Where's Theresa?

[TheOldLandmark]

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

How stupid you have made yourself look Valentine2

She's choosing an appropriate bobbly necklace.

Oh, has she spoken at long last? Missed it ...

A few words from her isn't going to make anyone feel less scared.

Valentine2

How about you grow up and stop political point scoring.

What she did was protocol and what she is actually meant to do.

When the country is under attack - which it is was today - and especially when the HOP is under attack it is protocol to protect the PM

It is the PM's job to speak to and for the nation etc. Doesn't matter who it is. It is the PM's job to stay safe

Well, I stand by it, no matter what you call it.
She is very effective part of a party hat has cut down the public services rigt left and centre. Met police warned ages ago that are terribly short of officers and ground force to tackle terrorism and need more money.
You want me to feel happy she is safe? Sorry. I feel about as happy about her being safely tucked away in a vehicle somewhere as I would about Blair being safe after we have buried hundreds of soldiers here.
She must be reminded in every possible way that austerity is a choice her government chose and public is paying the price of it. A brace officer died because of it. End of.

support for those who are still stuck in offices, have a difficult journey home, childcare to organise

You want the PM of Great Britain, in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist incident, to focus her attention, efforts and resources on lending moral support to people stuck in offices, making tricky journeys, and having to tweak childcare arrangements??

And if only the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made some pretty papier mache piggy banks for the local primary schools rather than doing that dreary pesky budget thing the other week.

I am far too old to espouse the benefits, or otherwise, of a PP's 'meeja' jibe, or the Societal ramifications of 24/7 news, along with the pointed youthful jabs regarding all other current SM. Not me and my not so smart phone. You can have an opinion AND be born before the glorious wonders of the Internet you know.

There was an alleged terrorist attack in London earlier today - I expected the Government to make a short statement which gave some information and reassurance to counter all the crap that did pop up on the much vaunted Internet. So I don't take my news from some virus, click bait, and pop-up ridden alarmist website, my bad.

If the news I do regard as vaguely reliable doesn't show a robust response from whatever head of state is in charge of the welfare of 64 million people (9m in London) some time (hours) after an alleged terrorist attack then yes, I will, and did, ask, where the fuck are you?

Some supportive posts upthread that I should mention, but addressing other points first.

The PM (whoever they may be) was safe and locked down, with the best advice and tech to hand (meeja selfie heaven should they wish) >10 minutes of the attack on WM. Anyone who thinks their PM has sufficient knowledge to do much more than ok the strategic responses and protocols already put in place by those that have a fucking clue about how to respond to a terrorist threat, is far more deluded than me!

People were seriously injured and killed (yes, including the alleged attacker - a PP queried them being 'counted' on the news reports as one of the 'dead').

Chippednailvarnishing 'Funny how this is only the second thread you have ever posted on OP'. Nah, been here for years now (lurked for many more), keep meaning to post on site stuff regarding the 'make my profile available/member since' feature which would prove a poster's longevity, but seems to not work as expected when I serially namechange due to domestic abuse history - but thanks for making me explain myself to you. No hard feelings. Maybe think next time, in case it's a fragile newbie?

Theresa May's speech was incredible and reassuring - I applaud her (slightly shaken, as we all would be) sentiments. No criticism of the UK, or anyone else on the thread intended in my OP. The responses, all of them, were read and appreciated - at least you took the time to speak and voice an opinion. Thank you.

Won't end with sentiments for all those affected by events today, would only be called out as a GF

Counterpoint, please let's stay away from now anaylsying what she's bloody wearing.

Pentapus support for those who are still stuck in offices, have a difficult journey home, childcare to organise

You want the PM of Great Britain, in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist incident, to focus her attention, efforts and resources on lending moral support to people stuck in offices, making tricky journeys, and having to tweak childcare arrangements??

Yes I do, because those people voted for a government (TM's or any other) and expect at the very least to be reassured that their lives are not about to implode because of very real threat to their safety.

I should sneer and say, meh...400 miles from me, fuck them? Just because I wasn't personally inconvenienced today by a terrorist alert that caused my journey home to be hours longer than usual, or impacted on my childcare arrangements, or my partner isn't in the emergency services, I shouldn't give a flying fuck or have an opinion? You're a tougher woman than me if that's the case!

@Valentine2 - it is protocol, pure and simple, that the Prime Minister would be evacuated from the Houses of Parliament in the event of a terrorist attack there. To suggest anything else is stupid.

... what a really, really, really odd thread. OP appears, alone of all the rest, to be stuck in a 1950's time warp, where the deferential public were gratefully reassured by a steadying word from their Premier. However meaningless, platitudinous or glib that word might be.

Ah well. She's donned an appropriate black outfit and made a very credible statement now. So that's ok, OP.

Her job is to run the country n.b. that includes response to terrorist attacks, not be your therapist OP.

Never mind that the attack happened close to her and there will have been suspicions that she was the target. Those needed to be properly investigated before she went and (predictably) stood outside no10 to make a statement.

Police have got to check whether this is a lone wolf or some kind of high-impact opening set piece to initiate a predictable chain of events/general panic in a co-ordinated and sophisticated attack, with further targets. The police also had to make sure this wasn't one of a number of incidents targeted at the public like the Paris attacks.

I can't stand the woman and I get this.

Bar anything else, FGS it's like you've never seen an action or spy movie never mind watched the news!

shinynewusername 20:19:38

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

Said far more succinctly that I managed to muster over several posts, thank you

So I don't take my news from some virus, click bait, and pop-up ridden alarmist website, my bad.

Surely as an adult you can do that without the PM telling you not to?

I'm also not deluded thank you.

HTH.

TheOld "I expect the govt to make a statement"

They did. The Home Secretary made a statement very quickly.

And many people have told you you are being Very Unreasonable but you just carry on digging that hole

TheGaleanthropist ...not be your therapist OP ?

Therapy implies a need for support, perhaps due to trauma, is that what you are suggesting? Because I post a comment on a public website I am in need of therapy? Poor show, and not in the spirit of robust debate I feel.

There are enough people in London today that WILL need support, and maybe therapy (want to discuss the scarcity of Mental Health services?) to deal with what has happened to them - I'm fine btw, thanks for asking.

Never mind that the attack happened close to her and there will have been suspicions that she was the target - supposition and a stab in the dark imho.

You said Police have got to check whether this is a lone wolf or some kind of high-impact opening set piece to initiate a predictable chain of events/general panic in a co-ordinated and sophisticated attack, with further targets..The police also had to make sure this wasn't one of a number of incidents targeted at the public like the Paris attacks

I'm luckily ancient enough to have watched almost all the Bond movies first hand and can let you in on a little (State) secret - The Police (sadly) are counted as bottom feeders in the grand scheme of Government things when it comes to attacks such as these (outside their actually turning up as first response and facing the knives and guns and all that 'boring' jazz). Which is a huge shame as I have found them to be diligent and reliable whenever they are called upon to put themselves at the frontline of a risky situation.

But we can tarry and swap bon mots about Spy Movies if you wish?

You're bonkers.

Just think posts like this detract from what really matters, which is about yet another evil terrorist attack on innocent people, and what an awful world we currently live in. It wouldn't make me feel any better listening to our PM giving us words of comfort and reassurances. After all, neither the Queen or the London Mayor have rushed to make speeches either.

You are minimising the work people do and are now deliberately goading.

One of those people whose job you have just minimised as 'all that jazz" lost his life today. He was a father, a husband, a son and had also served on the army.

One of his good friends of 25 years was James Cleverly MP who served with him.

Maybe focus on that sad loss of life rather than trying to score or make cheap political points.

BakeOffBiscuits If I have been judged to be unreasonable on this crucible thread so be it. Any hole I have dug is only of your imagination and making

When the unexpected and extraordinary happens, I want strong and robust leadership from those who are elected to do just that.

Theresa May's speech was admirable and said all that needed to be said - apart from details about the alleged suspects, there was nothing that couldn't have been broadcast hours earlier though. (And the naysayers about her necklace or clothes can start their own thread in S&B (and I'M BU? ffs)

PP's asked if I expected the full media circus - that's exactly what I didn't want. I don't want to watch journos interviewing any randomer within reach - Joe Public on tv speaking about SWAT teams fgs.

PigletWasPoohsFriend I was pointing out to a PP who said that the Police would be in charge of investigating the attack that they were wrong - my post was in support of the Police who are sidelined and treated like the lowest of the low when it comes to matters of National Security, despite being first on the scene and the frontline defence...I can't take responsibility for your lack of comprehension.

Livelovebehappy I wasn't looking for words of comfort or reassurances - merely a strong rebuttal from the head of whatever Government in power to an attack In the heart of Parliament.

Ah TheOld, so you are just looking for a fight then.

In which case you probably do need a therapist.

I was suggesting that you were asking for the PM to act as your therapist (provide supportive reassurance) not act as PM. Perhaps because she's a woman, her first priority should be to give you a verbal "hand-hold".

It's pretty laughable that you think an accusation of supposition is an effective criticism, given the amount of conjecture and sheer whataboutery you spout. It's really not much of a stretch to think that the police/security services would consider whether an attack close to the House of Parliament might have a specific governmental target or whether other attacks might happen in close succession within the same city.

And now as Piglet says you are pooh-poohing the work of people who have lost and risked their lives today.

For us to tarry bon mots you would need to be capable of forming a witty remark. As you are unable to articulate even an appropriate remark at this time, I would suggest that wit is well beyond your reach. Alongside empathy, respect and dignity.

derxa bordering on a personal attack? I attribute it to the chemicals in the gallons of sheep dip I was exposed to as a child if so.

TheGaleanthropist I am not the one looking for a fight, despite your verbosity. I asked where the head of this Country was in the HOURS following the injury of (according to reports) more than 20 people, and the death of four, or three if you take into account a PP who said the alleged 'terrorist' didn't count

The Pm can do whatever she sees fit, and respond in any way she feels is appropriate, the fact she and I both have a vagina is neither here nor there...women are not weak and 'hand-holding' was never my aim (You did read that I am 400 miles away from London so not worried about my own safety?)

I was looking for a strong political response to the reality of people/citizens/mothers/fathers/emergency services/children/tourists, dying or being injured on the streets of this country.

I'd have taken a single direct message from an elected member of Parliament, preferably the top jobber, over all the SM, Twitter, FB, et al misery posts or the rubber necking videos of someone bleeding out in front of our (wide Internet) eyes. I'm not interested in the smooth TV graphics describing how it happened, or interview sound bites from shocked individuals within a 10 mile radius.

I give a damn that ordinary people died today, and the lucky ones are only still alive?

My OP was not politically motivated, not gender based (really?) or a personal attack on TM. (Neither did I dismiss the service of the Police men and women who were the first responders - I hope that is very clear).