Current Affairs

[Kendhni]

A bit of good news
https://uk.yahoo.com/russia-ukraine-lat ... 46328.html

Looks like the Ukrainians have stood up and are pushing the mighty Russian army back... almost single handedly. Fantastic resolve and dedication to their country, led by a true leader.

[towny44]

Agreed ... I have always said it was not about parties ... especially since I am sure most of the population bent/broke the rules when it suited them ... it was about the incessant lies, incompetence and misinformation streaming out of number 10.

For me it's the law breaking by the people who made the laws while the vast majority of us were doing the right thing. They made mugs of us all.

Then , if that wasn't enough, it's the lying afterwards to misdirect and cover it up. Johnson misled the House of Commons and that's a resignation matter. No ifs, no buts

Exactly, look at the dichotomy between the dignity and following of guidance shown by the Queen at Philips funeral versus those who apparently felt the rules did not apply to them

Whilst agreeing that the Royals handling of the D of E funeral was completely at variance with Downing streets Xmas parties, I would suggest that if Xmas in Downing street had been live on TV then things would have been handled differently.

[Kendhni]

Whilst agreeing that the Royals handling of the D of E funeral was completely at variance with Downing streets Xmas parties, I would suggest that if Xmas in Downing street had been live on TV then things would have been handled differently.

Johnson would still claim it didn't happen in his daily apology briefings

[towny44]

Whilst agreeing that the Royals handling of the D of E funeral was completely at variance with Downing streets Xmas parties, I would suggest that if Xmas in Downing street had been live on TV then things would have been handled differently.

Johnson would still claim it didn't happen in his daily apology briefings

Reasonable point but content edited to

I think we all know opinions of him by now, and repetition is not going to change anyone's mind.

[Kendhni]

At the minute it looks like the commies cannot be trusted ...
"It's a trap, it's a trap", Admiral Ackbar

[Kendhni]

I think it is a shame that what should have been a memorial service and celebration of the life of the Duke of Edinburgh has been hijacked and turned into a media circus around a single headline of Andrews role ('The pain ... The stain'). I really don't know what the Queen or her advisors were thinking, she is usually much more media savvy than this.

[oldbluefox]

I think it's a shame that the media decided they would hijack the reports on the memorial service by bringing up Andrew's misdemeanours. This was a day when we remembered HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, it was a day when friends and family could gather and pay their respects, something they couldn't do during the pandemic. I find it quite distasteful that the media chose to taint the day by harping on about Andrew.
Much as we abhor his actions in the past he has literally had to pay for them and it's time to move on. Ultimately he is Philip's son and he had every right to be there to honour his father.

[Onelife]

Fair Comment Foxy, but I also agree with Ken’s point…”I really don't know what the Queen or her advisors were thinking, she is usually much more media savvy than this”.

[oldbluefox]

I think it tells you more about the media than the Queen.

[Stephen]

Fair Comment Foxy, but I also agree with Ken’s point…”I really don't know what the Queen or her advisors were thinking, she is usually much more media savvy than this”.

Your treading on dangerous ground mentioning the Queen in that tone Keefy old chap. People have died for less

[CaroleF]

If the Queen wanted Andrew to accompany her from Windsor and help her walk towards her seat then that is what should happen. Who are we to say she should have been more media savvy on the day that she attends her husband's memorial service with most of her immediate family? If it hadn't been what she wanted it wouldn't have happened. I'd like to see any of her advisors tell her she couldn't have Andrew by her side if that's what she wanted. She's obeyed all the rules set by the Government as far as media restrictions are concerned. We've only to look back to the picture of her at Prince Philip's funeral, this was her day, executed in the way she wanted.

Carole

[Manoverboard]

Her Maj is a long serving Monarch who has devoted her life to Service and Duty, at the very least she deserves understanding and respect from everybody on such a day.

[Gill W]

I don’t know what the media have been saying about this, as I haven’t looked.

Personally, I think the role of escorting the Queen would have fallen more naturally to Charles, as her eldest child. Seeing Andrew in such a prominent role seemed rather jarring after what’s happened

[Mervyn and Trish]

Her late husband, her son, her choice, her business and no-one else's is my view. No-one other than Andrew and his accuser know the full truth of what happened years ago. He has paid the price, literally, and is condemned in many of the publics' eyes. Maybe she, as any mother probably would, is prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe his version of events.

[towny44]

Fair Comment Foxy, but I also agree with Ken’s point…”I really don't know what the Queen or her advisors were thinking, she is usually much more media savvy than this”.

She might be the Queen first and foremost, to us, but she is mainly a mother to her children, and Andrew has always been her favourite, and personally I thought there was nothing wrong with him escorting and helping her into the Abbey.

[oldbluefox]

I saw nothing wrong with Andrew escorting her.
Time to move on or is he going to be stalked for the rest of his days by a tawdry Press whose only interest is in selling papers? He has had his personal life exposed to all and sundry in the media; he has settled the claims against him and has been humiliatingly stripped of all of his military titles, yet still the media hound him. Of course this doesn't just affect Andrew (whom I agree has been exceptionally foolish and gets no sympathy from me) but I ask what the Queen and his daughters must feel when they continue to see headlines such as those.
Give the man and his family a break or are the Press going to squeal every time the man puts his head above the parapet. It's done now.

[Manoverboard]

Perhaps the Queen's chose Andrew in her knowledge that this is his last ' Royal ' role ?

[Kendhni]

Perhaps the Queen's chose Andrew in her knowledge that this is his last ' Royal ' role ?

If some 'royal insiders' are to be believed then it appears queenie may be about to bestow new honours on Andy.
Depending on what, when and how, that could be a PR disaster that substantially forwards the republican agenda.

[Onelife]

Fair Comment Foxy, but I also agree with Ken’s point…”I really don't know what the Queen or her advisors were thinking, she is usually much more media savvy than this”.

She might be the Queen first and foremost, to us, but she is mainly a mother to her children, and Andrew has always been her favourite, and personally I thought there was nothing wrong with him escorting and helping her into the Abbey.

I have already agreed with Foxy’s comments regarding Andrew’s attendance; however, the Royals were bloody foolish if they couldn’t foresee which way the media would take it with the Queen propping up her son.

Long live the Queen and then let’s be done with the lot of them

[oldbluefox]

I don't actually think the Queen gives a tuppenny fig what the media think about it. It just exposes what a scandal mongering tribe of hypocrites they are who will do anything to sell a paper.

[Kendhni]

... the Royals were bloody foolish if they couldn’t foresee which way the media would take it with the Queen propping up her son.

Based on the comments on the news this morning, several royals had raised concerns about this prior to the service ... that would imply that it was planned. However on another news channel it was reported as unplanned; and on yet another it was reported that Andy took it on himself to provide an arm to mumsy.

All-in-all, as I started by saying, it is a shame that whatever led up to this obvious PR fubar, it has over shadowed the real reason for the service.

[Kendhni]

I don't actually think the Queen gives a tuppenny fig what the media think about it. It just exposes what a scandal mongering tribe of hypocrites they are who will do anything to sell a paper.

Are you talking about the royals or the media there

[Onelife]

There are those who believe the Royal family is full of hypocrites which is why they draw so much attention on themselves.

[oldbluefox]

I don't actually think the Queen gives a tuppenny fig what the media think about it. It just exposes what a scandal mongering tribe of hypocrites they are who will do anything to sell a paper.

Are you talking about the royals or the media there

Sorry for the confusion. I didn't realise the Queen sold newspapers

[towny44]

I don't actually think the Queen gives a tuppenny fig what the media think about it. It just exposes what a scandal mongering tribe of hypocrites they are who will do anything to sell a paper.

Are you talking about the royals or the media there

Sorry for the confusion. I didn't realise the Queen sold newspapers

I think Ken might be confusing the Queen with big Betty his big issue seller.