Considering how quiet some parts of the media have been, I have a few guesses.i wonder who was at the party?
Considering how quiet some parts of the media have been, I have a few guesses.i wonder who was at the party?
Considering how quiet some parts of the media have been, I have a few guesses.
Just searching through all the prominent newspapers/outlets and all mainstream outlets I could think of, bar 2, have this revelation prominently on their front pages (with the exception of the Telegraph and the Financial Times).
EDIT: The FT now has it too.
I wouldn't be surprised if there were MPs there from both sides of the commons. They like to pretend they are different, but they are all cut from the same cloth.Considering how quiet some parts of the media have been, I have a few guesses.
The dour party-pooper Baron Keir von Sturmer will probably bring this matter up at PMQs, but most people probably couldn't care less if there was a little jolly at 10 Downing Street pre-Xmas 2020, after all they were probably participating in similar events themselves behind closed doors. Move along, there's nothing to see here.
Same thing on Sky News and Radio 4 this morning.Interesting development on Breakfast Time BBC.
It appears that Sajid Javed was sheduled to appear today at 7.30 commemorating exactly 1 year since first covid jab. That has now been cancelled and the BBC has thrown down a gauntlet inviting ANY tory minister to appear at 7.30.
Telephone lines must be blistering at the moment LOL.
The dour party-pooper Baron Keir von Sturmer will probably bring this matter up at PMQs, but most people probably couldn't care less if there was a little jolly at 10 Downing Street pre-Xmas 2020, after all they were probably participating in similar events themselves behind closed doors. Move along, there's nothing to see here.
I don’t think you have read the room well about this story. People are very angry about this, and the story seems to be really gaining traction. People sacrificed a lot over that winter, so there is definitely something to see here.The dour party-pooper Baron Keir von Sturmer will probably bring this matter up at PMQs, but most people probably couldn't care less if there was a little jolly at 10 Downing Street pre-Xmas 2020, after all they were probably participating in similar events themselves behind closed doors. Move along, there's nothing to see here.
That is an interesting view. There is plenty to see if you are willing to open your eyes. I wonder why you don't want to do that?The dour party-pooper Baron Keir von Sturmer will probably bring this matter up at PMQs, but most people probably couldn't care less if there was a little jolly at 10 Downing Street pre-Xmas 2020, after all they were probably participating in similar events themselves behind closed doors. Move along, there's nothing to see here.
That is what I think is critical. Stratton's position is untenable - it may be a question of how long she can hang on or is allowed to hang on, the other speaker (a 'special advisor', what a surprise) is barely in vision so may escape. The problem the PM has is that Carrie is in the Stratton camp.That seemed to be the general feeling last week when news first broke but that was before several blatant lies in the form of Downing Street continuing to deny it. Now there is footage of them openly mocking the public, there's plenty to see now.
One particular group were those unable to see loved ones who were in care homes over the holiday period - maybe husband or wife of long standing, children (themselves vulnerable or quite elderly), brothers and sisters. Some won't have survived, or may have physically or mentally deteriorated.I don’t think you have read the room well about this story. People are very angry about this, and the story seems to be really gaining traction. People sacrificed a lot over that winter, so there is definitely something to see here.
A Kent MP has become one of the first to break rank amid growing fury over the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.
North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale said the controversy had 'all the hallmarks of another Barnard Castle moment'.
“No 10 clearly has some serious questions to answer. Fast,” tweeted the North Thanet MP.
Speaking to Sky News, Sir Roger said he wants Boris Johnson to say "there was no party and to say that on the record".
"If he says that, I will believe him.
"Because to deliberately mislead the House, if that turns out to be the case, would be a resignation matter."
That is what I think is critical. Stratton's position is untenable - it may be a question of how long she can hang on or is allowed to hang on, the other speaker (a 'special advisor', what a surprise) is barely in vision so may escape. The problem the PM has is that Carrie is in the Stratton camp.
The problem with that is, if he says that then it is revealed he was present then he is in serious trouble.There seems to be no other option; just pretend you only just found out like everyone else how naughty other people were and you are equally outraged - then hope the public buys it.
That is his only option now. Claim he was mislead, sack a few underlings, maybe a toothless enquiry, vaccine roll out. Captain Hindsight. levelling up, peoples priorities, wibble.So Sky News has reported that Attorney General Suella Braverman has been seen entering Downing Street, and it makes me think that given Boris wasn't at the party he will be advised to throw everyone else under the bus, issue a fake apology, and maybe shuffle a few people around to be seen to do something.
The problem with that is, if he says that then it is revealed he was present then he is in serious trouble.
However, if he doesn't say it a lot of people will take it that he was there anyway and is scared to admit it. He has been backed into a corner.
That is his only option now. Claim he was mislead, sack a few underlings, maybe a toothless enquiry, vaccine roll out. Captain Hindsight. levelling up, peoples priorities, wibble.
That, or he could just hide in a fridge.
Stupid of him to ever deny it of course though in that case. Would have been a lot smarter to play the: "I wasn't in Downing Street at the time but I'm sure the staff there would have followed all rules" card and then pivot it into: "I wasn't in Downing Street but this seems extremely concerning and will be fully investigated" into: "I wasn't in Downing Street and will be sacking the ring leaders immediately".I am pretty sure it has been said by many that he was in Manchester at the time (possibly at another party?!). If he wasn't in Downing Street, I absolutely think he'll use that to save himself and try and sink everyone else.
Laura Kuenssberg seemed to lay into the Government this evening, and I had heard rumours that she'd attended.
Rumour or Twitter heresay?
This is all good fun but the serious point is that the government is losing/has lost the moral authority to govern. How can they impose further restrictions should COVID get worse? Surely many people (most?) will treat any "rules" imposed as guidance and advice rather than an instruction.
It is very worrying and could prove both damaging and costly.
What's the difference? There were people saying she was there.
I tend to agree but I think the wave in January 2021 probably shored things up a bit (certainly not back to the levels of compliance we saw in March/April 2020 though!). But this latest incident I think will likely have blown a gaping hole in people's willingness to comply and we'll be fully into "I'll do what I think is right" mode and the Government can do one. And I can't say I blame anyone for feeling like that. Especially as I'm basically at the same point myself!I think people have been like that for over a year to be honest. Likely ever since the 'eye test' incident in fact.
I think fear would be the only way of doing it and then it would probably be the Government following the people rather than leading. If there were unambiguous reports that a new variant was more deadly and was vaccine resistant I think people would probably start to lock themselves down. But otherwise, considering the data for Omicron so far is not too worrying beyond it being more transmissible, I think they're stuffed if they wanted to impose another lockdown of the sort that we saw at the start of this year.I cannot imagine how the Government could ever hope to impose another lockdown if there was a new strain that was even more deadly (so far, it seems the new variant might actually be a blessing as it has milder symptoms and can help people build a stronger immunity if they inevitably contract it - although it's too early to tell).
Indeed, perhaps the most depressing aspect of all of this is that whilst a couple of lambs might be sacrificed it seems extremely unlikely anything will actually change. Presumably why they keep behaving in this way. There doesn't appear to be a price for them to pay. At least for the 'important' people.As you say, the Government has lost the moral authority to govern, but plenty of blind eyes will be turned to allow the Tories to continue to carry out their mission to massively change laws in their favour - and the favour of people on the right.
Politics – in a democracy – is about words, authority, and power.
And this government could not have done more to compromise its political position.
Why is the Sun’s coverage of the Downing Street Christmas party story so muted? Could it be because on the very same night in December 2020, the paper was hosting a rule-busting boozy bash of its own?