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Brexit

Westminstenders: Going, going, cummings

995 replies

RedToothBrush · 13/11/2020 18:36

As expected he's fucking off and leaving everyone else to pick up the pieces in January. But it does look like he was eventually shown the door and left with a cardboard box. As he should have been months ago.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with Johnson needing an image change, like the shape shifting creep he is, to one that fits more with the incoming Biden Administration. In other words hes got some serious sucking up to do...

... Meanwhile in Brexit land we are going into yet another final week of talks.

Many expect Cummings departure to signal 'the cave in'. The Eu say we havent moved enough and the uk say the EU wants us to do all the moving... Except the EU have done lots of moving. Barnier is still looking for a groundsman to level his field to play. We have yet to work out we aren't Canada and distance is important to trade.

Of course if we don't get a deal, that Pfizer vaccine in Germany that we want, might be hit with delays and extra costs we just can't afford.

OP posts:
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Stokey · 15/11/2020 16:32

The Sunday Times had got a whole spread on "chumocracy" referencing Kate Bingham and several others. Worth a read.

Choux · 15/11/2020 17:08

London may have no tourists but it is still keeping its’ attractions up to date:
mobile.twitter.com/MadameTussauds/status/1325158317904125953

DGRossetti · 15/11/2020 17:10

[quote Choux]London may have no tourists but it is still keeping its’ attractions up to date:
mobile.twitter.com/MadameTussauds/status/1325158317904125953[/quote]
And it was generous of Dominic Cummings to volunteer to turn the Christmas lights at Barnard Castle this year too.

dontcallmelen · 15/11/2020 17:25

@DGRossetti

Meantimes it seems EU dairy producers are told to "Get Thee Behind Me" by a Minster whose name translates as "Uselss" in Eurish.

twitter.com/search?q=Lurpak&src=trend_click&pt=1327915454464204804&vertical=trends

Environment Secretary George Eustice told Andrew Marr that some European companies would need to move dairy production into the UK to avoid tariffs on their goods if no Brexit trade deal is reached

Usual high standard of Twitterati debate follows ....

I’m so glad you posted this DGR I thought I had finally succumbed too complete & total madness when I heard this on the Andrew Marr show this morning, truly I was flabbergasted I know I shouldn’t be but WTF.
TatianaBis · 15/11/2020 17:26

@Clavinova

Vallance is the red herring insofar as Bingham was appointed by Boris. Vallance as a scientific advisor to the government can only recommend, not personally appoint.

(The same Vallance who has a £600k shareholding in GlaxoSmithKline, contracted to develop a Covid-19 vaccine for the government).

Kate was at school with Rachel and her DH was at school with Boris.

DGRossetti · 15/11/2020 17:37

Environment Secretary George Eustice told Andrew Marr that some European companies would need to move dairy production into the UK to avoid tariffs on their goods if no Brexit trade deal is reached

Not quite the same level of arrogance as some Tory MPs that were happily tweeting to Joe Biden that he "didn't understand the IMB", but you can see where it comes from. There is a Brexiteer tactic of saying "you'd agree with me if you understood what I was saying."

DGRossetti · 15/11/2020 17:43

www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2020/1115/1178252-brexit/

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said there is a need to dial down the language between the EU and UK in the Brexit talks.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Coveney also criticised the British government's Internal Market Bill which would allow ministers to break international law.

"The EU has said that it will have to take legal action against the UK if they proceed with breaking international law," he said.

(contd)

I wonder what effect the Trump situation - which means Team Biden do not have secure access to communications - might mean for Team UK ? I can imagine no. 10 being desperate to know what January 21st will bring ...

pussycatinboots · 15/11/2020 18:04

DGR without being too vulgar...

💩💩💩

SwedishEdith · 15/11/2020 18:39

Lots of speculation re the wording of Frost's tweets today. Interesting discussion here

twitter.com/rolandmcs/status/1328019675603726344?s=20

OhLookHeKickedTheBall · 15/11/2020 18:56

[quote dontcallmelen]@OhLookHeKickedTheBall wishing you a very speedy recovery, another stroke survivor here, if I can be of any help dont hesitate to contact me💐[/quote]
Thanks dont
I'm thankfully just left with some tingling and speaking with a few sh instead of s and some random tiredness. Could have been a lot worse. Hope all is well with you too

Clavinova · 15/11/2020 20:20

TatianaBis
Kate was at school with Rachel

I would be extremely surprised if Rachel Johnson had any influence whatsoever - I'm not even sure she gets on that well with her brother;
"Dec 2019 Boris Johnson's sister Rachel admits she has 'never met' his girlfriend Carrie Symonds."

Press release;
"Kate Bingham has today (16 May) been appointed chair of the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce – the group set up by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Business Secretary and Health Secretary to lead UK efforts to find and manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine."

"This is a cross-government role and Kate Bingham will report directly to the Prime Minister."

"Kate Bingham is a leading figure in the life sciences sector"...

www.gov.uk/government/news/kate-bingham-appointed-chair-of-uk-vaccine-taskforce

ListeningQuietly · 15/11/2020 20:25

Its not about influence
its about the absolute lack of proper professional recruitment of the best people for the job.

the WHOLE Covid rules stitch up has been about getting around the rules that were brought in to prevent
corruption in public office
The NOLAN PRINCIPLES were brought in for a reason

Clavinova · 15/11/2020 20:30

Its not about influence
Its about the absolute lack of proper professional recruitment of the best people for the job.

Why do you think Kate Bingham is not qualified for the role?

"2017 - Kate Bingham - recently awarded the lifetime achievement award by the BioIndustry Association (BIA), notably for her "enormous contribution to the UK biotech sector during her career"...

"2020 Kate Bingham Board member of The Francis Crick Institute"

TokyoSushi · 15/11/2020 20:37

Laura K tweeting that the PM is self isolating after coming into contact with a positive case. Lovely start to 'relaunch week' of the kinder, shiny, happy, Tories!

ListeningQuietly · 15/11/2020 20:41

Why do you think Kate Bingham is not qualified for the role?
Show me how she is
and how she was transparently appointed.

Crick Board members are non exec
and lifetime achievement awards are not proof of competence

Show me the ad she applied for that complied with Public Sector rules
oh silly me

TatianaBis · 15/11/2020 20:48

Kate Bingham is a very bright woman with an Oxbridge first in biochemistry, a Harvard MBA and a career in pharmaceuticals and investment.

She also has absolutely no experience whatsoever in vaccines, is married to a Tory minister and has prior acquaintance with Boris and his family.

Clavinova · 15/11/2020 20:49

Show me the ad she applied for that complied with Public Sector rules oh silly me

I believe Kate Bingham's role is unpaid.

Similar appointments in other countries - Republic of Ireland;
Desktop exercise
"chief information officer for the HSE, said the authority conducted a desktop exercise and identified a number of prospective candidates; Nearform was eventually chosen from that list. “We did get some recommendations, and we knew their track record, mainly in the private sector,”

"Given the public health emergency, speed was of the essence."

www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/race-against-time-the-inside-story-of-ireland-s-covid-tracker-app-1.4303509

SabrinaThwaite · 15/11/2020 20:58

Do Irish public sector appointments need to comply with UK public sector appointment rules?

Thought not.

SwedishEdith · 15/11/2020 20:59

@TokyoSushi

Laura K tweeting that the PM is self isolating after coming into contact with a positive case. Lovely start to 'relaunch week' of the kinder, shiny, happy, Tories!
Why does he need to? Do people have to for same amount of time even if already had it?
Clavinova · 15/11/2020 21:01

I suspect that Kate Bingham was approached by Patrick Vallance if they have known each other "for years". Other likely candidates may have been approached first of course and turned down the role - Kate Bingham may not have been the first person considered for the task.

pussycatinboots · 15/11/2020 21:03

DH response on the news that Boris is self-isolating for 2 weeks:

"You lying fucker - you'll do anything to avoid facing the press"

He's a keeper (DH not BJ, obvs)

Clavinova · 15/11/2020 21:07

DH response on the news that Boris is self-isolating for 2 weeks

Photographic evidence I'm afraid;

news.sky.com/story/boris-johnson-self-isolating-after-being-in-contact-with-someone-who-tested-positive-for-covid-19-12133559

SabrinaThwaite · 15/11/2020 21:07

Or after the Cummings goings he’s been on a massive bender and will need to lie low for a while.

campion · 15/11/2020 21:08

I agree with your DH pussycatinboots

TheABC · 15/11/2020 21:09

@pussycatinboots

DH response on the news that Boris is self-isolating for 2 weeks:

"You lying fucker - you'll do anything to avoid facing the press"

He's a keeper (DH not BJ, obvs)

On the plus side, it's two more weeks sans Johnson. A November lockdown is depressing enough - I don't need any help on that score.
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