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For me it’s about honesty. He is a liar, and always has been.
And people were well aware of this before he was elected. He's never been known for his honesty or impeccable private life. This will be water off a ducks back.
Take your pick, the list is almost endless, the worst PM we’ve had in at least the last ~50 years.
Worse than Cameron? Blair? Thatcher? Major? May? The bar is set very low for the ethics of past PM's.
However, I don’t understand why he, or any PM, would have to pay for the refurb of Downing STreet property?
The answer is easy. They dont.
The main building is covered by the taxpayer including all the serious maintenance.
The private flat gets a 30k a year allowance for fitting out the flat to their personal tastes.
Its only if you have very expensive tastes that you would need to spend your own or a donors money.
However, I don’t understand why he, or any PM, would have to pay for the refurb of Downing STreet property? Surely they should be maintained by the state?
They don't have to pay for anything. It is paid for by the state (us).
He had 30 grand of taxpayers money (per year) available to do the flat up, but that proved far too little to keep Carrie Antionette in the manner to which she thinks she should become accustomed. They were short by 170 grand. Thats what happens when the wallpaper you choose is 900 quid a roll
However, I don’t understand why he, or any PM, would have to pay for the refurb of Downing STreet property? Surely they should be maintained by the state?
Keep up. The PM gets £30k per year to spend on new soap dishes, IKEA shelving units and whatever else he or she wants to inflict on themselves and family. Johnson chose to spend three times that or more, apparently because Carrie couldn't stand the awfully vulgar John Lewis furniture that Theresa left behind. Which would be fine if he simply paid for it himself rather than scrabbling around trying to find clandestine ways of getting someone else to foot the bill.
And based on the fact that previous tenants may have also been spending £30K each year on kitchen, bathroom, decor etc,. it is probably not exactly in a bad state and in need of anything urgent to the tune of £88K
Carrie Antionette
Deserves more credit.
Chapeau.
Deserves more credit.
Chapeau.
Indeed,let the plebs eat cake.
I can't take any credit for it. Someone on Twitter came up with it as a hashtag
Utter genius!
This image went with it
^^ and as Mr Pie reminds us,she gets to see Johnson naked,what a lucky person she is.🤢
I don't understand why you would ever want the seats to match the wallpaper?
Why are you camouflaging your furniture?
Why are you camouflaging your furniture?
In case Gove pops round? If he doesnt see the seats then he might get bored standing around and sod off.
The frothing is crossing over to the spending but I don't think labour want that conversation💰💰 Blair and Brown both spending big across their terms and far more than Cameron and May, it appears May didn't spend a large amount so an overhaul prob due👍
The issue is only about who funded it and why🐒
However, I don’t understand why he, or any PM, would have to pay for the refurb of Downing STreet property? Surely they should be maintained by the state?
Because the PM gets a £30k a year stipend for decorating No 10, what Alexander and Carrie wanted was *way* more expensive than that, hence the begging bowls to Tory donors. You've got to look at the optics too - even that £30k allowance is more than the median UK annual salary.
Worse than Cameron? Blair? Thatcher? Major? May? The bar is set very low for the ethics of past PM’s.
Yes, much worse. Johnson's retort at PMQs yesterday was riddled with verifiable lies, one after the other. That's not a one off, Johnson's government has taken cues from Steve Bannon and is weaponizing alternative fact wherever it can, supported by a craven media that has him in their pocket.
Carrie Antionette
Indeed. The fact that all this shithousery was going on as people started dying in their thousands from Covid shows where priorities were.
The frothing is crossing over to the spending but I don’t think labour want that conversation💰💰 Blair and Brown both spending big across their terms and far more than Cameron and May, it appears May didn’t spend a large amount so an overhaul prob due
That's not quite true is it? As a percentage of GDP, spending under Blair actually fell if you compare 1990-91 to 2006, spending spiked around the 2008-2014 timeframe under both Brown and Cameron, due to QE policies to prop up the banking system. Those QE injections were debated in parliament and backed by the Conservatives and continued when the coalition came to power in 2010.
It's also worth noting that Public Debt as a percentage of GDP increased from 65% in 2010 to approx 82% by 2018 - the argument that Labour overspent while in power and the Conservatives didn't is a fallacy.
do love the no one's interested line yesterday and it being all over the front pages today.
As Johnathon Pie pointed out yesterday, if Boris's minions are so determined to tell us, over and over, that nobody is interested, then we should be very very interested indeed.
I see the resident Tory fanboy has turned up exclaiming “Nothing to see, move on!” With his whataboutery. The one big difference between now and the last Labour administration is they we’ren’t engaged in the industrial scale shovelling of public money into the pockets of their chums and donors, but just keep up with the deflection.
Worse than Cameron? Blair? Thatcher? Major? May? The bar is set very low for the ethics of past PM’s.
The difference is all of those lied occasionally.
Whereas with Johnson its that he tells the truth occasionally.
He is on a different scale.
Hang on, I have an allowance to do up something owned by the public, overspend, getting a donation to help, then pay it back to the donor when I’m caught. That’s kinda money laundering isn’t it?
(Not that any Tory donors would ever need their money laundered - that’s all been done with property deals and by their mates in the square mile...😂)
I don’t understand why you would ever want the seats to match the wallpaper?
Posh people love it. I've seen it plenty of times (that's the horse world for you). They normally only do it in a way designed to last a generation (or multiple generations) though. And they don't borrow the money in a way that makes them beholden to others.
It's a spiffing sofa. (sp?)
now it's all the civil services fault he's going for "I was only following orders" defence.
– Missed 5 COBRA meetings
– Downplayed pandemic
– Late to lockdown x 3
– Openly excused Cummings’ lockdown breach, critical of others who broke same rules
– “Operation Last Gasp” jibe
– Broke ministerial code and offered tax breaks to procure ventilators
– Corrupt PPE procurement process
– Paid over the odds for excessive, sub-standard PPE from party donors and MPs’ mates
– Backed Home Secretary over bullying
– Appointed the unqualified and inept Dido Harding (wife of Tory anti-corruption minister) to head track and trace programme
– Paid 37 billion for track and trace
– Headed global death rates for some time – still have the most Covid deaths in Europe
And yet I’ve just had a notification from the Independent flash up on my phone saying that Bozo’s polling lead has increased. This county is ****
Pjm, I was talking about the spending of public money on No.11
Labour do not want that discussion, this is about who funded and why👍
If the frothers help this matter drift into the amount spent then imo they will be helping big bozzer⛄
saying that Bozo’s polling lead has increased
Polling up to the 26th? Not that I expect this week to change things much with his supporters. There will be more to come though... Johnson is bound to have piled up things like this ready to be leaked or uncovered... time won't be kind to him as he makes enemies of his fellow travellers... and he always does, because they all learn the hard way that he has no loyalty towards any of them, and lies to all of them.
And yet I’ve just had a notification from the Independent flash up on my phone saying that Bozo’s polling lead has increased. This county is ****
That's what I'm saying - the general population really don't give a monkeys.
You could say this is because no MP is considered honourable, they are seen as all as bad as each other and it in for themselves.
I keep staring at that picture that Binners posted...it's magnetic, like one of those magic eye pictures...
because they all learn the hard way that he has no loyalty towards any of them, and lies to all of them.
It was one of his former aides when he was London Mayor who said:
"Everyone loves Boris....
... apart from those who know him"
it appears May didn’t spend a large amount so an overhaul prob due
I dunno, the room she was interviewed on that they showed on the news looked fine to me (the sofas needed to go though), granted it was only one room - I struggle to believe the rest of the flat was in state it needed a massive overhaul though.
I sometimes wonder who pays John Lewis prices for interior decor stuff (I picked up a cushion that was on sale once and it was still £90...), nice to know the PM is so far removed from the masses he considers John Lewis low grade...
It’s absolutely ****ing hideous!!
The heavily patterned sofa will hide the spunk stains better if Carrie comes home unexpectedly early one day, though.
That’s what I’m saying – the general population really don’t give a monkeys.
You could say this is because no MP is considered honourable, they are seen as all as bad as each other and it in for themselves.
Nah.
To my previous point - if you’re not bothered, you don’t understand. Not you, obvs
The issue is: why don’t people understand? Blame for that lies squarely at the feet of the opposition and the press. Just as it does for the way boris has completely **** ed up brexit, and completely **** ed up covid.... but there is a huge chunk of the electorate who (wrongly) believe he’s their champion. Why/how do they believe that? And how can that be countered?
It’s very trumpian. Who is Britain’s Biden? I thought it would be starmer.... but it seems not
Some things never change....
nice to know the PM is so far removed from the masses he considers John Lewis low grade…
I think for me, this just adds to the joy of this story I seriously doubt Johnson gives a **** about the decor. Carrie almost certainly cares deeply. Which, given that he didn't want to pay for it, got found out, and had to pay for it out of his own pocket while complaining that he's taken a massive pay cut and can't afford to settle his divorce and to top it all off... is still in the shit, perhaps even with the cops...Perfect.
You just know he's seething about the whole thing, and wants it to go away. You just know that he feels that it's all so unfair, and he's taking it all very personally. It won't be the downfall of him, I have no illusions about that, but watching the fat ****er squirm is just about enough for now
You just know he’s seething about the whole thing, and wants it to go away. You just know that he feels that it’s all so unfair, and he’s taking it all very personally. It won’t be the downfall of him, I have no illusions about that, but watching the fat **** squirm is just about enough for now
I know its glorious, undone by decorations.
But as plenty have said, if he would lie about his ****ing curtains then what other dodgy shit is waiting to be found out.
I'd not be so sure he will wriggle out of it though, if the Electoral Commission finds against him then he might be history.
Pjm, I was talking about the spending of public money on No.11
Labour do not want that discussion, this is about who funded and why👍
If the frothers help this matter drift into the amount spent then imo they will be helping big bozzer⛄
Point well made, thank you.
Where, in all of this, is little baby Johnson? Have you noticed there is literally nothing in the papers, no photos, no "look at how amazing Carrie looks after giving birth" articles...?
Is there some sort of injunction on it or a general "we'll play nicely" agreement from the press not to hassle anyone about it? If it was a royal baby, we wouldn't be able to get away from the little brat but here - it's almost like there is no child at all...
Surely if you have a baby around the place, you don't go spending £840/roll on wallpaper and £3000 coffee tables, you buy some wipe-clean stuff for when it's flung it's poo at you and then vomited over everything...?
Leave the kids out of it. Whoever the PM is. If the media stick to that, I welcome it.
Surely if you have a baby around the place, you don’t go spending £840/roll on wallpaper and £3000 coffee tables, you buy some wipe-clean stuff for when it’s flung it’s poo at you and then vomited over everything…?
As somebody who’s toddler has just thrown up all over him - I fully endorse this. We are wondering when we can have nice things again.
but there is a huge chunk of the electorate who (wrongly) believe he’s their champion. Why/how do they believe that? And how can that be countered?
It is his character and personality. We may not fall for it but many do and that seems to let him get away with stuff.
How do you counter it, get a similar characterful personality as leader of Labour while all the proper stuff is done by people behind the scenes. That character is not Starmer and it is not any current Labour MP so that is a big problem.
Johnson has been plagued by irritations arising from curtains.
My fingers are crossed that this is true.
https://twitter.com/mikegalsworthy/status/1387677013830418432?s=20
it's odd, though as it seems Johnson knows he knows. :/
A senior QC made the comment on observing an early PMQ's to the effect that when a former DPP asks you a direct question like that, he already knows the answer.
I certainly hope that's the case
Never mind Carrie's wallpaper and who did or didn't pay for it, if he's actually on the record as saying that then he's toast
My fingers are crossed that this is true.
Johnsons slack jawed face at the end there was brilliant!
As somebody who’s toddler has just thrown up all over him – I fully endorse this. We are wondering when we can have nice things again.
Honestly, by the time the risk of shite and vomit disappears, you'll be so broke you can't afford it anyway.
Unless you've got a mate that'll 'lend' you the cash at favourable terms, John Lewis is aspirational TBH. 2nd hand Argos with the laminate wood effect peeling off for normal folk.
Oh, for a one off £30K windfall to refurbish my house!!
First rule of Bannonism is to double down, deflect and deploy alternative facts to bludgeon your opponent. It doesn't matter if you're telling the truth, it'll play well to audiences kept angry and outraged at highly selective and edited media soundbites.
Johnson is in many ways the perfect Bannonite PM - everyone knows that he's full of bluster and hasn't bothered to avail himself of the facts, that enough people can be persuaded to view Johnson as "their" guy sticking it to an imagined enemy. In the meantime lots of things are happening behind the scenes that barely warrant attention.
We need a progressive alliance in the UK now more than ever.
Oh, for a one off £30K windfall to refurbish my house!!
The PM gets that every year... it's not even a one off windfall. Can't wait twelve months for that new sofa though, or compromise on one that only costs a few grand... can't have the PM "living in a skip".
My fingers are crossed that this is true.
It does seem from Starmer that he may have the evidence.
I wonder if sources are being protected / ducks lined up legally.
hmmm.
You can imagine Dom having an array of recording devices and a fully indexed and tagged audio archive. His bigdata mates will have plenty of tools at their disposal to make light work of anything so mundane as a digital audio recording including, all the deep-fakery necessary to 'fill the gaps'.
Heard her referred to as Carrie Antoinette the other day. This amused me.
There's no way Starmer would have said that in that way if he didn't have evidence. He lured Johnson into a trap, he just hasn't sprung it yet. Hope he manages to pull it off.
Would have been awesome if Keir has stood back up after the
'He should bring that evidence to the house and substantiate that accusation' remark with.
'Right you are sunshine. Will next Wednesday's PMQ's be soon enough?'
So hoping you're right about the proof being out there.
Yeah BoJo's response "who exactly is supposed to have said those things" seems like he's hanging onto a technicality so I wonder if he said only part of it or someone in the meeting read out the comment that he'd made or he said but pseudo-quoting someone else?
Or he wants to know who he can smear/tarnish first.
The easiest way to make that person be ignored would be to make them seem unreliable and/or get people to make their life hell.
Shit, or just sack them.
Looks like it's curtains for Boris.
Would have been awesome if Keir has stood back up after the
‘He should bring that evidence to the house and substantiate that accusation’ remark with.
‘Right you are sunshine. Will next Wednesday’s PMQ’s be soon enough?’
So hoping you’re right about the proof being out there.
He is possibly waiting until a few days before maybe an election of some sort.
Surely if you have a baby around the place, you don’t go spending £840/roll on wallpaper and £3000 coffee tables, you buy some wipe-clean stuff for when it’s flung it’s poo at you and then vomited over everything…?
And that’s on top of whatever mess young Wilfred makes.
That clip up there of Starmer's questioning is awesome!
Leave the kids out of it.
How ever many there are acknowledged to be. Has this actually been established? Cba googling.
On wallpapergate, given he's already been sacked two or is it three times for lying, he's probably more relaxed than most of us would be just brazeningit out
That clip up there of Starmer’s questioning is awesome!
yeh totally it was Kier at his best, it leaves boris with no where to go. Agree with the comments above it was asked in such a specific way he must know something. Hes got him on record saying its all a lie he never said it, and paid for the refit with his own money. If this turns out to be a lie Boris has gambled big and my lose it all.
I've had this running through my head for too long now not to share...
Looks like it’s curtains for Boris.
👏👏
Looks like it’s curtains for Boris.
He's definitely trying to paper over the cracks...
Looks like it’s curtains for Boris.
Hoist by his own pelmet?
Starmer wants the audio to come out for the Sunday papers?
Can media report on it day off vote, what are the purdah rules?
However would it be legal for cummings to record it?
As much as I'd like to hope Starmer has since zinging evidence waiting in the wings, I suspect he just knows he's got to play the long game, vaccine bounce well keep Johnson safe in locals and for a while more.
Sleaze will pile up slowly, Trump like.
There’s no way Starmer would have said that in that way if he didn’t have evidence.
Tricky, though, because if there is a recording it may well have come from Dominic Cumstains. Now, Dom might well take the view that a few million and a peerage could persuade him to cast doubt on his own evidence and/or version of events.
This is the problem of allowing lying, machiavellian shits too close to power.
Whilst it is satisfying to watch the odious sleazebag squirm a bit, tales of his demise are somewhat exaggerated... as yet.
Here's hoping.
Or maybe he should stay in post until election time. Who or what would replace him?
Who or what would replace him?
Is the reason I can't get too carried away with de feffel potentially getting what he deserves...
Someone has just gone up in my estimation...
https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1387778062008397841
I like how Boris "bigs up" the successful lock down.
is that the one that both completely paralysed the entire country AND was ultimately so in-effectual that abuut oh 140,000 people died? That one right??
Top trolling by Sir Keir. That's absolutely world class.
If that Starmer pic is real, that truly is a top effort - though maybe a little premature to be planning the next £30k refurbishment of the flat.
However would it be legal for cummings to record it?
Public interest defence? How ironic....
Though I also have concerns over what may follow Boris into power. Better the devil we know? Or another reluctant but valiant time-waster like Theresa May?
Johnson was at great pains to tell us how much he loved JL today
I guess it's an aspirational thing & Johnson duende want to lose his man of the people touch
Johnson's reaction to the comment about misleading parliament and resignation was visceral. Chapeau!
https://twitter.com/smartestgiant/status/1387334083819282432?s=21
Top trolling - read the product descriptions
I have no doubt that Starmers trolling of Johnson with his hilarious browsing of John Lewis wallpapers today will go down extremely well with most people who already deeply hate Boris Johnson.
However I am less convinced of its effect on the undecided. I suspect that he might have simply cancelled all that he had achieved the day before during PMQ.
Many will simply see it as an infantile prank. Which to be fair, is exactly what it was.
Yesterday Starmer was the serious politician and opposition leader who had the prime minister seriously rattled with direct and extremely serious questioning.
Today he was having a laugh and a joke on exactly the same issue.
Starmer needs to decide whether he wants to be seen by the electorate as a serious politician or as a political comedian. If he chooses comedy I personally think that he will lose to Johnson.
Besides, I don't get the impression that the electorate are crying out for more comedy in British politics.
Which probably explains why Johnson has toned down his act since coming off the back benches.
However I am less convinced of its effect on the undecided. I suspect that he might have simply cancelled all that he had achieved the day before during PMQ.
Many will simply see it as an infantile prank. Which to be fair, is exactly what it was.
Sound analysis, best to be true to your personality, which in Starmer's case is a slightly too earnest lawyer.
However I am less convinced of its effect on the undecided
Not only am I undecided, I have pretty much no interest in politics at all.
So as a sample of one, your guess is wrong - I'm sufficiently annoyed from what I'm hearing and watching to take an interest in what happens next.
This is the first political thread I've ever posted on; I need to take a wash.
Starmer needs to decide whether he wants to be seen by the electorate as a serious politician or as a political comedian. If he chooses comedy I personally think that he will lose to Johnson.
To be honest, it's the first time I've ever really seen him show something of a human side. And having battered Johnson on the floor yesterday it's good to see a sense of humour about it all.
As Mike Galsworthy says, it feels like he's got more coming.
And if you want to see how far political comedy can take you, just look at the current resident of number 10. At least Starmer has some credentials.