Boris's Brain is missing

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thirdcrank
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by thirdcrank »

My point was that had that chair been from another party, the rule of Mandy Rice-Davies would have been quoted.
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mjr
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by mjr »

thirdcrank wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 2:05pm My point was that had that chair been from another party, the rule of Mandy Rice-Davies would have been quoted.
Well, you would say that, wouldn't you?
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thirdcrank
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by thirdcrank »

mjr wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 2:24pm
thirdcrank wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 2:05pm My point was that had that chair been from another party, the rule of Mandy Rice-Davies would have been quoted.
Well, you would say that, wouldn't you?
It's certainly true that I could not have named the chair of the committee who was quoted and it follows that I did not know their party. I looked it up and it appeared more significant to me coming from Boris Johnson's own party, than it would from any other side. Much the same as David Davies yesterday.
Psamathe
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by Psamathe »

One aspect I'd been considering and have recently heard raised by commentators (on TV, news/Peston) is that with Johnson planning on sacking loads of people to take the blame for his failings, he will likely find it hard to recruit capable replacements. If you were appropriately qualified/experienced, maybe in the Civil Service or maybe in business would you give-up a secure post you are happy with to work for Johnson and then stand a good chance of getting sacked from when he fails to take your advice and needs somebody to take the blame? Most sensible capable people would well avoid such posts. So Johnson will only be able to recruit inexperienced and nt so capable people seeing it as a high risk stepping stone - not good news for the country.

Ian
Jdsk
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by Jdsk »

Psamathe wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 2:35pm One aspect I'd been considering and have recently heard raised by commentators (on TV, news/Peston) is that with Johnson planning on sacking loads of people to take the blame for his failings, he will likely find it hard to recruit capable replacements. If you were appropriately qualified/experienced, maybe in the Civil Service or maybe in business would you give-up a secure post you are happy with to work for Johnson and then stand a good chance of getting sacked from when he fails to take your advice and needs somebody to take the blame? Most sensible capable people would well avoid such posts. So Johnson will only be able to recruit inexperienced and nt so capable people seeing it as a high risk stepping stone - not good news for the country.
And the exit of experienced civil servants (and potential Ministers) that has already happened may have contributed to much of the nonsense of the last few years.

Jonathan
thirdcrank
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by thirdcrank »

Andrew Bailey Governor of the BoE spoke before the Treasury Select Committee yesterday, including explaining current inflation forecasts. He twice used the phrase "I have to be honest with you" (once at 1:07 and then again just before the end of this clip)

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bank-england- ... 33352.html

Only a figure of speech but imo a telling one, from one of Boris Johnson's appointees.
Jdsk
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by Jdsk »

Jdsk wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 10:47am Chair of the Commons public administration and constitutional affairs committee today:

In recent days a number of members of parliament have faced pressures and intimidation from members of the government because of their declared or assumed desire for a vote of confidence in the party leadership of the prime minister.

It is of course the duty of the government whip’s office to secure the government’s business in the House of Commons.

However it is not their function to breach the ministerial code in threatening to withdraw investments from members of parliament’s constituencies which are funded from the public purse.

Additionally, reports to me and others of members of staff at No 10 Downing Street, special advisers, government ministers and others encouraging the publication of stories in the press seeking to embarrass those who they suspect of lacking confidence in the prime minister is simply unacceptable.

The intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. Moreover, the reports of which I’m aware would seem to constitute blackmail. As such, it would be my general advice to colleagues report these matters to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and they’re also welcome to contact me at any time.
Wakeford describes how the pressure was applied, in his case by threats to school funding:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-m ... r-60070621

Jonathan
thirdcrank
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by thirdcrank »

I thought it was widely known that that the system "worked" through carrot and stick. The carrot being the prime minister's vast patronage and the stick being threats from the Whips.
reohn2
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by reohn2 »

Jdsk wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 3:21pm
Wakeford describes how the pressure was applied, in his case by threats to school funding:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-m ... r-60070621

Jonathan
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roubaixtuesday
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by roubaixtuesday »

Psamathe wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 2:35pm ... with Johnson planning on sacking loads of people to take the blame for his failings, he will likely find it hard to recruit capable replacements...
One of the notable characteristics of Johnson is that he promotes people purely and solely on the grounds of loyalty.

A whole swath of more capable tories (Dominic Grieve etc) were expelled from the party.

Slavish and absolute incompetent loyalists (Rees Mogg, Frost, Truss, Dorries) etc were promoted.
Bonefishblues
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by Bonefishblues »

thirdcrank wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 3:42pm I thought it was widely known that that the system "worked" through carrot and stick. The carrot being the prime minister's vast patronage and the stick being threats from the Whips.
Listening to the report at the moment on R4, it has gone way beyond that.
Jdsk
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by Jdsk »

Screenshot 2022-01-20 at 17.18.23.png

Jonathan
Jdsk
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by Jdsk »

"Sue Gray finds email from official warning against Number 10 drinks party in May 2020":
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-01-20/sue ... n-may-2020

Jonathan

PS: Time for a Burns quote?
djnotts
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by djnotts »

"If you were appropriately qualified/experienced, maybe in the Civil Service ......
would you give-up a secure post you are happy with to work for Johnson ...."

Not a matter of choice in the CS. One is posted.
Psamathe
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Re: Boris's Brain is missing

Post by Psamathe »

djnotts wrote: 20 Jan 2022, 7:04pm ....
Not a matter of choice in the CS. One is posted.
In which case if posted you'd likely be keeping your head well down, not suggesting anything beyond having the toilets cleaned every day and making 110% sure that nothing in your e-mail correspondence or record could be interpreted negatively when the inevitable next inquiry happens. Not good for having inventive ideas as the country faces worsening crises (e.g. cost of living, Government borrowing, etc.)

Ian
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