Current Affairs

[Ray B]

Those who submitted photos that they had taken at the gatherings, have admitted that they were there,at the same time hanging all their workmates out to dry.
So that's an easy nick, and their colleagues just need to be identified.
Make the job of the police a lot easier, but expect them to milk it, after all its only tax payers money starting to mount up in the thousands of pounds.

[towny44]

At this point I would agree with you, the language used in the report is very diplomatic .. but the report has had the heart totally ripped out of it so I think it is wrong for any journalist, or any one else, to draw conclusions ... unless she is actually referring to the full report (which may have been seen under journalistic privilege)

I realise journalists have gone to prison to protect their sources, but I doubt they could be trusted not to reveal something like this report, even if someone had got them to swear on the holy bible.

[Onelife]

The only thing we do know for certain is that there are two camps within the conservative party, therefore, if the party is to remain in power at the next election someone is going to have to draw both sides back together again. At present they are tearing the party apart, and will continue to do so until such time that Boris is removed and replaced with a leader, who they can all get behind. There is no doubt in my mind that Brexit caused the divisions but a good leader would have made every effort to bridge these divides, alas, Boris chose to distance himself whereby creating an ‘us and them’ hierarchy, one which was always going to end up pulling the party further apart.

[Kendhni]

At this point I would agree with you, the language used in the report is very diplomatic .. but the report has had the heart totally ripped out of it so I think it is wrong for any journalist, or any one else, to draw conclusions ... unless she is actually referring to the full report (which may have been seen under journalistic privilege)

There is no such thing as journalistic privilege in this context and no way she has seen what has not yet been released to MPs.

I would agree there is not meant to be, and it is probably right that there isn't ... but proper journalists (i.e. not the hacks that just make stuff up) seem to have a knack of seeing and knowing about stuff before they should. I always wondered if the old 'you must not touch that file on my desk while I go outside and make a call that will take me exactly 5 minutes' has ever been true

[Mervyn and Trish]

Journalistic privilege is a provision under defamation law which means they can report potentially defamatory statements made in settings including courts without fear of court action.

A different thing is when they are given information "off the record" to aid their understanding of a story on the undertaking they won't directly publish it. There is no way on earth anyone will have been trusted with anything from the so far unpublished parts of the Sue Gray report on that basis. As far as honesty goes the average journalist makes Boris look like Mother Theresa.

[Kendhni]

The only thing we do know for certain is that there are two camps within the conservative party, therefore, if the party is to remain in power at the next election someone is going to have to draw both sides back together again. At present they are tearing the party apart, and will continue to do so until such time that Boris is removed and replaced with a leader, who they can all get behind.

Very well put, there were some shocked and embarrassed looking faces on the conservative benches yesterday. I am surprised that Hoyle allowed Johnsons comments to go through unchecked.

There is no doubt in my mind that Brexit caused the divisions but a good leader would have made every effort to bridge these divides, alas, Boris chose to distance himself whereby creating an ‘us and them’ hierarchy, one which was always going to end up pulling the party further apart.

To me that was always the biggest flaw of the brexit camp. The onus is on those demanding change to explain, quantify and qualify how that change is to the benefit of all, thereby bringing those against change along with them. Normally this would be achieved by producing plans, strategies and processes to show that it will result in a positive outcome ... sadly the impact assessments showed otherwise which, I believe is why the government chose to 'wing it'. Here we are nearly 6 years on and there is still no real published plan, overarching strategy or roadmap.

There are currently multiple instances of 'us and them' and, for some reason, the government seems to want to sweep them under the carpet in the hope that they go away .. that strategy only produces festering and resentment on all sides.

[barney]

There is only festering and resentment on one side and that is the Remainiacs (or anti democrats as I prefer to call them)
Those who voted to leave seem pretty chilled with it all.
Not a single predicted catastrophe has come to pass.

[Kendhni]

I am surprised that Hoyle allowed Johnsons comments to go through unchecked.

I take that back, it appears that Hoyle has now intervened ... better late than never.

[Onelife]

The only thing we do know for certain is that there are two camps within the conservative party, therefore, if the party is to remain in power at the next election someone is going to have to draw both sides back together again. At present they are tearing the party apart, and will continue to do so until such time that Boris is removed and replaced with a leader, who they can all get behind.

Very well put, there were some shocked and embarrassed looking faces on the conservative benches yesterday. I am surprised that Hoyle allowed Johnsons comments to go through unchecked.

There is no doubt in my mind that Brexit caused the divisions but a good leader would have made every effort to bridge these divides, alas, Boris chose to distance himself whereby creating an ‘us and them’ hierarchy, one which was always going to end up pulling the party further apart.

To me that was always the biggest flaw of the brexit camp. The onus is on those demanding change to explain, quantify and qualify how that change is to the benefit of all, thereby bringing those against change along with them. Normally this would be achieved by producing plans, strategies and processes to show that it will result in a positive outcome ... sadly the impact assessments showed otherwise which, I believe is why the government chose to 'wing it'. Here we are nearly 6 years on and there is still no real published plan, overarching strategy or roadmap.

There are currently multiple instances of 'us and them' and, for some reason, the government seems to want to sweep them under the carpet in the hope that they go away .. that strategy only produces festering and resentment on all sides.

Yes’ Ken, it’s difficult to get away from thinking some of his decisions are done on a wing and a prayer…you also get the impression that when Boris says it’s a good idea, his Ministers all start banging on the cabinet table saying… Yes! Yes! Yes! Yo Boris.

We have, since Brexit been in unprecedented times so I will pull back from criticising plans and strategies that might or might not have come together on a level playing field.

[Kendhni]

Wow, glad I wasn't on this flight ... trying to work out if the pilot was lucky or incredibly skilled.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1488244084850540549

[screwy]

I prefer to think it’s the latter.

[towny44]

To me that was always the biggest flaw of the brexit camp. The onus is on those demanding change to explain, quantify and qualify how that change is to the benefit of all, thereby bringing those against change along with them. Normally this would be achieved by producing plans, strategies and processes to show that it will result in a positive outcome ... sadly the impact assessments showed otherwise which, I believe is why the government chose to 'wing it'. Here we are nearly 6 years on and there is still no real published plan, overarching strategy or roadmap.

There are currently multiple instances of 'us and them' and, for some reason, the government seems to want to sweep them under the carpet in the hope that they go away .. that strategy only produces festering and resentment on all sides.

Many of us wanting to break free of the EU shackles were quite willing to accept that there might well be a negative impact on our economy. However we were quite willing to accept this, if we could leave the EU, and of course once achieved it would become progressively more difficult to quantify whether we were better or worse off by leaving the EU, so rather irrelevant in the end.

[barney]

When the U.K./EU trade agreement is liable to 27 different interpretations, it’s actually pretty difficult for anyone to get their heads round it.
The latest is France demanding ‘wet signatures’ on food goods entering.
They insist it’s all done electronically then insist on a physical signature.
It’s pretty clear what’s going on but it’s their loss.
We’ll be fine.
The EU played their hand like we were Greece, desperately needing a hand out.
Their bluff has been called.

[Kendhni]

To me that was always the biggest flaw of the brexit camp. The onus is on those demanding change to explain, quantify and qualify how that change is to the benefit of all, thereby bringing those against change along with them. Normally this would be achieved by producing plans, strategies and processes to show that it will result in a positive outcome ... sadly the impact assessments showed otherwise which, I believe is why the government chose to 'wing it'. Here we are nearly 6 years on and there is still no real published plan, overarching strategy or roadmap.

There are currently multiple instances of 'us and them' and, for some reason, the government seems to want to sweep them under the carpet in the hope that they go away .. that strategy only produces festering and resentment on all sides.

Many of us wanting to break free of the EU shackles were quite willing to accept that there might well be a negative impact on our economy. However we were quite willing to accept this, if we could leave the EU, and of course once achieved it would become progressively more difficult to quantify whether we were better or worse off by leaving the EU, so rather irrelevant in the end.

I don't disagree with your first point, there was a short-sighted minority willing to accept anything they could call 'brexit' irrespective of the damage and cost to the UK economy. Even another brexiteer on this site referred to the deal (even before Johnson surrendered all the UKs red lines) as a deal that 'satisfied nobody' ... I disagree I believe Johnsons final deal did satisfy those, and only those, with a 'brexit at all costs' mentality. That is exactly what Johnson has delivered ... ironically with more shackles than before.

Unlike asinine comparisons such as 'Corbyn would have been worse', economic modelling and comparison with similar economies will be able to highlight the highs and lows and give a fair estimate of the UKs decline, stagnation or (hopefully) progress. Such as in 2020, unlike most of the world, the UK economy failed to recover and stagnated; in the first half of 2021 it made significant progress towards catching up, but that recovery declined in the second half of 2021.

[Kendhni]

Is it true that Johnsons trip to Russia is to hand over a little brown envelope to thank Putin for all his help over the last 6 years ?
Just asking

[towny44]

To me that was always the biggest flaw of the brexit camp. The onus is on those demanding change to explain, quantify and qualify how that change is to the benefit of all, thereby bringing those against change along with them. Normally this would be achieved by producing plans, strategies and processes to show that it will result in a positive outcome ... sadly the impact assessments showed otherwise which, I believe is why the government chose to 'wing it'. Here we are nearly 6 years on and there is still no real published plan, overarching strategy or roadmap.

There are currently multiple instances of 'us and them' and, for some reason, the government seems to want to sweep them under the carpet in the hope that they go away .. that strategy only produces festering and resentment on all sides.

Many of us wanting to break free of the EU shackles were quite willing to accept that there might well be a negative impact on our economy. However we were quite willing to accept this, if we could leave the EU, and of course once achieved it would become progressively more difficult to quantify whether we were better or worse off by leaving the EU, so rather irrelevant in the end.

I don't disagree with your first point, there was a short-sighted minority willing to accept anything they could call 'brexit' irrespective of the damage and cost to the UK economy. Even another brexiteer on this site referred to the deal (even before Johnson surrendered all the UKs red lines) as a deal that 'satisfied nobody' ... I disagree I believe Johnsons final deal did satisfy those, and only those, with a 'brexit at all costs' mentality. That is exactly what Johnson has delivered ... ironically with more shackles than before.

Unlike asinine comparisons such as 'Corbyn would have been worse', economic modelling and comparison with similar economies will be able to highlight the highs and lows and give a fair estimate of the UKs decline, stagnation or (hopefully) progress. Such as in 2020, unlike most of the world, the UK economy failed to recover and stagnated; in the first half of 2021 it made significant progress towards catching up, but that recovery declined in the second half of 2021.

How is it that the IMF and other economic institutions, all agree that the UK has been in 2021, and will remain so in 2022, the fastest growing economy in the G7. If you are correct Ken then I think you're wasting your time in your current job, you should be in charge of the IMF.

[oldbluefox]

Is it true that Johnsons trip to Russia is to hand over a little brown envelope to thank Putin for all his help over the last 6 years ?
Just asking

You'll probably find the answer in The Know it All Members Handbook

[towny44]

Is it true that Johnsons trip to Russia is to hand over a little brown envelope to thank Putin for all his help over the last 6 years ?
Just asking

You'll probably find the answer in The Know it All Members Handbook

No, if it was there Ken would know, since he wrote it.

[Stephen]

Is it true that Johnsons trip to Russia is to hand over a little brown envelope to thank Putin for all his help over the last 6 years ?
Just asking

You'll probably find the answer in The Know it All Members Handbook

Are they free or is there a charge

[oldbluefox]

To you, my son, there is a charge.

[david63]

To you, my son

I never knew that he was

[oldbluefox]

Well, we've had father and son and it looks like the holy ghost has dropped in!!!!

[Stephen]

To you, my son, there is a charge.

Now about that £10.000 you were going to let me have.............dad. Cash no cheques please

[Kendhni]

Many of us wanting to break free of the EU shackles were quite willing to accept that there might well be a negative impact on our economy. However we were quite willing to accept this, if we could leave the EU, and of course once achieved it would become progressively more difficult to quantify whether we were better or worse off by leaving the EU, so rather irrelevant in the end.

I don't disagree with your first point, there was a short-sighted minority willing to accept anything they could call 'brexit' irrespective of the damage and cost to the UK economy. Even another brexiteer on this site referred to the deal (even before Johnson surrendered all the UKs red lines) as a deal that 'satisfied nobody' ... I disagree I believe Johnsons final deal did satisfy those, and only those, with a 'brexit at all costs' mentality. That is exactly what Johnson has delivered ... ironically with more shackles than before.

Unlike asinine comparisons such as 'Corbyn would have been worse', economic modelling and comparison with similar economies will be able to highlight the highs and lows and give a fair estimate of the UKs decline, stagnation or (hopefully) progress. Such as in 2020, unlike most of the world, the UK economy failed to recover and stagnated; in the first half of 2021 it made significant progress towards catching up, but that recovery declined in the second half of 2021.

How is it that the IMF and other economic institutions, all agree that the UK has been in 2021, and will remain so in 2022, the fastest growing economy in the G7. If you are correct Ken then I think you're wasting your time in your current job, you should be in charge of the IMF.

There is absolutely nothing in your post that contradicts anything I have said .. are you struggling with your comprehension again?

[Manoverboard]

Gove announces the ' Levelling Up Master Plan ' ... not instant but will it be welcomed ?