To be concerned about Boris Johnson's re-shuffle?

[AlexaShutUp]

I'm no fan of either Boris Johnson or Sajid Javid, but I'm not really intending to make any political points in this thread. I'm resigned to having a right wing Tory government, but I am concerned about the shift in power that seems to have occurred, and by Johnson's apparent power grab.

Specifically, I'm concerned about the circumstances of Javid's departure from the Treasury. Javid's position was made untenable and I understand why he walked out, but surely it's much better for the country if the PM has some challenge from number 11, rather than a puppet that merely does their bidding - which I suspect Javid's successor will turn out to be.

A healthy democracy needs to have plenty of checks and balances with regard to those in power, and I'm worried that these are being eroded. Meanwhile, the power of unelected advisers like Dominic Cummings appears to be ever growing.

It's because waaaah Corbyn is much easier than trying to come up with a not irresponsible reason for booting Julian Smith. Speaking as someone who didn't vote Labour, in order to pre-empt the apparently automatic response.

Do you really think moaning for five years will change anything? Boris will do as he pleases with his democratic mandate, and that’s that.

Non-Tories would do well to use the time to build a moderate, electable Opposition so that they don’t lose even more badly next time.

Criticism isn’t moaning. It’s holding to account. We’re all well aware that the Johnson government will please itself, that doesn’t mean it won’t get criticised. And we’ll do exactly what we like @CendrillonSings, not what you think we should do. I’d have thought an ineffectual opposition would suit you down to the ground.

I wouldn't mind betting that there are quite a lot of dyed-in-the-wool Tories who share my concerns. Not even I believe that all Tories are anti-democrats!

Then it's time they started to speak out, instead of behaving like sheep.

I seem to remember Jeremy Corbyn lost a vote of no confidence twice (172–40), but he refused to leave.

Was he PM? Either then or ever?

I’d have thought an ineffectual opposition would suit you down to the ground.

It would indeed - I just didn’t think you’d be so eager to provide one!

It was, everything, but some people don't seem able to engage in that particular debate.

They knocked Labour back to the Stone Age, utterly humiliating that far-left cult as they so richly deserved. After that, Boris could take a holiday for five years and he’d still be my favourite PM after Thatcher.

Again, this is very illuminating and explains a lot about your lack of critical reflection. You have no expectations, therefore you cannot be disappointed.

You go right ahead and spend the next five years in bitter “critical reflection”. I’ll spend them enjoying the fact that I have the government I prefer and that it’s carrying out its programme without having to worry about backseat driving from people who didn’t vote for it!

I see Brandon Lewis is off to a roaring start with ‘there will be no border between GB and NI.”

And a good many people in the south of England would neither know nor care what happened in or to NI.

I wonder what would happen if both parts of Ireland voted for re-unification on Cummings Johnson's watch?

It's a good question peregrina I don't see how this Government can think that people in NI or in Scotland can think they care about them at all, when all the evidence would suggest they don't.

cendrillionsings I wonder if you would be happy if your daughter was going out with Boris Johnson? Or do you think he's an unscrupulous man but fine to run the country?

Well, make the most of it now Cendrillon, as I doubt you'll be quite so sanguine in five years' time.

By the time we get to the next election, I suspect we'll be hard pressed to find anyone who actually admits to having voted for Boris or Brexit at all.