Updated: Boris resigns as party leader
 

Not sure if this belongs here or it should be in it's own thread.

The Christmas Party shenanigans, should heads roll? if so, whose?

Mod edit (Chris): A new thread, I think. Lots of posts moved.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

As much as I would love to see that happen, i think it's more likely a sacrifice will be made.

The government hiding this morning is interesting. I'd have a lot more time for them if they came out and said. yes, we did it, we apologise (which we know means nowt) and we're going to donate 20k each personally to insert x charity here.

Looks like there was another party as well, and reese mogg has been caught out as well

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

What makes that video worse, other than that they spent a week denying it ever took place, is that they clearly knew what they were doing.

I can understand if a few staffers who had to work in No 10 anyway, were in close proximity anyway, decided to have a few drinks after work. Yes it still would have been illegal under their own rules but you can sort of understand how it naturally comes about.

But the video shows an intentional understanding they would flaunt their own rules and then laugh about it. They really are quite brazen about it all.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Indeed, If Starmer can't capitalise on this then he should be gone... it's an open goal

---------- Post added at 09:27 ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 ----------

Watching Sky News and they're stating Boris was there... as he gave a speech

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I think that was a "leaving do", the previous week.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Boris is expected to lie cheat and manipulate the rules, will it hurt him? no.
He will just waffle out some gibberish at pmq's that bares no resemblance to the subject under question as he usually does.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

They had the party to test their eyesight.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Who didn't break the rules a little on xmas gatherings :shrug:

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Why does that justify the behaviour ?

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I didn't claim it did.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Anyone still think Boris will make it past 2022?

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

They'll probably ditch Charles and make him the next king.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Then if not an attempt as justification what was the point of your question?

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Is asking a question not allowed now? it seems reasonable to ask if others have broken the rules even if it was just a little bit.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

To what relevance ?

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

To be fair, he was probably asking rhetorically…

Which, by pure coincidence, is an anagram of "hairy troll (CE)"…

---------- Post added at 10:38 ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 ----------

By pure chance…

https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/...icy-priorities

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

So, now the Department of Education admits to a gathering as well


'It was first revealed by the Daily Mirror last night, which said up to two dozen staff of former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson got together for drinks and canapes in the office on 10 December.

At the time, London was in Tier 2 restrictions which banned any indoor household mixing.

The department has admitted that a "gathering" was held for those who were already in the office and couldn't work from home.

"Drinks and snacks were brought by those attending and no outside guests or supporting staff were invited or present," a spokeswoman said.

"While this was work-related, looking back we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time."''

From https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/59575030

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

And then we can do what the French did. Job done.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Speech to the European Foundation ("Freedom, Economic Liberty and the Rule of Law")

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I know she made speeches on law and order, just not the one in the picture you posted.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

We all make mistakes - except, in this case...

https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/102777

1975 Oct 10
Margaret Thatcher
Speech to Conservative Party Conference

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

It’s all fudge. It’s all sleight of hand. It’s all bare faced lying. It’s all hypocritical. It’s all move along nothing happening here.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Damn! well done. Black belt googling.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

And the worst of it? It's all either ignored. Or attempted to be justified and accepted by a large percentage of the public.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Aided and abetted by the majority of the tabloids, although tellingly even the Mail had the knives out today.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I think 'a large percentage of the public' don't give two hoots about 'Partygate'.

Many of the general public don't give a fig about lots of stuff . .

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Oh i agree, I'd argue they perhaps should?

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I get all the "should be held to higher standard" etc etc, but they evidence by their actions that most don't have any standards.

The output of this is apathy, and referring to that wonderful quote the Hugh researched from Thatcher, if they tried to impose any further restrictions I think most people would just flout them now.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

It all depends on what they perceive to be 'important' in their everyday lives . . .

Is the TV still working? *yes*
Is Facebook still working? *yes*
Is my car still working? *yes*
Can I still shop online? *yes*

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Very true, but elections are won and lost in the margins. One per cent here, two per cent there.

The knives will be out.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Yes the knives will be out, but it won't be the 'general public' wielding them.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I can't argue with that to be honest. If any sort of household mixing were to be introduced I'd like to think i'd go along with it, but if i'm honest I'd just carry on as normal.

Decisive action was required to nip this in the bud, they've not done that, the moral authority if not gone is in in question. and yet STILL Keir Starmer can't get a fatal blow in

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

So Johnson has thrown his staff under the bus - that could come back to haunt him…

btw, "I apologise for the impression that was given" is up there with "I’m sorry you felt you were offended" as far as fauxpologies go…

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

What kind of fatal blow are you expecting? His questions were good and awkward for Johnson, and he got a commitment for No 10 to hand over details of any parties (plural) to the police.

The story has enough traction on it's own though.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Scottish Conservative leader and bang average lineo Douglas Ross has called for Boris Johnson to resign if he misled Parliament. A caveat that, unless he’s completely forgotten about a party he was actually at, doesn’t mean much.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...5Bpost+type%5D

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

To me, it appeared that Boris managed to brush off his questioning quite easily.

The police according to some media sources were already aware of what was going on.

Any inquiry is either going to end in

a. going to be forgotten about
b. a small sacrificial lamb will be offered
c. the police will say not enough evidence

IMHO

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-new...gives-12469075

Premise 1 - we have been repeatedly told "there was no party"

In summary, it has been confirmed by Government sources that both Simon Case and Boris Johnson did not attend the party that the Government sources said didn’t happen…

(I wonder if these "No. 10 spokespeople who seem to have lied albeit unwittingly" were attendees at the party that didn’t happen, as the (non-)party was held at No. 10?)

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

There could only really be a fatal blow to Boris from this if he were directly implicated, and (so far at least) he doesn’t appear to be. This further erodes his moral authority as a leader but it isn’t the coup de grace. I actually thought Starmer got a good line in for once, referencing the Queen at Philip’s funeral, but he was working the moral authority line, not trying to claim direct culpability.

There is a larger plan at work here, by well-placed persons unknown, to drip-feed material into the public domain that will eventually fatally undermine Boris even without a smoking gun directly implicating him in something. It’s the death of a thousand cuts, nipping and slicing away until everyone is left wondering why on earth he’s still in charge. At that point someone will challenge him for the leadership.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I'll give you the queen line, i'd forgotten about that....

Allegra Stratton resigns, the sacrificial lamb?

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I think they have no choice but to give her the boot. That recording is absolutely damning. I’m not certain it will draw a line under things though. It’s open season on Boris and his administration now, and every hack in Westminster will be hunting for the next morsel.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Got to wonder who leaked that video. There can't be too many people who had access to it.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Interesting that in her resignation speech, she didn't deny the party happened...

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

And the Hancock video…………..

There are definitely people embedded in the Tory party happy to see Rome burn.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

It’s Johnson’s populism that’s tearing the party apart. He’s some distance from traditional conservative values. By attempting to be all things to all people he’s made it a broad church from red wall former Labour voters to the left and UKIP voters to the right somewhere in there it becomes a difficult balancing act.

As a Brexit Government they’ve culled almost anyone who campaigned to remain from the Cabinet and many from the Parliamentary party haven’t sought re-election. A Conservative Government is traditionally pale, male, stale. But broadly considered to a sizeable proportion of the electorate a safe pair of hands.

Leaping from chaotic event to chaotic event isn’t something that traditional, non-red wall, non-UKIP types find appealing.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

And who are in charge of GCHQ and SIS…

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Guess I must be the only person in the country that is not interested in if it happened or not. To me there far more important matters happening in the world , afgainistan ,lran ,Brexit ( n.i ) and even Joe Biden and his total waste is of a VP

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

No, I'm not interested either.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

She's fallen on her sword. Is this enough to take the heat off Boris?

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Interesting.
https://mobile.twitter.com/BritainEl...7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Westminster voting intention:

LAB: 38% (+2)
CON: 34% (-4)
LDEM: 11% (+2)
GRN: 6% (-)
REFUK: 5% (+1)

I wonder what's caused this?! Party poopers I guess...

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

However all of that isn't in our remit and personally I actually care what's happening HERE because what happens here has a much more direct effect on me and mine.Yes what's happening elsewhere is important and worrying but here and now will always have MY attention.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

What was it Dennis Skinner who said, when posh boys are in trouble it's always the servant's that are sacrificed

---------- Post added at 21:48 ---------- Previous post was at 21:46 ----------

I'm always interested in lies and corruption being exposed, imo to many people are happy to let them get away with one rule for us no rules for them

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I suspect a large percentage of the public will not really care about a party that may (or may not) have happened 12 or so months ago.

In fact most are probably fed up of the constant media attention of something that really doesnt affect them at all.

I know I am, and dont care about it at all - did they or didnt they, either way it will have zero effect on my day to day life.

I had my Christmas then, pretty much the same as all previous ones (and the same again this year). The Turkey is in the freezer, waiting, and the family is invited (and coming).

---------- Post added at 21:54 ---------- Previous post was at 21:52 ----------

You are not (see above).

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

My main objection to it is that they had seen fit to impose restrictions which prevented the general public from doing so.


Also, rather than making the event seemingly low-key (a few drinks from people working in an office together at the end of the day would be minimal covid risk) they not only went to town on it (apparently) but also completely mocked the event with the videos in the press conference room.


And all this comes to light as they try and put new restrictions, albeit much milder, on the rest of us.



it's double standards, love the Thatcher quote, now she is one who acted with integrity.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

You know what they say…

"If you can’t remember the Downing Street Christmas party, you were really there."

h/t @danielmaier

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Dear Sir Graham…

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

The party isn’t the issue, it’s the potential breaching of rules yet again by the government whose members have been flagrantly breaching rules for the past eighteen to twenty four months.

That should concern us all surely ? Unless of course it doesn’t matter how those people behave ?

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

That's timed conveniently.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

The trouble is this does affect people. As we saw yesterday, Johnson strove to distract from the party by announcing further restrictions.

No 10 has repeatedly insisted it would not have enough evidence about the Omicron variant until next week to decide if new restrictions were needed. And only this Tuesday Raab had said “We don’t think Plan B is required.”

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I think a large percentage of people do care.

It's the double standard, the hypocrisy and the 'one rule for them, another for us' that upsets people. It's the same reason why the Barnard Castle story had an impact. People expect politicians to be a bit corrupt and dishonest but the feeling of unfairness really angers people.

You had your Christmas, fine, but this same Government had passed laws that could have you seen prosecuted for inviting people. There are people now awaiting court cases for breaching social distancing laws last Christmas. Videos of police breaking up parties. Students were fined £10,000 for having a student party during the lockdown. Yet some of the people who worked on those laws had their own party.

Those people will still end up with criminal records, those students will not be refunded their fines and you're lack of interest in the Government having a party would not have stopped the Government being very interested in you having a party use the law to prosecute for it.

It really doesn't matter what side of the argument you're on when it comes to if those regulations were reasonable or not. What matters is the Government thought they were for you but not for them.

I have said it before. Brexit or Remain, Tory or Labour, us pleps have more in common with each other than the politicians who claim to represent our side because those politicians will screw you and me over to further their own needs any change they get.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Exactly. The obfuscation and misdirection machinery has kicked in to full swing once again. However a Savantacomres poll shows 54% think he should resign including a third of Conservative responders, so people clearly do care about law makers being law breakers whenever it occured.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

What Damien said…

And the fact that people couldn’t visit relatives/friends in Care Homes & Hospitals because of the rules that were implemented (and ignored, seemingly, by those who set the rules), has really pissed a lot of people off.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Spot on.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Exactly. United we stand, divided we fall. Every time someone mentions someone is a Leaver or Remainer, just remember the trap they've fallen into and avoid falling into it yourself.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

I'm pretty sure that the best way to resolve an issue you have with the Government is to keep posting about it on a forum, twitter, facebook etc . .

alternatively, if you feel that isn't helping with your issue, you can complain direct

https://www.gov.uk/government/organi...ints-procedure

If however, you think that complaining directly to the very people you're complaining about will get you nowhere, here are a few other alternatives:

*Glue your head to the road outside parliament.
*Climb onto a carriage on the District line, refuse to come down until you receive a full apology and £10k compensation.
*Burn effigies of Boris (attendance of local media is a must).
*Organize a protest march
*Write to the Queen and ask her what she's going to do about the corrupt people she 'employs'
*Wait until the next GE, and then vote for anyone but Conservative (apologies if this hasn't worked in the past)

hope this helps ;)

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Are you suggesting that the government doesn't look at political threads on CF as a barometer of public opinion? I'm shocked :erm:

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Not any more, no.

They did for a while, but then found there were 'political activists' who had realised that, by carefully posting subjective material, they could influence the way others posted and therefore bend Government policies their way ;)

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Wow I didn't realise Mr Putin was a member on here ;)

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

I'm not at liberty to either confirm or deny that, or the presence of Lizard people

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

There were no new cabinet papers. It was driven by No. 10 I'm afraid Seph with no scientists to be seen.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Not forgetting Sage met the day before.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

They need to be there to make it a bit more grown up and believable.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Supported, rather than officiated, methinks…

Scientists/Advisers advise, Ministers direct.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Every dictator has a couple of well paid henchmen watching his back.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Judging by the body language they're rather reluctant henchmen.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

An alleged party, 12 months ago ?
Nope it had no efect on me at all, how did it affect you ?

Im sure a percentage think they should becasue the media make such a fuss about it, and the [anti] social media warriors tell them they should.

They'll just move onto whatever they are told to care about next, no doubt with equal "outrage".

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

exactly . . . no boat people this last week then?

stir the shit, move on, the way of the anarchist :D

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

No doubt that if it was Labour that had the party/parties then I don't think we'd here the end of it on here. :D

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Labour wouldn't even consider having a Christmas party in case it offended someone :D

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Not from me, I think everyone deserved a party last year (and this year).

:xmas:

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Perhaps we need to change the thread title to "parties"…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59601447

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

As long as it was inclusive to the LGBTQXTYBSXKOG. Community.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

But not Jews

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

More potential bad news for Johnson, from the Telegraph.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...?ocid=msedgntp

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

I'm beginning to think the prime minister isn't very truthful. :rolleyes:

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Boris Johnson has always been a liar he's incapable of taking any personal responsibility until he's forced to the man has the integrity and honour of a slug. The fact his backstabbing and games got him into downing street is a sad reflection on the quality of our political system and perfectly highlights why I'm not bothering at the next election I don't think I'll be alone.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Politicians rely on that, their reasoning will be if enough people give up, are turned off and don't bother it'll be down to the hard-core sociopaths that see no wrong in anything they do to decide it, it'll be worse than some two bit dictatorship

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Yes, it's part of the problem and not part of the solution. But a very understandable gut reaction.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I am sure those who, on that day a year ago, followed the rules and were unable to be with their loved ones when they died in hospital are "affected". I suspect that they are bloody livid.

Re: That No.10 Christmas Party
 

Regarding the bold part, the turnout for elections is, and has been for a long time, quite low. It's almost as if the general public have, over the years, sussed out that it doesn't matter who gets in, nothing ever changes.

The only time there's a decent voter turnout is when something 'big' is on offer . . like the Brexit referendum . . where people could see that a vote for what they wanted, or didn't want, could actually make a difference to the outcome.

Politics, and the Governance of the country, is tied up by large businesses and political correctness . . no matter who is in power, the public are a fair way down the ladder of importance . . . and they know it ;)

My wife and daughter have never, to my knowledge, ever voted for anything, and I - at 67 years of age - have only voted about 5 times . . . and once was a 'protest' vote for BNP :D

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I know people that met family over Christmas, are ironically calling for Boris to go, yet they refuse themselves to quit their jobs

---------- Post added at 12:48 ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 ----------


I will vote as god help us if Liebour gets in, as they would immediately rejoin the EU and surrender Stirling

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

They aren't the ones who set the laws forbidding others to do so.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Yes, I'm sure its right up there as one of their top concerns this week.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Yes, there have been several people in the news who lost loved ones who have said it is a concern for them

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co...price-22397641
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co...no-10-22350533