Yet more Tory sleaze….

[theclaud]

Forget the party for a minute. Not because I think it's trivial - I don't - but because it doesn't tell us anything we didn't know already about this sh1tshow of a government. It's dominating the news cycle and using up everyone's understandable anger and emotion. Meanwhile Clause 9 of Patel's horrific Borders Bill is in Parliament today, threatening the citizenship of six million people. David Davis has proposed amendments. Tweet at your MP. Use the hashtags #NationalityAndBordersBill. #BordersBill. Write to your MP. Sign the petition.

Step 1: Go to https://writetothem.com Step 2: Put in your postcode. Step 3: Scroll down and click on your MP’s name. Step 4: In the text box, use the Key Points here https://mpacuk.org/nationality-and-borders-bill/

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/601583

 

[glasgowcyclist]

A party which may or may not have happened a year ago is trivial to everyone except bitter knackers like you.

I don't want to assume or put words in your mouth so can you expand a bit on why you think this is trivial?

I mean, in my view, the fact that a group of staff had an office party last Christmas would only be trivial if it were the norm and didn't breach the restrictions or HMG's own guidelines.

How do you feel about it taking place in the context prevalent at the time which was that such gatherings were prohibited and similar gatherings resulted in fines or prosecution? I'll remind everyone that Met Police briefings at that time of Downing Street's party stated:

"Holding large gatherings could be the difference between life and death for someone else. London is in Tier 3. You must not mix inside with anyone who is not in your household or support bubble.​

Do you sympathise with, or at least understand, the strength of feeling from those who could not attend funerals or weddings because of the prevailing restrictions while government staff crowded together in Downing street for a party?

Are you in any way concerned by (to use a phrase of your own) the PM's "wriggling on the hook" over this?

What's your take on the contrasting message of Tier 3 lockdown resulting in Met Police breaking up a wedding of 40 guests while these government staff had a knees up in Downing Street?

This week, the Met Police are in court prosecuting an alleged illegal gathering in a house in Ilford which took place on the same date as that in Downing Street: 18 December 2020. Can you see any contradiction in this?

Do you have any criticism of the government for holding such a party, or their handling of the accusations and questions around it?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Forget the party for a minute. Not because I think it's trivial - I don't - but because it doesn't tell us anything we didn't know already about this sh1tshow of a government. It's dominating the news cycle and using up everyone's understandable anger and emotion. Meanwhile Clause 9 of Patel's horrific Borders Bill is in Parliament today, threatening the citizenship of six million people. David Davis has proposed amendments. Tweet at your MP. Use the hashtags #NationalityAndBordersBill. #BordersBill. Write to your MP. Sign the petition.

Step 1: Go to https://writetothem.com Step 2: Put in your postcode. Step 3: Scroll down and click on your MP’s name. Step 4: In the text box, use the Key Points here https://mpacuk.org/nationality-and-borders-bill/

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/601583

I just got an automated holding response from my MP: UPDATE OCTOBER 2021: My office is currently receiving a huge number of requests for assistance. Unfortunately this means it is taking longer than we would like to respond, so please bear with us. Thank you.

Hard to tell an MP from a snowed-under social services worker. (She's Shadow Minister for Disabled People)

 

[Ian H]

View: https://twitter.com/YesterdaysBrit1/status/1468532561110523906

 

[icowden]

I mean, in my view, the fact that a group of staff had an office party last Christmas would only be trivial if it were the norm and didn't breach the restrictions or HMG's own guidelines.

I think what the pale one alludes to is that in and of itself the Government probably felt that the party was trivial and in the greater scheme of things an office party is of course trivial. Because they thought nothing of it however, what they considered to be trivial may in fact be of great moment.

As well as causing a great deal of upset, it essentially invalidates the PM if he needs to exhort the public to take precautions. He has completely lost any authority he has, and it's hard to see how Boris can dig his way out of this one.

 

[Pale Rider]

I think what the pale one alludes to is that in and of itself the Government probably felt that the party

That's about it, and as I said in my original remarks it's often the most trivial thing that proves to be the most damaging.

I ploughed through as much of PMQs as I could stand.

All very underwhelming, Boris's tactic of opening with an apology and his answer did have the desired effect of spiking the opposition's guns to a degree.

Starmer did what he could with it, but he is such an ineffectual fellow - being savaged by a dead sheep comes to mind.

The Scottish bloke tried harder, but only succeeded in making himself appear rather overwrought.

The disappointment of Naga Munchetty in the 5Live studio afterwards was obvious.

She was clearly hoping for something much more spectacular, but she hasn't got a clue how news works so I suppose should be excused.

 

[Mr Celine]

A booze-up a year ago which may or may have happened ...

Well you got something right for a change.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

It will be interesting to see what the polls say about who believes Johnson .

Meanwhile, Covid Santa has passed me a Christmas message:

Follow the rules, don't follow the fools.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I think what the pale one alludes to is

I appreciate your interpretation but I'd prefer to hear PR's responses directly from him.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I don't want to assume or put words in your mouth so can you expand a bit on why you think this is trivial?

I mean, in my view, the fact that a group of staff had an office party last Christmas would only be trivial if it were the norm and didn't breach the restrictions or HMG's own guidelines.

How do you feel about it taking place in the context prevalent at the time which was that such gatherings were prohibited and similar gatherings resulted in fines or prosecution? I'll remind everyone that Met Police briefings at that time of Downing Street's party stated:

"Holding large gatherings could be the difference between life and death for someone else. London is in Tier 3. You must not mix inside with anyone who is not in your household or support bubble.​

Do you sympathise with, or at least understand, the strength of feeling from those who could not attend funerals or weddings because of the prevailing restrictions while government staff crowded together in Downing street for a party?

Are you in any way concerned by (to use a phrase of your own) the PM's "wriggling on the hook" over this?

What's your take on the contrasting message of Tier 3 lockdown resulting in Met Police breaking up a wedding of 40 guests while these government staff had a knees up in Downing Street?

This week, the Met Police are in court prosecuting an alleged illegal gathering in a house in Ilford which took place on the same date as that in Downing Street: 18 December 2020. Can you see any contradiction in this?

Do you have any criticism of the government for holding such a party, or their handling of the accusations and questions around it?

The only thing certain is that you will not get a reply to the questions you asked from Pale Rider. Unless, of course, that reply is about you being a leftie whiner. Anything else would require thought rather than a knee-jerk pre-programmed reaction.

 

[Salty seadog]

My word, this just keeps on giving.

No. 10 is now refusing to confirm or deny that the cabinet Secretary Simon Case was at the non party on the 18th Dec. That's the same Simon Case that will be charged with conducting the investigation into the event. Which may or may not have happened.

 

[matticus]

I appreciate your interpretation but I'd prefer to hear PR's responses directly from him.

Good for you - there is nothing less trivial than a long-running forum grudge match. Stick at it!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Good for you - there is nothing less trivial than a long-running forum grudge match. Stick at it!

I fear I've had a whoosh moment as I don't get your point.

 

[Fab Foodie]

My word, this just keeps on giving.

No. 10 is now refusing to confirm or deny that the cabinet Secretary Simon Case was at the non party on the 18th Dec. That's the same Simon Case that will be charged with conducting the investigation into the event. Which may or may not have happened.

View attachment 335

Schrodingers Piss-Up....innit!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Schrodingers Piss-Up....innit!

As Rory Bremner put it, "If there was a piss-up at No 10 last Christmas it’s very unlikely Boris organised it. Because, well, you know."