I find this so dystopian. Its bloody obvious a dig about Newman and Carrie Johnson too because of history in this area (and how theyve been accused by others of being obstructive over other subjects though in a less obvious and disturbing way). Carrie is full on TWAW and it was utterly bizarre how a white, heterosexual woman who is simply married to the MP did a speech at the Tory Party conference for Stonewall.
We know her pet project and interference on animal issues carries a huge amount of weight. The stuff about that animal shelter guy in Afghanistan and Carrie getting involved personally ruffled more than a few feathers for example. Its not the only other case. We've had several bust up at no 10 which centre on these two getting their own way. I think Cummings had a major issue with both too. There's people ready to get knives out and settle scores.
Its also interesting to see da Costa referencing brave women who can speak who do speak out on this. She does not have to name names but i think a few a fairly obvious.
The political winds that are currently blowing are interesting. They smack of public fury with politicians who are wrapped up with conflicts of interest and a large distaste for lobbying and perceived back handers.
A lot of red wall seats fell to Tories because of dissatisfaction with local Labour representation at both council and Westminster level and this sense of backhanders and corruption. Its why Johnson did a uturn over Patterson and the polls are currently going south for Johnson - its red wall driven frustration. Brexit tapped into this wider public dissatisfaction with political representation particularly in traditional Labour areas but now Brexit is 'done' attention and focus is shifting and dodgy dealings are starting to get noticed by those who don't pay close attention.
Fwiw, I think the Tories will turn things around, simply cos the penny is dropping about lobbying and backhanders being such a public turn off. The two people who would like Johnson's job most are Sunak and Truss. And Truss has a very firm position with regards to the Stonewall question, which make it difficult for Johnson to continue to ignore...
I get the impression that bridges that Newman and Johnson's wife burnt may be problematic for Johnson going forward. They clearly are not popular with many. The latest scandal over corruption has damaged Johnson and his brand. He has a lot of work to do to restore that and to win back disgruntled internal support.
Da Costa coming out and saying this is significant on a couple of levels for that reason. Her timing is impeccable and she's seized the optimum moment to talk about this subject. Partly for Stonewall directly and almost telling Carrie to wind her neck in, and partly because it hints that the sharks are starting to circle perhaps having scented blood and the chance of a Tory Leadership challenge. Again I think Johnson may well survive the threat of that, but I also think he's got to do some compromising and people management to retain support from key individuals within his own party to do that. He has basically got to do some deals on what other people have as an agenda and not be seen as under the thumb of his wife or a powerful lobby group who are currently ruffling too many feathers in all the wrong ways and with the wrong people.
The fact the BBC are making comments about impartiality and da Costa is now saying that the PM is being unduly influenced and this isn't necessarily either in the public interest or reflective of public opinion is a huge deal.
I don't agree with da Costa on how she handled a fair few things with May over Brexit (which is where I first heard about her when she ruffled a few feathers in how she tried to force through May's Brexit Legislation). But she's damn good at her job and her attention to detail is impressive. I respect her. Few people are in a position she is. She was Director of Legislative Affairs under May for a year, left shortly after Johnson became PM before returning to Director of Legislative Affairs 7 months later. She's had a long history with the Conservative Party and will have some interesting relationships within in (including special advisor to the chief whip whilst the Tories were in opposition). And she has considerable experience in public relations.
She's landed this punch well. She is well respected and she knows her stuff. The fact she's speaking up and hinting that there is internal dissatisfaction within the ranks at no10 but women are afraid to speak up because of the threat to their career isn't insignificant either. She's something of a JKR figure within politics because she has a reputation and a career which won't be affected by her speaking up as she's already won that success and respect. I think you would be unwise to under estimate this article and what it means for that reason.
I get the sense that Stonewall are going to find themselves stuck in a trap of their own making just at a time when the political winds are changing to highlight the tentacles of lobbying and politicians are going to be keen to be seen to disentangle themselves from this rather publicly and quickly. Stonewall also happen to be something of an easy win for politicians on this score too, because of the ongoing culture war.
It also makes it harder for opposition parties to cosy up to them in quite the same way. (I note this morning that there is an article in the Times this morning about Layla Moran doing paid work for Bindmans from her Westminster office, which makes me raise an eye brow or two.)
Interesting. Fascinating to a political nerd like me. And well done to da Costa.
We shall see where this heads...