Boris Johnson - Prime Minister of the UK — Discussion: Now announces UK sanctions against Russia

[James]

Whereas tens of thousands of elders in care homes are demonstrably dead from COVID, because of Johnson’s decision.

<b>https://www.theweek.co.uk/brexit/103242/can-a-uk-prime-minister-be-arrested?amp</b>

Misconduct in public office is an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. A crime is committed “when the office holder acts (or fails to act) in a way that constitutes a breach of the duties of that office”, says the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

…

However, the legislation says that an offence has only been committed when an act (or lack of one) is done “without reasonable excuse or justification”.

Long story short: not going to happen.
The PM’s lawyers would approach the argument from the angle of the extraordinary global circumstances related to Covid. There is no chance that he would actually be convicted. Plus it wasn’t just Johnson’s decision — the Cabinet and his advisors are also involved in every key decision. It’s a non starter.

We can vote him out though.

 

[Technics 1210]

At the moment it is Guiffre’s word against Prince Andrew’s. The court will determine who is telling the truth by cross-examination.

Whereas tens of thousands of elders in care homes are demonstrably dead from COVID, because of Johnson’s decision.

Should Tony Blair be in jail? 100000s died because of his decision to go to war; which turned out to be on false and misleading info.

BJ among other world leaders were relying on misleading info from WHO too. It was panic mode in 2020.

So which leader dealt with Covid the best in your opinion?

 

[Robert]

Should Tony Blair be in jail? 100000s died because of his decision to go to war; which turned out to be on false and misleading info.

BJ among other world leaders were relying on misleading info from WHO too. It was panic mode in 2020.

So which leader dealt with Covid the best in your opinion?

600K+ died because of Bush 43’s decision, let’s get that right. They didn’t need UK.

There’s no charge for Blair to face. I believe that the ICC has prepared legislation allowing such a prosecution in future but it is not retrospective.

Ardern. Merkel did pretty well given that the infection got in via Italy, but they have a well funded public health care system in Germany with three times the critical care beds that the NHS has.

 

[Manunited18]

600K+ died because of Bush 43’s decision, let’s get that right. They didn’t need UK.

There’s no charge for Blair to face. I believe that the ICC has prepared legislation allowing such a prosecution in future but it is not retrospective.

Ardern. Merkel did pretty well given that the infection got in via Italy, but they have a well funded public health care system in Germany with three times the critical care beds that the NHS has.

No matter how many Thousands died in the Iraq massacre, Bush and Blair should have rightfully been persecuted for fabricated ********, and killing of innocents!

 

[Technics 1210]

600K+ died because of Bush 43’s decision, let’s get that right. They didn’t need UK.

There’s no charge for Blair to face. I believe that the ICC has prepared legislation allowing such a prosecution in future but it is not retrospective.

Ardern. Merkel did pretty well given that the infection got in via Italy, but they have a well funded public health care system in Germany with three times the critical care beds that the NHS has.

Nope. Bush was only prepared to go to war if the UK joined. Blair lied to HoP, lied to the public, and lied to the Queen too (which explains why Blair will never be knighted). He also had to testify at the MPs committee for his actions, and above all the Chilcot report was damning.

As for BJ. Lack of NHS beds and funding isn't down to him, its decades of scaling back the NHS by previous governments. You have not mentioned China? They seemed to have controlled C19 the best.

Even now, BJ is contemplating a 3rd lockdown but the left and his opposition do not agree with him because of the economical impact. What should BJ do? It's all very well pointing out the right course in hindsight, but what about the future?

There's no charge for BJ to face either. I just feel you have a soft spot for Blair who overlooked the GFA/EU expansion opposed to BJ who pulled the UK out of the EU jepordising the GFA.

 

[Robert]

Nope. Bush was only prepared to go to war if the UK joined. Blair lied to HoP, lied to the public, and lied to the Queen too (which explains why Blair will never be knighted). He also had to testify at the MPs committee for his actions, and above all the Chilcot report was damning.

As for BJ. Lack of NHS beds and funding isn't down to him, its decades of scaling back the NHS by previous governments. You have not mentioned China? They seemed to have controlled C19 the best.

Even now, BJ is contemplating a 3rd lockdown but the left and his opposition do not agree with him because of the economical impact. What should BJ do? It's all very well pointing out the right course in hindsight, but what about the future?

There's no charge for BJ to face either. I just feel you have a soft spot for Blair who overlooked the GFA/EU expansion opposed to BJ who pulled the UK out of the EU jepordising the GFA.

Of course USA could have invaded Iraq without British support. The USMC alone is larger than the entire British Army and RAF. Never mind the USAF and US Army and Navy. >90% of the troops in Iraq were American.

China is an authoritarian state - they could box off Wuhan with their military easily. Japan is a democracy which has also done very well because their people are used to cooperation and have worn masks for years.

Johnson could have done plenty of things and either dithered or chose the wrong option through incompetence, populist tactics or simply not caring.

 

[Robert]

No matter how many Thousands died in the Iraq massacre, Bush and Blair should have rightfully been persecuted for fabricated ********, and killing of innocents!

By whom? USA isn’t even signatory to the ICC. Even if they were, can you really imagine The Hague issuing an arrest warrant? Who is going to go to Texas and put him in cuffs?

 

[Technics 1210]

Of course USA could have invaded Iraq without British support. The USMC alone is larger than the entire British Army and RAF. Never mind the USAF and US Army and Navy. >90% of the troops in Iraq were American.

China is an authoritarian state - they could box off Wuhan with their military easily. Japan is a democracy which has also done very well because their people are used to cooperation and have worn masks for years.

Johnson could have done plenty of things and either dithered or chose the wrong option through incompetence, populist tactics or simply not caring.

The size of the military is irrelevant. Bush 43 had no international support and pleaded with Blair. 20 years on we are still paying the price for the lies.

Doesn’t matter what type of government is in China, they controlled the outbreak of C19 incredibly well; maybe that’s what we need in the UK, some authority rather than flimsy democracy.

So what should BJ have done, and should do now?

 

[Technics 1210]

By whom? USA isn’t even signatory to the ICC. Even if they were, can you really imagine The Hague issuing an arrest warrant? Who is going to go to Texas and put him in cuffs?

This statement sums it all up.

You cannot imagine Bush and Blair being arrested despite the evidence against them in the same way many cannot imagine Andrew being cuffed away and standing trial - hence all the technicalities to protect their innocence.

I bet you wouldn’t feel the same way if a Chinese leader was issued an arrest warrant? Or some ‘evil’ dictator in the ME?

Lets face it, the rich and powerful are indeed above the law and the general public have lapped up their lies.

 

[Robert]

This statement sums it all up.

You cannot imagine Bush and Blair being arrested despite the evidence against them in the same way many cannot imagine Andrew being cuffed away and standing trial - hence all the technicalities to protect their innocence.

I bet you wouldn’t feel the same way if a Chinese leader was issued an arrest warrant? Or some ‘evil’ dictator in the ME?

Lets face it, the rich and powerful are indeed above the law and the general public have lapped up their lies.

Nothing was summed up.

I can’t imagine B&B being arrested because there is zero possibility that it will happen.

At no time have I said the Prince Andrew is innocent. He looked shifty as, on Maitlis. I merely seek to burn away the distorting and incorrect statements made on this thread.

China and the ME states aren’t signatories to the ICC either.

 

[Technics 1210]

Nothing was summed up.

I can’t imagine B&B being arrested because there is zero possibility that it will happen.

At no time have I said the Prince Andrew is innocent. He looked shifty as, on Maitlis. I merely seek to burn away the distorting and incorrect statements made on this thread.

China and the ME states aren’t signatories to the ICC either.

You cannot imagine why? Cos they were leaders of the Western world? This does indeed sum up everything. China/ME not being signatories isn't the point. The point is you'd have no problem in imagining their leaders being arrested.

So you don't think Andrew is innocent yet seek to burn all accusations against him? Why? Cannot Imagine a royal being arrested?

 

[Robert]

You cannot imagine why? Cos they were leaders of the Western world? This does indeed sum up everything. China/ME not being signatories isn't the point. The point is you'd have no problem in imagining their leaders being arrested.

So you don't think Andrew is innocent yet seek to burn all accusations against him? Why? Cannot Imagine a royal being arrested?

I cannot imagine Bush being arrested, because USA is not signatory to the ICC so The Hague has no power over Bush. While UK signed up to the ICC, there was no extant legislation whereby Blair might be arrested, so I cannot imagine him being arrested either. I can’t imagine things that can’t happen.

The Duke of York won’t be arrested because he has not been charged with anything. I seek to burn nonsensical statements about legal process. People here don’t know criminal courts from civil courts and what their different functions are. Would you like me to explain the differences? Even if the civil court rules for Guiffre they cannot enforce the Duke paying her damages. As long as he never sets foot in USA again.

 

[Technics 1210]

I cannot imagine Bush being arrested, because USA is not signatory to the ICC so The Hague has no power over Bush. While UK signed up to the ICC, there was no extant legislation whereby Blair might be arrested, so I cannot imagine him being arrested either. I can’t imagine things that can’t happen.

The Duke of York won’t be arrested because he has not been charged with anything. I seek to burn nonsensical statements about legal process. People here don’t know criminal courts from civil courts and what their different functions are. Would you like me to explain the differences? Even if the civil court rules for Guiffre they cannot enforce the Duke paying her damages. As long as he never sets foot in USA again.

Tautology. The majority are telling you Andrew should be charged and arrested given the evidence yet you are protecting him by claiming 'bad judgement' on his part. It's clear as daylight Andrew is protected by sovereign immunity.

 

[Technics 1210]

PS: And speaking of judicial process, BJ has not been charged with anything yet you want him in jail!

 

[Robert]

Back to the thread.

Bodge has won the vote for COVID passports in some venues and enforcement of the jab for NHS staff.

He needed Labour support, as 99 of his own MPs rebelled. All the Lib Dems voted against.

What does this massive rebellion mean for Bodge?

 

[Technics 1210]

Back to the thread.

Bodge has won the vote for COVID passports in some venues and enforcement of the jab for NHS staff.

He needed Labour support, as 99 of his own MPs rebelled. All the Lib Dems voted against.

What does this massive rebellion mean for Bodge?

Do you agree with Covid passports and enforcement of jabs for the NHS staff?

 

[Robert]

Do you agree with Covid passports and enforcement of jabs for the NHS staff?

A balance has to be drawn between individual liberty and public safety.

Difficult one. The liberal in me says no to both. The H&S professional in me says yes to both.

The NHS has been opened to a huge class action under the UN Bioethics Treaty Articles Six and Eleven (Consent principle and Non-discrimination principle).

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=31058&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

 

[James]

Do you agree with Covid passports and enforcement of jabs for the NHS staff?

Not directed at me, but for the record — no.

 

[Technics 1210]

A balance has to be drawn between individual liberty and public safety.

Difficult one. The liberal in me says no to both. The H&S professional in me says yes to both.

The NHS has been opened to a huge class action under the UN Bioethics Treaty Articles Six and Eleven (Consent principle and Non-discrimination principle).

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=31058&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

Well the EU have issued Covid Passports and are already rolling it out, including Germany. Makes sense for NHS workers to be vaccinated if they are going to promote the message vaccination.

For once I think BJ has actually done the right thing, and Labour MPs agree too. The Tory revolt seems like a protest vote more than anything else.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Back to the thread.

Bodge has won the vote for COVID passports in some venues and enforcement of the jab for NHS staff.

He needed Labour support, as 99 of his own MPs rebelled. All the Lib Dems voted against.

What does this massive rebellion mean for Bodge?

He's on the way out but will time his departure so his legacy isnt tainted by talk of christmas parties and the misbehaviour of Tory MP's.

For some reason he is deeply popular within the party, the media and the public and I dont think anyone current MP has the guts or the clout to fire the starter pistol without getting the nod from Boris himself. He's not a man that you want to get on the wrong side of.

He will go in the new year, when the fear of the new variant has subsided and will frame it as saying that hes done the job he was elected to do which was to get Brexit done and now its time to hand over the reigns.

 

[Technics 1210]

He's on the way out but will time his departure so his legacy isnt tainted by talk of christmas parties and the misbehaviour of Tory MP's.

For some reason he is deeply popular within the party, the media and the public and I dont think anyone current MP has the guts or the clout to fire the starter pistol without getting the nod from Boris himself. He's not a man that you want to get on the wrong side of.

He will go in the new year, when the fear of the new variant has subsided and will frame it as saying that hes done the job he was elected to do which was to get Brexit done and now its time to hand over the reigns.

BJ is popular within the party because he is the face of Brexit and Tories have historically been against the EU. Never again shall this country have a PM who was inherently against a democratic result (May). Plus like you said, once this new variant subsides, the economy will be in focus and if the numbers are rising towards growth, BJ will stand for re-election in a few years.

BJ ain’t going anywhere.

 

[silentkiller187]

BJ is popular within the party because he is the face of Brexit and Tories have historically been against the EU. Never again shall this country have a PM who was inherently against a democratic result (May). Plus like you said, once this new variant subsides, the economy will be in focus and if the numbers are rising towards growth, BJ will stand for re-election in a few years.

BJ ain’t going anywhere.

BJ knows his time is up,right now hes just trolling waiting for the endgame, he will be on im a celebrity in the next year or so, that will be more his calling he loves the limelight , he just aint got a clue on how to make a big decision.

Rishi sunak or priti patel will be the token first asian pm after that and the party will reinvent itself

 

[Robert]

BJ is popular within the party because he is the face of Brexit and Tories have historically been against the EU. Never again shall this country have a PM who was inherently against a democratic result (May). Plus like you said, once this new variant subsides, the economy will be in focus and if the numbers are rising towards growth, BJ will stand for re-election in a few years.

BJ ain’t going anywhere.

Tories were fifty-fifty for EU membership until a bunch of their Europhile MPs left or were purged.

Inflation jumped to 5.1% today.

Bodge was popular because he held a poll lead. The Tories put up with his constant lying and incompetence then. But Labour are ahead now.

The massive Tory majority in Chesham and Amersham was overturned by the Lib Dems. The even more massive Tory majority in North Shropshire is under serious threat, to the extent that the Lib Dems are the bookies’ favourites. If North Shropshire falls then a shockwave will run through the Tory MP ranks.

Tories are ruthless. If they think their seats are under threat they will turn on Bodge in an instant, as they did on the much more capable Thatcher. Every day Labour are ahead in the polls brings the leadership challenge forward.

 

[Technics 1210]

Tories were fifty-fifty for EU membership until a bunch of their Europhile MPs left or were purged.

Inflation jumped to 5.1% today.

Bodge was popular because he held a poll lead. The Tories put up with his constant lying and incompetence then. But Labour are ahead now.

The massive Tory majority in Chesham and Amersham was overturned by the Lib Dems. The even more massive Tory majority in North Shropshire is under serious threat, to the extent that the Lib Dems are the bookies’ favourites. If North Shropshire falls then a shockwave will run through the Tory MP ranks.

Tories are ruthless. If they think their seats are under threat they will turn on Bodge in an instant, as they did on the much more capable Thatcher. Every day Labour are ahead in the polls brings the leadership challenge forward.

50/50? It was Major that pulled the UK into the EU with the Maastricht treaty (devoid of a public vote) thus creating what is known as Maastricht rebels including the anti-EU prodigal son, Nigel Farage, who went on to form the UKIP party. So yes Tories are ruthless, so ruthless they hung out Thatcher to dry over the EU.

Lib Dems are finished. Toast. Absent from front line politics only for Nick Clegg to torpedo the party back to the stone age with his lies and U-turns - tuition fees. So untrustworthy are the Lib Dems, they campaigned on a second referendum and still failed to make moves.

Inflation jumped 5.1%. What’s your point? Inflation rises because of BJ? Not only do we know that the rise in inflation is due to factors beyond the British government, we also know the next move to combat inflation and that is to raise interest rates. Raising rates will kill the economy, but do you prefer a higher rate so that your pensions rise? Which would you choose? Save the nation, or save your pension/assets?

BJ isn’t going anywhere as long as Covid is around and Macron makes a fool of himself, and the UK economy is on the up, not forgetting Merkal is dust - BJ will survive till the next GE.

 

[Robert]

50/50? It was Major that pulled the UK into the EU with the Maastricht treaty (devoid of a public vote) thus creating what is known as Maastricht rebels including the anti-EU prodigal son, Nigel Farage, who went on to form the UKIP party. So yes Tories are ruthless, so ruthless they hung out Thatcher to dry over the EU.

Lib Dems are finished. Toast. Absent from front line politics only for Nick Clegg to torpedo the party back to the stone age with his lies and U-turns - tuition fees. So untrustworthy are the Lib Dems, they campaigned on a second referendum and still failed to make moves.

Inflation jumped 5.1%. What’s your point? Inflation rises because of BJ? Not only do we know that the rise in inflation is due to factors beyond the British government, we also know the next move to combat inflation and that is to raise interest rates. Raising rates will kill the economy, but do you prefer a higher rate so that your pensions rise? Which would you choose? Save the nation, or save your pension/assets?

BJ isn’t going anywhere as long as Covid is around and Macron makes a fool of himself, and the UK economy is on the up, not forgetting Merkal is dust - BJ will survive till the next GE.

Thatcher was politically ended by the poll tax, not the EU. She burned her political capital, just as Bodge has done with Partygate.

Liberals were down to six MPs at one point and came back to 60. Have 12 now, probably 13 by Friday. 2600 Councillors too. Hard to kill. Picking up votes from decent middle class people appalled by Bodge.

Point on inflation is that the economy is not doing well. Come 1st Jan, food prices will rise as full EU customs checks come in.

 

[Technics 1210]

Thatcher was politically ended by the poll tax, not the EU. She burned her political capital, just as Bodge has done with Partygate.

Liberals were down to six MPs at one point and came back to 60. Have 12 now, probably 13 by Friday. 2600 Councillors too. Hard to kill. Picking up votes from decent middle class people appalled by Bodge.

Point on inflation is that the economy is not doing well. Come 1st Jan, food prices will rise as full EU customs checks come in.

Nope. Thatcher was ousted over EU disagreements.

Ten days that toppled Margaret Thatcher http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34673606

You can say poll tax was a contributing factor, which it was, but then Major was voted in till 97. So it wasn’t the revolt against poll tax - A Tory policy - that ousted the Tory leader, it was her opinions on the EU. Hence Major was elected PM.

So liberals went from 6 seats, to 60, back to 12. This proves my point. Clegg torpedoed the party, and the LDs never recovered.

Economy not doing well? Blame Gordon Brown who deregulated the UK financial system to asset based capitalism.

No one cares about the EU in the UK anymore, other than a few has-beens like James O’Brian.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

BJ is popular within the party because he is the face of Brexit and Tories have historically been against the EU. Never again shall this country have a PM who was inherently against a democratic result (May). Plus like you said, once this new variant subsides, the economy will be in focus and if the numbers are rising towards growth, BJ will stand for re-election in a few years.

BJ ain’t going anywhere.

He was popular before Brexit and has managed to make it to several incredibly high offices such as mayor, fm and now PM!

For some reason the public has generally liked him but he seems worn down recently and I think its clear to even his biggest fans that he isn't up to the office.

I dont think he will want to stand and even if he did the party wont allow it.

 

[Technics 1210]

He was popular before Brexit and has managed to make it to several incredibly high offices such as mayor, fm and now PM!

For some reason the public has generally liked him but he seems worn down recently and I think its clear to even his biggest fans that he isn't up to the office.

I dont think he will want to stand and even if he did the party wont allow it.

I remember the time BJ was literally left hanging by the rafters in a stunt that went wrong (Emirates line from what I can remember). His reaction to being stuck mid-air resonated with the public.

Simply the public could relate to his bafoonary because 9.9/10 times its exactly what anyone of us would've done. He connects with the public through realism. What you see is what you get - a clown. The public could relate to this, cos most of the public would react as if we're clowns in a situation. This resulted in BJ gravitas.

In comparison, the public cannot often relate to PMs, pure fakery, playing to the galleries, and so on.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Lackey to whom? The unions?

Democracy must be rebuilt root and branch in the liberal tradition. A written constitution stating the powers of the Executive, Commons and Supreme Court. A modern bill of rights. An elected upper house.

Starmer is another Zionist puppet. He is voting on everything Boris asks, when Bori's own members are not.

There is no democracy lol.

Its meaning is the will of the people along with freedom to choose governance. The two party system is fraud to keep the public divided, thinking they have a choice but in reality they have no choice to make the important decisions.

Corbyn was demonised by the media and idiots believed this, meaning they are also involved in this theatre of fake democracy.

I know its too much to accept for patriots like yourself. You believe the western governments are good in nature, enough said.

 

[Robert]

North Shropshire falls to the Lib Dems in a 34% swing. For the first time in 200 years it has a non-Tory MP.

A sea change is happening. If the Tories don’t dump Johnson and restore confide then Starmer will be PM.

 

[Robert]

Starmer is another Zionist puppet. He is voting on everything Boris asks, when Bori's own members are not.

There is no democracy lol.

Its meaning is the will of the people along with freedom to choose governance. The two party system is fraud to keep the public divided, thinking they have a choice but in reality they have no choice to make the important decisions.

Corbyn was demonised by the media and idiots believed this, meaning they are also involved in this theatre of fake democracy.

I know its too much to accept for patriots like yourself. You believe the western governments are good in nature, enough said.

This is personality cult thinking. The great leader cannot be wrong so the system must have failed him.

The people wouldn’t buy what Corbyn was selling, but they are buying what Starmer is selling. Labour are ahead in the polls. Competence counts. Corbyn didn’t have it and Starmer does.

For the first time since Brown was PM, I feel hope.

 

[Manunited18]

This is personality cult thinking. The great leader cannot be wrong so the system must have failed him.

The people wouldn’t buy what Corbyn was selling, but they are buying what Starmer is selling. Labour are ahead in the polls. Competence counts. Corbyn didn’t have it and Starmer does.

For the first time since Brown was PM, I feel hope.

Starmer! No thanks. Only Reason labour are ahead in polls is because of Tories total collapse under Boris.

 

[Technics 1210]

This is personality cult thinking. The great leader cannot be wrong so the system must have failed him.

The people wouldn’t buy what Corbyn was selling, but they are buying what Starmer is selling. Labour are ahead in the polls. Competence counts. Corbyn didn’t have it and Starmer does.

For the first time since Brown was PM, I feel hope.

People are buying what Starmer is selling cos of Boris and his handling of Covid. Corbyn was dealing with the fallout of Brexit. 2 very different scenarios.

Which polls have Labour in lead? Any lead is through attrition; not because of Starmer’s performance.

And I am surprised you are supporting Labour as you are a member of the LDs.

 

[Robert]

People are buying what Starmer is selling cos of Boris and his handling of Covid. Corbyn was dealing with the fallout of Brexit. 2 very different scenarios.

Which polls have Labour in lead? Any lead is through attrition; not because of Starmer’s performance.

And I am surprised you are supporting Labour as you are a member of the LDs.

YouGov and Survation put Labour five points ahead.

Sir Ed is not going to be PM. Sir Keir will be, I think. He’ll be good, repairing public services and negotiating a better deal with the EU. All the Tories offer is constant xenophobia.

The shine has come off Bodge, and the corruption and incompetence of this government of second-rate intellects and ideologues is revealed.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] there are some right mugs in this thread, especially the brown uncle tom tories who pretend to be patriots of their faith and identity when it suits them when they’d get spat on by both communities if the truth came out, but I think you will lose credibility by sitting on the fence between Lib Dems and Labour

 

[Technics 1210]

YouGov and Survation put Labour five points ahead.

Sir Ed is not going to be PM. Sir Keir will be, I think. He’ll be good, repairing public services and negotiating a better deal with the EU. All the Tories offer is constant xenophobia.

The shine has come off Bodge, and the corruption and incompetence of this government of second-rate intellects and ideologues is revealed.

Corruption? Any evidence?

The polls have Labour in lead after the Xmas party fiasco video released early in Dec, not because of Labour policies etc. This is attrition not competence of Labour.

So you wouldn't support Corbyn who was all up for funding public services cos you are a member of LD party but you would support Starmer cos he might negotiate a better deal with the EU. This sums everything up.

The Furlough and Lockdown which prevented mass loss of livelihood and rapid spread of Covid in 2020 were Tory policies. Labour also approved BJ's latest commitment to tackling Omricon variant.

Which Starmer policies do you support? Assuming he has any given he's done nothing but ride the covid couch.

In essence you want an EU stooge at the helm regardless of which party they represent.

 

[MenInG]

The Conservatives have lost the North Shropshire by-election, a shock result that puts more pressure on Boris Johnson after a difficult few weeks for the prime minister.

Lib Dem candidate Helen Morgan overturned a huge Tory majority to triumph in the contest, which was sparked by the resignation of Owen Paterson amid a lobbying scandal.

 

[topspin]

YouGov and Survation put Labour five points ahead.

Sir Ed is not going to be PM. Sir Keir will be, I think. He’ll be good, repairing public services and negotiating a better deal with the EU. All the Tories offer is constant xenophobia.

The shine has come off Bodge, and the corruption and incompetence of this government of second-rate intellects and ideologues is revealed.

The problem is Labour is full of stooges and incompetent individuals.

Did you know Labour's deputy was pregnant at 16 and therefore left school without a single GCSE? Why would I want to vote for a party with someone like her second in command.

 

[MenInG]

Boris Johnson has said he takes "personal responsibility" after his Conservative Party lost the North Shropshire by-election in a shock result that has dealt another significant blow to his premiership.

Lib Dem candidate Helen Morgan overturned a huge Tory majority to triumph in the contest, which was sparked by the resignation of Owen Paterson amid a lobbying scandal.

 

[Robert]

[MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] there are some right mugs in this thread, especially the brown uncle tom tories who pretend to be patriots of their faith and identity when it suits them when they’d get spat on by both communities if the truth came out, but I think you will lose credibility by sitting on the fence between Lib Dems and Labour

Hello [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION]. I am a LD member but we are not going to form a government. I want to see Starmer as PM in order to repair the social damage down by the Tories. My best hope is that LD MPs can support Starmer in a confidence and supply relationship to get a PR referendum.

 

[Robert]

The problem is Labour is full of stooges and incompetent individuals.

Did you know Labour's deputy was pregnant at 16 and therefore left school without a single GCSE? Why would I want to vote for a party with someone like her second in command.

You’re being pretty judgemental and snobbish here. I don’t rate Rayner, but know that she has basically no power and is there to keep the hard left on side. Plenty of skilled MPs are in the shadow cabinet now - Dodds, Reeves, Lammy, Cooper, Allin-Khan, Milliband, Thornbury. I’d like to see Jarvis, Malhotra and Benn back too.

 

[Robert]

Corruption? Any evidence?

The polls have Labour in lead after the Xmas party fiasco video released early in Dec, not because of Labour policies etc. This is attrition not competence of Labour.

So you wouldn't support Corbyn who was all up for funding public services cos you are a member of LD party but you would support Starmer cos he might negotiate a better deal with the EU. This sums everything up.

The Furlough and Lockdown which prevented mass loss of livelihood and rapid spread of Covid in 2020 were Tory policies. Labour also approved BJ's latest commitment to tackling Omricon variant.

Which Starmer policies do you support? Assuming he has any given he's done nothing but ride the covid couch.

In essence you want an EU stooge at the helm regardless of which party they represent.

Corruption - for a start, see the reason for said by-election. Cash for representation.

I don’t “support” Starmer. That would mean doorstopping, leafleting, phone-banking, stakeboarding for Labour. I think he will be a good PM because he has brains and skills. Corbyn had neither.

 

[topspin]

You’re being pretty judgemental and snobbish here. I don’t rate Rayner, but know that she has basically no power and is there to keep the hard left on side. Plenty of skilled MPs are in the shadow cabinet now - Dodds, Reeves, Lammy, Cooper, Allin-Khan, Milliband, Thornbury. I’d like to see Jarvis, Malhotra and Benn back too.

So because I am not content with the standard equivalent to a sewer rat that makes me a snob? The irony is you don't even rate her yourself, most likely for the same reasons but you're afraid to speak your mind in a public forum.

As for me being judgemental, we judge by what is apparent. For example you've had a lot to say about Boris and etc of late.

How can you be sure about "she has basically no power". The fact that she's second command sends the opposite message and rather shows that she is a potential candidate to be not just head of labour but also Prime Minister if Conservative do lose the next general election.

Her leaving school without a GCSE and being pregnant at age 16 will be frowned upon by the majority and therefore does not bode well for Labour. This is the harsh reality we live in not the utopia that you seem to be stuck in.

 

[KingKhanWC]

This is personality cult thinking. The great leader cannot be wrong so the system must have failed him.

The people wouldn’t buy what Corbyn was selling, but they are buying what Starmer is selling. Labour are ahead in the polls. Competence counts. Corbyn didn’t have it and Starmer does.

For the first time since Brown was PM, I feel hope.

On the contrary those who believe they are living in a democracy are part of a brainwashed cult imo. Corbyn wasn't part of the establishment, Starmer is one of the best lapdogs they could ever hoped for.

The big decisions aren't made by the likes of buffoons such as Boris or idiots such as G Bush, they are only a face of government.

 

[Technics 1210]

Corruption - for a start, see the reason for said by-election. Cash for representation.

I don’t “support” Starmer. That would mean doorstopping, leafleting, phone-banking, stakeboarding for Labour. I think he will be a good PM because he has brains and skills. Corbyn had neither.

Breaking house rules is not the same as committing a crime.

By support I did not mean campaigning for the guy, but you would be happy for him to be PM cos you believe he will negotiate a better EU deal.

Corbyn had the brains; he was going to fund public services, survived leadership contests, but the media/establishment were against him cos he wasn't a mouthpiece.

 

[James]

Johnson has completely burned through all of his political capital and any remaining goodwill, so despite some policy overlaps I do think Starmer would be an improvement on Boris as a Prime Minister and would bring a more appropriate level of integrity to the role.

 

[Robert]

On the contrary those who believe they are living in a democracy are part of a brainwashed cult imo. Corbyn wasn't part of the establishment, Starmer is one of the best lapdogs they could ever hoped for.

The big decisions aren't made by the likes of buffoons such as Boris or idiots such as G Bush, they are only a face of government.

Corbyn wasn't part of anything useful to man nor beast Except the self-indulgent hard left who would have no clue what to do if they ever won power.

There's always an "establishment", in every organisation. You enter it, and change it from within. That's what Lloyd George, Attlee and Wilson did. They didn't whinge about "the establishment". They worked hard for lasting change.

 

[Robert]

Johnson has completely burned through all of his political capital and any remaining goodwill, so despite some policy overlaps I do think Starmer would be an improvement on Boris as a Prime Minister and would bring a more appropriate level of integrity to the role.

Quite. He will improve public services too.

 

[Robert]

Breaking house rules is not the same as committing a crime.

By support I did not mean campaigning for the guy, but you would be happy for him to be PM cos you believe he will negotiate a better EU deal.

Corbyn had the brains; he was going to fund public services, survived leadership contests, but the media/establishment were against him cos he wasn't a mouthpiece.

Corbyn is a decent constituency MP and that's the limit of his ability. Starmer is a QC so has achieved excellence.

It should be obvious that an improved relationship with the EU including Single Market access will help British industry to sell more goods and import cheaper goods, and will sort out the NI situation at a stroke.

 

[Technics 1210]

Corbyn is a decent constituency MP and that's the limit of his ability. Starmer is a QC so has achieved excellence.

It should be obvious that an improved relationship with the EU including Single Market access will help British industry to sell more goods and import cheaper goods, and will sort out the NI situation at a stroke.

It's obvious that the single market didn't help the UK economy while in the EU and made matters worse for the Euro and EZ and continues to do so. More money is to be made with other developing economies without restriction.

The UK will not rejoin the EU. Democracy has spoken.

 

[Technics 1210]

Johnson has completely burned through all of his political capital and any remaining goodwill, so despite some policy overlaps I do think Starmer would be an improvement on Boris as a Prime Minister and would bring a more appropriate level of integrity to the role.

If Boris is ousted the Tories will still remain in power until the next GE. Labour will remain the opposition party for over a decade just like in the 80s/90s.

 

[Hassaan HS]

COVID-19: Downing Street defends photo claiming to show PM and staff in lockdown garden gathering - as Labour demand 'the truth'

Boris Johnson is under renewed pressure to answer questions over alleged gatherings held at Number 10 after the emergence of a photo taken when lockdown restrictions on meeting others were still in place.

The picture, first published by The Guardian, shows the prime minister, his wife Carrie with their then-newborn baby Wilfred, and colleagues with wine and cheese in the Downing Street garden on 15 May 2020 during the first national lockdown.

Nineteen people were present and there were "spirits and pizza inside and outside the building", the newspaper reported.

It happened at a time when people were still being asked to remain two metres apart, even outdoors, and being urged to "stay at home as much as is possible".

Schools did not reopen for another fortnight, while pubs and restaurants remained closed until early July.Downing Street has insisted the photo shows a "staff meeting".

"As we said last week, work meetings often take place in the Downing Street garden in the summer months. On this occasion there were staff meetings following a Number 10 press conference," a spokesman said.

"Downing Street is the prime minister's home as well as his workplace. The prime minister's wife lives in Number 10 and therefore also legitimately uses the garden."

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told Sky News that Number 10 is "fundamentally a place of work" and also the PM's residence.

"The prime minister has got a very young family and I think if you begrudge his wife coming down in a break from the business of the day, I don't think that is right," he said.

Mr Raab added that the people in the photo are in suits or formal attire and "given the pressures Number 10 were under, they might have a drink after the formal business has ended".

"This is not anything to do with the social mixing rules and it is consistent with the guidance at the time," Mr Raab said.

Sky News has been unable to independently confirm the details of the report.On the day the photo is said to have been taken, the then-health secretary, Matt Hancock, had given a news conference in which he said: "You can meet one other person from outside your household in an outdoor, public place. But please keep two metres apart."

He went on: "For the vast majority of people, staying alert still means staying at home as much as is possible - working from home when you can, limiting contact with people, keeping your distance if you go out, two metres wherever possible, (and) washing your hands regularly."Human rights barrister Adam Wagner, who examines coronavirus regulations and interprets them for the public, said he was "doubtful" the gathering "was against the law", but that it may have been against guidance.

He tweeted that regulations at the time stated "you couldn't be outside the place you were living without a reasonable excuse" and that working would be such a reason.

He added that there was "no way of knowing from a pic that they weren't working".However, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner has called on Mr Johnson to "tell us the truth".

She wrote on Twitter: "I guess staff meetings look a bit different if you went to Eton?

"Enough is enough. Tell us the truth about what was going on in Downing Street from the very beginning immediately @BorisJohnson."

The alleged gathering is one of a number which have been reported across Whitehall during COVID-19 restrictions.

Senior civil servant Sue Gray has been tasked with investigating the reports after Cabinet Secretary Simon Case was removed from the investigation after it was revealed he had known about a quiz held in his department.

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19...ial-restrictions-12500298?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter

 

[James]

More leaked WhatsApp messages from the Tory Party, including from a prominent Minister

 

[Robert]

Lib Dems are after his seat. They are targeting thirty Tory seats in a decapitation strategy. Raab’s is looking particularly vulnerable. I would love to see him out of Parliament.

 

[MenInG]

ITV report says an email shows Downing St staff were invited to drinks in No.10 garden in May 2020 by the Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds, which over 40 members of staff attended alongside the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson

 

[Robert]

Hearing reports that close to a majority of Tory MPs now believe that Johnson is a liability.

 

[MenInG]

Sky News understands Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie were among around 40 people to attend a drinks event in the Downing Street garden during the UK's first national COVID19 lockdown.

 

[James]

BoJo truly on his last legs now.

Time to resign and retire. He’s let the whole country down with his schoolboy mentality and poor decision making.

 

[MenInG]

Downing Street staff were invited to a drinks party in the Number 10 garden during the height of nationwide lockdown to "make the most of the lovely weather".

An email shared exclusively with ITV News provides the first evidence of a party on May 20, 2020, when the rest of the country was banned from meeting more than one other person outdoors.

The email was sent by the Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds to over a hundred employees in Number 10, including the Prime Minister's advisors, speechwriters and door staff.

In it, Mr Reynolds - a senior No 10 civil servant who has run Boris Johnson's private office since October 2019 - says:

"Hi all,

"After what has been an incredibly busy period we thought it would be nice to make the most of the lovely weather and have some socially distanced drinks in the No10 garden this evening.

"Please join us from 6pm and bring your own booze!"

ITV News understands around 40 staff gathered in the garden that evening, eating picnic food and drinking. Crucially, they included the Prime Minister and his wife Carrie Johnson.

The May 20 party was first alluded to in a blog by the Prime Minister's former advisor Dominic Cummings on Friday.

​The email follows allegations about staff gathering in the garden on a separate occasion on May 15, with a photograph emerging of Mr Johnson and his wife sitting with No 10 staff including Martin Reynolds on the terrace with a bottle of wine and cheese.

Who is the 'we' in the invite and have police been left with 'no option' but to investigate? UK Editor Paul Brand and Political Editor Robert Peston explain

Downing Street has previously insisted that the photograph showed a work meeting. But the email about the drinks party on May 20 makes it clear that this was a social gathering, which is far harder to explain away.

Less than an hour before the drinks, the then Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden had reminded the rest of England at the daily press conference that they must only meet in pairs outdoors.

On May 20, 2020, then Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the public at a press briefing:

"You can meet one person outside of your household in an outdoor, public place provided that you stay two metres apart"

Guidance allowing the 'rule of six' outdoors wasn't brought in until June 2020 and large gatherings remained banned.

The latest revelations have led to fresh calls for the Prime Minister to be questioned as part of the internal inquiry into a series of parties in Downing Street, launched after ITV News aired footage of Number 10 staff laughing and joking about an event on December 19 2020.

ITV News obtained exclusive footage of senior Downing Street staff joking about holding a Christmas party in a mock televised press briefing

In that video, the Prime Minister's then spokesperson Allegra Stratton suggested that there had been "no social distancing" at the event, which staff jokingly referred to as a "business meeting" with "cheese and wine".

ITV News later revealed that the Prime Minister's Head of Communications, Jack Doyle, handed out awards to staff at the party and made a speech.

Since then, there have been allegations of multiple other parties.

The cabinet office inquiry into the allegations is currently being carried out by senior civil servant Sue Gray, who took over from the Cabinet Secretary Simon Case due to allegations that he knew of at least one party himself.


ITV News understands that the drinks party on May 20 will form part of the ongoing investigations, with the inquiry due to report back this month.

When Mr Johnson was asked on Monday if he and his wife attended the party on May 20, he replied: “All that, as you know, is the subject of a proper investigation by Sue Gray."

Downing Street told ITV News they would not comment on the story due to the Sue Gray inquiry.

Responding to our report, Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said: "It's terrible and I think many people that see the evidence now will not, only think that Boris Johnson's lies are catching up with him, but will see it as absolutely despicable that when they were told to follow the rules, Boris Johnson and Number 10 were breaking the rules.

"It's disgraceful and he should be ashamed," Ms Rayner added.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey wrote: "Yet again it's one rule for Boris Johnson and another rule for the rest of us.

He added: "This time a massive garden party at his place while people were dying alone."

ITV

 

[James]

Major Russian banks will be excluded from the UK financial system and oligarchs have been targeted in new sanctions announced by Boris Johnson.

The prime minister told the House of Commons they were "the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever seen".

Russia's national airline Aeroflot will also be banned from landing in the UK.

It follows Moscow's invasion of Ukraine which began with air strikes in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Mr Johnson told MPs that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a "bloodstained aggressor" who would "stand condemned in the eyes of the world and of history" for invading Ukraine.

Announcing the measures, the prime minister said the UK and its allies had "tried every avenue for diplomacy until the final hour", but he believed Mr Putin had always been determined to attack Ukraine.

Mr Johnson said the G7 group of world leaders had agreed to work in unity to "maximise the economic price that Putin will pay for his aggression".

He also confirmed that sanctions would be applied to Belarus for its role in the assault on Ukraine.

Sanctions announced by the prime minister include:
— All major Russian banks will have their assets frozen and be excluded from the UK financial system. This will stop them from accessing sterling and clearing payments through the UK. This includes a full and immediate freeze of VTB bank
— Legislation will stop major Russian companies and the state from raising finance or borrowing money on UK markets
— Asset freezes will be placed on 100 new individuals or businesses
— Aeroflot will be banned from landing in the UK
— There will be a suspension of dual-use export licences to cover components which can be used for military purposes
— Within days the UK will stop exports of high-tech items and oil refinery equipment
— There will be a limit on deposits Russians can make in UK bank accounts
— Similar financial sanctions will be extended to Belarus for its role in the assault on Ukraine
— The UK will bring forward parts of the Economic Crime Bill before the Easter recess
— Mr Johnson said there was potential to cut Russia out from the Swift international payment system and "nothing is off the table"

Those being targeted by sanctions include five people deemed to be part of Mr Putin's "inner circle", the Foreign Office said in a statement issued after Mr Johnson's announcement.

These include Mr Putin's ex-son in law Kirill Shamalov who was previously married to his daughter Katarina and is Russia's youngest billionaire.

Other targets include Petr Fradkov, head of the recently sanctioned Promsvyazbank and son of the former head of Russian Foreign Intelligence.

Businesses targeted include Rostec, Russia's biggest defence company, Tactical Missile Corporation, Russia's leading supplier of air and sea missiles, and Uralvagonzavod, one of the world's largest tank manufacturers, the Foreign Office said.

It also said it was moving to cut off wealthy Russians' access to UK banks, including a £50,000 limit on bank deposits.

Mr Johnson said the UK and its allies' mission was to ensure through diplomatic, economic, and eventually military means that the "hideous and barbarous venture of Mr Putin" ended in failure.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Heartbreaking intervention by a journalist asking Boris Johnson why we do not secure the skies over Ukraine to at least protect children from the bombings.<br> <a href="https://t.co/dY38jlvVhs">pic.twitter.com/dY38jlvVhs</a> <a href="https://t.co/vCl6IY5VFu">https://t.co/vCl6IY5VFu</a></p>— John Gass (@thejohngass) <a href="https://twitter.com/thejohngass/status/1498736406767845381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[James]

<b>Boris Johnson has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing war crimes in Ukraine.</b>

At Prime Minister's Questions, he said bombing innocent civilians "already fully qualifies as a war crime".

He was responding to the Scottish National Party's Ian Blackford, who called for Mr Putin to be prosecuted.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has already accused Russia of war crimes after air strikes on the country's second city, Kharkiv.

A week in to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, attacks on key cities have intensified, with fighting raging in the north, east and south.

On Tuesday, Boris Johnson described the tactics used by the Russian military under orders from Mr Putin as "barbaric and indiscriminate".

"With every passing hour, the world is witnessing the horrors of Putin's war in Ukraine," said the SNP's Westminster leader Mr Blackford.

He called for Mr Putin to be prosecuted for the "full range" of war crime charges available.

Mr Johnson replied: "What we have seen already from Vladimir Putin's regime in the use of the munitions that they have already been dropping on innocent civilians, in my view, already fully qualifies as a war crime.

"I know that the ICC prosecutor is already investigating, and I am sure the whole House will support that."

On Monday, the office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said it would seek court approval to open an investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Asked about Mr Johnson's remarks after PMQs, Downing Street said possible war crimes were occurring daily in Ukraine.

Mr Johnson's official spokesman agreed the Russian attack on the Babyn Yar holocaust memorial in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the targeting of apartment blocks constituted war crimes.

The spokesman said: "Obviously, formally it will be for a criminal court to make that ruling but I think no-one can be in any doubt that what we're seeing daily, almost hourly now, are horrific acts that would certainly appear to be war crimes."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60588031

 

[Technics 1210]

Boris should go pick up and polish his clown shoes with Blair before he mentions war crimes.

 

[James]

Boris should go pick up and polish his clown shoes with Blair before he mentions war crimes.

No doubt that Blair and Bush Jr should be facing indictment themselves.

 

[James]

<b>Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross withdraws call for Boris Johnson to quit</b>

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has withdrawn his call for Boris Johnson to resign as prime minister.

Mr Ross had written to the party's 1922 committee in a bid to trigger a leadership contest amid the row over Downing Street parties during lockdown.

However he said this should now be "put on pause while there is war in Europe".

Mr Ross - who is both an MP and MSP - has withdrawn his letter, saying it was essential to fully support the UK government's efforts over Ukraine.

It was confirmed earlier on Thursday that Mr Johnson will attend the Scottish Conservative conference, which is being held in Aberdeen on 18 and 19 March.

The party said it would welcome the prime minister in person to give a speech about the war in Ukraine.

Mr Ross called for the prime minister's resignation in January, saying Mr Johnson's position was "no longer tenable" after he admitted attending a Downing Street party during the Covid-19 lockdown.,

He was later dismissed as being "quite a lightweight figure" by Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons.

Mr Johnson had said he thought the May 2020 gathering was "technically within the rules", and that he had "believed implicitly that it was a work event".

However he is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police, and submitted a questionnaire about his involvement to officers - which has the same status as information given as an interview under caution.

Mr Ross was backed in his position by almost all of the party's MSPs, and doubled down later in January by saying he would not be changing his mind.

However he has now said that "the middle of an international crisis is not the time to be discussing resignations".

He added: "There will be a time and place to debate partygate but, as even Keir Starmer said at the weekend, we should put that on pause while there is war in Europe.

"It's essential that we all fully support what the UK Government is doing. In light of Russia's appalling actions, the government and Prime Minister need our backing, and they have mine and the whole Scottish Conservative party."

Other parties were critical of the move, with Labour leader Anas Sarwar saying Mr Ross "should not be using the Ukraine crisis to go back on his principles" and Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie saying the Tory leader had "the backbone of a jellyfish".

And SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford - who had earlier denied rumours he was thinking of quitting his own post - said it was "an utterly humiliating u-turn for Douglas Ross".

He said Mr Ross had "ended up catastrophically undermining his own position" and was "no doubt on borrowed time".

It was earlier confirmed that Mr Johnson will attend the Scottish Tory conference later in March.

There is another Conservative conference in Blackpool on the same dates, which meant it was thought Mr Johnson would appear in Aberdeen via a video link or in a pre-recorded message.

However the party said it would be welcoming him "in person to speak about the war in Ukraine".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-60692930

 

[James]

<b>UK sanctions 386 Russian MPs over Ukraine invasion</b>

The UK government has imposed sanctions on hundreds of Russian parliamentarians as part of its response to the war in Ukraine.

Some 386 MPs who voted to recognise two rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine as independent last month have been hit by asset freezes and UK travel bans.

The UK said their recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk gave Russia a "pretext" for its subsequent invasion.

Labour welcomed the move but said it should have happened "weeks ago".

It follows a similar move by the European Union, which announced sanctions against hundreds of Russian MPs last month.

The UK signalled it would impose sanctions of its own last month, but said more time was needed to pass new legislation before it could happen.

The latest announcement means 400 of the 450 members of the Duma - the lower house of the Russian parliament - are now subject to British sanctions. They also prevent them from conducting business in the UK.

Ministers are yet to target all the members of the Federation Council, the Russian parliament's upper house.

And Downing Street declined to say whether any of the sanctioned politicians had any assets in the UK.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK was targeting "those complicit in Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and those who support this barbaric war".

"We will not let up the pressure and will continue to tighten the screw on the Russian economy through sanctions," she added.

The move follows sanctions on Russian banks, companies and oligarchs in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month.

On Thursday the UK announced sanctions on a further seven Russian oligarchs, including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.

The UK government says it means 18 Russian oligarchs, worth a combined £30bn, have been sanctioned since the Russian invasion began.

Ministers have been coming under mounting pressure from opposition parties to increase both the speed and scale of sanctions in recent weeks.

Labour's shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said the latest sanctions against Duma members were welcome, but "should have happened weeks ago".

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran also backed the move, but said the UK had been "moving at a snail's pace".

Meanwhile, the government has also faced criticism over its response to the refugee crisis, amid accusations the process to apply for visas is slow and bureaucratic.

The United Nations said more than 2.5 million people have now fled Ukraine, but as of Thursday morning the UK had issued 1,305 visas, Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford said on Friday.

The government has announced plans to allow Ukrainians with family in the UK to apply for visas online, without having to visit a visa centre in-person.

Details of a second scheme allowing individuals and businesses to sponsor refugee visas are set to be confirmed on Monday, having originally been announced on 1 March.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60708230

 

[James]

<b>British PM makes surprise visit to Kyiv, meets Zelenskyy</b>

<I>British Prime Minister’s visit follows UK pledge of more sophisticated military equipment to fight Russia.</I>

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, a surprise visit to the war-scarred capital following the UK pledge to provide more than $130 million in sophisticated weaponry to Ukraine on Friday.

The Ukraine embassy in the UK tweeted a picture of the two leaders meeting with a one-word caption: “Surprise”.

Andriy Sybiha, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, also announced the meeting in a Facebook post, saying the two had a “one-on-one meeting” in Kyiv.

Downing Street described Johnson’s visit as a “show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people”, and said the talks with the Ukrainian president would focus on long-term support for the country and new financial and military aid.

Johnson announced on Friday that the UK would send additional Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, 800 anti-tank missiles, and other “high-grade military equipment” worth $130 million to support the Ukrainian army’s fight against Russia.

The prime minister linked a vicious attack on Kramatorsk train station in eastern Donetsk region, where at least 52 people were killed on Friday by Russian bombing, to his latest pledge of military support to the Kyiv government.

Russia’s attack on the train station “shows the depths to which [Vladimir] Putin’s once-vaunted army has sunk”, Johnson told reporters alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called the Russian strike “atrocious”.

Johnson met the German leader at Downing Street as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell visited Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy called for a “firm global response” to the missile attack on the station, which was crowded with women, children and the elderly.

Local officials estimate that about 4,000 people were gathered there at the time of the bombing.

Russia’s defence ministry denied responsibility for the attack, saying in a statement the missiles that hit the station were used only by Ukraine’s military and that Russia’s armed forces had no targets assigned in Kramatorsk on Friday.

All statements by the Ukrainian authorities on the attack were “provocations”, the ministry said.

“Stand Up For Ukraine”, a global aid pledging event for Ukrainian refugees, raised $11 billion on Saturday.

Convened by EU officials and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the “Stand Up For Ukraine” campaign raised the money to support internally displaced people and refugees who have fled the country.

More than 4.4 million refugees have left Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24.

The fund-raising event comprised a social media rally on Friday and a pledging conference on Saturday.

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/...ris-johnson-makes-surprise-visit-to-zelenskyy

 

[James]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today I met my friend President <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZelenskyyUa</a> in Kyiv as a show of our unwavering support for the people of Ukraine.<br><br>We're setting out a new package of financial & military aid which is a testament of our commitment to his country's struggle against Russia’s barbaric campaign. <a href="https://t.co/KNY0Nm6NQ3">pic.twitter.com/KNY0Nm6NQ3</a></p>— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1512818337415372802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[James]

The situation in Ukraine has really been capitalised upon by Boris post-Partygate as he bids to reconstruct his ailing political reputation.

 

[Jadz]

The situation in Ukraine has really been capitalised upon by Boris post-Partygate as he bids to reconstruct his ailing political reputation.

Russia is now the determining factor in elections and popularity polls - anyone deemed 'pro-Russian' or who adopts a neutral stance (see Imran Khan's political troubles because of his position on the subject) is subject to regime change, being ousted or forced to resign (on some trumped up charge).

The presidential election in France is a case in point, it has historically forged its own independent foreign policy - though on occasions its interests and agendas have aligned with those of the Anglo-Saxon axis of power, namely, the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand (the Five Eyes) - and often called upon Europe to exercise more sovereignty over its political and military decision-making. Thus, Macron engaging in regular communications with Putin has evoked a furious response from the Polish PM, with both accusing the other of being 'pro-Russian' or 'anti-Semitic.' A very public row for two members of the EU, no unity there then.

Marine Le Pen is also a major headache for Western ruling classes, because she too has - alleged - financial and political ties to Russia. Whichever of the two win the election it could still lead to a confrontation with the US, which demands absolute submission to its hegemony and anti-Russia agenda - and both Macron and Le Pen are not 'Yes,Sir' types.

Boris Johnson needs Ukraine to validate his position as a man in charge, with authority and power - his Chancellor in hot water over his spouse's dodgy tax arrangements, his health secretary's lack of popularity amongst NHS staff and a thoroughly dunce home secretary, his trip to Ukraine and photo-op with Zelensky provides him with distractions and diversions.

It's tragic that whilst people are being killed, maimed and displaced leaders are busy politicking and trying to promote their own narrow self-interests.

 

[MenInG]

Boris Johnson has said he intends to fight the next general election as Conservative Party leader as he faces persistent pressure over his leadership due to the ongoing partygate row.

Speaking to reporters on the plane as he embarks on a two-day trip to India, the prime minister said that he does not intend to offer his resignation over the Metropolitan Police investigation into lockdown-busting events that occurred in Downing Street and across Whitehall, or put himself forward for a confidence vote.

 

[MenInG]

At least one Number 10 official has received a fixed penalty notice from the Metropolitan Police for attending a lockdown-busting "bring your own booze" event held in the Downing Street garden, Sky News understands.

It is not known who has been fined for the gathering which was held at the height of the UK's first national lockdown on 20 May 2020.

 

[James]

Boris is Mr Popular in Ukraine now apparently.

Much more so than in the UK!

 

[Robert]

View attachment 116358

Boris is Mr Popular in Ukraine now apparently.

Much more so than in the UK!

They can keep him.

 

[ex-q-zit]

Boris Johnson earns nearly £1m in one month - and Matt Hancock's I'm A Celeb fee revealed

Boris Johnson has earned nearly £1m in a month to bring his earnings this parliament up to £2.3m.

His latest update to the MPs' register of interests showed the former prime minister received £510,000 as an advance on his upcoming book.

Mr Johnson also earned £200,892.86 for a speech to Aditya Birla Management, an Indian conglomerate, and £246,406.57 from Bloomberg Singapore for a speech he made in the city.

He was paid £3,000 for an article he wrote for The Spectator magazine, which he said took an hour to write.

The additions brought his total earnings from 14 December to 13 January to £960,298.

The figures follow revelations in the Westminster Accounts investigation by Sky News and Tortoise, which showed that Mr Johnson had earned £1,064,785 from jobs outside his MP or prime minister salary since the beginning of this parliament, which started in December 2019.

This latest addition brings his total up to £2,328,964.

Mr Johnson also disclosed that he was given flowers and chocolate worth £785 by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates.
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His latest declaration is likely to make him the second-highest earning MP this parliament as he overtakes Sir Geoffrey Cox, but remains behind Theresa May, who declared nothing in the past month.

Matt Hancock, the former health secretary, also submitted his earnings from his 18-day appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! - a decision that lost him the Conservative Party whip - to the latest update.

It revealed he earned £320,000 from the show, the equivalent of £17,777 a day.

The income is on top of Mr Hancock's salary of £84,144 for being an MP - Mr Johnson received that and an additional £79,936 when he was prime minister.

Mr Hancock was also paid £10,000 for a speech to Blemain Finance and £48,000 for an interview and serialisation of his book in the Daily Mail.

SKY

 

[shaz619]

They can keep him.

) Nice