Current Affairs

[Mervyn and Trish]

I notice a sceptical tone in the way it is reported in the media. Not "Andrew has Covid." But phrases like "According to the Palace......."

[oldbluefox]

On a lighter note what a wonderful trooping the colour yesterday. The pomp and pageantry were magnificent showing the best of our forces. What a spectacle! Made you proud to be British.

[Stephen]

We know how to put on a show

[oldbluefox]

The lads dun good!!!

[Ranchi]

I read on a FB cruise page that some poor lad who did his pre cruise lateral flow test a day early this week. I must admit I could empathise with him as for most of yesterday I was convinced it was Friday & not Thursday. The two (or four) day Bank Holiday starting on a Thursday really threw my body clock. For most of my early life I was used to football games being played on a Saturday afternoon or a Wednesday evening. When Sunday matches came along it really threw my subconscious body calendar into the mixer as I had to go to work the next day. Monday night matches weren’t so bad (despite the drive home usually taking until about 11:30) as the remainder of the week seemed to fly over. As for Thursday night matches followed by Sunday…oh dear!
Are others subconsciously affected by routine changes, or is it just me?

[Mervyn and Trish]

I've been confused since I retired and don't have to get up for work on weekdays. And you're right Bank Holidays are a further complication.

[barney]

I stopped working at 60 and every day since has been a holiday

[Ray B]

I've been confused since I retired and don't have to get up for work on weekdays. And you're right Bank Holidays are a further complication.

Merv, everyday is a bank Holiday to you now, the difference being is when those who would normally be at work, have a day off and clog the roads.
Trust that helps with the confusion.

[Ray B]

We do do it well when it comes to national events like no other country. Starting of with 1st Battalion The Irish Guards who's color was trooped, and the Queen on the Palace balcony ending the day with the Her Majesty pressing the "Commonwealth Globe of Nations," to light the tree of trees, an interesting connection from winsor 20 miles to London.
As an aside Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster who organized the Queens lighting of the beacons over the years, this was his final event into retirement.
A church service today and the big party/concert tomorrow.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I think the events so far have been magnificent.

On the downside, whatever you may think of him, I was appalled by the bad manners of those who choose to boo and jeer Boris on his arrival at St Pauls. Not the time or place.

But more positively I was very impressed by the speed and no nonsense action of the police when they swiftly removed would be protesters from The Mall yesterday. Just a shame they don't take the same decisive approach when protesters block other roads and motorways, causing chaos for ordinary people. Take an example from the Jubilee and bundle them off the the cells and discuss it later!

[david63]

I was very impressed by the speed and no nonsense action of the police when they swiftly removed would be protesters from The Mall yesterday

The protestors were lucky that one, or more, of the armed forces didn't shoot first and ask questions later

[oldbluefox]

I doubt the soldiers would break step. The police saved the protesters from a good trampling.

What is wrong with these people who have nothing positive of their own to highlight their cause but choose to spoil the activities of others?

[Gill W]

On the downside, whatever you may think of him, I was appalled by the bad manners of those who choose to boo and jeer Boris on his arrival at St Pauls. Not the time or place.

If he's lost the support of the flag waving royalists, then it looks like the game's up for Boris....... although he'll hang by his fingers tips however damaging it is for the country

PS, I like Carrie's hats, designed so that she doesn't have to look at him!

[screwy]

Did our antigen tests this morning,daughter worked miracle’s uploading them. The dogs weren’t happy having a stick shoved up their nose but at least they were negative.!

Drove down to premier inn Cirencester via Ledbury (BIL ). Roads extremely quiet for a bank holiday. A49/417.

Got to pass a few hours before going to the docks, 3-15 check in.Will look for a national trust etc.

[oldbluefox]

If he's lost the support of the flag waving royalists, then it looks like the game's up for Boris.......

What a strange post.
You're assuming all royalists will be Tory supporters.
You're also assuming those who booed were representative of all royalists.

The only people who will determine Boris's fate will be the members of his party. Flag waving royalists who boo will be irrelevant in this process.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Never let the facts get in the way of a bashing opportunity.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I doubt people who turn up to boo at a Royal celebration are royalists. More likely the same sort of leftie anarchists who were on The Mall yesterday.

[towny44]

I am still to be convinced that there is any seniorTory MP who will be able to rouse the same desire in the electorate to vote conservative in a general election except Boris. In which case it would be suicide for the party to seriously contemplate a change of leadership.

[Gill W]

If he's lost the support of the flag waving royalists, then it looks like the game's up for Boris.......

What a strange post.
You're assuming all royalists will be Tory supporters.
You're also assuming those who booed were representative of all royalists.

The only people who will determine Boris's fate will be the members of his party. Flag waving royalists who boo will be irrelevant in this process.

What a strange post, when you presume to know what I'm thinking. As usual, you are completely wrong.

It is true that the only people who will determine Johnson's fate are of his own party - but nothing happens in isolation. His MP's will have noted his reception yesterday, and it might influence them regarding submitting letters of no confidence or a no confidence votes.

Never let the facts get in the way of a bashing opportunity.

Ah that tired old trope of accusations of 'Boris Bashing', designed to minimise anything that I say.

I doubt people who turn up to boo at a Royal celebration are royalists. More likely the same sort of leftie anarchists who were on The Mall yesterday.

Are you really suggesting that a large group of 'leftie anarchists disguised themselves as children and home counties grandmothers to infiltrate the crowd with the sole aim of booing Boris Johnson, and to cheer everyone else including Harry and Meghan? (which must be very galling for some on this forum)

I am still to be convinced that there is any seniorTory MP who will be able to rouse the same desire in the electorate to vote conservative in a general election except Boris. In which case it would be suicide for the party to seriously contemplate a change of leadership.

It is true that there is a dearth of talent in the parliamentary Conservative party, Most of the decent/talented Tory MP's are long gone. However, it might be suicide for them to keep Johnson as leader. The photo of the Queen alone at her husband funeral cuts deep, with the contrast of the partying the night before in Downing Street. Johnson, in many peoples eyes, aided and abetted they party culture. As seen yesterday, when Johnson is placed in front of a crowd that is not carefully curated, ordinary people took the opportunity to express their feelings. This was a crowd who were there to celebrate a happy event, so their reaction was very jarring and notable.

[towny44]

I am still to be convinced that there is any seniorTory MP who will be able to rouse the same desire in the electorate to vote conservative in a general election except Boris. In which case it would be suicide for the party to seriously contemplate a change of leadership.

It is true that there is a dearth of talent in the parliamentary Conservative party, Most of the decent/talented Tory MP's are long gone. However, it might be suicide for them to keep Johnson as leader. The photo of the Queen alone at her husband funeral cuts deep, with the contrast of the partying the night before in Downing Street. Johnson, in many peoples eyes, aided and abetted they party culture. As seen yesterday, when Johnson is placed in front of a crowd that is not carefully curated, ordinary people took the opportunity to express their feelings. This was a crowd who were there to celebrate a happy event, so their reaction was very jarring and notable.

I rather think you over estimate the number of voters who will change their vote as a result of partygate. Yes there are lots of noisy people on social media making these claims, but I suspect only a tiny percentage are likely to be Tory voters.

[Manoverboard]

Interesting that the Sussexes were the only Royals, second tier or otherwise, who failed to turn up at the Guildhall reception for her Maj. Fat chance of reconciliation between the brothers even though carrying a chip can destroy one's mental health.

[oldbluefox]

It is true that the only people who will determine Johnson's fate are of his own party - but nothing happens in isolation. His MP's will have noted his reception yesterday, and it might influence them regarding submitting letters of no confidence or a no confidence votes.

I feel sure that 359 Tory MPs will have been watching the television yesterday and thought to themselves " Did you hear the boos? Do you know what? I think we had better get rid of Boris pdq".

Boris will not be the first MP of either persuasion to have been booed or heckled and he won't be the last but do you seriously think those boos will influence his MPs? I think they are more savvy than that.

[Gill W]

I rather think you over estimate the number of voters who will change their vote as a result of partygate. Yes there are lots of noisy people on social media making these claims, but I suspect only a tiny percentage are likely to be Tory voters.

There's a couple of by-elections on 23rd June in Tiverton and Wakefield. Two different types of constituencies, both held by the Conservatives. The outcome of these by elections could be an indicator of how people are feeling.

(although I'm sure someone will come along soon to say 'by elections don't matter )

Boris will not be the first MP of either persuasion to have been booed or heckled and he won't be the last but do you seriously think those boos will influence his MPs? I think they are more savvy than that.

I've no doubt many many will continue to bury their heads in the sand or to defend the indefensible. But, who knows, maybe there's still some left with a backbone

[oldbluefox]

You are more naive than I thought if you believe those boos will influence the Tory MPs. In the real world it doesn't work like that but you are obviously convinced it does.

[Mervyn and Trish]

One of the experts the BBC
had on yesterday talking about the Jubilee was Dr Anna Keay. Her parents really weren't thinking were they?