Not The Politics Thread.

[chapero82]

4 hours ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Demonise certain demographics in a way that appeals to the working class in addition to the traditional upper classes

Sad but true 

[Buce]

 

Boris Johnson and staff pictured with wine in Downing Street garden in May 2020

Boris Johnson has been pictured with wine and cheese alongside his wife and up to 17 staff in the Downing Street garden during lockdown, raising questions over No 10’s insistence it constituted a “work meeting”.

The photograph was shared with the Guardian following No 10’s denial last week that there was a social event on Friday 15 May 2020 including wine, spirits and pizza inside and outside the building. Johnson’s spokesman said Downing Street staff were working in the garden in the afternoon and evening.

However, the picture raises questions over that assertion. Bottles of wine are in evidence, there is a lack of social distancing and 19 people are gathered in groups across the Downing Street terrace and lawn.

At the time social mixing between households was limited to two people, who could only meet outdoors and at a distance of at least 2 metres. In workplaces, guidance said in-person meetings should only take place if “absolutely necessary”.

Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour party, described the picture as “a slap in the face of the British public”, adding: “The prime minister consistently shows us he has no regard for the rules he puts in place for the rest of us. Alleged drinking and partying late into the evening [at No 10] when the rest of us were only recently getting one daily walk.”

The prime minister has faced a string of allegations of partying and socialising in No 10 while Covid restrictions were in place. He was forced to order a civil service inquiry, though its head stepped down on Friday over allegations of his own Christmas party.

The past week has been described as the worst of the prime minister’s premiership, with a major rebellion by Conservative MPs over Covid regulations followed by a historic byelection defeat and the shock departure of the Brexit minister, Lord Frost.

In the new image shared with the Guardian, Boris Johnson and Carrie, who appears to be holding their newborn baby, are seen sitting around a table with a cheeseboard and wine, along with two people believed to be a civil servant and an aide. Last week No 10 said Johnson was working in the garden before retiring to his flat at 7pm.

On that day Matt Hancock, then health secretary, had given a 5pm press conference urging people to stick to the rules and not take advantage of the good weather over the May weekend to socialise in groups.

At the time schools were still shut and pubs and restaurants were closed, with strict controls on social mixing. More people had been allowed to return to their workplaces, but guidance said social distancing of 2 metres should be followed at all times and “only absolutely necessary participants should attend meetings and should maintain 2-metre separation throughout”.

The Guardian reported last week, as part of a joint investigation with the Independent, that Johnson had been present for an alleged social gathering in Downing Street on 15 May 2020. Sources said the prime minister had spent about 15 minutes with staff, telling an aide inside No 10 that they deserved a drink for “beating back” coronavirus.

Insiders claimed about 20 staff drank wine and spirits and ate pizza following a press conference on that day, some in offices inside No 10 and others going into the garden. Some staff stayed drinking until late into the evening, they alleged. The sources described the event as having a “celebratory” feel given the initial loosening of some restrictions and the good weather in London that day.

In response, No 10 said Johnson and staff had been working in the garden and made no reference to the allegations of drinking alcohol and socialising. The prime minister’s official spokesperson said last week: “In the summer months Downing Street staff regularly use the garden for some meetings. On 15 May 2020 the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary and his team in the garden following a press conference.

“The prime minister went to his residence shortly after 7pm. A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening.”

Hancock, who was health secretary before he had to resign after breaking social distancing with his aide, Gina Coladangelo, said it was “not true” that he was involved in a social gathering. “After the press conference, which finished at approximately 5.53pm, Matt debriefed his own team, then went to the Downing Street garden to debrief the prime minister. He left Downing Street at 6.32pm and went back to the Department for Health and Social Care,” Hancock’s spokesperson said. There is no suggestion he was drinking or stayed late.

In light of the new picture, it is understood No 10 maintains that people drinking at work was not against regulations at the time. A Downing Street spokesperson said on Sunday: “As we said last week, work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months. On this occasion there were staff meetings after a No 10 press conference.

“Downing Street is the prime minister’s home as well as his workplace. The prime minister’s wife lives in No 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden.”

There have been a string of accusations that Downing Street staff broke rules by having Christmas parties, with the prime minister presiding over a Zoom quiz and giving a speech at a leaving do.

Johnson ordered an investigation after a video was leaked to ITV showing aides laughing about a Christmas party with wine and cheese, and suggesting passing it off as a business meeting. Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, stepped down from leading that investigation after it emerged his own office had held a Christmas party, and has been replaced by another senior civil servant, Sue Gray.

Rayner said: “This picture is utterly heartbreaking to see for the people that spent the first wave of the pandemic on the frontline of our health service, desperately missing their loved ones, enduring loneliness, missing funerals …

“Every day that passes seems to add another event to Sue Gray’s growing list of investigations into alleged unlawful gatherings in Downing Street. Boris Johnson’s government is run with the attitude that it is one rule for them, and another for everyone else. He is totally unfit to lead our country.”

 

 

 

Edited 19 December 2021 by Buce

[Tielemans63]

8 hours ago, ealingfox said:

What an utter crock of shit Brexit is. A complete con and yet another spineless tosser runs away from their own bullshit rather than deal with it.

 

Well at least they've picked the ideal person to takeover the negotiations 

[Daggers]

On 18/12/2021 at 15:46, FoxesDeb said:

…any burning issues affecting my daughter in the UK…

Clearly, the location of the Kop is the most pressing one but I doubt she’s given it much consideration to date.

[weller54]

4 hours ago, Tielemans63 said:

Well at least they've picked the ideal person to takeover the negotiations 

 

[weller54]

[Jon the Hat]

4 hours ago, Buce said:

 

Boris Johnson and staff pictured with wine in Downing Street garden in May 2020

Boris Johnson has been pictured with wine and cheese alongside his wife and up to 17 staff in the Downing Street garden during lockdown, raising questions over No 10’s insistence it constituted a “work meeting”.

The photograph was shared with the Guardian following No 10’s denial last week that there was a social event on Friday 15 May 2020 including wine, spirits and pizza inside and outside the building. Johnson’s spokesman said Downing Street staff were working in the garden in the afternoon and evening.

However, the picture raises questions over that assertion. Bottles of wine are in evidence, there is a lack of social distancing and 19 people are gathered in groups across the Downing Street terrace and lawn.

At the time social mixing between households was limited to two people, who could only meet outdoors and at a distance of at least 2 metres. In workplaces, guidance said in-person meetings should only take place if “absolutely necessary”.

Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour party, described the picture as “a slap in the face of the British public”, adding: “The prime minister consistently shows us he has no regard for the rules he puts in place for the rest of us. Alleged drinking and partying late into the evening [at No 10] when the rest of us were only recently getting one daily walk.”

The prime minister has faced a string of allegations of partying and socialising in No 10 while Covid restrictions were in place. He was forced to order a civil service inquiry, though its head stepped down on Friday over allegations of his own Christmas party.

The past week has been described as the worst of the prime minister’s premiership, with a major rebellion by Conservative MPs over Covid regulations followed by a historic byelection defeat and the shock departure of the Brexit minister, Lord Frost.

In the new image shared with the Guardian, Boris Johnson and Carrie, who appears to be holding their newborn baby, are seen sitting around a table with a cheeseboard and wine, along with two people believed to be a civil servant and an aide. Last week No 10 said Johnson was working in the garden before retiring to his flat at 7pm.

On that day Matt Hancock, then health secretary, had given a 5pm press conference urging people to stick to the rules and not take advantage of the good weather over the May weekend to socialise in groups.

At the time schools were still shut and pubs and restaurants were closed, with strict controls on social mixing. More people had been allowed to return to their workplaces, but guidance said social distancing of 2 metres should be followed at all times and “only absolutely necessary participants should attend meetings and should maintain 2-metre separation throughout”.

The Guardian reported last week, as part of a joint investigation with the Independent, that Johnson had been present for an alleged social gathering in Downing Street on 15 May 2020. Sources said the prime minister had spent about 15 minutes with staff, telling an aide inside No 10 that they deserved a drink for “beating back” coronavirus.

Insiders claimed about 20 staff drank wine and spirits and ate pizza following a press conference on that day, some in offices inside No 10 and others going into the garden. Some staff stayed drinking until late into the evening, they alleged. The sources described the event as having a “celebratory” feel given the initial loosening of some restrictions and the good weather in London that day.

In response, No 10 said Johnson and staff had been working in the garden and made no reference to the allegations of drinking alcohol and socialising. The prime minister’s official spokesperson said last week: “In the summer months Downing Street staff regularly use the garden for some meetings. On 15 May 2020 the prime minister held a series of meetings throughout the afternoon, including briefly with the then health and care secretary and his team in the garden following a press conference.

“The prime minister went to his residence shortly after 7pm. A small number of staff required to be in work remained in the Downing Street garden for part of the afternoon and evening.”

Hancock, who was health secretary before he had to resign after breaking social distancing with his aide, Gina Coladangelo, said it was “not true” that he was involved in a social gathering. “After the press conference, which finished at approximately 5.53pm, Matt debriefed his own team, then went to the Downing Street garden to debrief the prime minister. He left Downing Street at 6.32pm and went back to the Department for Health and Social Care,” Hancock’s spokesperson said. There is no suggestion he was drinking or stayed late.

In light of the new picture, it is understood No 10 maintains that people drinking at work was not against regulations at the time. A Downing Street spokesperson said on Sunday: “As we said last week, work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months. On this occasion there were staff meetings after a No 10 press conference.

“Downing Street is the prime minister’s home as well as his workplace. The prime minister’s wife lives in No 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden.”

There have been a string of accusations that Downing Street staff broke rules by having Christmas parties, with the prime minister presiding over a Zoom quiz and giving a speech at a leaving do.

Johnson ordered an investigation after a video was leaked to ITV showing aides laughing about a Christmas party with wine and cheese, and suggesting passing it off as a business meeting. Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, stepped down from leading that investigation after it emerged his own office had held a Christmas party, and has been replaced by another senior civil servant, Sue Gray.

Rayner said: “This picture is utterly heartbreaking to see for the people that spent the first wave of the pandemic on the frontline of our health service, desperately missing their loved ones, enduring loneliness, missing funerals …

“Every day that passes seems to add another event to Sue Gray’s growing list of investigations into alleged unlawful gatherings in Downing Street. Boris Johnson’s government is run with the attitude that it is one rule for them, and another for everyone else. He is totally unfit to lead our country.”

 

 

 

Oh my god! People running the country relax in their work bubble.  Ffs this is getting tedious.

[danny.]

6 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

Oh my god! People running the country relax in their work bubble.  Ffs this is getting tedious.

That is absolutely not the point as you well know 

[Jon the Hat]

4 minutes ago, danny. said:

That is absolutely not the point as you well know 

And what is the point?  Letting Dominic Cummings take down the government for personal reasons while there are more important things to worry about?

[danny.]

7 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

And what is the point?  Letting Dominic Cummings take down the government for personal reasons while there are more important things to worry about?

Jesus. Just imagine it was Labour not following the rules - imagine what you’d say about that - now apply that to this government and you have your answer. 

[Jon the Hat]

Just now, danny. said:

Jesus. Just imagine it was Labour not following the rules - imagine what you’d say about that - now apply that to this government and you have your answer. 

Glad to see you are well up on the rules about essential workers mixing in a bubble.  Christmas party is crossing the line, but this is just silly.

[danny.]

Just now, Jon the Hat said:

Glad to see you are well up on the rules about essential workers mixing in a bubble.  Christmas party is crossing the line, but this is just silly.

Not many people are going to buy that was an essential work meeting. I’m not sure even you do, deep down. 

[Kasey Keller]

He needs to walk 

getting pretty untenable for Bozza

[Jon the Hat]

32 minutes ago, danny. said:

Not many people are going to buy that was an essential work meeting. I’m not sure even you do, deep down. 

I didn’t say that, I said it was a group of people who work very closely together relaxing in their bubble at work.  Where is the risk exactly? Has anyone else been criticised or even had a police warning in this situation?

[The Horse's Mouth]

39 minutes ago, danny. said:

Not many people are going to buy that was an essential work meeting. I’m not sure even you do, deep down. 

I don't think many people will give a toss tbh

[urban.spaceman]

9 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

I've never voted Conservative. And yet I'm probably the sort of Labour/Green/LibDem voter that more traditional Labour voters sneer at, although I will concede that my family and background is conservative in nature, if not in political intent. If we had PR, I'd vote more honestly than FPTP allows me to.

 

It is only now that I'm old/mature enough to recognise that not all Tories were/are bad, and it is really shown by the heinous bunch of amoral crooks in charge right now - suddenly, the difference between them and people of genuine good intent and principle (such as Ken Clarke, John Major or Dominic Grieve) is made starkly obvious. I happen to be baffled when people such as those named align themselves to the Tory party, but then we all have our reasons and social pressures, and those reasons don't stop the basic human decency of great individuals.

 

I guess I'm saying this because some Tory voters here are wanting the best of their party back, and I'm saying 'it's gone, never to return'. In my opinion, your party sold its soul when Cameron caved into the baying right over Brexit, and his arrogance and stupidity will have its echoes in our society for generations to come. The sooner this is realised and you move your votes, rather than doubling down and making yourself look even more gullible, the better for us all - again, my opinion rather than anything else.

This is one thing I absolutely loathed about the Corbyn era. The demonisation of the whole of the opposition is just so ****ing childish and counterproductive. Not just the Momentum types with T-shirts and signs saying Never Kissed a Tory etc, but people like John McDonnell, a fully grown man in his 60s, saying he could never be friends with a Tory. How the **** are you supposed to attract votes from people who usually vote the other way when you talk to them like this? Look at how ‘basket of deplorables’ turned out for Clinton.  

 

That’s thankfully mostly gone away under Starmer though I was annoyed that Angela Rayner resorted to calling them Tory Scum when making extremely valid criticisms. I do like her in terms of values, background and potential for government and I felt she was above that. And obviously she’d have to make a big ****ing U turn when David Amess ends up being murdered. 

[Tommy Fresh]

5 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

I didn’t say that, I said it was a group of people who work very closely together relaxing in their bubble at work.  Where is the risk exactly? Has anyone else been criticised or even had a police warning in this situation?

So if it was okay to be relaxing with those you work closely with, surely that means all the restrictions and measures put in place (in offices etc) were pointless? 

[Tommy Fresh]

5 hours ago, The Horse's Mouth said:

I don't think many people will give a toss tbh

Probably do hence why it's getting discussed quite a bit 

[CosbehFox]

7 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

I didn’t say that, I said it was a group of people who work very closely together relaxing in their bubble at work.  Where is the risk exactly? Has anyone else been criticised or even had a police warning in this situation?

I’d see your point if we talking about May this year or August/September 2020.
 

But it was May 2020 when the rules were at their most strict and information was little about the virus. Office work as per the govt was subject to either working from home or distancing etc. One rule for them….

[weller54]

5 hours ago, urban.spaceman said:

This is one thing I absolutely loathed about the Corbyn era. The demonisation of the whole of the opposition is just so ****ing childish and counterproductive. Not just the Momentum types with T-shirts and signs saying Never Kissed a Tory etc, but people like John McDonnell, a fully grown man in his 60s, saying he could never be friends with a Tory. How the **** are you supposed to attract votes from people who usually vote the other way when you talk to them like this? Look at how ‘basket of deplorables’ turned out for Clinton.  

 

That’s thankfully mostly gone away under Starmer though I was annoyed that Angela Rayner resorted to calling them Tory Scum when making extremely valid criticisms. I do like her in terms of values, background and potential for government and I felt she was above that. And obviously she’d have to make a big ****ing U turn when David Amess ends up being murdered. 

 

Johnson is a lying piece of scum!

And so is most of his cabinet.

She was pretty much on the money!

[Voll Blau]

Oh look, the "What's the big deal? It was just one party" brigade are back for the fourth or fifth time now...

[CosbehFox]

Bozza couldn’t even be arsed to turn up to the Cobra meeting on Saturday 

[Strokes]

My memory of the timeline is a little hazy, iirc I had just about returned to work. 
Basically everyone was behind a screen, face masks had not been made mandatory yet? Meetings were on zoom or teams, face to face contact was avoided as much as possible.

We couldn’t meet anyone, even on park benches.

Basically that photo is a complete affront to the efforts of the nation and remember not long before this photo, Johnson and most of his cabinet had contracted the virus and spread it around.

Its deplorable and indefensible.

[ARM1968]

9 hours ago, danny. said:

Jesus. Just imagine it was Labour not following the rules - imagine what you’d say about that - now apply that to this government and you have your answer. 

It doesn’t really matter who is running the country. They are all compromised. We have an illusion of democracy that is just good enough to keep us divided. Has no one ever stood back and wondered why we have political parties that we can side with against our fellows, then feel smug when one side or the other wins?

[danny.]