From the Independent this morning, quoting the Times:
^A couple of reports in the Saturday newspapers this morning have suggested that Boris Johnson is struggling personally with leading the UK through the coronavirus crisis.
The Times quoted a senior Conservative source who said a “sort of misery” had been etched over Mr Johnson’s face recently.
“This is all weighing very heavily on him. I think you can see it even in some of his public appearances — the sort of misery etched on his face,” they said, as reported by the newspaper.
“He doesn’t seem to be enjoying being at the helm in rough seas.”^
I don't suppose any leader is enjoying trying to get their country through these times, but for the most part they are able to step up to the challenge and put the work in. I believe Johnson just wanted to be called PM and didn't think he would actually have to do any work. I have no sympathy for him. If he's not up to the job, he should step down.
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News & politics
Government corruption why is no one shouting from the housetops?
(131 Posts)“Fear, shame, embarrassment: these brakes no longer apply. The government has discovered that it can bluster through any scandal. No minister need resign. No one need apologise. No one need explain.
As public outrage grows over the billions of pounds of coronavirus contracts issued by the government without competition, it seems determined only to award more of them. Never mind that the consulting company Deloitte, whose personnel circulate in and out of government, has been strongly criticised for the disastrous system it devised to supply protective equipment to the NHS. It has now been granted a massive new contract to test the population for Covid-19.
Cummings ally's PR firm given Covid-19 contracts without tenders
Never mind that some of these contracts have reportedly cost taxpayers £800 for every protective overall delivered. Never mind that at least two multi-million pound contracts appear to have been issued to dormant companies. Awarding contracts to unusual companies, without advertising, transparency or competition now appears to have been adopted as the norm. Several of the firms that have benefited from this largesse are closely linked to senior figures in the government.“
From today’s papers.
Several of the above dodgy (downright illegal) deals have been mentioned on GN never mind the press and other media, but this government simply carries on handing out tax-payers money to cronies and born-to-fail projects. Billions.
Why are we sitting back and doing nothing.
I agree. In despair how far we have been dragged down by this corrupt government.
How very sad for the people in the North East who voted for Johnson because they believed his promises to help them. I will hold up my hands if he ‘comes good’ on his many vows that they would have better future but I am not holding my breath. As one of the fortunate couples living in Harrogate I see the pain of people who struggle daily in places like Darlington not too far away from here.
Yes Grany, it’s unbelievable but I read this morning they are still leading in the polls with 40% of the electorate still supporting them. The mind boggles how anyone could think they’re doing a good job. If Labour were in charge doing all this the papers would be annihilating them!
Grayling to be paid £100000 to work 7 hours a week on advising ports company It has been suggested that anyone with shares in the company should sell them immediately given the reverse Midas touch that Grayling has.
I’m not very “up” on politics but Boris Johnston seems to me to be merely a puppet (or a muppet, not sure which fits best) and Cummings makes my skin crawl. I don’t listen to them now but stick to Nicola Sturgeon’s updates. I never voted SNP before as I always thought we were better together, but now, if Scotland was to have another referendum I would seriously think about voting yes. Sad to say, but this Tory government terrifies me.
CR39 I feel exactly the same. And I think some GNetters are so good at putting things into words. I'm not, but posters often say what I'm thinking. It's all so depressing though because I feel we don't have the power to change things. I feel sorry for young folk.
Good afternoon. I totally agree with every word that has been written above. It is a privilege to be part of this group (this is my first post). I feel I now live in a dictatorship with no redress at all. I have never voted for the Tory party ever!
Why should I now feel superior to the poor deluded people who fell for the lies and deception you all describe so well.
More power to your elbow you clever informed people.
Another £122million awarded to a company that has only been in existence for 1 month!
“It is unclear how such a young firm financed such a deal seeing as it has only been in existence for 44 days”
t.co/zKf8GQ3bVq?amp=1
Another £94000000 awarded to a company that donates to the Tory party.
t.co/rqODlmVyuT?amp=1
varian
Boris Johnson is disenfranchising 15 million voters.
bylinetimes.com/2020/09/16/boris-johnson-government-house-of-commons-online-voting/
He gets more Trumpian every day ?
I think it’s run by the daughter of a close friend of Gove.
Luckygirl
Schools can now apply for catch-up grants to help deal with the learning deficit created by schools being closed. Half of it is administered by the Dept of Education; and the other half by some sort of private organisation - let us hope that someone will investigate whose "mates" these are.
That was the plan from the beginning. I've forgotten the name of the private organisation - it's basically a private tuition agency, which is in itself subcontracting to other agencies.
Schools can now apply for catch-up grants to help deal with the learning deficit created by schools being closed. Half of it is administered by the Dept of Education; and the other half by some sort of private organisation - let us hope that someone will investigate whose "mates" these are.
Boris Johnson is disenfranchising 15 million voters.
bylinetimes.com/2020/09/16/boris-johnson-government-house-of-commons-online-voting/
westendgirl
Including, WW2, appointing people to post for which they have no
expertise, experience or skill.
I cannot understand why Dido Harding was appointed or why she is still in post .
I see Cameron has remarked on the "cabinet of lightweights" and has advised finding a post for Jeremy Hunt .
"The Conservative peer partially blamed the big rise in demand on schools reopening, revealing the number of children asking for tests has doubled - and grew at an even higher rate among those aged five to nine years old.
And she confirmed the current daily test capacity is 242,000 - though not all of this capacity is being used."
"Asked why she was given the top job without applying or going through a competitive process, Baroness Harding defended her suitability.
She said ministers wanted to get someone in fast and explained she is only the interim leader while a full application process is carried out.
She described her role as a complex job with many requirements including services and logistics, for which experience in retail will help."
Who'd have thought cramming over 8 million children into poorly ventilated classrooms would have led to an increase in demand for resting? Doh!
www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/head-of-test-and-trace-no-one-was-expecting-to-see-such-a-big-rise-in-demand/ar-BB1998o1?ocid=msedgntp
I am absolutely ashamed to be British.
And I think this will be the death knell for the Union.
Those in positions of power should be hanging their heads in shame at what they have done to this country.
I do not watch bbc news anymore because they are totally biased. They never hold a politician that they interview to account.
It seems like the whole world is laughing at us.
No wonder !
But but but the lack of tests is because they're FREE dontcha know? All these plebs who wont pay upwards of £150 a time for tests .All these people who may or may not have jobs once furlough ends ,where are they expected to find hundreds of pounds to test their families because an incompetent government doesn't do ANYTHING right.
He initiates some very unrepeatable language from my OH.
Rees-Mogg initiates an instant gag reflex. Yuk.
arrival
And now Rees - Mogg tells us lesser mortals to stop our "endless carping " about not being able to get a test .
Did you see that all the pupils at Eton were tested on their arriva?.If only .....
Grayling's new employers are Hutchinson Ports incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. It is a subsidiary of CK Hutchinson Holdings which was formed by the merger in 2015 of Cheong Kong Holdings and Hutchinson Whampoa, both Hong Kong based companies.
The Executive Director of Hutchinson Ports, Mr Clemence Cheng has joined the govt's Transport Services Advisory Group. This was formed in July but I can't find a link to Grayling.
Including, WW2, appointing people to post for which they have no
expertise, experience or skill.
I cannot understand why Dido Harding was appointed or why she is still in post .
I see Cameron has remarked on the "cabinet of lightweights" and has advised finding a post for Jeremy Hunt .
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