UK General Discussion:The Rt. Hon Alex Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, Populist Hero

[afleitch]

https://mobile.twitter.com/BenInLDN/status/1488838076432535554

Adding to issues over their treatment of Islamophobia and disability rights, there is no doubt that the EHRC is s partisan political body.

[Agonized-Statism]

Welp, Canada's O'Toole is down. How are things looking for Johnson, Bri'ish Atlas?

[Blair]

Welp, Canada's O'Toole is down. How are things looking for Johnson, Bri'ish Atlas?

The poison is in the blood. Just a matter of time imho.

[Blair]

A damning but not surprising report. Dick should have been sacked 4 scandals ago but this is awful. Absolutely rotten.

London mayor puts Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick 'on notice' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-60236588

[TheTide]

https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1488976353680576514?s=20&t=d6wzY76tbm5M...

[Alcibiades]

Lost among everything else today, but the Supreme Court made a really awful decision allowing a really awful policy, namely the Home Office imposing a fee of £1012 to register children as UK citizens, to go ahead.

[Torrain]

Looks like Stormont may collapse again today.

The rules of the Northern Ireland Assembly are pretty arcane, and are designed to balance power pretty closely between the two largest parties (the language gets changed every now and again, but it’s decidedly written to ensure both a Unionist and Nationalist party are involved in the administration - these days, the DUP and Sinn Fein).

The DUP First Minister, Paul Givan is planning to resign from the Executive. This is supposed to trigger a brief period where another FM is searched for. This also triggers the removal of the Sinn Fein Deputy FM from office. Other cabinet members can continue - but the clock starts for a new administration to be formed, before the Executive collapses. Previously that would occur after a matter of days, but new Westminster legislation has extended the renegotiation period to six weeks.

This is obstensibly about the NI Protocol, but is littered with local political undertones. In May’s election, the unionist vote is projected to split between the DUP, their more moderate predecessors the UUP (Ulster Unionist Party) and the hardline TUV (Traditional Unionist Voice). This may be a stunt by the DUP to either disrupt the election cycle, or draw back their traditional support.

It should be noted that the DUP are pretty chilled about direct rule from London, and would almost certainly rather that than a Sinn Fein FM. So while this latest drama was started by Brexit, it may drag on in some form for a long time (or at least until the polling shifts).

[beesley]

Looks like Stormont may collapse again today.

The rules of the Northern Ireland Assembly are pretty arcane, and are designed to balance power pretty closely between the two largest parties (the language gets changed every now and again, but it’s decidedly written to ensure both a Unionist and Nationalist party are involved in the administration - these days, the DUP and Sinn Fein).

The DUP First Minister, Paul Givan is planning to resign from the Executive. This is supposed to trigger a brief period where another FM is searched for. This also triggers the removal of the Sinn Fein Deputy FM from office. Other cabinet members can continue - but the clock starts for a new administration to be formed, before the Executive collapses. Previously that would occur after a matter of days, but new Westminster legislation has extended the renegotiation period to six weeks.

This is obstensibly about the NI Protocol, but is littered with local political undertones. In May’s election, the unionist vote is projected to split between the DUP, their more moderate predecessors the UUP (Ulster Unionist Party) and the hardline TUV (Traditional Unionist Voice). This may be a stunt by the DUP to either disrupt the election cycle, or draw back their traditional support.

It should be noted that the DUP are pretty chilled about direct rule from London, and would almost certainly rather that than a Sinn Fein FM. So while this latest drama was started by Brexit, it may drag on in some form for a long time (or at least until the polling shifts).

My understanding is that the bill going through Parliament that would prevent the need for an early election (it would still take place in May). The executive would be powerless until then with no First Minister, and in turn, no Deputy First Minister.

In terms of election ramifications, this might regalvanise the DUP/TUV end of politics but don't assume UUP or Alliance voters will take that kindly to it.

[Torrain]

My understanding is that the bill going through Parliament that would prevent the need for an early election (it would still take place in May). The executive would be powerless until then with no First Minister, and in turn, no Deputy First Minister.

In terms of election ramifications, this might regalvanise the DUP/TUV end of politics but don't assume UUP or Alliance voters will take that kindly to it.

That’s good to know - sorry, haven’t had a chance to read the bill yet. It’s probably one of the better options on the table, letting the Executive just reform after the election. Most of the decisions lie in the hands of the NI Secretary now anyway. 

And would largely agree on the political impact. The DUP reclaiming some of its hardline attitude probably helps them on the right, but increases the risk to their left flank. I know several voters in County Down who still tend to vote UUP. Brexit has pushed them closer to Alliance (whom most voted for in 2019), rather than into the arms of the DUP.

[Blair]

It is worrying for the union that the executive looks set to collapse for the second time in what four years and people in Westminster, let alone the entire country, barely bat an eyelid.

[TheTide]

https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/1489247755834781699?s=20&t=3xAoiM...

[LabourJersey]

It is worrying for the union that the executive looks set to collapse for the second time in what four years and people in Westminster, let alone the entire country, barely bat an eyelid.

Really illustrates the obvious fact that most people in Westminster and Great Britain in general do not care about Northern Ireland at all.

Also how does the rules about coalition governing in NI work if the Unionists are split between three parties? what if the DUP is just barely larger in terms of seats compared to the TUV or UUP? wouldn't that make the government untenable?

[CumbrianLefty]

Johnson has significantly rowed back today on his previous Starmer/Savile comments.

This hasn't stopped an unholy alliance of mopium addicted moderates and gleeful vengeful Corbynites still pushing the "damage already done, SKS has been fatally swiftboated and is now doomed" thesis.

I mean, really?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Munira Mirza has quit over this issue!

[TheTide]

Munira Mirza has quit over this issue!

This has more potential to be the Geoffrey Howe moment than anything else over the past month or two. Her statement is quite brutal.

[Torrain]

Munira Mirza has quit over this issue!

Losing the Downing Street head of policy, the very day after the Levelling Up announcement…

Feels like an indicator of just how damaged the PM has been, by both the parties, and his distastrous attempt to deflect the crisis onto criticism of Starmer.

[Blair]

Munira Mirza has quit over this issue!

She had served with him for 14 years- and has resigned in an extremely brutal and public way. The fact that her resignation letter leaked is pretty bad!

It does actually link to the central problem about his claims which is that Johnson is seen as a liar and a man with no integrity so he wasn’t exactly the best vehicle to push them.

[Cassius]

Mirza was one of the few serious people left in Downing Street, so that’s pretty damn bad for him. A sign that he’s becoming too radioactive even for the inner circle.

On a side note, I believe as regards “levelling up” that Johnson was wittering on the other day about the success that Germany has had with regards to “leveling up” East Germany. Whilst there’s a case both for and against that view, it’s a rather odd choice of illustration given the enormous brain drain that East Germany has had and continues to suffer from, which is exactly the thing that British “leveling up” is supposed to be about counteracting.*

*I think the whole policy is an absurdity, especially the stupid name, but still, just an observation.

[beesley]

Aside from the usual arguments about the Levelling Up white paper, is the extent to which any growth or new wealth generated actually stays within the community (a key principle of community wealth building) or creates long-term opportunities. So as well as investment in public transport etc., which I wholeheartedly want to see of course, I'm not 100% convinced that the money will be infusion - genuinely regenerating these places rather than transfusion - pouring money for existing economic opportunities.

[TheTide]

Sunak essentially just rebuffed Johnson. Also, Mirza's other half is close to Sunak.

[afleitch]

Aside from the usual arguments about the Levelling Up white paper, is the extent to which any growth or new wealth generated actually stays within the community (a key principle of community wealth building) or creates long-term opportunities. So as well as investment in public transport etc., which I wholeheartedly want to see of course, I'm not 100% convinced that the money will be infusion - genuinely regenerating these places rather than transfusion - creation of new economic opportunities.

You can't effectively 'level up' without devolution of power and the mechanisms to control spending and get the benefit of economic output. Which the Tories are loathed to do.

[beesley]

Aside from the usual arguments about the Levelling Up white paper, is the extent to which any growth or new wealth generated actually stays within the community (a key principle of community wealth building) or creates long-term opportunities. So as well as investment in public transport etc., which I wholeheartedly want to see of course, I'm not 100% convinced that the money will be infusion - genuinely regenerating these places rather than transfusion - creation of new economic opportunities.

You can't effectively 'level up' without devolution of power and the mechanisms to control spending and get the benefit of economic output. Which the Tories are loathed to do.

Yesterday had the ridiculous charade where Johnson hinted at overruling Andy Burnham's clean air zone before Michael Gove hinted at the creation of new metro mayors for England - if you can riddle me that then you're a cleverer man than I.

Do you think Glasgow would benefit from some city devolution arrangement akin to the English cities? I've seen people calling for it today. Of course, that'd just be for Glasgow City, as I doubt Milngavie and Neilston would be happy about it.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Sunak essentially just rebuffed Johnson. Also, Mirza's other half is close to Sunak.

It's now more than just Boris' hair that is in DISARRAY!

[gerritcole]

Mirza was one of the few serious people left in Downing Street, so that’s pretty damn bad for him. A sign that he’s becoming too radioactive even for the inner circle.

On a side note, I believe as regards “levelling up” that Johnson was wittering on the other day about the success that Germany has had with regards to “leveling up” East Germany. Whilst there’s a case both for and against that view, it’s a rather odd choice of illustration given the enormous brain drain that East Germany has had and continues to suffer from, which is exactly the thing that British “leveling up” is supposed to be about counteracting.*

*I think the whole policy is an absurdity, especially the stupid name, but still, just an observation.

Fake ossi merkel was ashamed of the DDR and neglected its development! Now penguin chancellor scholz only has two ossis in the cabinet and don't want them to level up, SAXONY is not the red headed stepchild. why are there no ossis on die mannschaft?

[TheTide]

Jack Doyle has resigned as director of communications.