Westminstenders: Political vacuums are very bad things

[RedToothBrush]

Johnson has been notible (once again) but his absence.

Whilst we appreciate he has been ill and has a new baby, we are in the midst of a national crisis and a sense of leadership and guidance from our prime minister has been lacking.

And its not gone unnoticed.

Not just by the press. And not just by opposition. Nor NHS and care managers. But on the ground where it matters.

The lack of the sense of seriousness has dissipated. The sense of duty to country to behave. The idea that it will some how be all over this week when it doesn't appear to be the government strategy. The total lack of policy for a week whilst it's become clear bit by bit that these things have been under discussion and decided upon prior to the supposed key meeting on Thursday from the announcements from the regional assemblies. All in favour of a TV stunt tomorrow night.

Let's see how that goes.

The grandstanding isn't a substitute for detail and substance in a crisis. And we still have the looming show down at the end of June over extension of transition. More optics. More lack of practicality at a time when things will really be on the brink.

The next month will be telling and we hit the wall of economic reality which will bring the whole world crashing in on the lives of so many people.

This is the calm before the storm. Enough the sunshine. Enjoy the time with families. Before this is over everything will have changed for so many.

This is just the start of things unravelling and it needs someone to take control and draw up solid blueprints for all our futures. Is a man who is so frequently awol from where he is supposed to be and doesn't take commitments and responsibilities seriously, really the man for that?

Churchill had a vision for the country that cited housing as our second social service, the NHS being our first.

Will Johnson manage to some how forge out so grand new venture which gives the resource and rewards it deserves to the NHS (beyond lipservice and empty platitudes and clapping, that recognises the importance of social care and can stop the almost inevitable coming wave of homelessness and unemployment

And can he do it without selling us off as a basement bargain to the us?

for what you're going through Songs. Can't believe how employers are making staff redundant when the furlough option is open to them.

I've heard some bosses say its 'better' to get it over and done with... better for them maybe but pretty sure the employee would be grateful for a few more months income.

Yes drblackbird, I can't say anything outing as I'd get in trouble but this really didn't need to happen. It's down to a new boss on a power trip. I hope karma is real.

You are right ABC. I have to look after myself in order to fight better later on.

Shit, Songs, I'm so sorry to hear of all your troubles.
Bosses on power trips...I can imagine.
I've noticed that all that talk of a crisis bringing out the best in people is clearly a load of bollocks. The arseholes are very much still arseholes, IME.
Stay strong.

Oh songs that is shitty.

I don't understand why they wouldn't furlough you - and give you a heads up that it was likely you'd be made redundant in the end especially as they don't have any redundancy payment.

I'm gradually migrating back to the office. A large chunk are either working from home or furloughed so there's plenty of room for social distancing. My only concern is surface contact. Work have supplied cleaning stuff and wipes for individuals, hand sanitizer etc so hopefully the risk can be minimized.

Sorry to hear that Songs flowers Time to reassess reboot, be kind to yourself.

I just started reading this and remembered my prediction about home education the other day www.theguardian.com/news/2020/may/13/naomi-klein-how-big-tech-plans-to-profit-from-coronavirus-pandemic

I'm so sorry to hear it, Songs. It sounds like you've a lot to deal with at once. I hope you have people to talk to/support to lean on while you have all this on your plate.

So sorry to hear what crap time you're having songs.

We've been told that the computational research side of our institute will not be returning to the office for the foreseeable. They need the space to distance out the wet lab folks, especially since they're working around the testing facility which has taken up a chunk of bench space. That's going to be hard for those of us who are on their own at home, I know a few people who are struggling with their mental health and I had hoped they could go in even one day a week.

Re: Starmer, as discussed above, I agree it's the only way through this. Acceptance of the result, responsibility to get a good deal is on the government, and then critique the deal itself.

I'm sorry again for a rubbish post

And i'll leave this here as a reminder of "how to milk the situation like a Tory" www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157495662194065&set=a.10150182781719065&type=3&theater

Shit, songs. That's horrific, what an awful person your boss is. I hope you'll be able to focus your energies on your teen and their MH issues - it's so hard in lockdown.

On a more positive note we have finally found something that helps DD2's fibromyalgia - a weighted blanket. DD1 bought one for herself to see if it helps with anxiety (it does) but has lent it to DD2 and gave her a miraculously better night's sleep. Instant noticeable improvement in energy levels, mood and ease of movement. Almost scary. So we've ordered one for her too. I thought they were a fad. I was wrong, at least for my DC.

So sorry songs
How dreadful of your employer. (And yes I totally believe in karma!) You have so much on your plate atm.
A friend messaged me yesterday...she's left home. Marriage over. I think the divorce rate will surge once lockdown is lifted :(
My dh and I are struggling atm. It's because he's a twat.
Ds1 (16) had a total meltdown on Monday evening...awful. Remote learning is hard for him.
I'm being taken advantage of in my voluntary roles and am getting increasingly angry about it.
Ugh.
I intend to spend the day reading and re- watching game of thrones ⚔🏹🪓 where I can vicariously plan and execute terrible revenge on those who have wronged me
Honestly, I'd make Cersei Lannister look like Mr Bean in my current mood! ☠

Hmmm. Could you post a link to the blanket please?
Thank you x

Has this been posted? That Starmer is setting a trap for the Tories by not calling for a Brexit extension.

@yoikes
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084HPM9BR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

We got the double in the 6.8 kg, but that's now sold out. But there are lots of others available - I only got this one because it's the one DD1 got (in a single) and she loves it. Not stupid expensive either.

I just read that (LE article) too. I'm not sure why my leftie friend seems to want to pick holes in him all the time, she also said that she thought banging on about Brexit was clearly wrong now as it has been shown there will be worse things (COVID). I've reminded her we will be having both... It's a very strange time indeed.

Oh and modelling guy lost the internet after that post. I bit and he ended up posting video clips about the economy from The Sun and The Express . Worrying that people with his job are in fact seemingly in control of this though. Ethics and data science should definitely be mandated.

Many thanks x

As predicted ... where are the Brexiteers with their mantra of "taking back control" now, eh ?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/may/12/us-message-to-britain-in-bilateral-trade-talks-its-us-or-china

The US government has been privately pressing the UK in bilateral trade talks to make a choice between the US and China.

The US is seeking to insert a clause that would allow it to retreat from parts of the deal if Britain reaches a trade agreement with another country that the US did not approve.

If you don't pay 'em, they won't post

Seen on FB:

“ If you can’t criticise the Government when they have caused thousands of avoidable deaths when can you?
This isn’t a toddler trying to paint a picture when ‘their best’ is adorable. “

threadreaderapp.com/thread/1260318622465110017.html

Quite a nice summary of the governmental failures on COVID-19, bringing in some bits on Brexit as well.

Someone bemoaning a lack of basic numeracy here:.

(For example Boris "200,000 tests a day" (or whatever). Just stop for a
second and work out how on earth that could be delivered ... that's
roughly 10,000 tests an hour (assuming 24/7 processing). Even if each
test took 1 minute, you'd need staff to carry out about 167 tests in
parallel for 24 hours 7 days a week. That suggests maybe 100 centres with
2 nurses on 24/7 working flat out across the UK. Or, in other words, Boris
is a lying sack of shit who should have been pulled up within a minute of
that ludicrous and mendacious claim.)

Some more info on trade agreement wish list with Japan. Seems to be a MBA marketing brief rather than something that will lead to an improvement over what we already have?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/884680/UKKJapanFreeeTradeAgreementtstrategicapproach.pdf

Some more info on trade agreement wish list with Japan. Seems to be a MBA marketing brief rather than something that will lead to an improvement over what we already have?

With the EU also getting it by default. I wonder if they'll send us a "thank you" note for all the hard work we'll have done for them ?

It gets even worse. We choose to turn our backs on our near neighbours, where a significant amount of our food comes from and now we have to choose between the USA and China? Given the vast amount of stuff which comes in from China, this would be totally destructive.

I admit that it would be no bad thing not to be so heavily dependent on China, but we can't replace Chinese goods overnight. Even if we were, the USA isn't in a position to replace those lost Chinese goods.