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Original poster

Where's Theresa?

266 replies

TheOldLandmark · 22/03/2017 17:22

Following the shocking news from London, where is the Leader of the U.K and what is her response to this?

OP posts:
Werkzallhourz · 22/03/2017 19:44

May's "disappearance" will be part of a preplanned protocol in the event of an attack on the Houses of Parliament.

The fact this attack was against the Palace of Westminster makes it a direct attack against the State, and the response differs from a terrorist attack elsewhere.

As far as I understand it, the first priority is to secure key decision makers, which, in this case, includes May as PM because if their lives are under threat or they die, you then have a serious governance problem, which is the last thing you need in the event of an attack.

Then the second wave is a full assessment, as far as possible, on the situation as it unfolds. Emergency powers are also utilised. It is possible May is having to sign off on various decisions and requests as they come in. Then there's the cobra meeting which she will have to be briefed upon before she enters.

She also can't come out and say anything until she knows exactly what the situation is, and she can't really do that until she's attend cobra and the agreement has been made about what information to release to the public.

user0000000001 · 22/03/2017 19:46

I think it looks weak not to have shown her face and given a brief "it is in hand, carry on" comment.

And if she gives that statement without determining whether this threat is over, then there is another attack?

How weak would that be????

user0000000001 · 22/03/2017 19:47

The fact this attack was against the Palace of Westminster makes it a direct attack against the State, and the response differs from a terrorist attack elsewhere.

Hear, hear.

MadMags · 22/03/2017 19:47

I hate, loathe, despise, and abominate Theresa May but she is doing just as she should!

She got out of there, and is meeting who she needs to, planning what she needs to.

A speech from the heart and hip would have been grossly inappropriate. There's a reason they don't write their own material, you know!

NotYoda · 22/03/2017 19:50

Good post Werkzallhours. You are right, of course. This is different from her commenting on an attack elsewhere than where she was actually working at the time.

Original poster
TheOldLandmark · 22/03/2017 19:55

Not a Nat, not goady, not anything in particular, except thinking about those affected by an event that is a concern to a huge population (even if I am at a great distance from this - sorry for giving a fuck).

Four people died today, many more seriously injured, all of Westminster/HOL were 'locked-in', multiple emergency services on site, millions of people were affected, and still not a cheep from the Prime Minister? Hardly calling for the Queen to trot out and bow her head to a coffin as a PP suggested Hmm

Those that threw out the acronym COBRA - done and dusted rapidly as per agreed protocols and experts in the field available to boot,. A civilian PM's input? Not so much no matter your Home Secretary 'experience'.

Been away from all media for half an hour - any word from The PM?

I wasn't calling for the head of John the Baptist, just to hear from the leader of this country in response to a crisis situation.

Fuck me and the horse I rode in on then.

OP posts:
PeteAndManu · 22/03/2017 19:55

Agree Werkzallhours as well

Really disgusted, this is not the time for point scoring, The Government, security forces and police work as a team at a time like this. Statements from the police and Home Secretary should be and are enough. I much prefer considered response and actions to some waffle said to reassure.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 22/03/2017 19:57

Good post Werkz

AyeAmarok · 22/03/2017 19:59

Not a Nat, not goady, not anything in particular, except thinking about those affected by an event that is a concern to a huge population (even if I am at a great distance from this - sorry for giving a fuck).

Oh push off with your "I just really care about people" shite OP.

Your primary concern was to use a tragic event to have a pop at TM, don't try and sugar-coat it now.

TM has been busy. Stop shiteing on.

BloodyEatSomething · 22/03/2017 20:00

What a time to get worked up over trivialities. Tomorrow will be early enough, guess lots of people will be working through the night.

PollyPerky · 22/03/2017 20:02

The fact this attack was against the Palace of Westminster makes it a direct attack against the State, and the response differs from a terrorist attack elsewhere.

Bollocks. What did the people on the bridge have to do with the 'state'?

Terrorist kills people randomly- on the streets, at the gates of Parliament. Does it really matter where and who?

As for TM I hope she's having a stiff G&T and her dinner , and making good decisions about what to do next.

All this 'must to the 'meeja' is something we can live without.
What do you expect? Platitudes like 'We're doing our best to catch the bastards'?

Stupid post OP.

PollyPerky · 22/03/2017 20:04
  • 'must talk to the meeja'.

Politics would be a lot better if those in it kept away from the media for a lot of the time and just did their jobs.

OP you are overreacting to nothing.

It had never crossed my mind that the PM should be on our screens.

Longdistance · 22/03/2017 20:05

Hang on...

She's been very close to a terrorist attack, had to leave for her safety, meet with COBRA etc, and you want her to make a public speech Confused

Wow! Would love to see you in a terrorist situation.

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 22/03/2017 20:05

I don't remember the HOP being on lock down before I am sure it would have been when Downing Street was attacked

Think why HOP is on lockdown ans there is your reason why the PM isn't out in public at the moment

PeteAndManu · 22/03/2017 20:06

There seems to be contradiction between asserting that het PM has no real input into COBRA, security briefings etc because she is just a civilian; and so she has plenty of time to hold a press conference in a locked down area; and wanting reassurance from that same person.

Also we live in a democracy with an elected Prime Minister and Government who make the decisions. This principle holds even in a time of crisis so the PM and our Government must make the decisions. They aren't just there to provide sound bites.

Chippednailvarnishing · 22/03/2017 20:08

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TheNaze73 · 22/03/2017 20:10

What an opportunistic, nasty post in light of what has happened.
Shameful

smashedinductionhob · 22/03/2017 20:11

"She's the prime minister, not Ant and Dec"

Thank goodness for mumsnet.

I just hope Trump's concentration span was typically short and he didn't distract her.

Toadinthehole · 22/03/2017 20:13

Once upon a time, actually not in the very distant past, no one would have expected a statement so quickly. They would have expected urgent stuff to be done first, and a statement made once the situation was properly comprehended.

Then came 24 hour news.

Then came the Internet and instant news, and with it the expectation that everything is done NOW NOW NOW.

It really doesn't make any difference whether TM makes a statement now or in a few hours. However, it does make a difference whether she signs off on activating emergency plans now or later.

DorotheaBeale · 22/03/2017 20:13

I think it looks weak not to have shown her face

One of the things I like about TM's government is that they're not all over Twitter whenever anything happens. Much better to wait until there's actually something to say.

And a public appearance by the PM would only add to the burden on the police and security services, who have quite enough to worry about.

user0000000001 · 22/03/2017 20:14

Bollocks. What did the people on the bridge have to do with the 'state'

Ummm.. it's not a huge leap to assume they were aiming for the Houses of Parliament? It's not like they attacked a side steet in the Midlands??

justgothesolution · 22/03/2017 20:18

OP will you stop saying that 4 people died today, one of them was the terrorist ffs?! I don't think he was a victim was he??

I am sure Theresa May will give a statement within the next couple of hours and of course that shouldn't be a priority over meeting with all the various agencies required to deal with this ongoing.

Hilarious that you think she wouldn't know how the security forces work, she was Home Secretary for 6 years did you realise?

MNHQ
YetAnotherHelenMumsnet · 22/03/2017 20:18

Hi everyone,
We are getting a ton of reports in at the moment, obviously it's been an absolutely awful day, our thoughts go out to the people affected and their families and of course we understand that feelings are running high. Could we ask everyone to take a bit of a deep breath and back off a little, rather than escalate matters with posts that they know are going to wind everyone up? It's not a usual request from us, we appreciate that, but it's not a usual sort of day. Peace and love to everyone.

BreatheDeep · 22/03/2017 20:19

The attacker ran into the grounds of Parliament. I don't think there is any doubt he was trying to attack there. The people on the bridge are horrific and needless collateral damage, along with the police officer.

shinynewusername · 22/03/2017 20:19

I agree with you, OP. Not a party political point - Corbyn would have 10 times as useless.

All the PPs claiming that she is needed to chair COBRA have clearly never worked with politicians on emergency planning. They are fuck all use - all the real work is done without them. The briefings are largely about their egos and a distraction from getting the job done. Trust me, the emergency services and SIS won't be panting for Theresa's vital insights. (I worked with the emergency services for many years).

Where the PM could be of value is in providing visible leadership at a time when the country feels threatened and being a figurehead to demonstrate that we are not cowed by terrorism. God knows, I wasn't a Thatcher fan but her finest hour was turning up to address the Tory conference hours after the Brighton bombing and being as steady as a rock. It sent a message.