Who fancies a sweepstake on how long it takes before he oozes back? Will it be longer than the 201 days between Amber Rudd resigning in disgrace and being replaced by Sajid Javid, and her return?
his life is pretty much in ruins just now.
I'm not sure that claim is true.
Okay he has been demoted from Cabinet Minister to Backbencher, but a lot worse could have happened.
And apparently he has now embarked in a new life with his lover.
So I am not sure how deserving of sympathy he is.
How long did it take Priti Patel to get back in after being kicked out for privately negotiating with foreign governments behind the back of the UK government/diplomats?
And Gavin Williamson? He was fired for leaking. And Boris Johnson? Fired from the Tory front bench for lying (something easily forgotten considering how often he has been fired from positions for lying).
A surprisingly tasteful 623 days. Though, she spiced that up by breaking the ministerial code again just 2 months before she returned to the cabinet.
It looks like Gove would try & block Hancocks return
I'm getting strong' school disco you snogged by bf' vibes from the tory cabinet at the moment
https://twitter.com/MarinaHyde/status/1409152886651731971?s=19
So I am not sure how deserving of sympathy he is.
I am.
None.
He ****ed another woman when he was setting and pontificating rules that specifically prohibited doing it.
He's also a snappy little bully and a massive crook.
He should be in a custody cell right now facing charges of corruption. So he deserves no sympathy. None whatsoever.
ernielynch
Free Member
his life is pretty much in ruins just now.I’m not sure that claim is true.
Okay he has been demoted from Cabinet Minister to Backbencher, but a lot worse could have happened.
And apparently he has now embarked in a new life with his lover.
So I am not sure how deserving of sympathy he is.
More about his family split, the complete pariah status that he will now have and i can't see him doing much other than seeing out this term as an MP, he won't be ruined like the rest of us would be, but can't see an easy life for him coming up.
Not sure about the much worse though, from the evidence that's been put out so far, if there is any further wrongdoing it'll take a lot more investigation and review through the appropriate area, doubt it's the end, but it'll no doubt cover others whilst Hancock is front and centre.
But whatever the machinations currently going on at court (because that's what it feels like it is - a medieval court).
Taking a step back for any of our resident Brexies.
This is what you get when you elect a bunch of lying, scheming shits - just because you think they're going to stick it to Johnny Foreigner. They are frauds, they are crooks and self-promoters. They don't believe in anything other than the easiest route up the greasy pile. We'll, one or two do, but they ate the monumentally thick ones.
Led by donkeys.
... his life is pretty much in ruins just now.
Did you mean to say he's ruined his own life? Well, not quite true, is it, he just doesn't have to look like a **** in press conferences so much any more - although I do have enormous sympathy for his family and non-PPE-procuring friends.
The very excellent Good Law Project still on the hunt;
https://twitter.com/JolyonMaugham/status/1408490348184281099?s=20
He won't be ruined he'll earn £100,000s doing directorships without actually doing anything. He'll move into his London MP home with Gina (until she realises that being podgered by Matty isn't fun). He's got a couple of years sitting on the backbenches sorting his income streams while doing SFA for his constituents.
Looking at Johnson’s history… Hancock could be party leader and PM later in his political life (he won’t be, he doesn’t have Johnson’s conman charm).
Just playing Devil's Advocate, these types of things happen every year in politics, they just cause a lot of white noise to occur and things to be missed because everyone is so focused on Hancock, i'm more worried that Javid is now in charge, i'd hazard a guess a lot in the NHS will be too.
As far as i'm concerned, the tories can do their musical chair stuff as much as they want, it's the long term future of the NHS and other areas that concern me, Hancock was pretty lightweight in comparison to Javid.
Yep, what's more dangerous- an incompetent Tory or a competent one?
Jonathan Pie's Hancock update should be played continuously,on a massive billboard somewhere near Westminster Very sweary
Javid has ambitions of being the leader, how does he come into the health department and make a big wins for him and his potential backers.
When i talk about competency, it's more about being able to play the game, not head the department, they pretty much run themselves through permanent appointments, committees and so on. I think the next few months will be interesting to see, unfortunately.
chakaping
Full MemberYep, what’s more dangerous- an incompetent Tory or a competent one?
Usually, a competent one. But over the last year and a half I'd have rather had at least some competence in healthcare...
Can't argue with Jonathan Pie. Again.
But there are too many dullard peckerheads in the electorate for it to make any difference.
If you become a minister you can embezzle hundreds of millions of said peckerheads' money and give it to your mates.
Come election time all you have to do is say the oppo would give a tenner to house a couple of asylum seekers in the level one up from 'abject squalor', and the morons will vote for you.
What a ****ing joke of a country we are.
Ruined carer ?, not a chance. He's just slithered back under his rock for a while, and he'll reemerge when it'sall calmed down.
Currently, and as predicted, there it rumblings as to how the pictures made it to press, so that will be the distraction, and no doubt some security guard will be having to answer some difficult questions.
he was politically inconvienient, so they got rid. If he'd been an asset, he'd still be there.
The UK electorate don't care about morality, they care about confirmation bias.
New kid arrives at school and the teacher asks him to introduce himself to the class. He gives a short but good description of his hobbies and sports interests. His teach asks what his Dad does for a living. The boys eyes drop but then he raises his chin and explains that his Dad is a male stripper at the gay bar in the next town and that sometimes has to have sex with the guests. The teacher gasps and the boy adds that he also has a My Fans page where he does pornography on request.
The teacher takes the boy straight to the head masters office and explains what has happened. The head master is equally shocked and asks if it is true.
The boy blushes and explains that his Dad is really Matt Hancock but he was to embarrassed to say this in front of the class.
Johnson has signalled that he'll be back but I'm not so sure.
Hancock will still be the fall guy for the Covid failures when the inquiry happens.
So maybe they've told him to go quietly and he can come back sooner, but just to get him to go.
I might have to read up on him a bit more, but honestly, from what i've read, heard and seen, he's pretty much seen as an average politician without any real aim, the Johnson's, Patel's and Javid's all had an aim and ambition, i can see the tory landscape being different next election, from top down, and just can't see anyone who would be cosying up to this guy, i mean Patel was a shock coming back and coming back into a high position, but Hancock, if he did the same i'd honestly think the political system was dead.
This is the sad state of affairs that happens when you don't have a competent or viable opposition, i can't even work out how many election it'll take to push the tories enough to stop them being so comfortable.
Has anyone raised the possibility that hancock was recorded using covert cctv?
He, presumably, would be aware of visible cctv and would have seen it as he scanned the room but a covert camera, by it's name, would be well hidden.
This is the sad state of affairs that happens when you don’t have a competent or viable opposition
This is the sad state of affairs that happens when the public vote these people into power with a huge majority, and others then get stuck in opposition with the power to do sod all about anything. Blame Corbyn. Blame Starmer. But ultimately people wanted this lot in power, and it will come as no surprise to most that they are liars and self serving, that was clear long before they voted for them.
I’m currently listening to an ad on Spotify about losing your rights if you’re an EU citizen and you don’t jump through the right hoops. This is what people want to happen to ‘others’, and voting for liars and crooks to get that is just fine with them. Throw in a few jokes and they’re more than happy.
" This is what people want to happen to ‘others’,"
This is Brexit in a nutshell. The only thing I could add is that people wanted this to happen to others even if it meant hardship visiting their own doorstep, Its not schadenfreude, Its biting off your nose to spite your face.
I've seen those adverts too and I can't recognise them as coming from the Britain that I grew up in.
about losing your rights if you’re an EU citizen and you don’t jump through the right hoops.
France and other countries have extended the deadline, wonder if that will be reciprocated.
Angela Raynor was just on R4 doing Kier's job for him, going after the corruption and leaks...
Sweden has bent over backwards to help U.K. citizens. That has not been reciprocated.
This is the sad state of affairs that happens when you don’t have a competent or viable opposition
No, it's what happens when you vote for venal, self serving halfwits.
This is the sad state of affairs that happens when the public vote these people into power with a huge majority, and others then get stuck in opposition with the power to do sod all about anything. Blame Corbyn. Blame Starmer. But ultimately people wanted this lot in power, and it will come as no surprise to most that they are liars and self serving, that was clear long before they voted for them.
I’m currently listening to an ad on Spotify about losing your rights if you’re an EU citizen and you don’t jump through the right hoops. This is what people want to happen to ‘others’, and voting for liars and crooks to get that is just fine with them. Throw in a few jokes and they’re more than happy.
So very much this. The electorate don't care. All they are bothered about is that "forriners don't get a 'free ride' in Britain at the expense of (white) people who were born here". Come election time just put an ad out of a Labour politician talking to a refugee and claim "they'd let them all in if they could" and you are laughing.
Or more succinctly:
No, it’s what happens when you vote for venal, self serving halfwits.
Angela Raynor was just on R4 doing Kier’s job for him, going after the corruption and leaks…
The job he was doing in a BBC News report last night?
Can we just focus on getting rid of Tories and not crippling those attempting to do so please?
Can we just focus on getting rid of Tories and not crippling those attempting to do so please?
I presume you have read the posts by our resident PFJ and Tooting Popular Front members?
Unity and moderation ain't really their bag.
What we need is a grownup centrist government that is willing to acknowledge Britain's true place in the 21st century world.
Unfortunately the electorate is neither grownup nor centrist.
Centrist isn't vindictive enough any more. Quiet competence ain't sexy.
🇬🇧🍆💦🇬🇧
Will it be longer than the 201 days between Amber Rudd resigning
Recall she resigned because she misled MPs via a briefing that was incorrect and may have been a civil servant error. I’m no apologist, but the country could do with more Amber Rudd’s in government at the moment.
I just heard about Robert Buckland's interview this morning. As opposed to Milwall (nobody likes us, we don't care) it's "everybody likes us, we don't care".
Who fancies a sweepstake on how long it takes before he oozes back?
Isn't getting sacked or resigning now like a sin bin in these morality-free times? A minimum amount of time passes and you're back on the pitch and all is forgiven and forgotten.
I don't doubt that little Matty will be back through the revolving door in no time at all
if you’re an EU citizen and you don’t jump through the right hoops.
I'm not sure what hoops you are referring to. The only hoop I know of is that you have to apply for settled status, and to do that you just need to prove that you have lived in the UK for the last five years.
According to the last gov update in February almost 2.5 million had applied and just over 34k had been refused. A surprising low number of refusals imo when you consider the likelihood of non-EU nationals attempting apply for the scheme or not having lived in the UK for 5 years.
I fully accept that for some vulnerable people applying for settled status might present problems but for the majority of people it is a straightforward process.
The job he was doing in a BBC News report last night?
Can we just focus on getting rid of Tories and not crippling those attempting to do so please?
Perhaps it's just a lack of media attention, but Kier just seems bloody invisible to me... Perhaps I'm just not seeing the right news at the right time?
Rightly or Wrongly it's part of the leader's job to be visible and to bang home the points I heard Raynor do this morning, sordid little affairs aren't the important issue in all of this, conduct, adherence to the ministerial code and missuse of position are the major concerns.
It's not that I disagree with Starmer or what he says, it's that no bugger is hearing him say it...
My concern is that the Tories will bluff out a couple of 'News cycles' slap a few more dead cats on the table, and the necessary dissection of Hancock's Cabinet Career and conduct simply won't happen as it slips from public awareness.
The talk about Javid's appetite for a blanket repealing of all measures (before he's had any sort of briefing?) is likely to help divert some attention almost immediately.
It’s not that I disagree with Starmer or what he says, it’s that no bugger is hearing him say it…
Being visible isn't enough... being memorable is also required, and Starmer is just too dull when doing his media rounds. Boring makes no impression.
But anyway, it's this government that sets the rules and runs the departments of state. And they didn't get there without a sizeable minority of voters making it as clear as they can that they want them there. Blame the politicians in power, and those that put them there, not those that warned against doing so, or voted to try and stop them.
for the majority of people it is a straightforward process
As long as there are enough people who talk with funny accents being denied their rights, job done. Don't forget, it's about making "others" less comfortable here, not getting rid of them all (not even the politicians who rode to power on the back of sticking it to the foreigners would risk losing all those essential productive EU citizens already here... but their voter base needs to see evidence that enough of them are being given a hard time to feel that smack of glee at not being foreign themselves).
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/eu-settled-status-home-office-b1854470.html
The talk about Javid’s appetite for a blanket repealing of all measures (before he’s had any sort of briefing?) is likely to help divert some attention almost immediately.
As we've found out with successive Tory PM's... be careful what you wish for
We have to remember that Javid is of extreme libertarian, Ayn Rand worshipping wing of the party that are fundamentally opposed to anything they regard as a restriction on civil liberties or curtailing of an economic free-for-all. So his natural inclination, one that he shares with his boss, will be to open absolutely everything up ASAP and to hell with the consequences.
I suspect we'll be looking back very shortly and regarding Hancocks approach as both cautious and sensible in comparison, difficult to believe though that presently is
Might as well enjoy 'freedom' while you can, before the next lockdown that what he's about to do will certainly be requiring, probably a lot sooner that we bargain for
Perhaps it’s just a lack of media attention, but Kier just seems bloody invisible to me… Perhaps I’m just not seeing the right news at the right time?
I think he's too used to being a QC where you say your piece, people listen and either present reasoned arguments why you are wrong or move on to the next discussion. Indeed it's probably counterproductive in that world to be seen to be banging the same drum about the same issue and assuming your audience aren't listening. Media/politics is different - they are appealing to a different type of stupid!
I assume that if Sir Keir wishes to talk to the media, there are channels available. Do we really think that if he wants to be on the 6 o'clock news pointing out that Javid/Johnson are clueless he can't get that coverage? especially if he's willing to chuck out some soundbites.
I assume that if Sir Keir wishes to talk to the media, there are channels available. Do we really think that if he wants to be on the 6 o’clock news pointing out that Javid/Johnson are clueless he can’t get that coverage? especially if he’s willing to chuck out some soundbites.
Yes, he could do that but he is not very good at the leader of opposition thing is he. There is a dedicated thread for that though rather than discussing on the Hancock thread.
This is the sad state of affairs that happens when you don’t have a competent or viable opposition
No, it’s what happens when you vote for venal, self serving halfwits.
These two things are not mutually exclusive...
"I’m no apologist, but the country could do with more Amber Rudd’s in government at the moment."
No thank you. Knowing people that were caught up in the incompetent and callous Windrush debacle I have to say I can't even wither my contempt for her.
Johnson now claiming he sacked Hancock (sort of) & saying he personally approved lovers job
They are really throwing him under the bus now
Cummings must be ecstatic
I wonder if Goves secret lover has received any benefits from their relationship (other than the tender embrace of the man himself), any involvement in his illegally using covid funds for indyref polling?
And lo & behold
Cummings still bitter
https://twitter.com/Dominic2306/status/1409493994543980545?s=19
Johnson now claiming he sacked Hancock (sort of) & saying he personally approved lovers job
So, who was it who got Carrie Antoinette hired?
They are really throwing him under the bus now
He was always the fall guy. Its a testament to his own deluded self-regard that he was about the only person in the country who hadn't realised it.
Boris was just hoping to hang on to him until the public inquiry so he could carry on acting as a human shield, then he could throw him under the bus at that point
TiRed
Free MemberRecall she resigned because she misled MPs via a briefing that was incorrect and may have been a civil servant error.
Not really. Much like Cummings, it was just the final straw, her resignation was mostly about Windrush
I could be mis-remembering, but I think Rudd was put in a difficult position because it was May as home secretary who caused the Windrush issue and then went on to be PM.
They both had parts in it. Luckily we now have Patel in charge so no way anything horrible is ever going to happen to anyone.
ac282
Full MemberI could be mis-remembering, but I think Rudd was put in a difficult position because it was May as home secretary who caused the Windrush issue and then went on to be PM.
Yup, a big part of it was taking the fall for her boss who sailed on oblivious to her next disaster in a career of failing upwards.
I suspect we’ll be looking back very shortly and regarding Hancocks approach as both cautious and sensible in comparison, difficult to believe though that presently is
Yup.
At the risk of repeating myself, "be careful what you wish for." Cf. Cameron > May > Johnson.
The tories haven't got shut of someone in favour of someone else better ever, in a decade of being in power. If someone gets the boot it's because they've found an even bigger ****.
You couldn’t make him/it up. Light relief?
* (deleted double-posted Michael Spicer video)
It really feels like we’re living in a ‘Little Britain’ script, if co-written by Charlie Brooker.
The tories haven’t got shut of someone in favour of someone else better ever,
Apart from when they replaced Thatcher with Major.
Not a fan of either but would take Major over Thatcher any day.
Bought a paper for the first time in 5 years, very surprised how much stick the Sunday Times gave dumbojo and Hancock.
Maybe there is hope.
Not that much hope, I am not sure many of the new Tory voters are reading the Sunday Times.
Sadly, I think it is the Torygraph (if my Brexit voting mother is anything to go by). I try leaving the Observer there, but it just gets recycled.
I think remainer Tories read the Times, Leaver Tories read the telegraph. The Telegraph's relationship with the Conservative party is not dissimilar to the the relationship between Fox News and the Republican party.
Not that much hope, I am not sure many of the new Tory voters are reading the Sunday Times.
Sadly, I think it is the Torygraph
Times readers and Telegraph readers are who the Conservative party like to think their voters are - and who they govern for
The Sun, Star, Express and Mail have more readers - and you don't even have to be buying the papers. Their reach and influence comes from just sitting on the newsstands having a headline in large print. Thats is all thats required of them to deliver the volume of votes the tories need and to let them know those paper's proprietors have the party over a barrel
Facebook probably has more "readers" than any of that.
Many, many, impressionable, credulous readers, utterly unarmed against the weaponised media tactics being brought to bear on them.
Fair point macca, in the US the national enquirer used to stay out of politics and culture wars (much like the Sunday Sport in the UK) Then one of Trumps mates bought it around the time of Trump announcing his candidacy and the 'paper' got behind Trump.
It was all about news stand visibility and nearly every checkout counter became a totem pole of Trump branding. With the red tops there is no content and never context, there is only ever a headline. It's the crudest form of advertising.
very surprised how much stick the Sunday Times gave dumbojo and Hancock.
Many Tories are deeply unhappy with Johnson. His suggested tax hikes and government spending commitments horrifies many Thatcherite Tories.
One former Tory MP described Johnson like a Roman emperor offering bread and circus to his people, a fair analogy imo.
Whilst Johnson remains popular with voters however they remain mostly quiet.
And for many having a committed ruthless Thatcherite like Sajid Javid back in the Cabinet will come as some relief.
I think when we know the full story Hancock may turn our to be one of the most corrupt politicians of recent times. The list of his personal contacts who benefited from government contracts is pretty long and when you add in his mistresses friends and family likely to get longer. Does anyone actually believe the relationship started in May of this year? The fact that on the surface he came across as a relatively non threatening, slightly hapless but well meaning compared to most Tories blinded many of us.
I think what we'll mostly see is that he was inept and grasping when it came to the corruption side. In terms of Britain's industrialised and pretty much normalised corruption, it's actually not that big but it's the equivalent of getting caught with your hand in the till
The fact that on the surface he came across as a relatively non threatening, slightly hapless but well meaning compared to most Tories blinded many of us.
He's reminded me in recent months of Buckles character in Line of Duty for that very reason. A product of a failing administration rather than some genius villain.
I think when we know the full story Hancock may turn our to be one of the most corrupt politicians of recent times.
As if we'd ever find out the full story!
Johnson now claiming he sacked Hancock (sort of) & saying he personally approved lovers job
No10 has described the appointment process as 'Fair and Transparent'
They don't seem to be able to tell anyone what this fair process is though. I think that makes it invisible rather than transparent.
They said that private e-Mail had not been used to discuss contracts, then backtracked.
These days, if they say one thing, I’m inclined to think it’s a lie, and assume the opposite.
One of the main problems with news in this country is that the BBC follows the print media.
The PPE scandal is as big a story as MPs expenses yet the BBC don't report it as the papers are not.
Corbyn AS bolx was the inverse of this.
These days, if they say one thing, I’m inclined to think it’s a lie, and assume the opposite.
And they know a week later it will all be forgotten anyway (the media/peoples attention span is no longer that that) so no point making a bigger deal of it by overly defending it. Just brushing it off with a quick like does the job.
And they know a week later it will all be forgotten anyway (the media/peoples attention span is no longer that that) so no point making a bigger deal of it by overly defending it. Just brushing it off with a quick lie does the job.
This.
I think what we’ll mostly see is that he was inept and grasping when it came to the corruption side. In terms of Britain’s industrialised and pretty much normalised corruption, it’s actually not that big but it’s the equivalent of getting caught with your hand in the till
If he hadn't been caught on camera groping her arse, he would have got away with it scot free. All he had to do was not get caught doing that. He even ****ed that bit up. Imagine what a halfway competent crook could get up to in this shambles of a government. Then realise it is 100% certain that is what is happening right now.
Two economists getting a grip with austerity and trickle down.
trickle down
Eww…
I think when we know the full story Hancock may turn our to be one of the most corrupt politicians of recent times.
I would think that when if public inquiry is allowed to look into PPE contracts, thats going to be a pretty hotly contested title.
And for that reason, I'm sure thats its remit will fall short of looking into that
There should be checks and balances in place which mean that is while in office you make a decision that you or your nearest and dearest make money from then you can be reprimanded. That would include the likes of call me Dave calling pals in Whitehall for a favour.
I knew a Labour MP in the late 70s who would receive very nice christmas hampers from E European embassies. They would be opened, admired, and put back in the post with a thank you letter. How times have changed.
