true that the real factor that may ensure Patel never returns is her competence. The stories coming out of Whitehall about basic errors and off-the-wall plans don’t bode well for her political future."
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Skynews has just come out with this
This morning, Sir Philip, with the support of his legal team and the FDA, submitted a claim to the employment tribunal for unfair (constructive) dismissal and whistleblowing against the Home Secretary.
Political reporter @Alan_McGuinness
Monday 20 April 2020 21:06, UK

Unfortunately the crossover of employment law and Gvmnt protection for whistleblowers is not opened up any further for us mere mortals who haven't studied law.
- however, this will not be the last we hear of the matter?
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

Caribbean
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Re: Conservative party

Post by Caribbean »

ArmChairCivvy wrote:however, this will not be the last we hear of the matter?
The one thing that you can guarantee is that, if he wins, TV News will talk about little else for weeks, if not months, on end. If he loses, it will likely not even get a mention.
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Caribbean wrote:if he wins, TV News will talk about little else for weeks, if not months, on end
Firing the minister at that point will not, as you point out, put a stop to the 'matter'
- rather, the question will be: what other cover ups will need to come to the light of day. Now, talking about that report on Russian influence...

Considering the delicate juncture at which we find ourselves right now, it can be only good that the matter is in the hands of courts - As they always take their time
- the last thing we need (right) now is a Gvmnt paralysis
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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Zero Gravitas
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Re: Conservative party

Post by Zero Gravitas »

ArmChairCivvy wrote:The PM and others in No10 are determined not to see their plans stymied by what they see as ‘No Minister’ civil servants. It’s true that the real factor that may ensure Patel never returns is her competence. The stories coming out of Whitehall about basic errors and off-the-wall plans don’t bode well for her political future."
Whitehall stories about white, male, lefty Blunkett's "off-the-wall" plans only came out years later of course:

"A hysterical David Blunkett told the prison service to call in the army and "machine gun" inmates in order to regain control of a riot-torn prison, the former director general of the prison service, Martin Narey, claims today [2006]. In a response to the former home secretary's memoirs, The Blunkett Tapes, Mr Narey said that Mr Blunkett "shrieked" down the phone to him that he did not care about the possible loss of life among staff or prisoners during efforts to retake Lincoln jail, which had been taken over by rioting inmates in October 2002."

I wonder what issues could have made Whitehall decide to leak stories about odd behaviour in real time for Patel, that they kept secret for years for white, male lefty Blunkett? :?

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Zero Gravitas wrote:I wonder what issues could have made Whitehall decide to leak stories about odd behaviour
Bullying staff and ridiculing subordinates? Btw, in this century they are called collegues ;)
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

Caribbean
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Re: Conservative party

Post by Caribbean »

Zero Gravitas wrote:I wonder what issues could have made Whitehall decide to leak stories about odd behaviour in real time for Patel, that they kept secret for years for white, male lefty Blunkett?
Surely you are not insinuating that something might have "coloured" their opinion? :shock:
The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Not a priti story (actually one of those, yes, and seventy+ have come up) https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... pital-bill
" ineligible for free NHS care.[ He] joined the British army in 2001 and has been continuously in the UK since being discharged from the military in 2011, living here with his wife and three daughters, and paying tax and national insurance.
...Hospital staff have classified Taitusi Ratucaucau, 49, as an overseas patient"

Timely as a related bill is in the Parliament as we 'speak'
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

I guess Matt did start (I can't hear anything within what this clip covers) https://news.sky.com/video/coronavirus- ... s-11991733
but the Speaker's line is quite good:
"I don't mind you advising the PM, but don't try to start with the Leader of the Opposition"
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Well, yesterday (Pail Waugh writes) "There was at least some sense of shame in penalising some in the care sector when Priti Patel bowed to pressure (thanks to The Times’s excellent journalism) and extended the NHS leave to remain bereavement scheme to include staff such as porters, cleaners and care workers, and not just doctors and nurses"

Remains to be seen if The Guardian journalism (the Commonwealth soldiers's case, two posts up) achieves anything as Boris may be advised that the readers of that particular paper won't vote for him, anyway
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

This unedifying affair, the next episode of which will be played in the Liaison Committee under the heading "Who is in charge?" has caused me to look into the original Rasputin - who also was dispensing irreplaceable advice
- he didn't go easily either despite the many pleas to the recipient(s) of the said advice

Will be interesting to see if any newspaper will (dare to) label the collection of all episodes as political scalp hunting; even the daily flail has tried to keep up its credibility amongst the readership
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

A snippet from Sky News, posted just before midnight; starting to look like the doings of Cabinet members will keep the Cabinet Secretary so busy... that he'll never have time to finish the investigations (if this one will ever get added)

"Asked if Mr Jenrick had done the right thing, Mr Johnson replied: "As far as I know of course he did."

Mr Johnson approved an initial development scheme proposed by Mr Desmond on the Westferry Printworks site when he was London mayor in 2016.

This came after Mr Johnson used his powers to take responsibility for the planning application from Tower Hamlets council.

New plans for the site were submitted in 2018 - when Mr Johnson was no longer at City Hall
[...]

Shadow communities and local government secretary Steve Reed said: "The prime minister's extraordinary insistence that Robert Jenrick 'did the right thing', even though Mr Jenrick has now admitted his decision was unlawful has done even more damage to trust in the planning system.

"The latest revelations expose the murky relationship between No 10, senior government ministers and lobbyists for billionaire property developers - they warrant urgent investigation by the cabinet secretary into any wrongdoing."
- underlining added
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

No worries about your pensions, as she does not decide, despite the title, over them:
"Work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey inadvertently helped fuel the rebellion when she gave a clumsy response to Rashford’s tweets about the hardships faced by families struggling in the pandemic. Correcting [...]without addressing his wider point".

It will be the First Lord of the Treasury and the Chancellor.
- this could be a Covid thread post, but would grow to be much longer for the 'context'
- this could even be about the double whammy - nahh, another time
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

As for the above, there's already a new tax treatment for pension contributions being prepared, a double tax (NI & NHS at 3 and 4% respectively, rumoured), but as for the more imminent changes, wasn't it Gove who was charged with the country overall being 'ready for Brexit'?

A safe harbour (or is it a second chance?) for him being written about
" Michael Gove could become Health Secretary in reshuffle to relaunch Prime Minister's Government in February"
By Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent 13 November
... where else than in the Torygraph itself
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

Scimitar54
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Re: Conservative party

Post by Scimitar54 »

Well it was “Friday the 13th”! :mrgreen:

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

If true, perhaps lucky for Gove; but not so sure about us
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Conservative party

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Pretty nasty talk in, of all places, the Torygraph:
" a vision of Boris and Carrie sitting in the Downing Street flat constantly reacting to the provocations of Twitter.

Such talk is new. Boris's colleagues and associates have always loved gossiping about their eccentric leader, but until now the tone has mostly been affectionate. Now it mostly isn’t. The change is marked. A few even say he won’t last much longer in office."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/1 ... y-exposed/?
- who might have briefed such thoughts
... just when there is a turn to more sensible policies/ communications
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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