Gransnet forums

News & politics

UK ‘dangerously close to elected dictatorship’ under Boris Johnson, Ken Clarke warns

(139 Posts)
GagaJo Thu 18-Nov-21 14:39:01

I couldn't agree more with this. It's exactly what I said on here (and elsewhere as I'm sure you can imagine!) two years ago.

The UK is “dangerously close” to becoming an “elected dictatorship” under Boris Johnson, veteran Tory Ken Clarke is warning – as he branded his handling of Brexit clashes “laughable”.

The former cabinet heavyweight lashed out at the prime minister’s disregard for “constitutional constraints”, calling his party “more nationalist than at any time in my lifetime”.

“He gets angry if the courts or parliament try to interfere. As the elected prime minister, he thinks he should not be impeded in these ways,” Lord Clarke said.

“We are now getting dangerously close to the “elected dictatorship” that Lord Hailsham, the former Lord Chancellor, warned us about half a century ago.”

uk.yahoo.com/news/uk-dangerously-close-elected-dictatorship-114826974.html

westendgirl Thu 18-Nov-21 15:37:25

I said on another post that I cannot understand how rational ,intelligent people can think that Johnson has the attributes necessary for a leader in our country.
I still dont understand.

lemongrove Thu 18-Nov-21 15:38:55

Casdon I have been listening ( over many years, being an oldie) to what Ken Clarke has to say, there is much, as he likes the sound of his own voice.I don’t have any regard for him....you do.That’s all fine and dandy.
No ?he certainly isn’t too moderate!Just the opposite.
Has he mellowed over the years, perhaps, but I instinctively don’t like or trust what he says.

Kali2 Thu 18-Nov-21 15:39:04

Remainers have every right to be bitterly upset. I'd say even the staunchiest of Brexiters should be... Is THAT really what you voted for?

Look, all the nonsense about dictatorships somehow won't be swallowed accepted by the gullible, sensible people know better.

JaneJudge Thu 18-Nov-21 15:41:26

Everyone forgets poor Alistair Burt

Katie59 Thu 18-Nov-21 15:43:29

westendgirl

I said on another post that I cannot understand how rational ,intelligent people can think that Johnson has the attributes necessary for a leader in our country.
I still dont understand.

Rational intelligent people didn’t

lemongrove Thu 18-Nov-21 15:43:48

Westendgirl
He was voted for by Conservative members /as Leader,not by all those who vote Conservative, and was voted for in the GE only to foil Corbyn getting in and to proceed with the Brexit process.
Not because anyone thought he would be a fabulous PM.

Alegrias1 Thu 18-Nov-21 15:46:03

Is it possible that among many, many people, there is a belief that it couldn't possibly happen here? That we're the UK and moderation always triumphs?

I had a friend from the Lebanon who told me that they had such a stable country, nobody thought they would ever have problems. Also another from Iran who still can't believe what happened.

JaneJudge Thu 18-Nov-21 15:49:10

I have Hungarian friend who lives here in the UK who is horrified by the subtle regressions and I heed that as a warning in all honesty

lemongrove Thu 18-Nov-21 15:53:04

I don’t think we can compare Iran and Lebanon to the UK (understatement of the year.)

Alegrias1 Thu 18-Nov-21 15:53:39

And again.... QED.

Kali2 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:01:27

I can understand how people wanted to 'believe in him', wanted him to 'get Brexit done' somehow. But how anyone can NOW, at this moment in time, refuse to see that their Emperor has NO clothes- is beyond me.

Urmstongran Thu 18-Nov-21 16:01:46

Give up lemongrove it’s their way or the highway. WE obviously don’t know or understand the finer ramifications. ?
Just a shame us less intellectuals also get a vote each. Must annoy the hell out of some on here.

I agree with you about KC.!

Kali2 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:03:18

Oh I wish be had an election very soon- and see.

Alegrias1 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:05:33

Anybody from the right hand side of the room actually got any comments on the erosion of democracy? Perhaps you have examples of how this isn't happening and how we are completely missing the point? You know, like a proper discussion?

Or shall we just be sticking with the personal insults and derogatory comments?

lemongrove Thu 18-Nov-21 16:06:17

I know Urms but people always like a bit of fresh red meat to pick over, so I obliged.?

grannyrebel7 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:07:58

Whatever Johnson does stupid people will still vote for him and he knows it. They think aw Boris, I like Boris, he's funny with his messy hair and untidy style of dress - let's vote for him. They have no idea that he's only concerned with the elite. It's ignorant working class people, who should know better, that have put him where he is today. And just take a look at the mess we're in! It beggars belief!

Chardy Thu 18-Nov-21 16:08:24

Ken Clarke was the chancellor who instigated raising the state pension age in 1993.

pinkquartz Thu 18-Nov-21 16:08:48

Ken Clarke instigateed wage freezes for the nurses back in the 1980's if I remember correctly.
He is just another Thatcherite Tory who began the destruction of the NHS.

Alegrias1 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:12:00

No comments on the erosion of democracy then? Anybody? No?

Visgir1 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:13:50

Ken Clarke not my cup of tea comes across as bitter man who didn't get the Top job.
The Tories will dump Boris if necessary no worries.

lemongrove Thu 18-Nov-21 16:14:45

grannyrebel7

Whatever Johnson does stupid people will still vote for him and he knows it. They think aw Boris, I like Boris, he's funny with his messy hair and untidy style of dress - let's vote for him. They have no idea that he's only concerned with the elite. It's ignorant working class people, who should know better, that have put him where he is today. And just take a look at the mess we're in! It beggars belief!

‘Ignorant working class people’ !
Oh dear.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:16:11

Google “erosion of democracy in U.K.” and article after article after article is listed. It makes extraordinary depressive reading.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:16:25

Depressing that should be

Kali2 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:17:22

lemongrove

grannyrebel7

Whatever Johnson does stupid people will still vote for him and he knows it. They think aw Boris, I like Boris, he's funny with his messy hair and untidy style of dress - let's vote for him. They have no idea that he's only concerned with the elite. It's ignorant working class people, who should know better, that have put him where he is today. And just take a look at the mess we're in! It beggars belief!

‘Ignorant working class people’ !
Oh dear.

Agreed lemongrove. totally out of order.

There are really ignorant people from all walks of life, tragically. Tories did elect him, for sure.

silverlining48 Thu 18-Nov-21 16:19:37

Visgirl. When will they dump him ? Now would be good, it surely can’t get much worse.