This is the first time I’ve stepped foot in this section (or it’s previous version) for a long time - just came in to witness some delicious back-and-forth on the Xmas party and it’s silent. Most disappointed.
What can people say? It’s so blatant. People used all their fuel up defending Cummings’ road trip. But this is a peaceful section now. Probably the most peaceful on the forum.
This whole charade of, Break the rules, Deny rules were broken or even the existence of rules, Hold an enquiry into something the PM did or was responsible for and could answer simple questions on. Have that enquiry run by a chap you have made a Lord. Have enquiry say, gosh it would have been better if X happened, Excuse everyone and move on. Is getting very tiresome. It’s an abuse of power and a removal of simple accountability.
Allegro has resigned her Cop26 role. Maybe she only got it because, as the ITV footage showed, she wasn't nearly so good a liar as to be able to defend Johnson on a weekly basis.
Oh dear, oh dear. Entitled, privileged and failed journalist/communicator resigns from her highly paid second non-job handed to her on a silver salver for services rendered to an entitled, privileged and failing politician/journalist/communicator. How can this have possibly happened? It brings a tear to the eye, doesn't it...? Strike up the band...
I think that's a little unfair looking at her CV before joining De Pfeffel's gang: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegra_Stratton#Career https://www.theguardian.com/politic...struggles-kept-press-briefing-project-off-air
Err, I think you might have missed a bit of the Wiki you linked... "Stratton returned to the BBC on 20 February 2012,[15] as Political Editor of Newsnight, replacing Michael Crick who left to become a political correspondent for Channel 4.[16] In May the same year, she faced criticism for a Newsnight interview with a single mother who was claiming housing benefit. The interviewee described feeling "humiliated" by Stratton, who misrepresented her as unemployed.[17] Private Eye magazine reported that Stratton had chosen the single mother over several other interviewees offered, including a couple with four children who had lost their jobs and faced homelessness.[7] This incident led to a 20,000-signature petition soliciting an apology from Stratton and Newsnight.[18] Following an official complaint to the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit, a correction and apology was issued in August." Or were you being tongue in cheek? Apologies if I've missed that!
Of all the things he could be toppled for: the corruption, the croneyism, the shagging, the Brexit lies... he goes for a piss-up...
Two things: 1. It's wiki . 2. ISTR the interview and Shanene Thorpe gave as good as she got (she was quick and very erudite) - that was the reason the 'tempo' of the interview changed. Remember Ms Thorpe was chose to provide good TV - not an illumination of the issues involved. https://web.archive.org/web/2012061...co.uk/complaints/complaint/newsnight_23052012
A clip has also emerged from Gavin Williamson’s party. To be fair he tries to keep a bit of social distancing going.
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-phoney-war-on-allegra-stratton Well she has The Spectator sticking up for her! Although does help that her husband is the political editor there...
Where’s the other one? I was expecting a fun evening of reading the attempts at defending Mein Fuhrer.
So as I understand it - Boris Johnson has accepted the resignation of someone who joked about a party...that Boris Johnson has denied happened. So if it didn't happen, why has he accepted it? They are gaslighting the country and hoping once again that over 50% of the population look the other way....I'm not so sure that will happen this time. All the while, he's planned a Covid restrictions press conference for 6pm....when the biggest TV channels in the country show their most viewed news bulletins that would have lead with the Xmas Party scandal. So transparent.
Title could do with a capitalisation edit please. Not sure why the software does this, unless it disapproves of mimicking Boris.
As long as Ant and Dec lead with it again, the great unwashed will know what’s going on. Listening to the radio today, this one is cutting through. Genius by Starmer to bring the picture of the queen into it.
Starmer did well (for once) - but the guy just doesn't portray anger well enough. And all the while demanding an 'apology'. He should be demanding Boris Johnson resigns and nothing less.
So not tongue in cheek then, OK. Well thank you Bwood Horn for sight of this weasely defence from Newsnight. Don't buy it. It seems like the interviewing Political Editor of Newsnight had failed to do her homework in advance and launched into her interviewee based on several misconceptions made by her and the Newsnight team as the Editor himself acknowledges. Here's an extract of her patronising style to boot... https://www.indy100.com/news/allegra-stratton-newsnight-benefits-downing-street-b1971892 Failure to do some proper preparation for an interview, attempting to wing it, putting it out for public consumption and not pulling it because it sort of covered the areas required (they thought) and almost attempting to blame the interviewee. Apologising much later when the defence offered was in tatters. We could call it the WTE/Rose defence if you like. Come on. Now then, adopting the Stratton style myself here, let's think which politician does that approach most remind me of....?
I’m wondering if he didn’t say it for a reason. Let them implode on their own. The Scottish Tory leader has essentially called for it. Let Blackford do it. Don’t give them any reason to close ranks around Johnson. I think he read the room somewhat. Performance artist he isn’t, smart man (I hope) he is.
How did the Stratton tape emerge? As much as it’s enjoyable seeing a Hooray Tory Chum in tears, like the mysterious film of Hatt Mancock snogging we are obviously being played again.
There is one question from the conspiracy theorists that has me puzzled. The briefing room refurb (£2.6m) was completed in March 2021 yet the video from December 2020 looks like the new design. I'm guessing that there is a 2nd "practice" room or the refurb was nearly complete in December but not made public. The video does have the 4 union flags behind the podium that were downgraded to two in April after the first published pictures emerged and were roundly derided. I'm sure there is a logical explanation.
He might struggle on the charisma front but seems like a fundamentally decent and serious person. After a miserable couple of years for everyone, he strikes the right tone and is a stark contrast to the arrogant clown he stands opposite.
