Surely Boris Has To Go Now?

[diddlydo]

Who is sticking up for Boris now? None of the papers as far as I can see.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/feb/01/zero-shame-how-the-papers-covered-anger-at-boris-johnson-over-sue-gray-report

[vulcan42]

It doesn't surprise me that politicians lie, they always have and always will. What does surprise me is the naivety of the people complaining about it. When a standing or potential politician knocks on the door and promises utopia, they know they're lying, we know they're lying but providing they belong to the "right" party, we will still vote for them. It's a simple fact that if a politician always tell the truth, he or she would not be one for very long.
I totally agree with naomi, I know of a number of companies who were allowed to remain open during the pandemic. The bosses closed down early on Fridays and organised a 'party' to reward their workers for their diligence. This consisted of free coffee, tea, wine and sandwiches and an early finish. The policy was, if they're allowed to work together they can certainly eat and drink together. Are these small gatherings of essential workers also considered to be wrong?

[Khandro]

"According to The Daily Telegraph, party insiders are estimating that roughly 20 Conservative MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson to the 1922 Committee.

Under the Conservative Party’s leadership rules, a formal vote of no confidence will be sparked if 15 per cent of the party’s MPs submit a letter to the 1922 Committee; this means 54 letters."

A few days ago, but a long way short. Even if they were received, organising a leadership contest would take a long & destructive time, & Boris - assuming he stood- would probably win anyway.

So iconoclasts; don't hold your breath

[pixie374]

I agree with the rest of your post, vulcan, but //The policy was, if they're allowed to work together they can certainly eat and drink together. Are these small gatherings of essential workers also considered to be wrong?//

That wasn't the case, I wasn't allowed Christmas Dinner with my sister and daughter, having worked with them Christmas day morning. Although the rules did change here and there, so, difficult to remember what exactly they were at each point.

[naomi24]

pixie, Vulcan was talking about eating and drinking in the workplace.

[pixie374]

Well, anyone at work can do that. Those aren't "gatherings".

[Khandro]

Peter Pedant; We seem to be getting a lot of Joe Stalin quotes from you lately, are you a fan ?

[naomi24]

Precisely.

[jim360]

Like I said, I'm not attacking the parties per se -- although, if they were against the rules and indeed against the law, it should be clear that this is unacceptable from the centre of Government regardless of whether you think it's OK to have a quick drink in a work day. I'm criticising Johnson's approach to the fallout, and inability to even remotely control the narrative or understand the problem.

Were it "only" parties, even several of them, I think the country as a whole would be inclined to forgive Johnson. But it's not just parties, is it? It's trying to hide them, it's refusing to deal with the issue, and it's the fact that Johnson has essentially tried, again and again, to kick the can down the road. Certainly an element is true of people "sharpening knives", particularly Cummings, whose agenda is transparent. Mine too, if it comes to that. But their "agenda" would have been destroyed at a stroke if Johnson had owned the error from the start. He did not. This is still his failure. And it continues to be his failure. And it comes from a simple truth about Johnson, namely that, in his mind, the rules never apply to him, and are only for the little people.

When people like David Davis, or Andrew Mitchell, or other long-time allies of Johnson sharpen their knives -- that should be enough to send a message that "Partygate" is merely the tip of the iceberg.

[naomi24]

//it comes from a simple truth about Johnson, namely that, in his mind, the rules never apply to him, and are only for the little people. //

That's not 'truth'. It's your opinion.

[ichkeria]

It’s the opinion of a lot of people.

Especially many who actually know him

[jim360]

It's been the 'opinion' of many who've known him throughout his life, eg see his school report, his former boss at the Telegraph, etc etc, and it's also manifest in his behaviour as leader.

[naomi24]

Jim, I know people who know him. They would disagree with you.

[Ellipsis]

Over 300 photos taken at "staff meetings"? Where are the minutes of those meetings and did Sue Gray get to read them?

[Khandro]

jim: // When people like David Davis, or Andrew Mitchell, or other long-time allies of Johnson sharpen their knives -- //

Their knives have been sharpened for a long time - they hate him! They are trying to settle old scores, & more significantly, they can see no personal future for their careers with him as a leader of the party.

[ichkeria]

The possible smoking gun surely is an alleged party in his flat on Nov 13 2020.

In the Commons in December he assured Labour MP Catherine Wood that no such party took place.

[tamborine]

Boris is taking the rap for his young wife, who naturally wants some social life.

[RainbowRainbow]

Read his Wikipedia

[ichkeria]

If evidence shows Johnson attended or even knew about a party in his flat which he had previously stated in parliament did not exist, would that not be enough to finish him?

[pixie374]

Lying is their job. Show me one who doesn't? I can't see why anyone is surprised, except those already wanting an excuse.... not the end of the world, particularly when considering Brexit and a pandemic.

[ichkeria]

That answer wouldn’t cut it in reality I’m afraid.