diable rouge

...

A reminder that a Tory Gov stopped free TV Licences for the over-75s. It's a strange way for a party to behave that professes it wants to promote a 'Global Britain', as the BBC is probably only second to the Queen when it comes to UK branding and image identity with the rest of the world. But hey, that's populism for you, let's burn down another institution because we don't like being scrutinised and held to account. Look to Orban's Hungary to see where they want this to go... ETA Typo

What Cummings should do now is come clean over Barnard Castle, the full monty including what Johnson knew and agreed to regarding the fabricated story. He's got nothing to lose politically, and he can always do a Hello shoot as part of his 'recuperation' after the dust settles...

Cummings now going for Johnson's jugular...

jazzer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- ''However, if you want to really moan, then moan about why 150+K people have passed away in the UK, because they were unfortunate enough to have contracted C19, their families and friends who are mourning the loss of those they loved.'' I think you'll find those representing the grieved families are having a good moan at this Gov too. Perhaps it was something to do with sending infected patients back into care homes leading to yens of thousands of unnecessary deaths, or maybe it was the Gov not learning from the lesson of the original mistake of lockdowning too late, and then repeating the mistake leading to yet more tens of thousands unnecessary deaths. Criticising the Gov and mourning the dead are not mutually exclusive, as above shows, they are intrinsically linked...

100...

For Blue Monday...

Ironically, this thread started out questioning Johnson defending Allegra Stratton, hence the title ''defending the indefensible''. The virtual no-show from Boris' fan boys/girls shows that even they can't defend him this time, and I would've thought reason for optimism that hopefully* the penny has finally dropped for some. *I realise that hopefully is doing a lot of heavy lifting here...

I think they're all busy looking after the welfare of statues to dead racists...

Week 18 points now added to earlier post...

Let's partyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!* * aka work event

Well, at least the latest revelations clear-up one puzzle, namely why The S*n hasn't been headlining with previous Partygate revelations. Because their Deputy Editor-in-Chief had his previous job's leaving do in No. 10 during the lockdown. I wonder how many other journalists were in attendance? I'd previously read rumours about The S*n having parties during lockdown but just put it down to wishful thinking/anti-S*n bias, now looking more likely than unlikely. The Met's latest statement saying that they too will wait for Sue Gray's report for evidence of any criminality is just as incredulous. That's what the police are supposed to do, that's their job, determine what is and isn't criminal, not leave it to a layperson. We can't have a police force seen to be 'in-hock' to a sitting Gov. This whole thing is growing into something much than No 10 being caught with it's pants down, it's further undermining the public's trust in Gov and the police. Not good in the long run...

Week 19 fixtures... Friday 14th January Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace Saturday 15th January Manchester City v Chelsea Newcastle United v Watford Norwich City v Everton Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton Aston Villa v Manchester United Sunday 16th January Liverpool v Brentford West Ham United v Leeds United Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal Tuesday 18th January Burnley v Watford Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea Wednesday 19th January Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur Brentford v Manchester United

Week 18 points... Week 18 table... ETA: Week 18 points

Johnson not 'understanding' his own rules again...

I agree with billy that the most surprising thing about all of this is that it was never leaked before now, despite the number of people involved. Was it down to loyalty or were they being 'leaned-on' to keep schtum? I'm tempted to lean towards the latter because it was a very 'young' administration, they'd only been in power 6 months, and many would've been non-political civil servants. Throw in that the PM and Downing Street gets 24/7 protection which the Met either handle directly themselves or would certainly be made aware of, and it does leave a stench of a 'turning a blind-eye' to what was going on. As to who has been doing the leaking, you have to first ask who has a motive. The big finger of suspicion points at Cummings, there's no doubt that he hates Johnson since he was ignominiously booted out with cardboard boxes in hand. I very much doubt it's a political opponent within the Tory party, the risk of being exposed is too great and would also finish their career. It's vey likely that the source of the leaks will one day be known, so rather than ask who has the most to gain from seeing Johnson go, perhaps we should be asking who has least to lose...a very minor civil servant? Johnson had no qualms throwing Allegra Stratton under the bus, she will have friends still working in No. 10. Another interesting element is who has been given the leaks in the first place. The choice of Paul Brand at ITV is a strange one. And the other main recipient, Pippa Crerar at the Mirror, could suggest someone left-leaning is behind the leaks. Or could it be an elaborate double bluff, PC was the journalist that broke the Barnard Castle story, so if Cummings was doing the leaking, she would be the last journalist he would give a scoop to...or would she?

However he worded his non-apology, it all unravels with his duplicity... Another Tory MP told me that in the tearoom the PM told him and colleagues 'it's not his fault and he's bravely taking the blame for others' - 'caused much consternation among colleagues' given that he'd just given a public apology What did they expect, this is how Johnson has always operated, say whatever is necessary to placate whoever's in the room e.g. telling a group of NI business leaders that there would be no border in the Irish Sea when he knew full well there would be. The blame rests just as much on them as it does on Johnson...

Cue photos of interns necking back Jagerbombs, the line manager inappropriately too close to the secretary, and a spotty work experience student photocopying his arse...

diable rouge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > And here's what the Met were tweeting on the day > of the BYOB party... > > Have you been enjoying the hottest day of the year > so far? 🌞 > > It is important that we all continue to > #StayAlert > > You can relax, have a picnic, exercise or play > sport, as long as you are: > > ➡️ On your own > ➡️ With people you live with > ➡️ Just you and one other person > > Nothing to see here eh boys in blue?... From journalist John Harris... The other half of the story, clearly, is that nothing happens in 10 Downing Street without the cops knowing, and that looks like a very big question indeed. Boom!...

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I always thought it was Chinese water torture, but > hey - I guess no-one?s got the monopoly on torture > methods !! You're right on both accounts KK, the CIA aren't shy when it comes to waterboarding. Telegraph journalist on Newsnight last night mentioned the drip, drip, drip technique, and said they've heard from ministerial sources that videos exist. If that's the case I expect they are holding fire to see what Johnson says next, PMQ's later will be 'interesting'...

And here's what the Met were tweeting on the day of the BYOB party... Have you been enjoying the hottest day of the year so far? 🌞 It is important that we all continue to #StayAlert You can relax, have a picnic, exercise or play sport, as long as you are: ➡️ On your own ➡️ With people you live with ➡️ Just you and one other person Nothing to see here eh boys in blue?...

Surprised it took this long, kinda suggests someone is deliberately leaking stuff drip by drip...by drip...by drip... Japanese water torture stylee...https://www.itv.com/news/2022-01-10/email-proves-downing-street-staff-held-drinks-party-at-height-of-lockdown EXCL: Email obtained by @itvnews proves over 100 staff were invited to drinks party in No 10 garden at height of lockdown to ?make the most of the lovely weather?. We?re told PM and his wife attended, with staff invited to ?bring your own booze!?

zenoria65 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > SpringTime Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Jack Dromey - bye bye > > PIE Care to explain what your post means zenoria...

Someone hand zenoria65 a dictionary so they can look-up the meaning of the word context...

Put them up next Christmas, and hey presto, you're twice as popular!...