Topic: Doesn't matter who you vote for as long as it's for the right reasons!

[Dr. Beaker]

Build build build.Jobs jobs jobs.

[TSC]

Usual bluster with no substance.  Chuck in a reference to ‘brexit’ too.  Sky reporting Starmer more aggressive than usual. 

[Clint Eastwood]

The 12,000 more nurses and 6,000 more doctors he harps on about are actually early graduates. They haven't added more nurses and doctors, they were always going to join the NHS conveyor belt.

[Felch Aid]

Starmer showing quite a bit of grit and passion today. Really pushed Johnson who is starting to sound like a broken record.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Coronavirus: UK 'faces tax rises or spending cuts'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53402176

But,  but QE money...

[Charlie Adams fried egg]

He just fucking lies. Every time.
Lies, outrage at being questioned and soundbites.
Starmer looks like he could swing for him and Johnson looks like it's the first time in his life he's had to answer to anyone, and he doesn't like it.

[Felch Aid]

The request to support what everything the government simply won't wash. The British Airways points were really well executed and all Johnson could point to was the measures last week. It's on the record and Johnson never addressed it.

[TSC]

Obvious too johnson hasn’t read the ‘Second spike’ report Starmer was referring to. 

[Elmo!]

Obvious too johnson hasn’t read the ‘Second spike’ report Starmer was referring to.

YEs I'm surprised Starmer didn't draw attention to Boris carefully worded response that he was 'aware' of the report.

[TSC]

YEs I'm surprised Starmer didn't draw attention to Boris carefully worded response that he was 'aware' of the report.

That’s potentially as good as PM admitting he hasn’t read said report.

[So… Howard Philips]

That’s potentially as good as PM admitting he hasn’t read said report.

I'm "aware" of quantum physics but don't understand it.

Johnson is an over promoted buffoon.

[oldfordie]

Obvious too johnson hasn’t read the ‘Second spike’ report Starmer was referring to.

Yep "Am aware of the report" shows he hasn't even bothered to read it. too much detail for Johnson to handle.

[ShakaHislop]

Was initially surprised Government had confirmed Huawei involvement in 5g back in January.  But would appear the latest u-turn is a result of pressure from Trump.  He’d warned UK government so the u-turn was always incoming.

China: UK cooperating with US to hurt Huawei

China accused the United Kingdom on Wednesday of cooperating with the U.S. in order to harm Huawei after the U.K. banned the Chinese company from participating in its 5G wireless network.

A foreign ministry spokeswoman said China will protect its companies, but did not indicate any potential retaliation, The Associated Press reported. 

“Without any concrete evidence, the United Kingdom took unfounded risks as an excuse and cooperated with the United States to discriminate, suppress and exclude Chinese companies,” Hua Chunying said, according to the AP.

President Trump on Tuesday claimed to have had a big role in the U.K.’s decision, telling reporters in the Rose Garden “I did this myself, for the most part” while citing concerns Huawei is a security risk.

“I talked many countries out of using it: if they want to do business with us, they can’t use it,” the president said.

Hua said on Wednesday the president’s comments showed the bans were “completely unrelated to national security,” adding “this is highly politicized manipulation.” She also said ultimately the ban hurts the U.K. and China’s relationship.

China’s ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, has blasted the U.K.’s decision, calling it “disappointing and wrong.” The ambassador also questioned whether the U.K. is a safe country for international investors due to the ban.

“It has become questionable whether the U.K. can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries,” Liu tweeted, according to the AP.

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/507405-china-uk-cooperating-with-us-to-hurt-huawei

[Circa1892]

He just fucking lies. Every time.
Lies, outrage at being questioned and soundbites.
Starmer looks like he could swing for him and Johnson looks like it's the first time in his life he's had to answer to anyone, and he doesn't like it.

The fat useless c*nt.

How dare he make a jibe at unelected burueacfats in Brussels when everyone knows the thick fuck Cummings runs our country.

[Red-Soldier]

The fat useless c*nt.

How dare he make a jibe at unelected burueacfats in Brussels when everyone knows the thick fuck Cummings runs our country.

Why do you constantly harp on about him being thick???

He is many things, but thick is not one of them.

[Welshred]

His "He needs to make up his mind which brief he's going to take today, because at the moment it looks as if he's got more briefs than Calvin Klein" quirk in response to a question from Starmer about bereaved Covid-19 families is fucking abhorrent. Absolute c*nt of a man.

[Zeb]

As many have remarked before, Yvette Cooper is very good at asking questions. Patel struggling to explain why she's never questioned why estimates (as a percentage) of the number of people with coronavirus coming into the country haven't changed from March until today.

Twitter video on Lammy's account: https://twitter.com/DavidLammy/status/1283395246840307717

Lammy says they're asleep at the wheel. Good argument that a fair few of the current ministers are just not on top of their brief.

[Felch Aid]

Not sure this should be here but Andrew Neill cut from the beeb. Suspect he will go to Sky or ITV.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53416067

[Red-Soldier]

That’s potentially as good as PM admitting he hasn’t read said report.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson indicates at PMQs he has not read winter coronavirus report

Keir Starmer presses PM over scientists’ call for preparations for possible second wave

Starmer said: “I have to ask, in light of the last few questions: has the prime minister actually read this report, that sets out the reasonable worse-case scenario and tells the government what it needs to do about it in the next six weeks? Has he read it?”

Johnson replied: “I am, of course, aware of the report, and we are, of course, taking every reasonable step to prepare this country for a second spike,” bringing jeers from some opposition MPs.

Starmer asked Johnson to commit to implementing all the recommendations of the report, which was commissioned by Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser. Johnson did not do so, saying only that ministers would ensure the NHS was not overwhelmed by a second wave.

After PMQs, a spokesman for Starmer said the report set out the potentially dire consequences of a second wave, adding: “It is deeply concerning that the prime minister hasn’t even bothered to read it.”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/15/boris-johnson-indicates-at-pmqs-he-has-not-read-winter-coronavirus-report

[TSC]

Staggering the extent & value of contracts being dished out without even a nod towards governing regulations for the award of public sector contracts.  Cummings appears to be extracting his 'Brexit' payback and then some.

When secret coronavirus contracts are awarded without competition, it's deadly serious.

Deals worth billions have been granted by a government willing to brazen out disgrace until outrage subsides.


https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/15/coronavirus-contracts-government-transparency-pandemic

[ShakaHislop]

Not sure this should be here but Andrew Neill cut from the beeb. Suspect he will go to Sky or ITV.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53416067

They're cutting the Andrew Neil show (no loss there) but the plans for his BBC One show sounds exactly like the premise of the Andrew Neil show.

The best thing for BBC News could be to get rid of Fran Unsworth if she's the one who has been in charge for the past few years.

[So… Howard Philips]

Why do you constantly harp on about him being thick???

He is many things, but thick is not one of them.

Arrogant certainly. With an overweening belief in his own abilities.

But if he is the one pulling the strings behind this cluster fuck then there is plenty of evidence that he is thick, despite his grooming by Thatcher's favourite historian and his apprenticeship in Russia.

[Zeb]

Labour looking to settle the libel cases as a result of the Panorama programme on antisemitism. Sensible for current management to settle now if there's no sensible defence available rather than doing a Unite and rack up the legal fees all round too. Pro-tip would be don't fill the party machinery with conspiracy theorists unused to being held to account for spinning a tale.

It is understood the Labour Party are poised to settle a legal case brought against it by up to seven former staff members who spoke to the BBC’s Panorama investigation into the handling of antisemitism.

The JC understands that the party is close to finalising a deal with  to the former employees – along with the veteran journalist John Ware who made the programme – after they sued for libel over statements made following the show’s broadcast last July.

The seven whistle-blowers had instructed the lawyer Mark Lewis to act on their behalf summer after Labour issued a series of statements attempting to discredit the whistle-blowers, Mr Ware and the central allegations made in the Panorama – which was titled Is Labour Antisemitic?

Mr Lewis accused Labour of “wilfully attacking  the whistle-blowers, falsely accusing them of making deliberate, malicious representations, and misleading the public, while also calling them disaffected former officials whose credibility as sources was in doubt.”

A further legal letter was sent to the party last December alleged  it had libelled Mr Ware in statements following broadcast of the programme.

It is contended that the Labour party libelled a respected journalist for suggesting he deliberately set out to make a biased programme.

In one statement Labour said: “The Panorama programme and the BBC have engaged in deliberate and malicious representations designed to mislead the public.”

The documentary, which is now nominated for a BAFTA award, alleged that top party figures had interfered with investigations into antisemitism.

On the evening the programme was aired, a Labour spokesman said: “It appears these disaffected former officials include those who have always opposed Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, worked to actively to undermine it and have both personal and political axes to grind. This throws into doubt their credibility as sources.”

Jewish Chronicle

As Lee Harpin points out, the inability to defend in court the allegations made by Corbyn's staff also has implications for that 'report' produced by Formby and friends as well as significant parts of Forde's inquiry into it.

[Jiminy Cricket]

Why do you constantly harp on about him being thick???

He is many things, but thick is not one of them.

Probably because Cummings fancies himself as an intellectual, and he ain't that either.

[Red-Soldier]

Probably because Cummings fancies himself as an intellectual, and he ain't that either.

But he clearly isn't thick, if he were, he and the country wouldn't be in the positions we find ourselves in (eg. leaving the EU, the Tories having an 80 seat majority and him pulling the strings of government).

I am not a fan, I don't like his methods or ideas, but the guy is clearly not thick.  He does overestimate himself though, like most of his type.

[ShakaHislop]

But he clearly isn't thick, if he were, he and the country wouldn't be in the positions we find ourselves in (eg. leaving the EU, the Tories having an 80 seat majority and him pulling the strings of government).

I am not a fan, I don't like his methods or ideas, but the guy is clearly not thick.

Other Eurosceptics had been doing the leg-work for Brexit for decades before he came onto the scene and the less said about the self-inflicated state of Labour going into the last election, the better.

[Red-Soldier]

Other Eurosceptics had been doing the leg-work for Brexit for decades before he came onto the scene and the less said about the self-inflicated state of Labour going into the last election, the better.

Yes, and it still was a very close thing.  Perhaps he was only responsible for just 2% of the Leave vote, which would've been enough to see it over the line.


I don't want to spend any more of my time defending this man.  I was just stating the very obvious fact (to me), that he clearly is not thick.

[Circa1892]

Thick might not be the exact word. But he’s blind to all his masses of ineptitude, overrates himself, and seems to have zero knowledge of anything outside of how to follow the Bannon playbook. Pretty much everything practical and tangible he’s tried to do has been an absolute failure.

[Circa1892]

Grayling can add not getting a committee chairship that was handed to him on a plate to his list of career success.

[Jiminy Cricket]

But he clearly isn't thick, if he were, he and the country wouldn't be in the positions we find ourselves in (eg. leaving the EU, the Tories having an 80 seat majority and him pulling the strings of government).

I am not a fan, I don't like his methods or ideas, but the guy is clearly not thick.  He does overestimate himself though, like most of his type.

I think you will find that is just what I said, just more succinctly.

[TepidT2O]

Grayling can add not getting a committee chairship that was handed to him on a plate to his list of career success.

Grayling  failing...

[So… Howard Philips]

I've just had the misfortune to see two of the Brexity Tory MPs from the "Blue Wall" in Parliament.

Talk about classless. Makes me hark back to the golden days of Euro Sceptics like Teddy Taylor.

[TSC]

But he clearly isn't thick, if he were, he and the country wouldn't be in the positions we find ourselves in (eg. leaving the EU, the Tories having an 80 seat majority and him pulling the strings of government).

I am not a fan, I don't like his methods or ideas, but the guy is clearly not thick.  He does overestimate himself though, like most of his type.

Not sure if I’m giving him too much credit, but at best he or a paid associate/s (Cambridge analytics, etc) noted the opportunities presented by social media, through data deep dive and peddling untruths to targeted users.  Brexit wasn’t the first time, a number of elections preceded brexit, including the 2016 US election. 

Then exploited labour’s brexit fence sitting with the ‘get brexit done’ simple message.  This, and Labours agreement to the election in the first place, provided the Tories with an escape route out of their ‘brexit’ cul-de-sac.

He may not be ‘thick’ but evidently does not have the ability or legitimacy to govern the UK in time of crisis.  That’s not tongue-in-cheek.  Whatever power he wields over the PM and cabinet has thrust him into his current position.

[Elmo!]

Not sure if I’m giving him too much credit, but at best he or a paid associate/s (Cambridge analytics, etc) noted the opportunities presented by social media, through data deep dive and peddling untruths to targeted users.  Brexit wasn’t the first time, a number of elections preceded brexit, including the 2016 US election. 

Then exploited labour’s brexit fence sitting with the ‘get brexit done’ simple message.  This, and Labours agreement to the election in the first place, provided the Tories with an escape route out of their ‘brexit’ cul-de-sac.

He may not be ‘thick’ but evidently does not have the ability or legitimacy to govern the UK in time of crisis.  That’s not tongue-in-cheek.  Whatever power he wields over the PM and cabinet has thrust him into his current position.

Brexit was before the US election.

[ShakaHislop]

Steve Bannon is another right-winger whose "genius" is overstated. No matter what people say, he'd have been far more influential if he had stayed within the White House yet he managed to get himself fired in only the first year or so of Trump's presidency.

[Red-Soldier]

I think you will find that is just what I said, just more succinctly.

You actually didn't say that, from my own understanding that is.  You were so succinct, that you missed out the whole point completely. 

[Jiminy Cricket]

We are clearly at cross-purposes somewhere. Not that it really matters. I think we are on the same page.

The fat useless c*nt.

How dare he make a jibe at unelected burueacfats in Brussels when everyone knows the thick fuck Cummings runs our country.

Why do you constantly harp on about him being thick???

He is many things, but thick is not one of them.

Probably because Cummings fancies himself as an intellectual, and he ain't that either.

But he clearly isn't thick, if he were, he and the country wouldn't be in the positions we find ourselves in (eg. leaving the EU, the Tories having an 80 seat majority and him pulling the strings of government).

I am not a fan, I don't like his methods or ideas, but the guy is clearly not thick.  He does overestimate himself though, like most of his type.

I think you will find that is just what I said, just more succinctly.

You actually didn't say that, from my own understanding that is.  You were so succinct, that you missed out the whole point completely. 

[So… Howard Philips]

Consensus reached.

Cummings isn't thick, but usual caveats apply.

[TSC]

Chris Grayling loses the vote to head up the intelligence committee.  Scupered by another Tory, Julian Lewis apparently, who voted with the opposition.  Just confirmed on ch4 news.

[TSC]

Brexit was before the US election.

Yep you’re correct of course.  But the company behind the data analysis had a few ‘practice’ runs by working on other elections prior to both Brexit and US election.  Can’t rem details off the top of my head but recall reading about it and seeing it on a televised investigation.