What the country thinks about Johnson

Tbh I think it showed the lack of support they were willing to give Johnson.

Johnson's extreme behaviours have been all about preserving Johnson. Others have made mistakes, but I don't think it was for personal gain. Where it has been, in some of the governments early in our life-times perhaps, the MP/Minister has resigned.

TopsyIrene06

Yes I noticed WWM2. Also of course, almost empty conservative benches. Wonder why they were told they could go home.

By the way, he can leave Article 16 alone too.

I don't think they were "told" to "go home". Most MPs do return to constituency business on a Friday. One Conservative did say he had a prior appointment in his constituency before the whips deleted the amendment. They did not want to be seen to abstain, but abstaining was what they were doing.

By the time they were offered a free vote many would have gone, I would guess.

My money is on Gove waiting in the wings. He is the only one who hasn't been standing up and defending Johnson.

* I’m sure most MPs bent the rules in some way, just like a lot of voters did and have a degree of sympathy with BJ.*

Johnson didn't bend the rules, he snapped them over his knee.

How many times do people have to say that it isn't just about the rule breaking, it's about the the lying - the repeated, blatant lying.

I think I heard it explained this way.

In normal business, the assumption is that every MP is an Honourable Member, so they don't tell lies, so they don't get to call each other liars.

But yesterday's debate was about whether the PM needs to be investigated for being a liar, so they were allowed to call him a liar.

Or something like that

I hadn’t noticed till DH pointed it out to me last night. However I’m convinced that parliament needs a written constitution and a major overhaul. I’m tired of the yes/no interlude ( remember that !) that we get when MP’s speak in parliament where they are constantly having to re phrase what they say to fit in with what is allowed. It’s archaic.

Yes I noticed WWM2. Also of course, almost empty conservative benches. Wonder why they were told they could go home.

By the way, he can leave Article 16 alone too.

Did anyone notice that the speaker allowed MPs to call Johnson a liar yesterday in the debate about whether Johnson is a liar or not?

Not a single Tory mp challenged it.

Whitewavemark2

This

MarinaPurkiss

Imagine a country…

Where the police withhold evidence of whether the leader has committed additional crimes

…because they don’t want the people to know the truth until after they vote to keep him in power

And yeah, that’s us

Doesn't this need a separate thread WWM? I feel sick at the thought of where this takes us. Who knew the police were a force of the Conservative Party - not the nation. What crime does a Tory have to commit before the police make a legal charge public during this time?

On second thoughts, does anyone, outside a small group of democrats (whatever their political bias), care?

Blinko

There surely must be some Tory MPs who are honest, trustworthy and have integrity. Where are they?

There are some who will not support Johnson, a whisper in the wind, there is no way an 80 seat majority is going to be overturned. I’m sure most MPs bent the rules in some way, just like a lot of voters did and have a degree of sympathy with BJ.

well Roger Gale is on tv enough at the moment but he seems like a lone voice

There surely must be some Tory MPs who are honest, trustworthy and have integrity. Where are they?

Urmstongran

I suppose it did. His change of mind aligned with my choice of Brexit and he promised to get us out.

Bit like Starmer really.
He threw his support behind Corbyn originally until it became expedient to create some distance!

Probably the only promise he kept, but then it was all about “Cherry picking” and “No deal is better than a bad deal”
The outcome is history.

So now we have an inquiry, another waste of time, he will be found guilty of lying to parliament, there will be a vote of “no confidence”. That will be defeated because the Tories don’t want a change in leader just now, very embarrassing but carry on, they have no shame.

I suppose it did. His change of mind aligned with my choice of Brexit and he promised to get us out.

Bit like Starmer really.
He threw his support behind Corbyn originally until it became expedient to create some distance!

Lucca

Urmstongran

I wanted Brexit done.
Boris (cast your minds back folk) was the ONLY politician promising to get it over the line and deliver it.

On the whole I don’t much care now whether he stays or not. If he goes I hope a Remain voter doesn’t step into his shoes.

What will be, will be.

I’ve been impressed on the big issues with Boris. Sourcing out vaccine procurement to Kate Bingham (not NHS England) was stellar. He’s doing a grand job on the world stage with Ukraine.

But if the Tory party come against him heavily, fair enough. Not my circus not my monkeys.

And his previous remain stance ? He changed sides for political personal ambition not conviction. Does that sit just fine with you ?

Sorry UG did I miss your answer to this ?

Not for you it seems WWmk2! All grist for the mill it seems!
?

Operation Save Lardass

As night follows day.

God it all gets so tiring.

Oh! The sheer bleeding cynicism takes my breath away.

This

MarinaPurkiss

Imagine a country…

Where the police withhold evidence of whether the leader has committed additional crimes

…because they don’t want the people to know the truth until after they vote to keep him in power

And yeah, that’s us

Mad as a box of frogs??

The police have said that no more fines etc will be issued until after the May elections.

I had no idea that the police went into purdah with regards criminal activity!

Mind you it will suit Johnson as it is clear that there are at least 3 more fines that will be issued to him for breaking his law.

In the article Mr. Nelson goes on to say “Those who back the Prime Minister point to his durability. Take the opinion polls: the Tories are still just seven percentage points behind Labour. David Cameron would have killed for such a close gap. John Major was 40 points behind at one stage. When everything is going wrong for him – a cost-of-living crisis and lockdown hypocrisy exposed – Johnson is still very much in the game, and exhibiting a kind of survival skill that is valuable in a political leader.”

In this morning’s Telegraph:

“COMMENT:
The Tories won’t back Boris Johnson, but they aren’t ready to sack him either.
The party is exhausted by the PM’s antics, but may conclude it’s better to stick with the devil you know”
FRASER NELSON

If he brushes it off saying “he’s getting on with the peoples’ priorities “ once more I shall scream. What bloody priorities? The main priority is to have an honest and incorruptible government.