Looking at the BBC website this morning, he certainly does like a dead man walking. Just wondering how long he can bat all this **** off before it starts sticking and the party dumps him.
All over a few 10s of k,
200 000 spent on redoing the flat I read.
"Reports have claimed that Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, have spent as much as £200,000 on renovations in their flat above No 11 Downing Street. Each prime minister receives £30,000 of taxpayers’ money to alter their new home.
........................
The Spectator magazine reported that Conservative campaign headquarters had footed some of the bill – charged by the Cabinet Office – and Johnson was in the process of repaying his party."
He failed at that too
Sorry, but I laughed....
Charles Walker on Newsnight… Boris Johnson nearly killed himself last year to save our lives… oh my.
The rats will do what they always do. Stay 'loyal' until the last minute (only publicly obviously) and then get rid when the time is right. They'll publicly profess loyalty whilst the intentional leaking apparatus let's out more and more stuff. In this case the code phrase will be "And he ****ed Brexit up too". As soon as that is openly stated it is over and a candidate who 'can deliver' cake and unicorns is in. And the full dismemberment of the postwar consensus is on.
Jophnson has forgot a couple of basic rules of politics
1) its not the event that does for you but the cover up - and boy is he attempting to cover up the redecoration and
2) keep your friends close and your enemies closer
Jophnson [sic] has forgot a couple of basic rules of politics
I think those have long fled the scene haven't they? the new normal appears to be that Johnson will make some shit up, and that will be the end of it. Johnson lies about everything, and it's always worked out just fine for him, I can't see that this is any different. He'll pull some whopper out of the blue, and while some of the media will call it out, the vast swathes of light blue voters will move on...I think it's easier for them (Tory voters) to project onto Starmer and Labour rather than admit to themselves that they voted in a charlatan like Johnson.
It does feel to me like things have changed with the tory press going for him and the confirmation that he did say pile the bodies up from tories who heard him is unusual
It does feel to me like things have changed with the tory press going for him and the confirmation that he did say pile the bodies up from tories who heard him is unusual
As with most politicians though, he's only useful while he's "on brand" and currently, he's so far off the brand that the media want him to portray that he's become a liability.
The Tories aren't really "in charge" - the country is controlled by a cabal of billionaire media owners; the Tories are just the useful idiots that deliver the policies that the papers have told the public are required.
The media will do some dead cat stuff, some distraction work, they can focus on Meghan or something for a bit but that's not going to work forever and currently we're getting scandal on sleaze on incompetence, all piling up together. Something has to stick at some point and none of the previous supporters want to be there when it does.
I love the defence they're presently trotting out:
This has all come from Dominic Cummings who is inherently untrustworthy. Just look at all that bullshit he came out with about Barnard Castle. You can't believe a word he says.
Well that funny, because you all backed him up at the time and told us about his honesty and integrity
It should get very spicy when the evil Mekon has to give evidence to a parliamentary committee. Given his self of both drama and self-importance, I wonder what particular bombshell he's saving for then?
Rumours are that he routinely recorded his conversations with Johnson, obviously envisaging something like this.
I bet they're bricking it in Number 10
Then theres this...
https://twitter.com/PippaCrerar/status/1386969773800628225?s=20
They wheeled out Mrs Doubtfire lookalike Theresa Coffey to do the media rounds this morning, so it hardly seems like cabinet members are queuing up to offer their full support to Boris. Probably all busy preparing for the leadership election
Is the 'pile up the bodies' quote equivalent to incitement to violence/encouragement to terrorism? Could we get the Tory party banned please?
Well that funny, because you all backed him up at the time and told us about his honesty and integrity
That was last year and this is now. Plus it does have the novelty of actually being true which must be a special treat for a tory politican under Johnson.
I wouldnt trust him as far as I could throw him its just I trust Johnson probably even less.
It is entertaining watching the infighting. I wonder who leaked the initial info that Cummings got blamed for and kicked off the whole game.
In this case I reckon his denial is honest and Johnson accidently kicked off a fight he didnt need to. I am assuming it was really someone in the treasury given how it was slanted to help them out.
Don’t forget we have a Secretary of State for Education who fancies the top job, and has been fired as a minister once before in connection with leaks.
They all fancy the job and they'd all happily kick each other to death to get it.
It's not a case of who initially leaked it, it's more 'who definitely didn't?'
I doubt there will be many contenders
I doubt there will be many contenders
I would rule out Shapps. Rather than being anonymous that idiot would give one of his alternate names.
Whoever it is must be pissing themselves though at having kicked off this fight. Unless they are suddenly going "now what does Cummings have on me?".
@kelvin - I'm looking forward to watching him ride down a steep hill carrying some ladders on his shoulder whilst wearing a natty tank top.
He's just so funny
A challenge would only work if Boris was to step down 'to spend more time with his families / pint' (unlikely).
In any vote amongst the Blue Rinses, Boris would always win.
If the party want rid of him, then his name won't even be on the ballot.
As Ever I'm still not totally convinced we're not witnessing some sort of elaborate 4D-chess attempt.
I mean has Boris simply lobbed multiple dead Cats on the table all at once?
I had assumed that even though Dom had done his little walk of shame with a box of office supplies in front of the cameras, that he was still at least on a retainer of some sort.
I can't help thinking this little spat has all been manufactured and hyped by the press to distract us from something substantially bigger... But I'm not sure what.
My money's on Lil' Richie for PM, No He might not be the right colour for the Tory Core but I'm sure his ethnicity would be used shamelessly to try and accuse Labour of being the more Sexist, Racist party having fielded not just another white man, but a 'Sir' to boot, while the Tories can claim two women and (in this fantasy) a "Non-white" PM.
The angry Retirees will swallow their bile and vote for Richie because they're Tories and the party retaining power matters more than the figurehead. The "Redbricks" would be swayed because he can be framed as having saved the pubs, and they can pat themselves on the back and claim to be "Progressive"...
The only thing is it all feels a little too soon.
Bozza's "Night of the long knives" should probably be scheduled for early 2023 IMO, just to give his replacement enough time to settle in, but not too much time to accumulate gaffs and scandals...
Otherwise they're handing Labour the chance to shout "Look they're still the same old Tories, throwing each other to the wolves, vying and lying for power!" coming so soon after unseating May with Brexie-Bullshine and installing Boris as the "Alternative" to the corrupt Westminster Elites (not that they will)...
It does feel to me like things have changed with the Tory press going for him
I sort of imagine Rupert surrounded by his various minions Gazing upon an image of Boris (that one with him hanging off a zip line waving union flags ideally) sneering, and then turning his thumb down Commodus style...
The signal having been given the minions all scuttle off to carry out his malign will...
Don’t forget we have a Secretary of State for Education who fancies the top job, and has been fired as a minister once before in connection with leaks.
The chances of it being Gavin "Russia should just shut up and go away" Williams are minimal. He's a lot like that sales bloke you avoid at Christmas parties, the one who only has the third largest commission in the team but is convinced that he's one step away from running the entire double-glazing manufacturing business, the archetypal Gareth Cheeseman if you will.
It does feel to me like things have changed with the tory press going for him and the confirmation that he did say pile the bodies up from tories who heard him is unusual
Because they're happy to put the blame for a disastrous pandemic and Brexit on yesterday's man. Even the BBC are briefing against Johnson - not that I've particular beef with the Beeb, but they've been very careful to avoid any criticism. Don't forget too that both the Telegraph/Spectator and News International want their preferred candidate in No 10 and that's not necessarily the same person. If Johnson does go, expect negative briefings about those toadying their way up the ladder to fly back and forth.
So, he did say what he's supposed to have said. Multiple sources were there and heard it and have anonymously confirmed it to various hacks. And, they'd go on the record under oath if pushed to do so.
But they won't unless they're pushed. Which i think says almost as much about them as it does their boss.
And their boss continues to deny it.
Conclusion - someone's a liar and we can't trust any of them.
And they wonder why politicians are vilified.
Thing is Johnson is still pretty popular
He will remain so after this scandal has died down
Summer, vaccine, end of lockdown, will see him safe, still got an 80 seat majority and tory MPs are craven = Johnson is safe
So, he did say what he’s supposed to have said. Multiple sources were there and heard it and have anonymously confirmed it to various hacks. And, they’d go on the record under oath if pushed to do so.
For me this is the more damaging allegation, and perhaps why the funding of decor was leaked into the news. That he actually gave voice to what most of us had already inferred from his actions (or lack thereof) is a bigger issue.
He put getting the masses back out and spending ahead of public health...
To me that's neglegence that led to people's Deaths.
I'm far less concerned about how much He spent on wallpaper and taps, or which method of money laundering was used to fund it.
Not killing the electorate is a more important aspect of his role as PM...
(IMO of course).
Johnson is safe
Probably...
It really all depends on how many cycles the RW Meeja choose to chip away at him with this weeks "Revelations"... If the Sun and DM are calling for his head in a couple of weeks time then maybe the jig is up. Otherwise yep, Bozza can probably ride this one out too...
As Ever I’m still not totally convinced we’re not witnessing some sort of elaborate 4D-chess attempt.
I think you are seriously overrating them and buying into the myth making where a few heroes with only the help of most of the UK press and a large part of the political establishment managed to push through their agenda.
I think the original leak was supposed to be part of a medium term project to both undermine Johnson and line up Sunak as the replacement.
Then though Johnson went after Cummings by mistake (not unreasonably given it was Kuenssberg with the story) and then it kicked off further.
Thing is Johnson is still pretty popular
he really isn't. Look at his personal polling
I think you are seriously overrating them and buying into the myth making where a few heroes with only the help of most of the UK press and a large part of the political establishment managed to push through their agenda.
I think the original leak was supposed to be part of a medium term project to both undermine Johnson and line up Sunak as the replacement.
Then though Johnson went after Cummings by mistake (not unreasonably given it was Kuenssberg with the story) and then it kicked off further.
I'm 50/50 on it TBH.
Dom was always known to be Laura's "Secret Sauce" so the dots do join up, I just don't buy that Cummings was ever really out in the cold, and instead just WFH for the sake of appearances...
Plus, like I said its and Attempt at 4D chess, not necessarily a successful one.
Mulling it over a bit, I think the calculation that makes most sense is simply that if they can push the flat funding up the news agenda, most of us plebs aren't actually that shocked or concerned about it.
Yeah, yeah "Ministerial Standards" an all that matters... To the Westminster bubble dwellers. but A Tory PM fiddling his expenses, while bad, but isn't a shock for most of the public TBH. He'll get away with it.
It's the 3rd lockdown comment that signals an attitude to public health in the midst of a pandemic that is far more damaging, if people were to actually think about it.
The Dyson texts on top of the Greenspan thing, plus Gove's misc VIP vendor mates... All adds to a more concerning picture of "Chumocracy" and Access to decision makers and supply chains for the top 5%ers that again runs counter to national interest...
Yep I've reasoned it out for myself wallpapering the flat is the 'Dead cat' running interference for all the other shit that's come out this fortnight...
and the Beeb are biting on the Flat more than anything else now, you might argue it is already working...
I really think you are giving this bunch of dimwits far too much credit
I really think you are giving this bunch of dimwits far too much credit
The ones in No. 10, or the ones that voted them in there?
Yep I’ve reasoned it out for myself wallpapering the flat is the ‘Dead cat’ running interference for all the other shit that’s come out this fortnight…
I've been thinking much the same thing... ignoring companies who can produce ventilators to focus on our Brexit chums at JCB and Dyson... > shrug < ... allowing an extra 60,000 deaths rather than lock down early enough, against advice of advisors, other ministers and opposition leaders and MPs... > shrug < ... John Lewis furniture is a bit common, and being financially in the pocket of donors to get some proper chi chi interior decorations to keep the current woman in his life distracted ... let's run with that.
So what do we think will bring down Johnson, because if fathering a number (yet to be determined) children irresponsibly, cheating on your wife while she's having cancer treatment, getting sacked from two jobs for lying, doesn't seem to cut it, what will? Shooting some-one on 5th Avenue..?
a phone call from Murdoch
Well, there was the tape recording of him discussing with a mate about beating up a journalist...
That does nto seem to have done him harm, so maybe actually killing someone might.
So what do we think will bring down Johnson, because if fathering a number (yet to be determined) children irresponsibly, cheating on your wife while she’s having cancer treatment, getting sacked from two jobs for lying, doesn’t seem to cut it, what will? Shooting some-one on 5th Avenue..?
No-one (at the moment) wants him to be brought down. He's kind of useful where he is although he's rapidly losing his shine that got the Tories their 80-seat majority.
So far, while many think he's untrustworthy, a lot still see him as a twinkly-eyed jack the lad - getting a sneaky shag on the side, bunging his mates a few quid to "sort something out", telling the nasty EU to do one.
However... you start with the drip drip drip of negative news stories, some of them probably true, some no doubt a bit embellished, many of them very confused where it's difficult to see exactly where the facts might be and if/when the facts are found, the story has moved on anyway. This is the groundwork of sowing the seeds before you come out all guns blazing and say that he needs to go. But right now, it's an ideal opportunity to cover up a lot of bad news by talking about flat redecoration costs. You can do it in a negative way or and or, if you want to give him some credit you can say "yes, he might have overspent a tad on the flat or got the money via a slightly circuitous route but he must have been so stressed with sorting our amazing vaccine rollout..."
I think it’s easier for them (Tory voters) to project onto Starmer and Labour rather than admit to themselves that they voted in a charlatan like Johnson.
Deserves reemphasis.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/27/decor-home-economics-johnson-no-10-flat-refurb
Labour outright saying he lied, so they must have something?
Labour outright saying he lied, so they must have something?
They might well have something but they may as well have said "water is wet".
Boris lies the way that normal people breathe. So far, it's not caused him any issues - I mean he lied to the Queen in order to illegally prorogue Parliament and didn't even get a slap on the wrist for it.
No chance. Want a bet?
They might well have something but they may as well have said “water is wet”.
Yeah but I think when someone literally says the word 'liar' they have to mean it. Has anyone accused him kn parliament of actually 'lying'?
As an aside, watching news with wife who's family traditionally votes Tory, and she's disgusted that the sleaze is even being reported on as "they're all at it"... 🙄
You cannnot call someone a liar in parliament - even if they are
I would not be surprised if he resigned - we all know he is not enjoying being PM and needs more money.
I'll give him a fiver to go away and never come back
Could we get the Tory party banned please?
If only.
But the way of things today is they would reform as another party and peddle their corruption on from there.
Over the last ten years, the one thing that's kept the public rooting for the Tory incumbent is the justifiable fear of who might take their place. We're all at the point of thinking that we're exhausted at the cumulative Tory shithousery and along comes Michael Gove...
Poetry by Michael Gove, aged Seventeen.
Yep, we've an incoming PM with an inferiority complex because he couldn't get laid at Sixth Form.
They're coming from all angles. They've also named the donor who paid for the renovations.
This would be magnificent if it wasn't for the shower of bastards in the running to take over from Fatso.
Yep, we’ve an incoming PM with an inferiority complex because he couldn’t get laid at Sixth Form.
I couldn't bring myself to look at Gove's 'poetry'. 🤮
