Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings

That the majority of voters are not political animals Lucca and are just not bothered who bought the curtains in No.10 or whether Boris rang his mates to see whether (along with those contacted through proper civil service channels) they could help fix the urgent and scary shortfalls a year ago. I’m not saying it’s right, just being pragmatic.

It just seems to go against the British values that I understood were important, decency, integrity, honesty.

Galaxy

It just seems to go against the British values that I understood were important, decency, integrity, honesty.

I think that British Values went out of the window with Tony (liar) Blair.

Successive Governments have been playing catch-up ever since!

lemongrove

Thought you were demanding posters used a separate thread for mentioning Corbyn MaizieD or is that a rule for others but not you??

It was hardly a demand - just a suggestion.

Aw Galaxy there are many voters such as you. Just sadly, not the majority. Most couldn’t give a stuff.

Urmstongran

Aw Galaxy there are many voters such as you. Just sadly, not the majority. Most couldn’t give a stuff.

I think you are probably correct Urms

lemongrove

? Much condemning of Dyson vacuums coming up.

Not from me and I have 2 Dyson’s and a Miele.

I wonder if Boris has a Dyson for the Dilyn dog hairs.?

Did Boris initiate the attack on Cummings? It's not like him as he has always tried to be friendly with everyone, including Ken Livingston. Cummings has not given a word of criticism in five months until a personal attack without any evidence.

He was bound to fight back. It seems more likely that one of Carrie's friends had this bright idea!

Dominic Cummings has been accused of leaking texts when innocent.

He is being made a scapegoat.

Does one have to be "political" to be bothered that billions of pounds are being directed towards causes which benefit a tiny handful of people? Is the British public really happy to allow its leaders to get away with sleaze, whether or not it's strictly illegal?

Up to now, the "public" seems to more bothered about Harry and Meghan than sleaze and cronyism, if the number of column inches written about the issues are any judge. I have noticed that there has been more interest in the last few days, so maybe people do care more than detractors claim.

Urmstongran

That the majority of voters are not political animals Lucca and are just not bothered who bought the curtains in No.10 or whether Boris rang his mates to see whether (along with those contacted through proper civil service channels) they could help fix the urgent and scary shortfalls a year ago. I’m not saying it’s right, just being pragmatic.

Strangely enough, this is the message that is being put out by tories today. That voters don't give a stuff. I think they're trying to kid themselves. Our tory sympathisers are clearly on message with it.

The voters I know; from varied backgrounds, give a great deal of 'stuff'.

Did Boris initiate the attack on Cummings?

He apparently rang several newspaper editors to claim that Demonic was the leaker...

That sounds like initiation to me...

I followed the link to Alistair Campbell's chat with the BBC news presenter. Apparently 12 million people have watched the PS video. That suggests that a lot of people are interested in politics doesn't it?

Does it matter whose bright idea it was to blame Cummings for the leaks? The buck stops at the top. If it's true (as alleged) that Johnson used his influence and networks to contact media editors directly, he was responsible. I doubt if anybody put a gun to his head and told him to do it. More fool him for appointing so many of Carrie's "friends" and listening to her, if that's what's happened. He must realise that they could dish even more dirt if he upsets them. It's what happens when a weak leader loses control.

I have to respectfully disagree MaizieD and growstuff. I’m not toeing any ‘party line’. I’m not a member. Just interested in politics.

Unlike the vast majority of the general public in my opinion. They’ll be out barbecuing, following Gemma Collins on Twitter and wondering whether Man City deserved their 1-0 win in the Cup Final this afternoon.

It was ever thus.

?

It’s a shame I would have liked Spurs to win!

Where did I claim you are toeing any party line Urmstongran? If you're really interested in politics, how come you seem so keen to detract from very serious issues?

I’m accepting of the flaws in all politicians growstuff of ALL parties and understand there’s not a darned thing I can do about any of it until presented with a ballot paper. In the meantime it’s media hype, the Twitterati and white noise.

The Cummings/Johnson tale could be a catalyst ... I don't know. It will depend on the PR teams.

Meanwhile, the really serious issues are the allegations of sleaze and cronyism (Greensill, Dyson, Arcuri, flat redecorations, numerous contracts related to Covid, Killing Kittens, appointment of "friends" to important jobs, etc etc etc), not to mention lies over Northern Ireland, Brexit, hospitals, institutional racism and goodness knows what else.

You don't have to be "not political" not to care about any of that - you need to have your head very firmly stuck in the sand and the moral values of a goldfish.

Urmstongran

I’m accepting of the flaws in all politicians growstuff of ALL parties and understand there’s not a darned thing I can do about any of it until presented with a ballot paper. In the meantime it’s media hype, the Twitterati and white noise.

You wish!

(Meanwhile, in the Land of Unicorns ...)

You don't have to be "not political" not to care about any of that - you need to have your head very firmly stuck in the sand and the moral values of a goldfish

I care.
Which is why I read up and post on here.
The vast majority of voters couldn’t give a toss.

I’ve sat in groups of friends and am mindful of eyes glazing over at any depth of conversation about politics. Fair enough. I then say ‘enough about politics. Does anyone know how much big box soap powders are these days?’ We laugh and move on.

These fora are a delight for like minded politicos. I just know most of the population aren’t that enthused and I can accept that!

Suziewoozie Are you saying it's all true?
How would I know - how would you know? My point was that there is so much ugly and bitter mud slinging , shouting and pointing by the disappointed and now powerless, and this can be one of the few certainties in politics today. Who on this thread hasn't, in a fairly long life, had their words twisted by someone out to make trouble? The most innocent remark or deed can be turned around and used as ammunition, and this is what happens so often in politics. It's ugly, and all sides do it.

I’m not as cynical as those who dismiss voters as not interested, or not bright enough.
I’m no fan of Corbyn but I do believe a Labour govt would have made a better job of responding to this pandemic, even with Corbyn as leadet

Agree Rosina isn’t it said politics is a dirty business?

Labour will want their money’s worth out of the sleaze accusations.

Face it, nothing else has worked for them.

Plus, the BBC news has just laboured the Downing Street apartment refurbishment as if it is some sort of horrendous corruption scandal.

What arrant nonsense!

If the apartment (probably that more physically associated with No 11 than No 10) is upgraded and the cost is funded by other than the public purse, whilst the asset remains public property, what is the big deal as to whether Boris paid, or Tory donors paid?

The state property portfolio benefits. The future incumbents of Downing Street all benefit. There is no personal gain or graft here.

Ah, Boris did it for whoever comes after, and for us! Warms the cockles of my heart.