Current Affairs

[Kendhni]

I place beach volleyball at the same skill level as building sand castles.

I don't watch volleyball for the skill ... in the same way as I don't watch sandcastle building for historical accuracy and architectural integrity.

[Onelife]

I place beach volleyball at the same skill level as building sand castles.

I don't watch volleyball for the skill ... in the same way as I don't watch sandcastle building for historical accuracy and architectural integrity.

I’ve always thought of you as a man who enjoys figures, how’s 36 24 36 for accuracy?

[Gill W]

Re 11285 I don't bash Boris because love him or hate him he has an incredibly difficult job balancing the directly opposing demands of the different factions and for better or worse makes decisions every day.

I do bash Starmer because he said he would not oppose for opposition sake but in fact has done nothing but. He's not made a useful contribution or positive suggestion but just snipes from the sidelines whichever way Boris jumps. He's even run out of original soundbites and now parrots "reckless" at every turn. If Boris had put back reopening another 4 weeks no doubt that would have been reckless with jobs, the economy and mental health.

If you want Boris gone you need a credible alternative and Starmer doesn't offer it.

I can’t call Johnson ‘Boris’ as he’s not a pet Labrador.

I don’t ‘bash’ him on here repeatedly, because I know people would get upset. Briefly, I think he’s the worse possible PM at the worst possible time. I would go into more detail, but it would only cause a furore, and I just can’t be bothered.

Unfortunately, we seem to have a dearth of political talent at the moment, and, as the fish rots from the head down the current cabinet are not…..my cup of tea. I guess Sunak is the only one that I think has a modicum of talent and a smidge of decency.

I’ve got no feelings either way about Starmer, but he seems hardworking and a decent person. I’d probably prefer him than what we have now.

If Johnson does PMQs tomorrow, it’d be refreshing if he just gave one straight answer for a change.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Well goodness knows what it would be like if you decided to start bashing Boris then if you seriously believe you don't now.

Starmer may or may not be hard working and decent but he has no policies other than "not what Boris says". I genuinely haven't a clue what he stands for.

[towny44]

I’ve got no feelings either way about Starmer, but he seems hardworking and a decent person. I’d probably prefer him than what we have now.

If Johnson does PMQs tomorrow, it’d be refreshing if he just gave one straight answer for a change.

I can only assume your views on Starmer must reflect support for labour, because if not then I have serious reservations about your character assessment abilities.
On the 2nd comment, when was the last time any PM gave a straight answer to an opposition leaders question, and you were probably too young to remember Disraeli.

[Gill W]

Well goodness knows what it would be like if you decided to start bashing Boris then if you seriously believe you don't now.

Starmer may or may not be hard working and decent but he has no policies other than "not what Boris says". I genuinely haven't a clue what he stands for.

If I said what I really think of Boris Johnson, this forum would have an utter meltdown the like of which has never been seen before! I have been very restrained on here.

I have to agree about Starmer, I don’t know what he’s for either.

I can only assume your views on Starmer must reflect support for labour, because if not then I have serious reservations about your character assessment abilities.

How many more times do I have to say this. I’m not a party political person and I don’t support Labour any more than I support the Conservatives or Lib Dems.

If I were you, I wouldn’t cast too many stones about character assessment - your undying, uncritical support of Johnson does make me wonder about your character assessment abilities!

[Kendhni]

I’ve always thought of you as a man who enjoys figures, how’s 36 24 36 for accuracy?

and that is just one of my thighs

[Manoverboard]

Just to be clear you feel there would have been no more deaths in the older generation than there have been had Boris vaccinated the working population instead. In effect this would have rendered them more dispensable but would have protected those who were working.
I know why you said what you did but deaths in the older generation would have increased as an unintended consequence.

And because I am part of that older generation I thought Ken's idea was economically sound but extremely selfish

[Onelife]

The problem with politics today is that candidates are chosen primarily on personality and not on proven capabilities, if the latter were the case then Gove would my choice to replace Boris.

I’m inclined to agree with Sir Merv’s summary of Keir Stamer (post 11296) He’s starting to sound like a long-playing record stuck on the same old tune.

As for his replacement I would look no further than Liza Nandy she is more centre left than the other leading candidates, the others I’m afraid wear their heart on their sleeves, which is a nice characteristic but of no value when it comes to being a leader.

[Onelife]

Just to be clear you feel there would have been no more deaths in the older generation than there have been had Boris vaccinated the working population instead. In effect this would have rendered them more dispensable but would have protected those who were working.
I know why you said what you did but deaths in the older generation would have increased as an unintended consequence.

And because I am part of that older generation I thought Ken's idea was economically sound but extremely selfish

He'd be a good choice for leader then

[towny44]

If I were you, I wouldn’t cast too many stones about character assessment - your undying, uncritical support of Johnson does make me wonder about your character assessment abilities!

Unlike you Gill. and large swathes of the media, I don't require my politicians to be lily white in order to do a satisfactory job. In fact in many ways a flawed character is far more likely to make the right decisions, or change course if he feels he made a wrong choice, and has to be thick skinned enough to weather the criticisms. Having said that I totally disagree with yours and Ken's assessment of Boris, but there are elements of the left wing, and even the right wing media, whose agenda seems to be to get rid of Boris at all costs.

[Kendhni]

And because I am part of that older generation I thought Ken's idea was economically sound but extremely selfish

Why would you think it was selfish? Since I am capable of working remotely it would, if anything have moved me down the pecking order. If anything it is the older generation that has been selfish - they pushed for vaccinations and then spent the next months complaining they had nowhere to go.

[Manoverboard]

Our own children and grandchildren plus all their friends wanted the golden oldies to be jabbed before themselves and especially those who were more vulnerable, that was for me an unselfish thought. Conversely your consideration was about pecking orders ... for me that is a selfish thought.

I explained as requested, no more and no less.

[david63]

they pushed for vaccinations

I don't particularly recall the "older generation" pushing for vaccinations - it was possibly the Government/NHS suggestions but ultimately it was the decision of the JCVI. The main group that were pushing for vaccinations, as I recall, was teachers.

[Mervyn and Trish]

And a lot of teachers are of the generation who've resisted vaccinations now they are available.

[Kendhni]

they pushed for vaccinations

I don't particularly recall the "older generation" pushing for vaccinations - it was possibly the Government/NHS suggestions but ultimately it was the decision of the JCVI. The main group that were pushing for vaccinations, as I recall, was teachers.

Teachers would have been a more useful use of vaccines in the early days (as well as health workers).
There were many instances of the elderly selfishly expecting to be vaccinated first on the news and across social media

[Ray B]

Crap, Ken and you know it. It was all for a news story to kick off the vaccination program

[barney]

Rishi Sunak is

I agree. And he's got more chance than Sir Hindsight.

You can get 6/4 about Boris being replaced as prime minister in 2021… not that those odds would tempt me, but give me the same odds to be rid of him in 2022 then I would lump on.

I said the day after he won the last election, that in my opinion, Johnson would not lead the Conservatives into the next election, and would do well to survive until 2022.
He was the perfect situational politician, but they never survive long term.
It was clear going into the 2019 election that the majority had had enough of the minority trying to overturn the Brexit vote and his very simple slogan of Get Brexit Done hit the right note and gave him an unassailable majority that will take the opposition a generation to overtake.

There was a myth put out there by the media that most Labour voters were remainers.
I know many Labour members and voters and I didn't know hardly any who were.
It was a massive miscalculation as the election showed.

Many traditional Tory voters (probably a few on this forum) couldn't bring themselves to vote Conservative, due to them respecting the vote, so either abstained or did a token protest by voting Libdem, which obviously suited the Tories.

Johnson was the right person for the moment, but is constantly exposed for what he actually is.
A bit of a chancer who's done pretty well for himself.
Labour will be praying that he stays in position but accept that it's unlikely long term.

[oldbluefox]

Boris was the ideal man for getting Brexit over the line after the woeful performance of TM who, to my mind, was a sheep in wolf's clothing. There are stronger candidates for the leadership of the party and I anticipate once we get clear of this pandemic moves will be made. Nobody wants to take over this poisoned chalice of a pandemic so I believe they will wait.
Not recommending for PM but I do like the style of Penny Mordaunt. Seeing her tear into Ian Blackford and Angela Rayner she is not one to be toyed with.

[CaroleF]

There's a lot of comment in the press this morning about Dominic Cummings' interview with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday. I didn't see it. One comment I read is that he even managed to surprise her with some of his answers. Was it worth listening to? Normally I can't stand listening to either of them, have I missed something?

Carole

[barney]

There's a lot of comment in the press this morning about Dominic Cummings' interview with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday. I didn't see it. One comment I read is that he even managed to surprise her with some of his answers. Was it worth listening to? Normally I can't stand listening to either of them, have I missed something?

Carole

Not missed much Carole.
Basically Cummings promoting Cummings with lots of unsubstantiated stories that cannot be proven or disproven.
One irony was manipulator Cummings complaining about manipulator Mrs Johnson
He’s made himself unemployable for life.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Too right Barney. Who in their right mind would now employ such a duplicitous, scheming, disloyal weasel?

I imagine he's writing a book in the hope of flogging it to the Boris Bashers and all.the rest of this is publicity build up. Personally I think he'll be surprised by the lack of interest and any such book will end up as recycled toilet paper very quickly, exactly as he deserves.

[Kendhni]

Who in their right mind would now employ such a duplicitous, scheming, disloyal weasel?

Johnson or Cummings? Both match the description.

[Kendhni]

Crap, Ken and you know it. It was all for a news story to kick off the vaccination program

I do not know the motives of the many elderly posters on social media and appearances in news broadcasts making up lists to suit themselves.
I was simply taking the posters/interviewees at their word but you might be right, maybe it was more about a news story than selfish elderly.

The only difference with me is that my suggestion, if anything, would have disadvantaged me .. but apparently putting others first makes you selfish in some peoples minds.

[oldbluefox]

Some people put forward ideas which would have impacted on death rates in the elderly but then criticise Boris for much the same outcome. They contradict themselves and don't realise they are doing it or try to wheedle their way out of it. It's not just the politicians.