I think we've all realised by now that whatever accusations are thrown at him,he will just sidestep them and use the tried and tested response of "There are more important events going on in the world and lets just move on". He is the master of deflection, what needs to happen is for him to be sat down in a live interview by someone who won't be fobbed off with his usual prepared answers.
I was really disappointed with how it all turned out. Sue Gray was reputed to be a fearless investigator, but only published nine out of 510 photos, didnt investigate the Abba party, and appears to have succumbed to outside influences. It is hard to see why there would be more revelations today, subsequent to supposedly comprehensive investigations by both Sue Gray, and The Met. I dont think he is out of the woods yet, and will definitely face more flak from the investigation by The Privileges Committee, and it seems that The Mirror are not giving up yet. Fingers crossed.
New Partygate WhatsApp messages show No10 aides planning 'a bit of a party' days into lockdown
1 thing that really bugs me is how much Boris lies.
He keeps banging on about he "accepts ultimate responsibility". But he does not.
Ultimate responsibility is where a leader is judged by those under him. It is where, if your team does things that are totally unacceptable, the person with ultimate responsibility takes responsibility. And resigns.
Not claim that "every managerial position at Number 10 has changed". When 1 rather obvious position has not.
Because someone who shirks ultimate responsibility lies about even that.
Sue Gray knew of texts suggesting Carrie Johnson hosted party, aide claims
1 thing that really bugs me is how much Boris lies.
He keeps banging on about he "accepts ultimate responsibility". But he does not.
Ultimate responsibility is where a leader is judged by those under him. It is where, if your team does things that are totally unacceptable, the person with ultimate responsibility takes responsibility. And resigns.
Not claim that "every managerial position at Number 10 has changed". When 1 rather obvious position has not.
Because someone who shirks ultimate responsibility lies about even that.
Sue Gray was asked to water down her report by civil servants, Cabinet Office confirms
1 thing that really bugs me is how much Boris lies.
He keeps banging on about he "accepts ultimate responsibility". But he does not.
Ultimate responsibility is where a leader is judged by those under him. It is where, if your team does things that are totally unacceptable, the person with ultimate responsibility takes responsibility. And resigns.
Not claim that "every managerial position at Number 10 has changed". When 1 rather obvious position has not.
Because someone who shirks ultimate responsibility lies about even that.
Boris Johnson could face accidental no-confidence vote as hard Brexit MPs and moderate Tories lose patience
I think we've all realised by now that whatever accusations are thrown at him,he will just sidestep them and use the tried and tested response of "There are more important events going on in the world and lets just move on". He is the master of deflection, what needs to happen is for him to be sat down in a live interview by someone who won't be fobbed off with his usual prepared answers.
I was really disappointed with how it all turned out. Sue Gray was reputed to be a fearless investigator, but only published nine out of 510 photos, didnt investigate the Abba party, and appears to have succumbed to outside influences. It is hard to see why there would be more revelations today, subsequent to supposedly comprehensive investigations by both Sue Gray, and The Met. I dont think he is out of the woods yet, and will definitely face more flak from the investigation by The Privileges Committee, and it seems that The Mirror are not giving up yet. Fingers crossed.
New Partygate WhatsApp messages show No10 aides planning 'a bit of a party' days into lockdown
Investigation into alleged Carrie Johnson lockdown party not needed, minister suggests
Over the weekend, The Sunday Times revealed that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case was told of previously unseen messages suggesting the prime minister's wife held a gathering in the No 11 flat, where the Johnsons live, with friends for her husband's 56th birthday on 19 June 2020.
Messages flagged up to Mr Case allegedly show a Downing Street aide told Mrs Johnson her husband was on the way up to the flat for his birthday, with her replying she was already there with some male friends.
Ms Gray was informed of the messages in January by the aide but they did not want to forward the messages. They said they would show them to inquiry officials in person and agreed to supply them to the Met Police.
The aide claims the Gray investigation team failed to follow up on the offer and once the Met's investigation concluded two weeks ago, they offered the messages to the Gray team but nothing happened.
But the Cabinet Office said the aide did not offer to bring the messages to them and despite being asked to provide all relevant information to the Gray inquiry, they did not.
Ms Gray's team did provide the email exchange with the aide on the issue to Met detectives, the Cabinet Office said.
They added that the aide only offered to share the texts when they were just about to publish the Sue Gray investigation last week but did take into account the aide's comments, made after the Met report concluded, that they were asked to organise the flat party.
1 thing that really bugs me is how much Boris lies.
He keeps banging on about he "accepts ultimate responsibility". But he does not.
Ultimate responsibility is where a leader is judged by those under him. It is where, if your team does things that are totally unacceptable, the person with ultimate responsibility takes responsibility. And resigns.
Not claim that "every managerial position at Number 10 has changed". When 1 rather obvious position has not.
Because someone who shirks ultimate responsibility lies about even that.
Partygate report names or pictures 16 people - this is who they are
As local election results came in, every single Tory kept making the point that this was to be expected, mid-term effect, blah blah.
While completely ignoring the fact that, in England, these were seats last fought in 2018. During the mid-term of a previous Tory government. So-for once-comparing like with like.
The 2018 results were terrible for the Tories. Labour won over 50% of the seats. And that result was a major part of May being replaced. In 2022, they have managed to do even worse...
It is also a good indicator showing that Brexit is becoming irrelevant to the voters. The position is certainly better than 2018, when no-one really knew how Brexit was going to be implemented, and the Tory Party were in open revolt on the subject. I suspect it is just no longer important as an election issue.
I have seen a few interviews over the last couple of days, including Dominic Raab on Sophie Ridge this morning. They are predictably coming up with the same excuses, for their poor results. Yet the interviewers seem to ignore the above point, on every occasion. I would like to have seen a bit more squirming. The same interviewers are also using the latest results to criticise Labour on a poor performance, because they havent improved that much, also ignoring the above point. Lisa Nandy failed to make the point this morning. You would have thought that Labour would be better prepared.
Theresa Villiers has been on this morning, amazingly she was blaming Theresa May for the Irish Protocol. She claimed that the Theresa May negotiations left Boris in a hole that he couldnt get out of. A difficult argument to stand up as Theresa May maintained that she wouldnt countenance an Irish Border.
Completely agree in both points.
I deliberately referred to England and 2018, simply because it was plain to me why the different timing of the seats made such a massive difference in Scotland and Wales, as opposed to England.
The Theresa May bit is just laughable. Mind you, I think Theresa May's solution would have been identical in its effects on NI. simply because I believe it was essentially the same deal, just packaged differently.
The "hole" was that, due to the way the Leave campaign was managed and voted for, the sensible options-such as the UK being in some form of Customs Union/EFTA etc-could not be used as (at the very least) a transitional tool.
PS-Lisa Nandy. Proof that it is not just Tories that are a bit thick.
1 of the above articles gives rise to an interesting (at least to me) point of law.
Of you have watched any of the gazillions of US shows involving the legal system, you will no doubt be aware of plea bargaining, where deals are done in relation to charges/sentencing.
It is not that simple in England/Wales. It used to be the case that plea bargaining was not allowed. The position has relaxed in relation to sentencing in relation to Guilty pleas. But the position is somewhat complex in relation to dropping charges. A "accept 1 fine and that's it" deal would be on rather shaky legal ground.
The whole Met Partygate enquiry has been ridiculous. Secrecy when it suits, and public announcements about people not being charged. While conveniently ignoring the simple fact that the Met were watching/allowing these parties to take place, while standing outside. Coupled with public pronouncements that there was nothing to investigate. Surely this is a massive conflict of interest, and a separate force should have done the investigating?
Meanwhile, Sue Gray is in an invidious position. Her ultimate employer is Boris Johnson. She cannot investigate without appropriate permissions-which appear to have come at the cost of informing Boris along the way. Civil Servants may strive to be independent, but they take instructions from the Government of the day.
The whole think stinks. The Ian Dunt article above made many valid points. I find the whole process of their determination to defend the indefensible, preposterous. On the one hand ministers have trooped out to minimise the Boris involvement in his Birthday celebrations. They all said that he wasnt there for long, was ambushed by cake, etc, etc. Many pundits have said categorically that this was the least serious of the rule breaking events. Yet this is the one that he was fined for. On that basis how could he not get fined for the 6 others he attended? There were invitations, they were told to bring their own booze, there were quizzes, karaoke, he made speeches, some were leaving parties, etc, etc. The Met are incompetent, rather like Boris.
I have to say-I think the Met are worse than incompetent.
I think they are complicit.
Music from ‘Abba party’ could be heard all over No 10, says Cummings
He keeps banging on about he "accepts ultimate responsibility". But he does not.
Ultimate responsibility is where a leader is judged by those under him. It is where, if your team does things that are totally unacceptable, the person with ultimate responsibility takes responsibility. And resigns.
Not claim that "every managerial position at Number 10 has changed". When 1 rather obvious position has not.
Because someone who shirks ultimate responsibility lies about even that.
Johnson asked by his own ethics adviser to explain why he believes he has not broken the ministerial code
Nadine Dorries may well be the dimmest member of the Government. But even she can be right occasionally.
Boris Johnson is bad for the country. He might be bad for the longer term prospects of both the UK and the Conservative Party. But he does remain the Tories best hope for winning the next election. For 2 reasons:-
1. As she rightly points out people do not vote for Divided Parties. This is a major difference between the 2 main parties. Labour show that they are a "broad church"-and rarely win. The Tories hide their differences at election time. And, 3 times out of 4 (if not more), win.
2. There is no clear replacement for Johnson. It is easy for someone like Hague to criticise-a superb politician in his day, but he is no longer an active politician. MPs will normally vote for self-interest, rather than what is right.
Until a prospective Tory leader shows up who can answer 1 and 2 above-or at least look better than Boris-they are likely to stick with what they have got.
Nadine Dorries may well be the dimmest member of the Government. But even she can be right occasionally.
Boris Johnson is bad for the country. He might be bad for the longer term prospects of both the UK and the Conservative Party. But he does remain the Tories best hope for winning the next election. For 2 reasons:-
1. As she rightly points out people do not vote for Divided Parties. This is a major difference between the 2 main parties. Labour show that they are a "broad church"-and rarely win. The Tories hide their differences at election time. And, 3 times out of 4 (if not more), win.
2. There is no clear replacement for Johnson. It is easy for someone like Hague to criticise-a superb politician in his day, but he is no longer an active politician. MPs will normally vote for self-interest, rather than what is right.
Until a prospective Tory leader shows up who can answer 1 and 2 above-or at least look better than Boris-they are likely to stick with what they have got.
The two byelections will probably give an indication of his popularity, and whether he is an asset, or a liability. I dont think we have seen the end of Partygate quite yet either. A clear favourite emerging as his likely successor would really help. There is a clear reluctance from a number of his back benchers to send Mr Brady a letter. Quite a number have delayed until subsequent to the local elections, then the police investigation, then Sue Gray, then the Privileges Committee, and the byelections. They will have to decide soon.
Nadine Dorries may well be the dimmest member of the Government. But even she can be right occasionally.
Boris Johnson is bad for the country. He might be bad for the longer term prospects of both the UK and the Conservative Party. But he does remain the Tories best hope for winning the next election. For 2 reasons:-
1. As she rightly points out people do not vote for Divided Parties. This is a major difference between the 2 main parties. Labour show that they are a "broad church"-and rarely win. The Tories hide their differences at election time. And, 3 times out of 4 (if not more), win.
2. There is no clear replacement for Johnson. It is easy for someone like Hague to criticise-a superb politician in his day, but he is no longer an active politician. MPs will normally vote for self-interest, rather than what is right.
Until a prospective Tory leader shows up who can answer 1 and 2 above-or at least look better than Boris-they are likely to stick with what they have got.
Poll predicts heavy Tory by-election loss amid reports Johnson faces leadership test
Think that that last article is focussing on the less important by-election.
Wakefield is always going to be a Labour Gain. Traditionally, a Labour seat. Small Tory Majority-3,000-odd. Only requires a 4% swing. By-election due to imprisonment of sitting MP for sexual offences. It is always going to be a thumping Labour majority. Not necessarily a reflection on Boris.
Tiverton & Honiton by-election (same day) is going to be interesting. It is the tractor po rn guy's seat. 24k Tory majority (27k ahead of the Lib Dems). Will require a 23% swing for the Lib Dems to win. That is one massive swing, and will strike fear in every Con-man MP who has the Lib Dems in 2nd place. Because that sort of swing puts a lot of traditionally Tory seats at risk.
Losing recent-ish gains is 1 thing. The prospect of losing a lot of previously safe seats is very different. Particularly when those MPs tend to be the ones where most of the Cabinet sit.
Important to remember that one Boris Johnson only has a 7,000 majority.
1 thing that really bugs me is how much Boris lies.
He keeps banging on about he "accepts ultimate responsibility". But he does not.
Ultimate responsibility is where a leader is judged by those under him. It is where, if your team does things that are totally unacceptable, the person with ultimate responsibility takes responsibility. And resigns.
Not claim that "every managerial position at Number 10 has changed". When 1 rather obvious position has not.
Because someone who shirks ultimate responsibility lies about even that.
Boris Johnson could face crunch leadership vote by Tuesday as Tory revolt steps up Prime Minister Boris Johnson could potentially face a crunch vote on his premiership as early as Tuesday with reports that the 54-letter threshold for a Tory no confidence vote has been passed
Comments
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/commons-partygate-inquiry-poised-derail-080004012.html
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/sue-gray-knew-texts-suggesting-144849045.html
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/sue-gray-was-asked-to-water-down-her-report-by-civil-servants-cabinet-office-confirms/ar-AAXQUVK?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=289378ea4a8e45e1b41ce1dddb0575ad
Boris Johnson could face accidental no-confidence vote as hard Brexit MPs and moderate Tories lose patience
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/boris-johnson-could-face-accidental-no-confidence-vote-as-hard-brexit-mps-and-moderate-tories-lose-patience/ar-AAXQFw2?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=289378ea4a8e45e1b41ce1dddb0575ad
Over the weekend, The Sunday Times revealed that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case was told of previously unseen messages suggesting the prime minister's wife held a gathering in the No 11 flat, where the Johnsons live, with friends for her husband's 56th birthday on 19 June 2020.
Messages flagged up to Mr Case allegedly show a Downing Street aide told Mrs Johnson her husband was on the way up to the flat for his birthday, with her replying she was already there with some male friends.
Ms Gray was informed of the messages in January by the aide but they did not want to forward the messages. They said they would show them to inquiry officials in person and agreed to supply them to the Met Police.
The aide claims the Gray investigation team failed to follow up on the offer and once the Met's investigation concluded two weeks ago, they offered the messages to the Gray team but nothing happened.
But the Cabinet Office said the aide did not offer to bring the messages to them and despite being asked to provide all relevant information to the Gray inquiry, they did not.
Ms Gray's team did provide the email exchange with the aide on the issue to Met detectives, the Cabinet Office said.
They added that the aide only offered to share the texts when they were just about to publish the Sue Gray investigation last week but did take into account the aide's comments, made after the Met report concluded, that they were asked to organise the flat party.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/investigation-into-alleged-carrie-johnson-lockdown-party-not-needed-minister-suggests/ar-AAXS6gj?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=42c89e4fc9754472a12ec8f394aad6ab
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/don-t-make-partygate-official-martin-reynolds-our-man-in-riyadh-urge-tories/ar-AAXQzt5?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=42c89e4fc9754472a12ec8f394aad6ab
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/partygate-report-names-or-pictures-16-people-this-is-who-they-are/ar-AAXIOdS?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=234eb3d4506e47328507a42603c43670
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-conservative-leader
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/boris-johnson-exit-date
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-prime-minister
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-uk-general-election/most-seats
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/music-abba-party-could-heard-134229649.html
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/johnson-asked-by-his-own-ethics-adviser-to-explain-why-he-believes-he-has-not-broken-the-ministerial-code/ar-AAXVP5M?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ecbc9c40cb874db5b77fae64d6784519
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/nadine-dorries-just-made-her-most-debunkable-claim-yet/ar-AAXX4bZ?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=bbdea6602e8b468bbe876e83d2a84b40
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/partygate-report-all-the-times-no-10-officials-tried-to-cover-up-lockdown-breaking-parties-in-downing-street/ar-AAXI2Ol?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=bbdea6602e8b468bbe876e83d2a84b40
Nadine Dorries may well be the dimmest member of the Government. But even she can be right occasionally.
Boris Johnson is bad for the country.
He might be bad for the longer term prospects of both the UK and the Conservative Party.
But he does remain the Tories best hope for winning the next election. For 2 reasons:-
1. As she rightly points out people do not vote for Divided Parties. This is a major difference between the 2 main parties. Labour show that they are a "broad church"-and rarely win. The Tories hide their differences at election time. And, 3 times out of 4 (if not more), win.
2. There is no clear replacement for Johnson. It is easy for someone like Hague to criticise-a superb politician in his day, but he is no longer an active politician. MPs will normally vote for self-interest, rather than what is right.
Until a prospective Tory leader shows up who can answer 1 and 2 above-or at least look better than Boris-they are likely to stick with what they have got.
I dont think we have seen the end of Partygate quite yet either.
A clear favourite emerging as his likely successor would really help.
There is a clear reluctance from a number of his back benchers to send Mr Brady a letter.
Quite a number have delayed until subsequent to the local elections, then the police investigation, then Sue Gray, then the Privileges Committee, and the byelections.
They will have to decide soon.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/poll-predicts-heavy-tory-by-election-loss-amid-reports-johnson-faces-leadership-test/ar-AAY5GmU?bk=1&ocid=msedgntp&cvid=f20f896a364b4f80b8a5993b81d88c7f
Wakefield is always going to be a Labour Gain. Traditionally, a Labour seat. Small Tory Majority-3,000-odd. Only requires a 4% swing. By-election due to imprisonment of sitting MP for sexual offences. It is always going to be a thumping Labour majority. Not necessarily a reflection on Boris.
Tiverton & Honiton by-election (same day) is going to be interesting. It is the tractor po rn guy's seat. 24k Tory majority (27k ahead of the Lib Dems). Will require a 23% swing for the Lib Dems to win. That is one massive swing, and will strike fear in every Con-man MP who has the Lib Dems in 2nd place. Because that sort of swing puts a lot of traditionally Tory seats at risk.
Losing recent-ish gains is 1 thing. The prospect of losing a lot of previously safe seats is very different. Particularly when those MPs tend to be the ones where most of the Cabinet sit.
Important to remember that one Boris Johnson only has a 7,000 majority.
Boris Johnson could face crunch leadership vote by Tuesday as Tory revolt steps up
Prime Minister Boris Johnson could potentially face a crunch vote on his premiership as early as Tuesday with reports that the 54-letter threshold for a Tory no confidence vote has been passed
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-could-face-crunch-27152929