PMQs - is it make or break today?

JaneJudge

I it worth looking for on catch up?

Definitely. That's what I did.

I it worth looking for on catch up?

Wheniwasyourage

As for the "playing politics" nonsense, which I too find infuriating, they are politicians! What else are they there to do except politics? It's like accusing NHS staff of "playing medicine" or a shop assistant of "playing shops".

I like that!

Actually, the accusation is wearing a bit thin now isn't it!

Here's the UK Parliament website's own definition of the job of the Opposition...

The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of the Government.

... so I really don't know what Johnson thinks Starmer should be doing, other than what the job description says...

Boris Johnson will just say whatever comes into his head and try to wriggle out of it. He has often got away with that and I think Lindsey Hoyle as been weak as a speaker. We've heard heartbreaking stories from people who could not see dying relatives/go to funerals. Surely, this latest revelation of the Christmas party at no 10 will change many people's view of our PM. If it doesn't we have become a very uncaring nation.

As for the "playing politics" nonsense, which I too find infuriating, they are politicians! What else are they there to do except politics? It's like accusing NHS staff of "playing medicine" or a shop assistant of "playing shops".

Yes, I thought that contrasting the leadership given by the Queen at such a sad and difficult occasion for her, and the "leadership" given by the dreadful Mr Johnson was right to the point. Those who have lost people and been unable to visit them while they were dying or attend their funerals will, I hope, have felt supported by the Queen's actions. Many of them have said how let down they have felt by the goings-on at Shrodinger's party (or parties).

Personally, I think Starmer played a blinder today. The point he made about having the morals to lead, referencing the Queen in her grief, was passionate and pointed.

Wouldn’t it be funny if there were secret Santa gifts at this party? Bringing down Johnson would be, imo, the best secret Santa gift ever!

MaizieD

I can never get over the 'playing politics' jibe. WTF does he think he's doing. It's time Starmer had a riposte for it...

So, he said he'd turn over everything about Schrodinger's party to the MET police... on the record now.

What's the betting everyone involved has lost their phones or dropped them down the toilet by mistake...

I can never get over the 'playing politics' jibe.

According to his late mother, there was always friction between his siblings caused, she implied, by him, and I read that she voiced the view that she hoped he'd never "go into politics" as he'd cause chaos.

I think the one playing politics is Johnson himself. Literally - he's playing with Politics - it's a vehicle to achieve his personal ambition.

I just don't believe he takes the job seriously.

Some comments on Johnson’s performance

Nick Robinson
@bbcnickrobinson
“Never apologise. Never explain” has long been
@BorisJohnson
’s watchword. He has now apologised & he has explained …that it was all someone else fault. He’s threatened those who work for him with disciplinary action. Those who trash their staff often live to regret it. #PMQs

Ruth Davidson
@RuthDavidsonPC
·
7m
And today's "we'll investigate what we've spent a week saying didn't happen and discipline staff for rules we continue to say weren't broken" was pathetic. As a Tory, I was brought up to believe in playing with a straight bat. Believe me, colleagues are furious at this, too

steve richards
@steverichards14
PMQs is often an anti climax when a PM is in deep trouble. This one wasn’t. Keir Starmer was forensic and passionate. B Johnson was hopeless and his MPs know it. This was a PMQs that has deepened the crisis for Johnson.

And, on top of this, the government appear to be making decisions about covid restrictions without putting it before parliament first. Hasn’t the (albeit useless ) speaker previously had to pick them up on doing that?

vegansrock

He’ll throw his staff under the bus to wriggle off the hook.

Exactly this.

Riverwalk

Straight from the hip with Ian Blackford - no mincing his words.

And Johnson just smirked at him and tried to make jokes.

Ian Blackford nailed him. He was visibly shrinking.

Schrodinger’s party ? I love that.
So the PM deflects awkward questions with reference to vaccine rollout and boosters. I was disappointed that he did not roll out his Captain Hindsight jibe as well. Are we all deflected? Hardly. He has to do better.

The question about a party on November 13th was interesting. More to come?

I can never get over the 'playing politics' jibe. WTF does he think he's doing. It's time Starmer had a riposte for it...

So, he said he'd turn over everything about Schrodinger's party to the MET police... on the record now.

What's the betting everyone involved has lost their phones or dropped them down the toilet by mistake...

I truly hope it is make or break for Johnson - he is totally responsible for his lying ... not KS!!!

He’ll throw his staff under the bus to wriggle off the hook.

Straight from the hip with Ian Blackford - no mincing his words.

How can it be the end for Starmer? Johnson is a liar. He’s lying now on PMQ’s

It'll be an anticlimax. Just the usual irrelevant bluster from the PM.

The benches on both sides are filling up well...

Given he outclasses Johnson at every PMQ that seems unlikely Riverwalk. The difference this time is that the eyes of the nation will be on this PMQ, so it could be the making of him.

That’s not the important element though is it, it’s the outcome for Johnson and the cabinet everybody will be interested in. Given the Tories are in power I sincerely hope it forces change within the Tory party and we get a cabinet with some moral fibre instead of this sorry shower.

I am off to watch PMQs with bated breath and see if Starmer can get any answers.

Well all along it has been one rule for them, other rules for the rest of us from one of his advisors breaking lockdown to travel several hundred miles to a second home , a member of the cabinet kissing someone not his wife while supposed to be social distancing and the Christmas party , for me,is the last straw. It will be worth watching just to see BJ squirm as well as wriggling out of it as usual.