Current Affairs

[towny44]

At least one newspaper has a pic of Comrade Starmer attending an illegal Party ... just saying

That photograph hit the headlines before Christmas but the media failed to make any spin out of it then ... they have been trying to spin it up since Tuesday.

In other news Johnsons has 2 more parties to apologise for next week in his daily apology briefings.

I think that picture of Starmer has been around since well before Christmas - it smacks of desperation to drag it up now.

It’s really odd that the people who profess not believe the media are now swallowing hook, line and sinker the idea the Starmer was ‘at an illegal party’ without any fact checking.at all.

Those people who are comfortable with the idea that ‘work events are ok’, should have no problems with that photo of Starmer.

With regard to that lot in Downing Street, I think it’d be easier to list the dates that they weren’t partying.

It matters little when this photo was first published, if it is true then how can Starmer criticise Boris for breaking covid rules when he has done the same.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Would that be Christmas 2021 ... ' straws clutching at ' comes to mind

I believe the first time that picture was seen was 1st May 2021, so yes, well before Christmas 2021.

I agree, the media outlets that are exhuming this are clutching at straws

Much of the Diowning Street stuff is similarly ancient. Yet you accuse others off double standards.

#BashBoris #PotKettleBlack

[Onelife]

Is short a*se allowed.

Asking for a friend

Yes! baldy

Thank you short a*se

That’s an improvement from tight a*se

[david63]

One point that seems to be being overlooked about the Downing Street parties is that 10 Downing Street is a government building that is run and managed by Civil Servants and that the incumbent PM only has an office there and, to the best of my knowledge, has no day to day management of any of the staff, apart from perhaps a few personal staff.

None of that suggests for one minute that these alleged parties are excusable but unless Boris was in attendance then they have nothing to do with him

[towny44]

One point that seems to be being overlooked about the Downing Street parties is that 10 Downing Street is a government building that is run and managed by Civil Servants and that the incumbent PM only has an office there and, to the best of my knowledge, has no day to day management of any of the staff, apart from perhaps a few personal staff.

None of that suggests for one minute that these alleged parties are excusable but unless Boris was in attendance then they have nothing to do with him

But that wont stop the BBC from wringing every anti govt point out of it that they can.

[Kendhni]

I believe the first time that picture was seen was 1st May 2021, so yes, well before Christmas 2021.

I agree, the media outlets that are exhuming this are clutching at straws

You could be right Gill, it always makes me reminisce about Friday afternoon in our office, you would see people turning up at meetings or walking about with a beer. I remember I had seen it a while back and then they wheeled it out again when Johnson came under pressure about the parties at Number 10 before Christmas - I am guessing the straw clutchers knew they were on a hiding to nothing and failed to whip up the indignation and distraction they had hoped for.

In between his daily apologies next week, there is an expectation that Johnson will be trying his distraction tactics again (watch the news). it is really time for him to go with the tiny shreds of dignity he has left. #WorstPMEver

[Mervyn and Trish]

One point that seems to be being overlooked about the Downing Street parties is that 10 Downing Street is a government building that is run and managed by Civil Servants and that the incumbent PM only has an office there and, to the best of my knowledge, has no day to day management of any of the staff, apart from perhaps a few personal staff.

None of that suggests for one minute that these alleged parties are excusable but unless Boris was in attendance then they have nothing to do with him

But that wont stop the BBC from wringing every anti govt point out of it that they can.

The BBC are not alone. This is not a BBC issue it's a Downing Street issue. The story has been broken at pretty much every stage by the papers and ITV.

[Manoverboard]

The BBC are not alone. This is not a BBC issue it's a Downing Street issue. The story has been broken at pretty much every stage by the papers and ITV.

Which makes it a media issue, as we can see by those who post the negative spin.

[Mervyn and Trish]

What worries me most is that largely the Downing Street parties seen to have been arranged by and attended by Civil Servants. At the time none of them spoke out. But now, scenting blood, they're wading in to send their photos to the media. Essentially they are acting to try to oust a democratically elected Prime Minister. It's pure Sir Humphrey.

I'm not defending Boris but if he deserves to be ousted that is not the right of Civil Servants. That right belongs to two groups, his fellows in the parliamentary party and the electorate.

If Sir Hindsight ever finds himself resident there he needs to watch his back. Because there will be plenty want him gone too.

There's another factor that worries me too. In what should be one of the most secure places in the government people taking photos and publishing them. Again that's a very short step from taking photos of something much more sensitive than a party and sending it somewhere more serious than the media.

It's a very slippery slope.

[Gill W]

You could be right Gill, it always makes me reminisce about Friday afternoon in our office, you would see people turning up at meetings or walking about with a beer. I remember I had seen it a while back and then they wheeled it out again when Johnson came under pressure about the parties at Number 10 before Christmas - I am guessing the straw clutchers knew they were on a hiding to nothing and failed to whip up the indignation and distraction they had hoped for.

In between his daily apologies next week, there is an expectation that Johnson will be trying his distraction tactics again (watch the news). it is really time for him to go with the tiny shreds of dignity he has left. #WorstPMEver

What makes me laugh is that those people who are castigating Starmer, have made no effort to find out what that picture depicts.

As I understand it, the photo was taken on 30th April 2021. Starmer travelled to a constituency office ahead of the upcoming by elections for an online event in the evening. They had a break for refreshments. This seems completely normal to me. In my working life when we did overtime, we’d stop at 5pm for a food break and then get on with our work. Everybody who said a few days ago that work events were fine should have no problem with this as it was completely to do with work. This is why it’s gained no traction, because there’s nothing untoward going on.

I see Johnson has gone into hiding as a ‘family member’ has rather conveniently got Covid. As ever with Johnson, he’s still not following the rules, as, as long as he’s vaccinated and does a LFT each day, he doesn’t have to isolate as long as he’s negative. You can’t make this stuff up.

He really has to go. His lax attitude has enabled this institutionalised partying. It’s not as if it was a one off, it seems to have been going on solidly for nearly two years. It would be impossible for him not to notice what was going on.

I’m sure he will try to cling on for a while longer. The man has no dignity at all.

[towny44]

You could be right Gill, it always makes me reminisce about Friday afternoon in our office, you would see people turning up at meetings or walking about with a beer. I remember I had seen it a while back and then they wheeled it out again when Johnson came under pressure about the parties at Number 10 before Christmas - I am guessing the straw clutchers knew they were on a hiding to nothing and failed to whip up the indignation and distraction they had hoped for.

In between his daily apologies next week, there is an expectation that Johnson will be trying his distraction tactics again (watch the news). it is really time for him to go with the tiny shreds of dignity he has left. #WorstPMEver

What makes me laugh is that those people who are castigating Starmer, have made no effort to find out what that picture depicts.

As I understand it, the photo was taken on 30th April 2021. Starmer travelled to a constituency office ahead of the upcoming by elections for an online event in the evening. They had a break for refreshments. This seems completely normal to me. In my working life when we did overtime, we’d stop at 5pm for a food break and then get on with our work. Everybody who said a few days ago that work events were fine should have no problem with this as it was completely to do with work. This is why it’s gained no traction, because there’s nothing untoward going on.

I see Johnson has gone into hiding as a ‘family member’ has rather conveniently got Covid. As ever with Johnson, he’s still not following the rules, as, as long as he’s vaccinated and does a LFT each day, he doesn’t have to isolate as long as he’s negative. You can’t make this stuff up.

He really has to go. His lax attitude has enabled this institutionalised partying. It’s not as if it was a one off, it seems to have been going on solidly for nearly two years. It would be impossible for him not to notice what was going on.

I’m sure he will try to cling on for a while longer. The man has no dignity at all.

When Starmer resorts to begging for the tory mps to force Boris to resign, then as a tory voter I am more certain than ever that he should fight the next election. Starmet is s**t scared of facing Boris at the next election.

[Kendhni]

When Starmer resorts to begging for the tory mps to force Boris to resign, then as a tory voter I am more certain than ever that he should fight the next election. Starmet is s**t scared of facing Boris at the next election.

Comedy gold ... I was going to say you couldn't make it up ... but you did!

[Stephen]

He’s out and probably can’t wait to get home.

Novak Djokovic: Tennis star to be deported after losing Australia visa appeal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-60014059

[Onelife]

When Starmer resorts to begging for the tory mps to force Boris to resign, then as a tory voter I am more certain than ever that he should fight the next election. Starmet is s**t scared of facing Boris at the next election.

Comedy gold ... I was going to say you couldn't make it up ... but you did!

I’ll tell you what John, even your Boris loving forum buddies will struggle to agree with you on that one.

[towny44]

When Starmer resorts to begging for the tory mps to force Boris to resign, then as a tory voter I am more certain than ever that he should fight the next election. Starmet is s**t scared of facing Boris at the next election.

Comedy gold ... I was going to say you couldn't make it up ... but you did!

I’ll tell you what John, even your Boris loving forum buddies will struggle to agree with you on that one.

Maybe we could ask David to put a b/f on this post for, let's say May 2024, then we can see who was right?

[oldbluefox]

I wonder where the Boris bashers will turn their attention when Boris eventually steps down, which he obviously will. No doubt the Guardian, Observer and Mirror together with the left wing luvvies of the visual media will look for any opportunity to cry this country down and their foot soldiers will fall for it hook,line and sinker.
Boris is far from perfect and brings trouble upon himself but likewise this country is not in the parlous state some of you would have us believe. And Boris did what many of his predecessors promised and lied their way out of granting.

[Gill W]

He’s out and probably can’t wait to get home.

Novak Djokovic: Tennis star to be deported after losing Australia visa appeal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-60014059

Well done Australia for illustrating that the rules apply to everyone

[Manoverboard]

Boris's reason d'etre was to get Brexit over the line, having achieved that he will not be bothered one iota when it is engineered for him to step down ... all part of the Grandee plan don'tchaknow

[Mervyn and Trish]

When Boris eventually stands down Sir Hindsight will have a major problem. His only policy is "I'm not Boris."

When Boris is gone he'll have to tell us what he actually is. At the moment I have no.idea.

[Kendhni]

When Boris eventually stands down Sir Hindsight will have a major problem. His only policy is "I'm not Boris."

When Boris is gone he'll have to tell us what he actually is. At the moment I have no.idea.

I assume you haven't read his 10 point plan for rejuvenating the economy? Or the plans put forward for transportation and energy supply into the next decade? Or the plans for education, farming, environment and migration? In fact some of them are far more advanced than Johnsons "plans" but then again clowns like Johnson have proven that they don't need plans ... just lie about everything and then make it up as you go along.

Just because Starmer bashers haven't bothered doing any research, does not mean policies do not exist.

[oldbluefox]

I'm not sure what Ken is referring to but if it's Starmer's speech to the Labour Party Conference there was little there which made me think Labour would be worth voting for. Much of it was pie in the sky which actually meant very little and much of it mentioned "investment", reduction of VAT in some quarters, increases in benefits, more lockdown, extending the furlough scheme and increasing Universal Credit but little mention of where this money was coming from.
Have you got a source for this information Ken, which gives more detail than an applause opportunity for the left wing faithful at their conference?

[Ray B]

He’s out and probably can’t wait to get home.

Novak Djokovic: Tennis star to be deported after losing Australia visa appeal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-60014059

Well done Australia for illustrating that the rules apply to everyone

I will second that Gill, only complaint is they dragged it out too long. Would a normal member of the public have had this, no, because ordinary members would not have that sort of money.
I think he now has to pay costs. Does this mean he also forfeit the costs he received from the first appeal?
Any how, he is now flying home.

[Mervyn and Trish]

When Boris eventually stands down Sir Hindsight will have a major problem. His only policy is "I'm not Boris."

When Boris is gone he'll have to tell us what he actually is. At the moment I have no.idea.

I assume you haven't read his 10 point plan for rejuvenating the economy? Or the plans put forward for transportation and energy supply into the next decade? Or the plans for education, farming, environment and migration? In fact some of them are far more advanced than Johnsons "plans" but then again clowns like Johnson have proven that they don't need plans ... just lie about everything and then make it up as you go along.

Just because Starmer bashers haven't bothered doing any research, does not mean policies do not exist.

Of course I haven't. Don't be ridiculous. And guess what. Nor have 99% of the electorate. And they won't read the manifestos either.

Any politician who expects the public to search Google to find what they stand for is naive and stupid.

They need to shout it from the rooftops in manageable soundbites. And Sir Hindsight hasn't. He's wasted every media opportunity he has had by telling us about Boris rather than what he stands for himself.

I presume you won't be applying for a job as a political communications manager any time soon if you think the answer is they should find out for themselves.

[towny44]

When Boris eventually stands down Sir Hindsight will have a major problem. His only policy is "I'm not Boris."

When Boris is gone he'll have to tell us what he actually is. At the moment I have no.idea.

I assume you haven't read his 10 point plan for rejuvenating the economy? Or the plans put forward for transportation and energy supply into the next decade? Or the plans for education, farming, environment and migration? In fact some of them are far more advanced than Johnsons "plans" but then again clowns like Johnson have proven that they don't need plans ... just lie about everything and then make it up as you go along.

Just because Starmer bashers haven't bothered doing any research, does not mean policies do not exist.

If his plans were meaningful then I would have expected some comments about them in the media, if as usual they are uncosted wish lists, then we can ignore as meaningless.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Have you not read the Labour manifesto either Towny? Neglectful.

But Sir Hindsight was wasting his breath again this morning on TV calling for Boris to resign. If he had any PR sense he would have said:

"Look, Boris is toast and we all know his eventual resignation is inevitable. We ahouldn't waste any more time on that. We need to move on and my plan is..... (insert 50 meaningful words)".

Then that would have been the headline instead of "Starmer calls for Boris to resign ". That's like saying "hey, breaking news, the Pope has confessed to bring a Catholic".