" a vacancy at the heart of the UK"

[randomer]

so says Mark Drayford the first minister of Wales.

A chilling and sad phrase, in my opinion. I feel absolutely desperate today. Does anybody believe Mr J and his government have anythin gto offer at all?

No. They are completely without ability, empathy, skills, charm and imagination.

It is difficult to imagine a less competent government.

And what has mark drayford done in Wales that is so revolutionary compared to others parts of the UK? Nothing.

I'm not sure that was the issue. It doesn't matter who said it.

It's like when people used to criticise Boris Johnson, and his defenders would cry "But better than Corbyn!" as though that had anything whatsoever to do with it.

The government are a total waste of time. The worst government in living memory, led by someone utterly unsuited to leadership - he gets chewed up and spat out at every PMQs now the Labour Party actually have a competent leader.

I'm no Tory but the sad thing is there are actually some reasonably sensible Conservative MPs. Unfortunately they're all sat on the backbenchers and Boris has packed the cabinet with barely competent "yes" people and rabid Brexiteers.

I think Drakeford has actually done ok and is a competent and decent man.

He’s right about the vacancy.

Absolutely spot on. Enough of the“whataboutism”. this gang of wide boys have failed miserably at a time when the nation needed competent leadership. I hope those who voted them in are pleased with themselves.

BJ had been refusing to engage with lots of regional leaders in England.

@Rosehip10

And what has mark drayford done in Wales that is so revolutionary compared to others parts of the UK? Nothing.

We don't need 'revolutionary'.

We just need a) vaguely competent and b) not actually criminal.

We have neither.

So utterly fucking sick of 'whataboutery'.

@Rosehip10

And what has mark drayford done in Wales that is so revolutionary compared to others parts of the UK? Nothing.

Well he shows up every day, doesn't just hide

about our part time prime minister

Johnson and his bunch of bandits have nothing to offer, it’s pretty obvious now. He’s been found wanting, although it’s not as if we weren’t warned about his lying, laziness, lack of attention to detail, etc before he became PM. He has also put his cronies into positions of power, despite their obvious lack of skill and aptitude, they just needed to be loyal to him.

I lay in bed trying to get to sleep last night feeling scared of what's to come with this virus chaos.

And I realised that it would all not be so bad if we felt properly protected, led by real leaders and a competent government. Even if protection isn't possible at the moment - it would be a relief to feel that at least the intention was there ...

It's all so much worse because we are literally in the hands of a bunch of chancers and charlatans.

I don't know anything about Mr Drayford. The phrase he uttered resonated with me. The use of the word heart. I could weep and weep for this sad little kingdom with all its bluster and nonsense. The liars and public school boys have destroyed us.

This a man who likened himself to Churchill.

The liars and public school boys have destroyed us.

So so true. That phrase sent shivers through me. The UK has been destroyed by these people.

Drakeford. Drakeford.

Not Drayford.

No wonder the Welsh and Scots get pissed off.

@pontypridd

I lay in bed trying to get to sleep last night feeling scared of what's to come with this virus chaos.

And I realised that it would all not be so bad if we felt properly protected, led by real leaders and a competent government. Even if protection isn't possible at the moment - it would be a relief to feel that at least the intention was there ...

It's all so much worse because we are literally in the hands of a bunch of chancers and charlatans.

Absolutely.

When lockdown first happened and the supermarkets were half-empty and these boards were full of sneering about 'selfish stockpilers'...all I could think was, this is what happens when a population panics because it doesn't trust the people in charge to look after them and keep them safe.

I'm not saying here weren't some selfish idiots around at that time but to me it seemed so obviously a response to the total lack of trust this govt of none of the talents engenders.

This govt's response to both Brexit and Covid have shattered the country's collective mental health. I honestly believe that and I will never ever forgive the fucking Tory fuckers for it.

England - and I am being intentionally specific - is finished, imo.

@pontypridd

I lay in bed trying to get to sleep last night feeling scared of what's to come with this virus chaos.

And I realised that it would all not be so bad if we felt properly protected, led by real leaders and a competent government. Even if protection isn't possible at the moment - it would be a relief to feel that at least the intention was there ...

It's all so much worse because we are literally in the hands of a bunch of chancers and charlatans.

Yes, exactly.

I think one of the most basic expectations citizens have from a government is a commitment to their safety and protection.

This government keeps failing that, through a combination of incompetence and prioritising big business (Pret etc) over lives.

@pontypridd

The liars and public school boys have destroyed us.

So so true. That phrase sent shivers through me. The UK has been destroyed by these people.

Agree. It worries me where we are heading as a country full stop not just the pandemic.

I'm in the north east and we've just gone into lockdown. All the idiots up here who gleefully smashed the 'red wall' in the December GE are banging on about how Boris has let them down, forgotten about the North, etc etc. No fucking shit Sherlock.

It strikes me that all of the English lockdown areas are in the north/Midlands, lots of working class areas. Many deprived areas, too. Exactly the sorts of places and people the Tories couldn't give less of a shit about.

From start (late lockdown, PPE crisis, clear as mud guidance) to finish (messy local lockdowns with unclear advice, no direction, EOTHO) it's been a shitshow and one that has cost lives and livelihoods. And we have months of this ahead.

@Rosehip10

And what has mark drayford done in Wales that is so revolutionary compared to others parts of the UK? Nothing.

Drakeford has been a lot more cautious throughout the whole pandemic, was slower to lift lockdown and the rules have been stricter throughout about meeting indoors (not allowed at all unless you are part of the same household/extended household). The R number in Wales is currently significantly lower than England, but he is still not shying away from taking action where needed.

Meant to attach this

He also said that he's had very little comms with Boris since the pandemic hit, so it was in this context that he made the comment.

He appears to have scruples and makes informed decisions. As does Vaughan Gething. Not revolutionary, competent is fine. And yes I've probably spelt VG's name wrong before anybody starts (I'm Welsh and his name confuses me).

FFS @ Hestershaw, it was a momentary lapse in concentration. My family are Scottish. Built ships at Clydebank if that helps.

@PennyDreadfuI, what the hell was going on in Sunderland?