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I think you’re probably on your own with your ‘to the barricades’ stuff, to be honest mate.
Who's talking about barricades? All I'm talking about is elected politicians acting in the interests of the people who vote them in rather than a tiny number of super rich people who think the world is their plaything. Is that really too much to ask? Or are you content with being thrown a few scraps to distract you from the catastrophe that's going to be inflicted on us and our kids? Honestly people whine about the boomers being selfish, but really our generation are no different, and we'll be despised by the younger generation more than the boomers are now.
Well, people were stating there were longing for the self serving politicians we have in charge to be replaced. That they are great at grabbing air time and attention (and votes) by "not being boring" has got very tired, and really isn't working in our interests, is it?
The Tories could do to try some attempt at cohesion. I look forward to the cabinet's version of "Boris,Boris uber alles" hitting the charts.
Johnson may go sooner than I thought tbh
Who’s talking about barricades? All I’m talking about is elected politicians acting in the interests of the people who vote them in rather than a tiny number of super rich people who think the world is their plaything
There’s not much point shouting at me.
I’m a broadly centre-left, pro-EU Guardian reading hand-wringer who voted for Magic Grandad twice
I’ve spent most of my 50 years on the planet living under a Tory government that I certainly never voted for but lots of others did, just like they voted for Brexit. The bell ends!
I’m pretty much resigned to the fact t that we have truly reached the point where we have the politician’s we deserve. Because a large percentage it the voting public are either total ****s, complete dimwits, or a combination of the two
That’s democracy for you
Surprised?
Not in the slightest. Who will they get to do the pretend investigation instead? Even if they choose the wrong person, and that person doesn't do the expected white washing job, and their report looks bad for the government... the PM will just bin it, and then that person will resign. Just like everyone else who has been tasked with investigating what this government does behind the scenes and made the mistake of actually performing the task honourably.
Oh Binners, how could you say that, true as it maybe.
Where is Teamhurtmore to defend Boris, when you need him.
I’m pretty much resigned to the fact t that we have truly reached the point where we have the politician’s we deserve.
Well I've often said that we get the politics we vote for, but really that's not true. We get the politics that the billionaires who own the media and industry manufacture. In what rational world is it anyone's interest for people like Geoff Bezos, Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch to exist? We're at North Korean levels of personality cultism in worshipping these people and allowing them to operate as they do, and most of us don't even realise it. Much easier to blame the little guy though eh? Just like it's easy to scapegoat immigrants and benefits scroungers.
Much easier to blame the little guy though eh?
The little guy who keeps voting for the likes of Boris Johnson and thinks Brexit’s a good idea?
Dazh - I'm 100% opposite of your view. "Personality politics" has given us Farage, Trump and Johnson. "Men of the people......" Judged by what they did, instead of what they said.
I don't want my political leader cracking gags and "Being a good laugh".
I want them sorting societies problems.
I want competence.
I want someone who cares.
I want someone for the good of the country, not his old Etonian mates.
Boring? I really don't care, as long as they are competent and trustworthy.
That’s democracy for you
I said a similar thing to a Swiss friend of mine recently, and she said that in Switzerland they do democracy differently to the way the UK does. She explained it to me , and it did seem a more fair and representative way of ruling with democracy. I don’t profess to understand it, but I think it’s called direct democracy. I had no idea there were different types.
we tried the swiss method and ended up with Brexit.
Boring? I really don’t care, as long as they are competent and trustworthy.
This!
The little guy who keeps voting for the likes of Boris Johnson and thinks Brexit’s a good idea?
Yes, it is a good idea IMO in the long run.
She explained it to me , and it did seem a more fair and representative way of ruling with democracy
It works in Switzerland but it won’t work here. Look what happened in this country the last time the populace was trusted to cast its collective opinion on a fairly seismic decision…
From now on we need to keep the damage the moronic population of this septic isle does down to a bare minimum. They can’t even be trusted with general elections in our archaic not-fit-for-purpose electoral system
We live in a nation of masochistic, forelock-tugging muppets, unfortunately
Government should be all about the boring management of our day to day lives. At the moment its all headlines & new plans - keeping in the news cycle. Output and long term stability sacrificed on the altar of Focus Group Opinion and the next election cycle.
Yes, it is a good idea IMO in the long run.
The farmers who voted for in North Shropshire have just found out that its very bad for them, which is helped the lib Dems
People slowly realising that brexit was by the elites for the elites and will cost the little guy dearly
This was a 2/3rds leave voting seat that just saw a huge swing to the most openly Remain party! Paterson himself was a leading swivel eyed ERGer, Brexiteers gotta be worried about that
I’d do away with political parties altogether and just install some particularly dull accountants and logistics people then leave them to get on with it
I want them sorting societies problems.
I want competence.
I want someone who cares.
I want someone for the good of the country, not his old Etonian mates.
No idea why you think your opposite to my views because these are exactly the things I'm talking about. And to do all the above we need political leaders willing to stand up to the people who currently control our politics and economics. Funny though cos your bullet points above closely describe the one political leader* we've had in decades who you would no doubt dismiss. Maybe binners is right, we do get what we deserve.
*ok I'll admit the question on competence, but that's something that can be remedied with the right support. He fitted the other three perfectly though.
I wouldn’t trust him to run a bath, never mind the country.
A view shared widely
The fact that the choice at the last election was those pair of clearly utterly incompetent muppets shows how truly ****ed our political system really is
Can we not all agree to appoint someone like Chris Whitty to sort it all out and abolish all political parties?
A sort of benign dictatorship?
A sort of benign dictatorship?
Sounds brilliant in theory, but they never stay benign for long!
Boring? I really don’t care, as long as they are competent and trustworthy.
For those curious about the Swiss system, here are the referendum results:
https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/fr/home/statistiques/politique/votations.assetdetail.20324035.html
They don't want make me want to live in Switzerland but if you're a lot further to the right than me you might approve.
Daz - it was responding on the "boring" subject only. The idea you need to be a gobby personality to stand up to people.
I assume you are referring to Corbyn? Im afraid he failed the competency test for me.
If we had more referendums you could absolutely guarantee that the first thing the population of this country would do is reinstate the death penalty and capital punishment
You could put your house on it!
The death penalty as well as capital punishment!
That seems a bit excessive!😜
Boring? I really don’t care, as long as they are competent and trustworthy.
dantsw for PM!
Are you calling me boring???😆
I’ve long argued that a normal party is needed, run by real people - teachers, nurses, office staff etc. Where the truth is told no matter what they think people want to hear.
The eternal paradox...
Those with the skills and capability to govern lack the skills and will to get elected.
Those with the skills and will to get elected lack the skills and capability to govern.
I'm afraid to say that the older I get the more I subscribe to the view that anyone who wants to be prime minister probably shouldn't be allowed to be.
The death penalty as well as capital punishment!
That seems a bit excessive!😜
Flogged naked through the streets before having your head lopped off!
I reckon now would be a great time to stand as an independent MP.
Helen Morgan LDP 17,957
Suzie Akers-Smith IND 95
oops his initial denial didn't quite cut it
what a ****ing shambles!!
does beg the question if he has to resign from the investigation due to breaking covid rules then why hasn't he resigned from his role as cabinet secretary ?
https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1471827747240566785
Finally a jurno getting the question answered....sort of
For those who havent watched that Sam Coates interview I highly recommend it. The sense of entitlement is staggering. He seems deeply upset that journalists are daring to ask awkward questions and wants to get back to the good old days where he could waffle and it would be reported without question.
It’s being suggested in the news he has a year to sort his act out.
He’ll be gone sooner than that.
“breaking the golden rule” - answers on a postcard….
The golden rule? Don’t ask why the Emperor is naked.
It’s being suggested in the news he has a year to sort his act out.
its the only act he has…
He’ll be gone sooner than that
If Covid rates weren’t heading skyward at the moment, he’d be toast already
But having a leadership election at the moment would look crass and self-indulgent even by the standards of this gang of shysters. Not something the voters would forgive
I’m sure Boris is fully aware that this is the only reason he’s still in a job
I suspect that’s why he’s so prissy in that Sky interview
The Sam Coates interview. Wow.
When this waffle is in special measures.
What a wreck of human being.
Covid no one knows the end game, but any new leader would have to contend with absolute lunacy of the hard right backbenchers : as the ERG they were certain they knew more than trade & economics experts, as the CRG they are certain they know more than medical and scientific experts
On top of that brexit is still a quagmire, negotiations dragging on & on...
Any new leader might still be dependent on labour to get crucial votes on either brexit or covid thru!
Oh, don't get me started on the CRG...
Have you seen Whitty treat apart the Tory MP over the lockdowns effects on other NHS treatments.
He is totally outgunned by intelligence and humanity. Wonderful.
When Johnson gets the royal order of the boot, I'm sure he could make a fortune if he gave an honest autobiographical account of the skulduggery, porkie pies, giving the ferret a run, threatening journalists, wallpaper, the party party, pissed in parliament, buyer's remorse, but then....
On top of that brexit is still a quagmire, negotiations dragging on & on…
Big climbdown from Frostie today
Simon Case has resigned.👍
should be receiving his p45 shortly
Simon Case has resigned.👍
No he hasn't, all he's done is stepped aside from leading the inquiry
Why do the far right hold such power? They are a minority of Tory PMs.
It’s being suggested in the news he has a year to sort his act out.
Mercury year? [88 days]
Twodogs
Full Member
Simon Case has resigned.👍No he hasn’t, all he’s done is stepped aside from leading the inquiry
Yeah, I wasn't very specific. Was a quick post on the hoof.lol👍
slowoldman
Full Member
Why do the far right hold such power? They are a minority of Tory PMs.
To over simplify it... It's not the Tory part anymore, that's just the shell.
I know it’s the Guardian but Prof Chris Witty v Joy Morrison MP just further illustrates the much illustrated point that we are governed by morons. Beaconsfield hang your head in shame.
^^ Yeah, absolutely no factual evidence to back up her assertions so deletes them.
What a hero.
It’s being suggested in the news he has a year to sort his act out
2021?
binners
Full MemberIt works in Switzerland but it won’t work here. Look what happened in this country the last time the populace was trusted to cast its collective opinion on a fairly seismic decision…
Mmm. What is the magic difference though? I think part of the problem is that we don't do it enough- so when we do have a referendum, it's only for massive events and nobody's really used to it. Ticking a box in an election every few years doesn't really keep people connected to the idea of making political decisions- only a third of people voting in local elections frinstance. And we've had, what, 3 national referendums ever? I suppose arguably 4 since the last election became a brexit proxy.
It's not too shocking if you do something maybe once or twice in a lifetime and it doesn't go brilliantly. Practice makes perfect. Maybe the only thing that makes the Swiss better at direct democracy is the fact that they do it, and the thing that makes us terrible at it is that our political system's almost designed to make it that way.
@Poopscoop The MP had to delete as Twitter put her in the sin bin for that tweet and the only way back is by removing the offending post.
I heard the sky interview again earlier and it really is incredible. It just screams utter contempt and a complete lack of comprehension. It is staggering just how detached from reality he is. He may as well have yelled "people will think what I tell them to think". You'd think after being massively on the back foot for weeks/months he would reflect and consider how he is perceived, but that interview suggests he doesn't have a ****ing clue. Credit to the interviewer, he was excellent.
Sandwich
Full Member
@Poopscoop The MP had to delete as Twitter put her in the sin bin for that tweet and the only way back is by removing the offending post.
Ah, didn't know that.
Good on them though.
Don't think I've seen Tories as low as 30?
https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1471982901185196034?t=KFQTXOC9t8gQQtfmdEkLvg&s=19
People are a fickle bunch, I suspect a change in Tory fortunes when they have a new leader.
Would you want to inherit this****fest though?
No thanks. Plenty of Tories will want to though, they are welcome to the poison chalice.
You’d think after being massively on the back foot for weeks/months he would reflect and consider how he is perceived, but that interview suggests he doesn’t have a **** clue.
Hardly surprising when you look at the gaggle of useless, sycophantic toady’s he’s surrounded himself with.
A bunch of nodding dogs who’s only qualification for the positions they undeservedly hold is their willingness to blow smoke up his arse and stroke his planet-sized ego
A bunch of nodding dogs
Lol, very good.
I’ve just re-watched that Sky interview. Sweet Jesus!
https://twitter.com/elraynerista/status/1471950122280001545?s=21
a tory mp
We've had an advent calendar of s***. Every day the door opens, more pours out
your bed mate lie in it.
LAB: 38% (+3)
CON: 30% (-6)
GRN: 10% (+2)
LDEM: 10% (-1)
Greens and LibDems on level pegging?
And why are the LibDems polling less than they did at the last general election?
Literally the only paper sticking up for Boris. Who owns the Express guys?
Talk about being out of step...
There's always a lot of statistical noise in polling, it's about which way parties are trending that matters.
5mths befire next years local elections- that'll be interesting but will Johnson still leader then?
Rural seats like n Shropshire will be fun to watch, R4 had a very angry lifetime Tory voting dairy farmer who'd just voted lib dem.
Brexit shafting UK fishermen & now farmers with the Australian trade deal is starting to bite
Brexit shafting UK fishermen & now farmers
Trouble is, will they see it as a Brexit problem or that the govt negotiated a bad deal?
People are a fickle bunch, I suspect a change in Tory fortunes when they have a new leader.
My Tory voting parents hate Boris and can't wait for him to go.
Though she was adamant that Paterson had done nothing wrong, hadn't been able to appeal or call witnesses.
Trouble is, will they see it as a Brexit problem
You would think that if Brexit had been a huge issue in North Shropshire on Thursday the Rejoin EU candidate would have got more than 58 votes.
Literally the only paper sticking up for Boris. Who owns the Express guys?
Its owned by Reach which is a FTSE250 company once known as the Trinity Mirror group. As that name suggests whilst it consists of quite a few regional papers its most notable brand is the Daily Mirror.
So same owners for the last ditch supporters and also probably the paper most responsible for upsetting him.
Express was a fairly recent acquisition from Richard Desmond.
Its owned by Reach which is a FTSE250 company once known as the Trinity Mirror group.
You know occasionally how there seems to be a glut of online "polls" by various regional newspapers asking if cyclists should pay road tax "like all other road users" or be licenced/insured etc? Often crop up on Facebook with reams of comments underneath. On the face of it it looks like the Cornwall Gazette has somehow popped into your timeline.
That's all done as coordinated clickbait by/from Reach.
Somehow, it also appears to be the main source of "news" that Microsoft Office harvests and bangs into your taskbar every morning. 🙁
Trouble is, will they see it as a Brexit problem or that the govt negotiated a bad deal?
The farmer on the radio was blaming the governments bad deal
Good summary here
Not sure how report can be back b4 xmas if everyone has to be re interviewed
Also when was Geidt due to report his decision on Whatsapps?
The farmer on the radio was blaming the governments bad deal
Yep,it’ll never be about the ‘precious’ it’s always going to be blamed on the deal and or the EU 🙂
You would think that if Brexit had been a huge issue in North Shropshire on Thursday
It was.
the Rejoin EU candidate would have got more than 58 votes.
Why? The LibDem position is that we should rejoin the EU (via cooperating in the SM & CU first). I’m not suggesting in the slightest that all those LibDem votes were by people who want to rejoin, or even want to have a closer relationship with, the EU. That simply isn’t the case. But if you wanted to avoid a Conservative win, and you thought that Brexit was so counter productive for your area that you supported us rejoing the EU, voting LibDem seems the most likely way to go.