[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Carth

Touch of jealousy because your firm didn't get the contract Andrew?

We all know, and have for years, that they're all 'in it together' whether it's Conservative, Labour, Lib Dems, SNP etc. I find it surprising that people are still surprised by this

Not my line of business but I'm left speechless that yet another uncontracted tender fails and now we learn it's Gove's mates. The country seems to be going backwards in terms of transparency. We're becoming more the English Patient and less Great Britain. False equivalence should not trump democratic scrutiny.

---------- Post added at 11:43 ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 ----------

Originally Posted by Hugh

Why not both?

Anyhoo, I have been pleasantly surprised by the positive messages of support on this forum towards the students who are going through a very stressful time in their lives, and through no fault of their own, have had a very important part of their education banjaxed, which could affect a reasonable number of their futures.

I thought some of our posters were cynical, cold-hearted, and unfeeling, but the deep understanding, compasssion, empathy, and sympathy shown to these teenagers in this very difficult time, and the warm messages of support, just showed me I was wrong...

---------- Post added at 12:37 ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 ----------

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

If the Guvmin needs to do something in a hurry, then the competitive tender process probably hinders that. No idea if that's the case in this instance, but from my past responsibilities in local government, and having regard for contract value thresholds and/or any available derogations, I know how important that degree of freedom can be.

In which case, don't pick up the phone to your mates so that there are no suspicions of corruption.