On track for disaster? PM faces all-out Tory mutiny over rail 'betrayal' with fury he is dooming the North to 100 YEARS of misery by axing flagship 'Levelling Up' plans: Conservatives demand MPs are given a free vote on the issue
Conservatives MPs and local leaders joined a brutal backlash as the PM tried to defend his 'ambitious and unparalleled' overhaul of inter-city links. The premier was accused of giving his crucial Red Wall voters 'scraps off the table' after the HS2 route to Leeds was ditched in favour of a Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway line. The HS3 line linking Manchester and Leeds - known as Northern Powerhouse Rail - is also being shelved. On a visit to a Network Rail hub in Yorkshire, the PM rejected as 'rubbish' claims that the changes break the 'Levelling Up' pledges in Tories' 2019 manifesto. He argued that high speed rail was 'grindingly slow to build' and most of the benefits could be achieved more quickly. However, Transport Select Committee chair Huw Merriman swiped that Mr Johnson kept 'selling perpetual sunlight and then leaving it to others to explain the arrival of moonlight'. Northern mayors and the Tory leader of Bolton Council Martyn Cox have written to Mr Johnson slating him for ignoring experts, and demanding the plans are put to a free vote in the Commons. In a joint letter, they said the policy is 'critical to the future of the North for the next 100 years and more'.
The really shocking thing here is that people are surprised they went back on their word, surely they must have learned by now, we have had years of lying tories.
I think it is more surprising that until about a week ago they were still well ahead in the polls. The pandemic has allowed them to take their sleaze to a whole new level. I wonder what the polls will look like this time next year. They have alienated oldies by suspending the pension triple lock. One of many broken manifesto promises. The general public are generally less forgiving when their pockets are hit. Rising inflation affects everyone. Escalating interest rates will affect those with mortgages, and loans. Increases in the cost of living also affect everyone, so the proposed increases to council tax, utility prices, rising food costs, petrol prices, increased NI contributions, etc, etc, will not be welcome. Those claiming universal credit will already have the hump. As will those up north over HS2, and those sacked from their jobs for refusing a covid jab, although I think their position is untenable. The number of migrants arriving will be upsetting many, despite the fact that according to Boris, we have taken back control of our borders. Its hard to imagine who the Tories will appeal to when the next election comes around.
The answer will be the same as before.
The Conservative Party don't really have any ideas of their own (unless you count self-serving backhanders on a scale that any self-respecting tinpot dictator can only gawp at in disbelief).
It will be:-
1."Lack of a credible opposition" (somehow making people believe the 2nd biggest party cannot govern)
2. Labour will raise taxes (the Press will ignore that this Government has raised taxes more than any Labour Government, ever)
3. Keir Starmer lacks "charisma" (which I am sure is important if you are casting the lead in a film, just not if you are running a country-look at Merkel-see charisma there?)
4. If you vote for Starmer, he will be replaced by a far Left boogeyman (ignoring the fact that the Tories have replaced an elected PM without a General Election several times-think May, Cameron, even Thatcher-and likely Johnson soon)
5. The Conservatives won the last election on nothing more than slogans (we've got Brexit done), the work of others (Politicians do not invent or administer jabs), promises they promptly ditched, and fear of Labour.
Think they won't do it again? You can't fool all the people all the time, but it appears you can fool enough of the people to get elected quite a lot.
I have followed every General Election since 1974. At every single one of those elections, the Conservative Party have attacked the Labour Party in 1 of 2 ways. Either:-
(1) The Labour leader is a lefty nutter who will ruin the country (Foot, Corbyn etc); or (2) The minute you elect one who can't be portrayed as a lefty nutter, then there is a scare story that there is someone waiting in the wings waiting to take over in some sort of Communist plot
Number of elected Labour PMs that have been replaced while PM? 2. Ever. Wilson in 1976, cos he chose to go once diagnosed with dementia. And Blair in 2005, handing over to Brown.
The last 2 Conservative PMs to be replaced shortly after an election are Cameron in 2016, and May in 2019. Removed due to the unelected 1922 Committee.
On track for disaster? PM faces all-out Tory mutiny over rail 'betrayal' with fury he is dooming the North to 100 YEARS of misery by axing flagship 'Levelling Up' plans: Conservatives demand MPs are given a free vote on the issue
Conservatives MPs and local leaders joined a brutal backlash as the PM tried to defend his 'ambitious and unparalleled' overhaul of inter-city links. The premier was accused of giving his crucial Red Wall voters 'scraps off the table' after the HS2 route to Leeds was ditched in favour of a Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway line. The HS3 line linking Manchester and Leeds - known as Northern Powerhouse Rail - is also being shelved. On a visit to a Network Rail hub in Yorkshire, the PM rejected as 'rubbish' claims that the changes break the 'Levelling Up' pledges in Tories' 2019 manifesto. He argued that high speed rail was 'grindingly slow to build' and most of the benefits could be achieved more quickly. However, Transport Select Committee chair Huw Merriman swiped that Mr Johnson kept 'selling perpetual sunlight and then leaving it to others to explain the arrival of moonlight'. Northern mayors and the Tory leader of Bolton Council Martyn Cox have written to Mr Johnson slating him for ignoring experts, and demanding the plans are put to a free vote in the Commons. In a joint letter, they said the policy is 'critical to the future of the North for the next 100 years and more'.
The really shocking thing here is that people are surprised they went back on their word, surely they must have learned by now, we have had years of lying tories.
I think it is more surprising that until about a week ago they were still well ahead in the polls. The pandemic has allowed them to take their sleaze to a whole new level. I wonder what the polls will look like this time next year. They have alienated oldies by suspending the pension triple lock. One of many broken manifesto promises. The general public are generally less forgiving when their pockets are hit. Rising inflation affects everyone. Escalating interest rates will affect those with mortgages, and loans. Increases in the cost of living also affect everyone, so the proposed increases to council tax, utility prices, rising food costs, petrol prices, increased NI contributions, etc, etc, will not be welcome. Those claiming universal credit will already have the hump. As will those up north over HS2, and those sacked from their jobs for refusing a covid jab, although I think their position is untenable. The number of migrants arriving will be upsetting many, despite the fact that according to Boris, we have taken back control of our borders. Its hard to imagine who the Tories will appeal to when the next election comes around.
The answer will be the same as before.
The Conservative Party don't really have any ideas of their own (unless you count self-serving backhanders on a scale that any self-respecting tinpot dictator can only gawp at in disbelief).
It will be:-
1."Lack of a credible opposition" (somehow making people believe the 2nd biggest party cannot govern)
2. Labour will raise taxes (the Press will ignore that this Government has raised taxes more than any Labour Government, ever)
3. Keir Starmer lacks "charisma" (which I am sure is important if you are casting the lead in a film, just not if you are running a country-look at Merkel-see charisma there?)
4. If you vote for Starmer, he will be replaced by a far Left boogeyman (ignoring the fact that the Tories have replaced an elected PM without a General Election several times-think May, Cameron, even Thatcher-and likely Johnson soon)
5. The Conservatives won the last election on nothing more than slogans (we've got Brexit done), the work of others (Politicians do not invent or administer jabs), promises they promptly ditched, and fear of Labour.
Think they won't do it again? You can't fool all the people all the time, but it appears you can fool enough of the people to get elected quite a lot.
On track for disaster? PM faces all-out Tory mutiny over rail 'betrayal' with fury he is dooming the North to 100 YEARS of misery by axing flagship 'Levelling Up' plans: Conservatives demand MPs are given a free vote on the issue
Conservatives MPs and local leaders joined a brutal backlash as the PM tried to defend his 'ambitious and unparalleled' overhaul of inter-city links. The premier was accused of giving his crucial Red Wall voters 'scraps off the table' after the HS2 route to Leeds was ditched in favour of a Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway line. The HS3 line linking Manchester and Leeds - known as Northern Powerhouse Rail - is also being shelved. On a visit to a Network Rail hub in Yorkshire, the PM rejected as 'rubbish' claims that the changes break the 'Levelling Up' pledges in Tories' 2019 manifesto. He argued that high speed rail was 'grindingly slow to build' and most of the benefits could be achieved more quickly. However, Transport Select Committee chair Huw Merriman swiped that Mr Johnson kept 'selling perpetual sunlight and then leaving it to others to explain the arrival of moonlight'. Northern mayors and the Tory leader of Bolton Council Martyn Cox have written to Mr Johnson slating him for ignoring experts, and demanding the plans are put to a free vote in the Commons. In a joint letter, they said the policy is 'critical to the future of the North for the next 100 years and more'.
The really shocking thing here is that people are surprised they went back on their word, surely they must have learned by now, we have had years of lying tories.
I think it is more surprising that until about a week ago they were still well ahead in the polls. The pandemic has allowed them to take their sleaze to a whole new level. I wonder what the polls will look like this time next year. They have alienated oldies by suspending the pension triple lock. One of many broken manifesto promises. The general public are generally less forgiving when their pockets are hit. Rising inflation affects everyone. Escalating interest rates will affect those with mortgages, and loans. Increases in the cost of living also affect everyone, so the proposed increases to council tax, utility prices, rising food costs, petrol prices, increased NI contributions, etc, etc, will not be welcome. Those claiming universal credit will already have the hump. As will those up north over HS2, and those sacked from their jobs for refusing a covid jab, although I think their position is untenable. The number of migrants arriving will be upsetting many, despite the fact that according to Boris, we have taken back control of our borders. Its hard to imagine who the Tories will appeal to when the next election comes around.
The answer will be the same as before.
The Conservative Party don't really have any ideas of their own (unless you count self-serving backhanders on a scale that any self-respecting tinpot dictator can only gawp at in disbelief).
It will be:-
1."Lack of a credible opposition" (somehow making people believe the 2nd biggest party cannot govern)
2. Labour will raise taxes (the Press will ignore that this Government has raised taxes more than any Labour Government, ever)
3. Keir Starmer lacks "charisma" (which I am sure is important if you are casting the lead in a film, just not if you are running a country-look at Merkel-see charisma there?)
4. If you vote for Starmer, he will be replaced by a far Left boogeyman (ignoring the fact that the Tories have replaced an elected PM without a General Election several times-think May, Cameron, even Thatcher-and likely Johnson soon)
5. The Conservatives won the last election on nothing more than slogans (we've got Brexit done), the work of others (Politicians do not invent or administer jabs), promises they promptly ditched, and fear of Labour.
Think they won't do it again? You can't fool all the people all the time, but it appears you can fool enough of the people to get elected quite a lot.
I think that the very fact that the Labour Party could elect someone like Jeremy Corbyn as leader will always be a worry. I watched the recent 5 part documentary about Blair/Brown, and one of the things that struck me about Blair was that he knew how to win an election. Probably the knowing how to win, is more important than charisma. Keir Starmer is a very credible character, but who wouldnt be when compared to Boris. Although I am not sure how much power the leader has within the Labour Party. I also think that allowing the likes of Len McCluskey, or Momentum, to influence them has not done them any favours. Politics has probably changed a lot, but the Labour Party hasnt, or at least not changed enough. Angela Rayner and her Tory Scum rant hasnt helped them. She is entitled to think it, but shouldnt say it publicly.
Politics has probably changed a lot, but the Labour Party hasnt, or at least not changed enough. Angela Rayner and her Tory Scum rant hasnt helped them. She is entitled to think it, but shouldnt say it publicly.
Alternatively more of them (including MP's from other parties) should perhaps say it publicly?
Put it on the side of a bus and people might take some notice?
Politics has probably changed a lot, but the Labour Party hasnt, or at least not changed enough. Angela Rayner and her Tory Scum rant hasnt helped them. She is entitled to think it, but shouldnt say it publicly.
Alternatively more of them (including MP's from other parties) should perhaps say it publicly?
Put it on the side of a bus and people might take some notice?
I have no problem with the sentiment, but the language she used is expected from the likes of Tommy Robinson. She could have made her point more eloquently, and more in tune with a prominent politician. I am sure that her rant will have discouraged more voters than it encouraged. Particularly in respect of middle class Tory voters. She did apologise, but much more important to avoid using those terms in the first place. The polls seem to point to the fact that people are at last taking notice.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
Politics has probably changed a lot, but the Labour Party hasnt, or at least not changed enough. Angela Rayner and her Tory Scum rant hasnt helped them. She is entitled to think it, but shouldnt say it publicly.
Alternatively more of them (including MP's from other parties) should perhaps say it publicly?
Put it on the side of a bus and people might take some notice?
I have no problem with the sentiment, but the language she used is expected from the likes of Tommy Robinson. She could have made her point more eloquently, and more in tune with a prominent politician. I am sure that her rant will have discouraged more voters than it encouraged. Particularly in respect of middle class Tory voters. She did apologise, but much more important to avoid using those terms in the first place. The polls seem to point to the fact that people are at last taking notice.
I hope all the reporting on her saying "Tory scum" will wake a few people up. Johnson seems to believe that if you say something enough, it becomes true even if all the evidence shows otherwise. Maybe more should call the Tory scum Tory scum. It might get through to more voters.
Politics has probably changed a lot, but the Labour Party hasnt, or at least not changed enough. Angela Rayner and her Tory Scum rant hasnt helped them. She is entitled to think it, but shouldnt say it publicly.
Alternatively more of them (including MP's from other parties) should perhaps say it publicly?
Put it on the side of a bus and people might take some notice?
I have no problem with the sentiment, but the language she used is expected from the likes of Tommy Robinson. She could have made her point more eloquently, and more in tune with a prominent politician. I am sure that her rant will have discouraged more voters than it encouraged. Particularly in respect of middle class Tory voters. She did apologise, but much more important to avoid using those terms in the first place. The polls seem to point to the fact that people are at last taking notice.
I hope all the reporting on her saying "Tory scum" will wake a few people up. Johnson seems to believe that if you say something enough, it becomes true even if all the evidence shows otherwise. Maybe more should call the Tory scum Tory scum. It might get through to more voters.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
It would be good if they spent a bit more time doing what they get paid for.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
It would be good if they spent a bit more time doing what they get paid for.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
I dont think you will find that attending a football match qualifies.
Proxy voting You can apply to the Speaker to vote by proxy if you are going to be a new mother, new father or adoptive parent.
You can find the requirements of the scheme here.
You are eligible for the scheme if you are:
a new biological mother of a baby primary adopter of a baby or child a new biological father of a baby the partner of the person giving birth the second adopter of a baby or child You may also be eligible for the scheme if you have experienced complications relating to childbirth.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
I dont think you will find that attending football matches qualifies.
Proxy voting You can apply to the Speaker to vote by proxy if you are going to be a new mother, new father or adoptive parent.
You can find the requirements of the scheme here.
You are eligible for the scheme if you are:
a new biological mother of a baby primary adopter of a baby or child a new biological father of a baby the partner of the person giving birth the second adopter of a baby or child You may also be eligible for the scheme if you have experienced complications relating to childbirth.
Still think it's a relatively minor story to divert the attention. Just like Johnson deliberately not wearing a mask in a hospital last week, when the shitt was hitting the fan.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
It would be good if they spent a bit more time doing what they get paid for.
They do.
Randox, PPE contracts to mates...
Thats a good attempt at humour, but its not funny.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
It would be good if they spent a bit more time doing what they get paid for.
They do.
Randox, PPE contracts to mates...
Thats a good attempt at humour, but its not funny.
Like most humour, it has a serious side.
I don't object to MPs having a second job. But the rules should be:-
1. Make it public, both to the House and when seeking re-election 2. No 2nd job wherever there may be a conflict of interest 3. 2nd job. So hours and pay need to be less than pay/hours as an MP. Cos if not, the "2nd job" is as an MP
PS. Another fascinating concept for voting is "pairing".
If you have a need to be elsewhere when you are supposed to be voting, you can arrange for a "pairing" arrangement. So a Government MP and an opposition MP both miss the vote by agreement.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
I dont think you will find that attending football matches qualifies.
Proxy voting You can apply to the Speaker to vote by proxy if you are going to be a new mother, new father or adoptive parent.
You can find the requirements of the scheme here.
You are eligible for the scheme if you are:
a new biological mother of a baby primary adopter of a baby or child a new biological father of a baby the partner of the person giving birth the second adopter of a baby or child You may also be eligible for the scheme if you have experienced complications relating to childbirth.
Still think it's a relatively minor story to divert the attention. Just like Johnson deliberately not wearing a mask in a hospital last week, when the shitt was hitting the fan.
I dont think it is an important story, its just another example of their arrogance. Some of this stuff reminds me of the old mafia films, where in order to get a contract the builder would have to pay 6 mafia members for the duration of the job. They would then stay home or sit on deck chairs on the site, sunbathing, until pay day when they would all turn up for their wages.
The audacity of the old Attorney General is incredible. He earned millions in The Virgin Islands, where he worked for months on end, without going near his constituency, or Westminster. While doing this he rented out his own home, while claiming £1900 per month on his parliamentary expenses, to rent another home, despite being out of the country. He was able to vote, but spoke in Parliament only once in 18months. I am not sure if he intends to pay any tax on these earnings, but would be surprised if he did. They are just taking the pi55.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
It would be good if they spent a bit more time doing what they get paid for.
They do.
Randox, PPE contracts to mates...
Thats a good attempt at humour, but its not funny.
Like most humour, it has a serious side.
I don't object to MPs having a second job. But the rules should be:-
1. Make it public, both to the House and when seeking re-election 2. No 2nd job wherever there may be a conflict of interest 3. 2nd job. So hours and pay need to be less than pay/hours as an MP. Cos if not, the "2nd job" is as an MP
PS. Another fascinating concept for voting is "pairing".
If you have a need to be elsewhere when you are supposed to be voting, you can arrange for a "pairing" arrangement. So a Government MP and an opposition MP both miss the vote by agreement.
Without going into a long list of rules regarding second jobs, you have to start with the simple criteria that no second job should be allowed to interfere with their job as an MP.
One thing that is guaranteed is that once the new rules are put in place, it wont take them long to find a way around them.
The easiest thing to do would be to ban second jobs. Appealing to people that just want to be MPs wouldnt be a bad thing.
Euro 2020: MPs voted by proxy while at England v Denmark semi-final at Wembley, analysis suggests The government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to oversee party discipline, was among the group of MPs who attended the England v Denmark Euro 2020 semi-final match on 7 July.
Two cabinet ministers were among MPs who cast proxy votes while attending a Euro 2020 football game at Wembley rather than in person in the Commons, according to analysis.
They include Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse and the government's Chief Whip Mark Spencer - whose role is to oversee party discipline.
Meanwhile, former international trade secretary Liam Fox voted by proxy on numerous occasions while attending Wimbledon on 5 July, the analysis by POLITICO suggests.
I despise Johnson and this government. I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story. They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
It would be good if they spent a bit more time doing what they get paid for.
They do.
Randox, PPE contracts to mates...
Thats a good attempt at humour, but its not funny.
Like most humour, it has a serious side.
I don't object to MPs having a second job. But the rules should be:-
1. Make it public, both to the House and when seeking re-election 2. No 2nd job wherever there may be a conflict of interest 3. 2nd job. So hours and pay need to be less than pay/hours as an MP. Cos if not, the "2nd job" is as an MP
PS. Another fascinating concept for voting is "pairing".
If you have a need to be elsewhere when you are supposed to be voting, you can arrange for a "pairing" arrangement. So a Government MP and an opposition MP both miss the vote by agreement.
Without going into a long list of rules regarding second jobs, you have to start with the simple criteria that no second job should be allowed to interfere with their job as an MP.
One thing that is guaranteed is that once the new rules are put in place, it wont take them long to find a way around them.
The easiest thing to do would be to ban second jobs. Appealing to people that just want to be MPs wouldnt be a bad thing.
The new rules look like they will only ban Consultancy positions. Only about 10 MPs have these-most are Directors/Employees/Trustees.
Very difficult to totally ban 2nd jobs. Many MPs agree to be volunteers for constituent's businesses/charities. Many new MPs need to wind down outside interests. Some are associated with sponsor Unions, or are Silent Partners in businesses.
IMHO would be far better to concentrate on transparency and ensuring no conflict of interest. That should be achievable.
Comments
The Conservative Party don't really have any ideas of their own (unless you count self-serving backhanders on a scale that any self-respecting tinpot dictator can only gawp at in disbelief).
It will be:-
1."Lack of a credible opposition" (somehow making people believe the 2nd biggest party cannot govern)
2. Labour will raise taxes (the Press will ignore that this Government has raised taxes more than any Labour Government, ever)
3. Keir Starmer lacks "charisma" (which I am sure is important if you are casting the lead in a film, just not if you are running a country-look at Merkel-see charisma there?)
4. If you vote for Starmer, he will be replaced by a far Left boogeyman (ignoring the fact that the Tories have replaced an elected PM without a General Election several times-think May, Cameron, even Thatcher-and likely Johnson soon)
5. The Conservatives won the last election on nothing more than slogans (we've got Brexit done), the work of others (Politicians do not invent or administer jabs), promises they promptly ditched, and fear of Labour.
Think they won't do it again? You can't fool all the people all the time, but it appears you can fool enough of the people to get elected quite a lot.
I have followed every General Election since 1974. At every single one of those elections, the Conservative Party have attacked the Labour Party in 1 of 2 ways. Either:-
(1) The Labour leader is a lefty nutter who will ruin the country (Foot, Corbyn etc); or
(2) The minute you elect one who can't be portrayed as a lefty nutter, then there is a scare story that there is someone waiting in the wings waiting to take over in some sort of Communist plot
Number of elected Labour PMs that have been replaced while PM? 2. Ever. Wilson in 1976, cos he chose to go once diagnosed with dementia. And Blair in 2005, handing over to Brown.
The last 2 Conservative PMs to be replaced shortly after an election are Cameron in 2016, and May in 2019. Removed due to the unelected 1922 Committee.
Ever felt conned?
I watched the recent 5 part documentary about Blair/Brown, and one of the things that struck me about Blair was that he knew how to win an election.
Probably the knowing how to win, is more important than charisma.
Keir Starmer is a very credible character, but who wouldnt be when compared to Boris.
Although I am not sure how much power the leader has within the Labour Party.
I also think that allowing the likes of Len McCluskey, or Momentum, to influence them has not done them any favours.
Politics has probably changed a lot, but the Labour Party hasnt, or at least not changed enough.
Angela Rayner and her Tory Scum rant hasnt helped them.
She is entitled to think it, but shouldnt say it publicly.
Angela Rayner and her Tory Scum rant hasnt helped them.
She is entitled to think it, but shouldnt say it publicly.
Alternatively more of them (including MP's from other parties) should perhaps say it publicly?
Put it on the side of a bus and people might take some notice?
She could have made her point more eloquently, and more in tune with a prominent politician.
I am sure that her rant will have discouraged more voters than it encouraged.
Particularly in respect of middle class Tory voters.
She did apologise, but much more important to avoid using those terms in the first place.
The polls seem to point to the fact that people are at last taking notice.
I would love the media to hold them to account more but this is a non story.
They voted. Whether by proxy or in person, doesn't really matter.
Probably just another leaked story to take the attention away from all the corruption and incompetence.
Johnson seems to believe that if you say something enough, it becomes true even if all the evidence shows otherwise.
Maybe more should call the Tory scum Tory scum.
It might get through to more voters.
Randox, PPE contracts to mates...
Proxy voting
You can apply to the Speaker to vote by proxy if you are going to be a new mother, new father or adoptive parent.
You can find the requirements of the scheme here.
You are eligible for the scheme if you are:
a new biological mother of a baby
primary adopter of a baby or child
a new biological father of a baby
the partner of the person giving birth
the second adopter of a baby or child
You may also be eligible for the scheme if you have experienced complications relating to childbirth.
https://guidetoprocedure.parliament.uk/collections/1lh5CMcS/proxy-voting
Still think it's a relatively minor story to divert the attention.
Just like Johnson deliberately not wearing a mask in a hospital last week, when the shitt was hitting the fan.
I don't object to MPs having a second job. But the rules should be:-
1. Make it public, both to the House and when seeking re-election
2. No 2nd job wherever there may be a conflict of interest
3. 2nd job. So hours and pay need to be less than pay/hours as an MP. Cos if not, the "2nd job" is as an MP
PS. Another fascinating concept for voting is "pairing".
If you have a need to be elsewhere when you are supposed to be voting, you can arrange for a "pairing" arrangement. So a Government MP and an opposition MP both miss the vote by agreement.
Some of this stuff reminds me of the old mafia films, where in order to get a contract the builder would have to pay 6 mafia members for the duration of the job.
They would then stay home or sit on deck chairs on the site, sunbathing, until pay day when they would all turn up for their wages.
The audacity of the old Attorney General is incredible.
He earned millions in The Virgin Islands, where he worked for months on end, without going near his constituency, or Westminster.
While doing this he rented out his own home, while claiming £1900 per month on his parliamentary expenses, to rent another home, despite being out of the country.
He was able to vote, but spoke in Parliament only once in 18months.
I am not sure if he intends to pay any tax on these earnings, but would be surprised if he did.
They are just taking the pi55.
One thing that is guaranteed is that once the new rules are put in place, it wont take them long to find a way around them.
The easiest thing to do would be to ban second jobs.
Appealing to people that just want to be MPs wouldnt be a bad thing.
Very difficult to totally ban 2nd jobs. Many MPs agree to be volunteers for constituent's businesses/charities. Many new MPs need to wind down outside interests. Some are associated with sponsor Unions, or are Silent Partners in businesses.
IMHO would be far better to concentrate on transparency and ensuring no conflict of interest. That should be achievable.