Boris has been fined - Part 3

[Roussette]

Here we are.

And here is Part 2

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4529283-Boris-has-been-fined-Part-2?reply=116839783

If you want to argue that comments should not be made about appearance you ought to demonstrate that yourself.

The Rayner story should never have been written or published but I think it ties with William Hague's Comment in the Times today. "Boris will have to change if he's to survive" which comments on the PM's "inconsistent behaviour and erratic messaging" - specifically but not limited to apologising to the house but immediately undermining that apology behind the scenes in the 1922 committee. He has a split persona - faux contrition followed by a "festival of bombast". "Im very sorry. I've done nothing wrong."

"If they give a different impression of their values and priorities behind the scenes to their public posture, it will always cause trouble. Aides who resign reveal the difference — as has happened with Dominic Cummings alleging that Boris said “let the bodies pile high”. MPs become troubled and less likely to be sure of their arguments. Officials don’t know which persona of their boss they are trying to serve."

I suspect the Tory MP that gave that quote about Rayner did so because they thought - or were lead to believe - it would be approved of. They don't know who they are cheerleading for or what he represents because of his mixed messages.

He is the moral vacuum at the heart of government and that does matter because his deliberate blurring of red lines and accepted behaviours (like abiding by the Ministerial Code) gives tacit permission to the sycophants (Dorries/Fabricant) the bullies (Patel) and the corrupted (Paterson/Hancock) to carry on. Under Johnson's leadership there are no standards.

And Johnson wins both ways - pathetic story draws in right wing misogynists AND he gets to pretend he's furious (just as he was furious about the stories of parties at Number 10). So he gets away with it because he presents himself as all things to all people - which is impossible if you have any core values.

😬 I've accidentally written War and Peace - that was longer than I intended!

Notonthestairs bloody excellent post.

That was a lot more interesting than War and Peace - or at least the war bits.

I'm letting off steam

I am troubled by Johnson's supposed private assertions (tweeted over the weekend, now I can't find the tweet) that he won't be receiving any more FPNs.

I'm starting to think he won't get one for the ABBA party - I think they'll suggest he was working next door.

There was a further tweet indicating the main issue was Mrs Johnson's succession of parties. Now I'm not a fan of the idea of putting responsibility on to Mrs J. Nobody voted for her. But equally I can see her as a very handy screen to hide behind and Johnson is very capable of permitting his wife to be used as cover.

It's difficult to trust the authorities, the processes and the findings when you don't trust the truthfulness at the centre of it all.

The Sue Grey report is meant to be damning though, So even if he doesn't get any more FPNs, that might do some damage.

Mrs J may well have agreed to take the hit. If she did, it could still come back to haunt them like it did with Chris Huhne amd Vicky Pryce.

That’s a very good point, they both went to jail for that, didn’t they? And Cummings says he’s got more dirt to dish which I suspect he’s saving for the time it will do most damage. So that’s something to look forward to.

Well Boris does reportedly know what a woman is, and I feel sure in his world one of their uses is to take the blame for his failings.

The question in my mind, is there a party that Cummings knows about and has evidence of that is not in the Gray report. If there is...

Or maybe Cummings has something else entirely for when partygate is over.

Or photos that Sue Gray didn’t get.

People commenting on Johnson's hair isn't quite the same as someone making nasty comments about Rayner's hair, his hair is objectively a mess and her hair is lovely. It looks very healthy and well cared for so the Lily Savage comment wasn't necessary or appropriate or accurate.

I didn't say anything about Dorries and his flies, I did say I'd probably laugh at him if he did it.

I wish Cummings would hurry up, he might find death by a thousand cuts amusing but the suspense is killing me.

I question whether we will see the full SG report or if we do it will be in time for the summer recess.

That's what happens when you see politicians subvert usual checks and balances - any trust you might have withers.

But I agree that Cummings will have something stored in the tank for emergency purposes. He was careful to provide written answers rather than give them verbally - paranoid yes, but I think it was to cover himself AND to control flow of information. Knowledge is power etc.

I realise I sound both naive (checks and balances! Codes!) and a conspiracy theorist. I'm just very tired of it all.

I’m kind of hoping something hugely embarrassing will hit the front pages on 5 May.

I'm sure they are working on it!

Cummings seems pleased that Musk has bought Twitter. I wonder if he will do something via Twitter at some point, now that it will be a complete free for all...

No May elections in my area so this hadn't occurred to me but it does sound like an interesting idea.

"Bozo's hair is analysed daily on here so I thought why not."

JaniieJones It is well known that Johnson deliberately messes up his own hair before appearing on a public platform ; Probably to distract from the garbage he's spouting.

It was a very well written piece.

Why would anyone here be able to pass a comment on what Lorraine on Twitter has said? Take it up with her.

if you’re asking if people agree with her then pop a link on and let people comment for themselves instead of somehow making people here responsible for someone else’s comments. I would keep in mind there’s a similar amount of drivel posted by self proclaimed tories, liberals, greens, eco activists, Britain first etc and bringing Twitter arguments onto here is going to descend into chaos pretty quickly. Which I’m guessing is why people are pretty choosy with what they endorse from Twitter here and usually only bring up tweets they’re in agreement with.

janiie, I am glad you have dropped the Angie but I still notice the professional, deferential Truss and Dorries followed by Angela. Do you realise you are doing this??

FWIW , I mentioned the inappropriately sexualised criticism of Dorries (my MP) earlier in the thread.

On newspaper circulation:

The Mail on Sunday is the most widely read Sunday newspaper. It is read by nearly 800, 000 people each week (so not 'no one' janiie). No other Sunday paper comes anywhere close.

Notwithstanding, the story gained traction ad was widely circulated on Twitter and top billed on the BBC.

I remember the halcyon day when the Mail called out Stephen Lawrence's killers.

Janiie is it time to talk about the chickens?

"Boris Johnson denies calling Tory rebel Tobias Ellwood 'that c* Ellwood' on @TalkTV

'No...' he says. 'Politicians love talking about themselves. What I want to do is focus on the electorate'"

https://twitter.com/steven_swinford/status/1519026252950220801?s=21&t=eotkzmdL8YwY-7Jyp7jzDg

He seems nice...