Current Affairs

[oldbluefox]

Of course it is although some find difficulty in accepting it. The problem in this instance was timing. The amendment should have been proposed after Paterson had served his 30 day suspension.

[Onelife]

Of course it is although some find difficulty in accepting it. The problem in this instance was timing. The amendment should have been proposed after Paterson had served his 30 day suspension.

Agree...and his constituency will have the final say.

[screwy]

Hook,line and sinker.

Too easy.

[Mervyn and Trish]

For those who think sleaze is a Tory phenomenon just Google Labour sleaze

#rosetintedspectacles

[Gill W]

More #whataboutery

Why would I have #rosetintedspectacles when it comes to the Labour Party, when I’m not even a Labour supporter.

It seems that, to some people, it’s more important to bang bring up past Labour wrongdoing than acknowledge corruption in our current government. It would make more sense if Claudia Webbe’s name had been brought up.

In answer to my question this morning, when I asked if people are REALLY ok with what happened yesterday ( and what’s happened today ) I have to conclude that yes, some people are completely comfortable with the situation.

So I will continue to wait and see at what point those people finally think to themselves ‘this isn’t right’, and admit it in public.

[screwy]

The point is. Were you so outraged and vociferous about other parties sleaze etc as you are about this government,simple question, Yes or No.?

[Mervyn and Trish]

More #whataboutery

Why would I have #rosetintedspectacles when it comes to the Labour Party, when I’m not even a Labour supporter.

It seems that, to some people, it’s more important to bang bring up past Labour wrongdoing than acknowledge corruption in our current government. It would make more sense if Claudia Webbe’s name had been brought up.

In answer to my question this morning, when I asked if people are REALLY ok with what happened yesterday ( and what’s happened today ) I have to conclude that yes, some people are completely comfortable with the situation.

So I will continue to wait and see at what point those people finally think to themselves ‘this isn’t right’, and admit it in public.

Who mentioned you specifically? I didn't.

#ifthecapfits

[Kendhni]

More #whataboutery
In answer to my question this morning, when I asked if people are REALLY ok with what happened yesterday ( and what’s happened today ) I have to conclude that yes, some people are completely comfortable with the situation.

I think only a fool would be comfortable with the levels of corruption within the current government, including their total disregard for procedure, nepotism, and refusal to carry out due diligence in most of what it does. A major part of the problem is that Johnson has surrounded himself with "yes men" totally incapable of providing the necessary checks-and-balances.

The lack of any coherent counter argument just leaves the 'straw man'.

[Onelife]

It can only be a matter of time before one of those “Yes men/women” say No. Boris is out of his depth, has no leadership qualities, can’t think on his feet, and lacks good judgment.

If he survives the party will suffer.

[Manoverboard]

He may be as guilty as reported but is it not the case that his wife committed suicide over it ... and yet there are those who still want to milk it to death.

In yesterday's newspaper there was a quote to the effect that his poor lady wife's death had nothing to do with the scandal ....

Impossible to know of course but it is not unusual for one's spouse to be heavily implicated ... with or indeed without their knowledge.

[screwy]

Boris was voted Leader and subsequently PM to do one job,yes the B word, which he did.The rest has been a disaster although COVID hasn’t helped him, I agree he is a buffoon and out of his depth and the time is right for him to go. Who gets the job.?

[Onelife]

Boris was voted Leader and subsequently PM to do one job,yes the B word, which he did.The rest has been a disaster although COVID hasn’t helped him, I agree he is a buffoon and out of his depth and the time is right for him to go. Who gets the job.?

Gove....He's got everything Johnson hasn't got apart from the likability factor....his party need to rise above this and put the best man in the top job.

[Gill W]

The point is. Were you so outraged and vociferous about other parties sleaze etc as you are about this government,simple question, Yes or No.?

I don’t think it’s as simple as a yes or no answer.

In the past, various MPs from all parties have been caught doing underhanded things. Cash for questions in the 90s springs to mind and the more recent MPs expenses scandal.

I certainly condemn wrongdoing by any individual MP, of any party.

In the past, when these scandals happen, there are usually moves within the parliamentary system for reforms to be made, to make it more difficult for a similar scandal to happen in the future.

At present, we have a government that is actively trying to make it easier for corrupt practices to occur. That is what makes me outraged and vociferous, as you put it. I would feel the same if a Labour government were acting in the same way.

[screwy]

Thanks,that all I wanted to know.

[Manoverboard]

Corruption to line one's pockets, at all levels, seems to have been the norm during my lifetime. My first encounter was in the 60s when a number of Northamptonshire Councilors ( who happened to be Builders ) were found be be awarding themselves building contracts ... 60 years on and it still happens in one form or another. Are they really really trying to stamp it out ?

.... outraged from Northamptonshire

A lot of it is seen as added perks, a bit like when Mortgages were +/-15% yet some Local Authority / Bank / Building Society employees were paying two and a quarter percent. Faced with that sort of perceived injustice some would look to identify ' benefits ' in their own place of work ... presumably.

[towny44]

At present, we have a government that is actively trying to make it easier for corrupt practices to occur. That is what makes me outraged and vociferous, as you put it. I would feel the same if a Labour government were acting in the same way.

I have not read a lot about this, but from what I have seen reported the govt were seeking to modify, or indeed create, an appeals procedure, so that an MP had the ability to defend his or herself before any sanction took place.
Which is significantly different to your interpretation above.
I probably agree with you that it should not have tried to do this to enable Owen Patterson to use the new ruling to delay his suspension, which I accept was crass and stupid.

[screwy]

Where’s Guy Fawkes when he’s needed.?

[Gill W]

I have not read a lot about this, but from what I have seen reported the govt were seeking to modify, or indeed create, an appeals procedure, so that an MP had the ability to defend his or herself before any sanction took place.
Which is significantly different to your interpretation above.

As I understand it, the were seeking to get rid of the Independent Standards Commissioner and Standards Committee and replace it with a committee with an inbuilt Tory majority, then rip up the current rules and replace them with whatever they fancy - can't help suspecting that this would mean a lot less scrutiny.

I think this idea of the creation of an appeals procedure might be a red herring - I don't know the ins and outs of it, but I've seen various comment that there is already a right to appeal in the current system.

[towny44]

I think the current appeal is after the sanction has been applied, or at least that was the comment from a tory minister on politics live. Which does seem unfair if true.

[Onelife]

I may be wrong but I don’t think the Standards committee have any appeals process, they are there to look at the evidence then advise the government on their findings. If a government officer/ minister is found to be in breach of Government Ministerial code then the PM after consulting his cabinet decides on what, if any action should be taken. …after which Boris then takes a freebie holiday.

[Gill W]

I’ve been having a rummage around and I can’t see any clear explanation of what the Independent Standards Commissioner process is, but from what I’ve seen I now tend to think there isn’t a formal appeals process. If the government was genuine in wanting to set up an appeals process, I’d expect it to entail an appeal to an independent entity…. Not a committee stuffed with sympathetic Tories.

I still tend to think the idea of an appeals process is a red herring though, and the real aim was to get rid of the independent commissioner

[Kendhni]

I’ve been having a rummage around and I can’t see any clear explanation of what the Independent Standards Commissioner process is, but from what I’ve seen I now tend to think there isn’t a formal appeals process. If the government was genuine in wanting to set up an appeals process, I’d expect it to entail an appeal to an independent entity…. Not a committee stuffed with sympathetic Tories.

I still tend to think the idea of an appeals process is a red herring though, and the real aim was to get rid of the independent commissioner

Over the years, more than one elected politico has informed me "It is not about doing something, it is about being perceived to have done something". That unfortunately is still the mindset within politicians.

[Frank Manning]

Anyway these MPs are the 'eroes of B, along with St Nigel. Untouchable.......Pass my wooden spoon.

[oldbluefox]

Anyway these MPs are the 'eroes of B, along with St Nigel. Untouchable.......

despite the attempts by those who did their best to overturn the result.

Not sure how much longer Boris can survive. Tory backbenchers are getting more and more twitchy.

[barney]

Anyway these MPs are the 'eroes of B, along with St Nigel. Untouchable.......

despite the attempts by those who did their best to overturn the result.

Not sure how much longer Boris can survive. Tory backbenchers are getting more and more twitchy.

I see Johnson as a situational Prime Minister.
He got the job on get Brexit done.
He had a massive election victory with get Brexit done.
I said at the time that I thought it unlikely that he would still be around come the next election and I still stand by that.
He can ride off into the sunset and swell his bank account as ex PM on the speaking circuit.
If John Major gets work, there’s hope for anybody.