Downing St Christmas Party - what's behind this?

[Leafyhouse]

Presumably someone knew about this for a year. And they've waited until just before Christmas to release it - and not all at once. They drip-fed allegations, waited for ministerial denials, then a few days later released damning video footage. I have 2 theories:

1. The media are looking for a scalp. Boris preferably, or perhaps Keir if he doesn't take the fight to the PM satisfactorily.

1. Rishi Sunak supporters. There's a perception that Boris needs to go, and the 1922 committee will show their hand soon.

1. Anti lockdown supporters. It looks like we may have to lockdown further before Christmas, and they're hell bent on undermining the PM's ability to do it.

What worries me is that no-one in the media is asking these questions. Which makes me think they're complicit.

AIBU to think we're being played like fools here?

Personally I think it was a lockdown sceptic, a bit like Matt Hancock.

I believe Hancock wanted to maintain masks etc.

It is true someone say on that video for s year, just to strike at the right time.

@DrSbaitso

They can't win another election after this, surely. People won't vote for this, will they?

Hopefully by the next election there'll be an electable alternative.

I couldn't vote for anyone if we were to hold a GE right now.

He's shaking his head now when another hostile question is asked. No good, pal, just not credible.

Telegraph reporter has just asked if he pulled these announcements forward to distract from the party story! Knives out all around.

Oh and I agree with @thecatfromjapan. Politicians are not 'all the same' and that idea is very damaging because it allows the likes of Johnson to get away with murder, literally.

Yanbu. Is this Cummings stirring the pot I wonder?
Don’t see what the former spokesperson resigning just for being the main face of the clip has got to do with anything. If it’s resignation level problem then that’s a massive failure of probity and leadership that sits squarely with Boris. He’s currently in press conference saying how Allegra Stratton will be missed and that she is a fantastic colleague. He obviously couldn’t really publicly condemn her actions.. I wonder why not?

I agree @HesterShaw1 - watching Rishi was very interesting. He was clearly wishing himself to be anywhere but sitting on that bench.

@titanic25

i think its timed to suppress Afghan crisis meeting happened yesterday

I agree and Ms Stratten is the sacrificial lamb.

What's happening about the cocaine in Westminster loos story ?

Did the PM prioritise evacuating animals over humans In Afghanistan?

Tories using this to distract the public while they push through changes in the law around our judicial system?

@StormzyinaTCup

Another one saying this has Dominic Cummings name on it. He bore a grudge against Matt Hancock and he doesn’t like Carrie Johnson who he accused of calling the shots on some hiring and firing decisions in No10 (and possibly even had a hand in ousting him). Allegra is a friend of Carrie Johnson’s so I’m thinking it’s another ‘getting even’.

He wants to ultimately oust Boris so Gove can slide into place and he will have his job back at No.10.

But is it true? I don't care if Dominic Cummings leaked about Matt Hancock, Matt Hancock has no one to blame but himself because he was the one breaking the rules. The same with this video, AS and the others did it, she shouldn't be the only to go but she should go.

Dominic Cummings can come and check out what I've done during the pandemic, I've got no worries because he'd have nothing on me. When I found out we had to do a 22 miles journey for our first vaccine I was so excited to be going on such a long drive, I'd done nothing for months.

Ms Stratten is the sacrificial lamb.

This. Why on earth has she resigned? Nobody else does.

@StormzyinaTCup

I’m sat in the car waiting for DD to finish her activity so I have no idea what’s going on in the press conference but ‘open season’ doesn’t surprise me.

I had to walk out half way through to take GS to football. He had to drag me out. Must have a look on catch up.

They forced through the Nationality and Borders bill earlier today, in case anyone else wondered what was being slipped through while we were all distracted.

news.sky.com/story/what-is-the-nationality-and-borders-bill-why-is-it-so-controversial-and-what-do-mps-want-to-change-12488364

The people on this thread saying “ Yeah so what if it was a party, it’s no big deal, they are entitled to let off steam “ - you have no idea about the anger felt by ordinary people up and down the country.

All the small people. The ones who were not able to sit with dying loved one or attend the funeral. Those who stood in the rain on Christmas Day exchanging gifts in a car park or passing foil wrapped meals through a window to elderly or disabled people living alone. Those who took their own lives because they couldn’t cope with the isolation.

When you say “ It’s not big deal “ you are pissing all over their sacrifices yet again.

I don’t actually think that Allegra was laughing at them. It was a laugh of embarrassment that she didn’t know how to answer.

But those of you on here, knowing that there was a party and saying “ So what? “ are worse. You really are.

I thought the journalists were actually really irresponsible this evening. One question on the party would have been ok but for all or the professionals to focus on Allegra and the PM’s feelings re the party went too far in my mind when there are some important questions of national policy like what will happen in schools, how will hospitality cope, what will be impact of moving from isolation to contact tracing. I became more annoyed with them than the Christmas party by the end.

It does have a whiff of eau du Cummings about it.

@Bunnycat101

I thought the journalists were actually really irresponsible this evening. One question on the party would have been ok but for all or the professionals to focus on Allegra and the PM’s feelings re the party went too far in my mind when there are some important questions of national policy like what will happen in schools, how will hospitality cope, what will be impact of moving from isolation to contact tracing. I became more annoyed with them than the Christmas party by the end.

Their job is to ask questions the public are interested in, today a lot of people are angry and upset about the party- so it makes sense for them to ask about it. The actual logistics I doubt they'd answer anyway, this was rushed out to divert attention and I expect they are still figuring stuff out.

Met Police saying they aren't going to investigate as there is no evidence.

If it’s resignation level problem then that’s a massive failure of probity and leadership that sits squarely with Boris

Agree with this.

I always thought they investigated and found the evidence. Apparently unless you get caught in the act you're OK.

They forced through the Nationality and Borders bill earlier today, in case anyone else wondered what was being slipped through while we were all distracted.

Is that the vote where it’s rumoured some opposition MPs hid in the toilet as a delaying tactic?

There is something seriously wrong with our politics at the moment and I can’t see any politician or any political party prepared to stand up for making a substantial change.

It's only just dawned on you OP that we're being played like fools?

Someone deliberately kept this rehearsal speech for a year . So there is obviously an agenda .

I also suspect DC.

@thebellagio

I suspect gove and Cummings are making a move to oust Johnson

I’m inclined to agree, and I suspect they have the approval of the 1922 Committee. They want Johnson out in time for a new leader to turn the party’s fortunes around in time for the next General Election.