NPR

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:09 am

Insane_Homer wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:45 am A thread

Spoiler

Show

As it ever was. Bet she's a member of the Jockey Club as well
Don't forget this £30M contract to the landlord of his local pub!

An acquaintance and former neighbour of Matt Hancock is supplying the government with tens of millions of vials for NHS Covid-19 tests despite having had no previous experience of producing medical supplies.

Alex Bourne, who used to run a pub close to Hancock’s former constituency home in Suffolk, said he initially offered his services to the UK health secretary several months ago by sending him a personal WhatsApp message.

Bourne’s company, Hinpack, was at that time producing plastic cups and takeaway boxes for the catering industry. It is now supplying about 2m medical grade vials a week to the government via a distributor contracted by the NHS.

Boris Johnson’s government is seeking staff for a “union unit” aimed at countering support for Scottish independence – but knowledge of Scotland is not deemed essential for the job.
The Cabinet Office has begun advertising for four roles in policy and strategy, as it seeks to bolster its union-saving efforts ahead of Scottish parliamentary elections this spring.
The job ad at Michael Gove’s department demands candidates “demonstrate good political judgement” and have the “credibility to build a strong network of relationships across Whitehall”.
However, it states that “understanding of policy issues relevant to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland” is only “desirable” – rather than essential.

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:55 pm This is going to work well!

Boris Johnson’s government is seeking staff for a “union unit” aimed at countering support for Scottish independence – but knowledge of Scotland is not deemed essential for the job.
The Cabinet Office has begun advertising for four roles in policy and strategy, as it seeks to bolster its union-saving efforts ahead of Scottish parliamentary elections this spring.
The job ad at Michael Gove’s department demands candidates “demonstrate good political judgement” and have the “credibility to build a strong network of relationships across Whitehall”.
However, it states that “understanding of policy issues relevant to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland” is only “desirable” – rather than essential.

ScarfaceClaw wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:57 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:55 pm This is going to work well!

Boris Johnson’s government is seeking staff for a “union unit” aimed at countering support for Scottish independence – but knowledge of Scotland is not deemed essential for the job.
The Cabinet Office has begun advertising for four roles in policy and strategy, as it seeks to bolster its union-saving efforts ahead of Scottish parliamentary elections this spring.
The job ad at Michael Gove’s department demands candidates “demonstrate good political judgement” and have the “credibility to build a strong network of relationships across Whitehall”.
However, it states that “understanding of policy issues relevant to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland” is only “desirable” – rather than essential.

Chris Grayling has applied already. Twice.

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:38 am

Yeeb wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:06 pm Lolz at opensides ‘boyfriend jealous’ comment getting comments re homophobia , he’s had the most ‘y͏o͏u͏ is bent innit’ jibes hurled at him for years from all and sundry , anyone getting prissy about this needs to take a break from Internet forums for a few mins, it was a shit joke and nothing more.

Reading all the analysis of brexit re remainer, it is quite clear that most people of either side is convinced of their correctness re causes and effect and who is sneering at who. Vaccines and Euros aborted art16 and throwing Ireland under a bus has kinda proved that there are at least some merits to brexit, more than any trade deal could have done. The ‘other site’ is also equally full of people convinced of their correctness and winning threads and claiming obsession on topics , quite amusing.

yes it all went a bit quiet when I pointed out the massive hypocrisy of the accusation. But you are right it was a pretty shit joke (even if Rinkals was hanging out the back of JM)

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:40 pm

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:38 am

Yeeb wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:06 pm Lolz at opensides ‘boyfriend jealous’ comment getting comments re homophobia , he’s had the most ‘y͏o͏u͏ is bent innit’ jibes hurled at him for years from all and sundry , anyone getting prissy about this needs to take a break from Internet forums for a few mins, it was a shit joke and nothing more.

Reading all the analysis of brexit re remainer, it is quite clear that most people of either side is convinced of their correctness re causes and effect and who is sneering at who. Vaccines and Euros aborted art16 and throwing Ireland under a bus has kinda proved that there are at least some merits to brexit, more than any trade deal could have done. The ‘other site’ is also equally full of people convinced of their correctness and winning threads and claiming obsession on topics , quite amusing.

yes it all went a bit quiet when I pointed out the massive hypocrisy of the accusation. But you are right it was a pretty shit joke (even if Rinkals was hanging out the back of JM)

It went quiet because I'd rather pull my own eyelashes out than converse with you, but:

a) It's absolutely homophobic to randomly suggest someone you're arguing with is gay as an insult. It's classic homophobia.
b) The "openside is gay" trope on PR was never intended as an insult, and instead a (still in bad taste) send-up by people who actually like you, in a "Openside is basically the landowner from the Fast Show's Ted & Ralph" way
c) I did indeed pile in on someone (possibly one of the random Fijians) who didn't understand b) and instead used it to insult you
d) Having yeeb back you up on anything involving homophobia, racism, sexism, or frankly anything that involves being anything more than the worst kind of stereotypical arsehole is a sure sign that you've fucked up somewhere

I have no interest in talking to you further, it's a genuine waste of my time. Have fun.

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:55 pm This is going to work well!

Boris Johnson’s government is seeking staff for a “union unit” aimed at countering support for Scottish independence – but knowledge of Scotland is not deemed essential for the job.
The Cabinet Office has begun advertising for four roles in policy and strategy, as it seeks to bolster its union-saving efforts ahead of Scottish parliamentary elections this spring.
The job ad at Michael Gove’s department demands candidates “demonstrate good political judgement” and have the “credibility to build a strong network of relationships across Whitehall”.
However, it states that “understanding of policy issues relevant to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland” is only “desirable” – rather than essential.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 7:36 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 7:16 pm JM, you spent a fair bit of time on the old bored telling me Brexit had nothing to do with immigration

There's a huge difference between the reality of immigration and the beliefs of Brexiteers.

ASMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:49 am I suspect you would find a great many more who voted leave originally who would now vote to remain than the other way around.

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:59 pm

ASMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:49 am I suspect you would find a great many more who voted leave originally who would now vote to remain than the other way around.

Polls suggest the absolute opposite.

Sharp as a tack.

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:54 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 7:36 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 7:16 pm JM, you spent a fair bit of time on the old bored telling me Brexit had nothing to do with immigration

There's a huge difference between the reality of immigration and the beliefs of Brexiteers.

“I know the beliefs of others”.

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:04 pm

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:59 pm

ASMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:49 am I suspect you would find a great many more who voted leave originally who would now vote to remain than the other way around.

Polls suggest the absolute opposite.

Sharp as a tack.

..........and the link to the detail?

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:10 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:04 pm

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:59 pm


Polls suggest the absolute opposite.

Sharp as a tack.

..........and the link to the detail?

This is almost certainly due to the vaccine issues, but "wrong" or Regret is still leading

Asked why the taxpayer should fund ‘vanity’ photographers who took these pix of the PM’s dog playing in the snow, No.10 spokesperson suggests Dilyn works for govt: “These photographers document the work of the government, as well as the work inside Number 10.”

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:04 pm

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:59 pm

ASMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:49 am I suspect you would find a great many more who voted leave originally who would now vote to remain than the other way around.

Polls suggest the absolute opposite.

Sharp as a tack.

..........and the link to the detail?

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:04 pm

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:54 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 7:36 pm

There's a huge difference between the reality of immigration and the beliefs of Brexiteers.

“I know the beliefs of others”.

"I know the beliefs of others, because large numbers of them have explained those beliefs in great detail"

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:27 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:04 pm

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:54 pm

“I know the beliefs of others”.

"I know the beliefs of others, because large numbers of them have explained those beliefs in great detail"

“Large numbers” —— “more than 4 , less than 20”.

Seriously your “beliefs” are opinions on other people’s motivations.... it’s a wonderful thing to be certain about.

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:59 pm

ASMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:49 am I suspect you would find a great many more who voted leave originally who would now vote to remain than the other way around.

Polls suggest the absolute opposite.

Sharp as a tack.

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:49 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:40 pm

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:38 am

yes it all went a bit quiet when I pointed out the massive hypocrisy of the accusation. But you are right it was a pretty shit joke (even if Rinkals was hanging out the back of JM)

It went quiet because I'd rather pull my own eyelashes out than converse with you, but:

a) It's absolutely homophobic to randomly suggest someone you're arguing with is gay as an insult. It's classic homophobia.
b) The "openside is gay" trope on PR was never intended as an insult, and instead a (still in bad taste) send-up by people who actually like you, in a "Openside is basically the landowner from the Fast Show's Ted & Ralph" way
c) I did indeed pile in on someone (possibly one of the random Fijians) who didn't understand b) and instead used it to insult you
d) Having yeeb back you up on anything involving homophobia, racism, sexism, or frankly anything that involves being anything more than the worst kind of stereotypical arsehole is a sure sign that you've fucked up somewhere

I have no interest in talking to you further, it's a genuine waste of my time. Have fun.

As ever, everything before 'the but' is irrelevant...

a) You have decided its an insult, which is curious.
b) It went way beyond that and for fucking years.
c)I don't recall that but fair enough if you did. Thank you.
d) You have a point

ASMO wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:00 pm

Bimbowomxn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:59 pm

ASMO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:49 am I suspect you would find a great many more who voted leave originally who would now vote to remain than the other way around.

Polls suggest the absolute opposite.

Sharp as a tack.

Well given that the Brexit vote was to leave the EU by 52% to 48% which i calculate as a majority of 4% and now then polls are saying that there is a majority who now think it was the wrong decision, it is not a leap of faith to suggest that more people who voted yes initially would now vote no.

Rinkals wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:01 pm I didn't think OS is homophobic.

Juvenile, yes.

If my small comment stating that JMK speaks more sense than OS arouses that sort of remark, then Yeeb's passionate defence of him surely calls for the same sort of aspersions to be cast.

I'm just too old to stoop to such puerility.

Rinkals wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:01 pm I didn't think OS is homophobic.

Juvenile, yes.

If my small comment stating that JMK speaks more sense than OS arouses that sort of remark, then Yeeb's passionate defence of him surely calls for the same sort of aspersions to be cast.

I'm just too old to stoop to such puerility.

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:21 pm Lots of scumminess today
No 10 has THREE vanity photographers. At least Dave managed with just the one.

Asked why the taxpayer should fund ‘vanity’ photographers who took these pix of the PM’s dog playing in the snow, No.10 spokesperson suggests Dilyn works for govt: “These photographers document the work of the government, as well as the work inside Number 10.”

.......and one of them is wasting our money taking pictures of the blonde slug's dog in the snow

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:09 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:21 pm Lots of scumminess today
No 10 has THREE vanity photographers. At least Dave managed with just the one.

Asked why the taxpayer should fund ‘vanity’ photographers who took these pix of the PM’s dog playing in the snow, No.10 spokesperson suggests Dilyn works for govt: “These photographers document the work of the government, as well as the work inside Number 10.”

.......and one of them is wasting our money taking pictures of the blonde slug's dog in the snow

Not the member of the Cabinet I was expecting to see with snow all over his nose......

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:40 pm

It went quiet because I'd rather pull my own eyelashes out than converse with you, but:

a) It's absolutely homophobic to randomly suggest someone you're arguing with is gay as an insult. It's classic homophobia.
b) The "openside is gay" trope on PR was never intended as an insult, and instead a (still in bad taste) send-up by people who actually like you, in a "Openside is basically the landowner from the Fast Show's Ted & Ralph" way

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:39 pm

Rinkals wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:01 pm I didn't think OS is homophobic.

Juvenile, yes.

If my small comment stating that JMK speaks more sense than OS arouses that sort of remark, then Yeeb's passionate defence of him surely calls for the same sort of aspersions to be cast.

I'm just too old to stoop to such puerility.

Juvenile, yes - this is a Rugby chat forum not the Houses of Parliament. Your comment seemed ingratiating to me and I was bored with having my remarks completely misconstrued and then told I was being thick to boot.

eldanielfire wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:38 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:40 pm

It went quiet because I'd rather pull my own eyelashes out than converse with you, but:

a) It's absolutely homophobic to randomly suggest someone you're arguing with is gay as an insult. It's classic homophobia.
b) The "openside is gay" trope on PR was never intended as an insult, and instead a (still in bad taste) send-up by people who actually like you, in a "Openside is basically the landowner from the Fast Show's Ted & Ralph" way

Is this the fastest contradiction in internet history? It's coming over was when you deem it homophobic it's a fact it's homophobia, but when you don't it's not homophobia, because reasons*

Also you realise Ted and Ralph were gay?

Also Openside was deffo nicknamed as an insult many times.


* argument is bollocks

Yeeb wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:26 am

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:39 pm

Rinkals wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:01 pm I didn't think OS is homophobic.

Juvenile, yes.

If my small comment stating that JMK speaks more sense than OS arouses that sort of remark, then Yeeb's passionate defence of him surely calls for the same sort of aspersions to be cast.

I'm just too old to stoop to such puerility.

Juvenile, yes - this is a Rugby chat forum not the Houses of Parliament. Your comment seemed ingratiating to me and I was bored with having my remarks completely misconstrued and then told I was being thick to boot.

Tbf you have proved to be a tad thick on here several (many?) times , and it’s hard to not think you as some kind of Denholm Rhenolm type from the IT crowd:
“When I started, all i had were two things: a dream, and six million pounds”

But homophobe ? Nopes - can’t think of any poster that dislikes benders

Openside wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:36 am

eldanielfire wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:38 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:40 pm

It went quiet because I'd rather pull my own eyelashes out than converse with you, but:

a) It's absolutely homophobic to randomly suggest someone you're arguing with is gay as an insult. It's classic homophobia.
b) The "openside is gay" trope on PR was never intended as an insult, and instead a (still in bad taste) send-up by people who actually like you, in a "Openside is basically the landowner from the Fast Show's Ted & Ralph" way

Is this the fastest contradiction in internet history? It's coming over was when you deem it homophobic it's a fact it's homophobia, but when you don't it's not homophobia, because reasons*

Also you realise Ted and Ralph were gay?

Also Openside was deffo nicknamed as an insult many times.


* argument is bollocks

Eldanielfire steady or you will make my boyfriend jealous

Openside wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:41 am

Yeeb wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:26 am

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:39 pm

Juvenile, yes - this is a Rugby chat forum not the Houses of Parliament. Your comment seemed ingratiating to me and I was bored with having my remarks completely misconstrued and then told I was being thick to boot.

Tbf you have proved to be a tad thick on here several (many?) times , and it’s hard to not think you as some kind of Denholm Rhenolm type from the IT crowd:
“When I started, all i had were two things: a dream, and six million pounds”

But homophobe ? Nopes - can’t think of any poster that dislikes benders

You keep casting this aspersion however when I set up my company I was utterly penniless and couldn’t get a job during the 1990 recession.

Yes I have made some mistakes on here but the difference is I can laugh at myself I know my IT skills are poor and I am a bit of a posh twat(which I play up to intentionally)

HOLI-DAY OF CHAOS: Government spin doctors are this morning scrambling for a coherent position on whether Britons will be able to go on summer holidays, after three senior ministers gave the public contradictory answers in a Whitehall day of confusion. With millions of people across the country seeking a glimmer of hope on possible staycations when lockdown lifts, anyone listening to Boris Johnson’s top team yesterday will be clueless as to how they should be planning for summer. Here’s your timeline of the staycay chaos over the past few weeks …

January 17: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told LBC people should not be booking holidays yet: “I think at the moment it’s too early. Until we’re in a position to give the reassurance, I think it’s very difficult to plan.”

January 18: Health Secretary Matt Hancock completely contradicted Raab at a Downing Street press conference: “I’m going to Cornwall. And I have said before I think we’re going to have a great British summer.” His remarks led to hotels and holiday companies urging people to book for the summer as soon as possible …

January 26: Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi then directly contradicted Hancock, telling Sky News he “absolutely” wouldn’t be booking a summer holiday yet as it was “far too early” to do so.

January 31: Holidaying Hancock doubled down, telling BBC Politics East: “In six months we’ll be in the middle, I hope, of a happy and free Great British summer.”

January 31: The same day, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss shot Hancock down, insisting quarantine measures and restrictions on travel would be in place for the foreseeable future, and that “it would be very dangerous for a government minister to make promises about people’s summer holidays.”

February 1: On a visit to Yorkshire, Boris Johnson was asked whether the U.K. could have a “happy and free summer,” and said “I am optimistic” about the prospect of summer holidays, with the caveat that the vaccination program had to go well.

February 10, 8 a.m.: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps contradicted Hancock on the BBC’s Today program, warning: “People shouldn’t be booking holidays right now, not domestically or internationally.”

February 10, midday: Asked about the conflicting advice at the daily Lobby briefing, the prime minister’s official spokesperson produced another line, saying the decision on whether to book a holiday was “a choice for individuals.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: In the evening presser, the PM stressed it was illegal to go on holiday either at home or abroad and seemed to strike a more cautious tone: “I am afraid it is just too early for people to be certain about what we’ll be able to do this summer.” The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg is caught on a hot mic complaining that Johnson “didn’t answer the question.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: At the exact same time as the PM’s presser, Hancock inexplicably once again told Tory MPs on a Zoom call that he’d booked a trip to Cornwall, and shared jokes with Devon MPs who wanted him to holiday in their constituencies, HuffPo’s Arj Singh reports.

Openside wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:41 am

Yeeb wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:26 am

Openside wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:39 pm

Juvenile, yes - this is a Rugby chat forum not the Houses of Parliament. Your comment seemed ingratiating to me and I was bored with having my remarks completely misconstrued and then told I was being thick to boot.

Tbf you have proved to be a tad thick on here several (many?) times , and it’s hard to not think you as some kind of Denholm Rhenolm type from the IT crowd:
“When I started, all i had were two things: a dream, and six million pounds”

But homophobe ? Nopes - can’t think of any poster that dislikes benders

You keep casting this aspersion however when I set up my company I was utterly penniless and couldn’t get a job during the 1990 recession.

Yes I have made some mistakes on here but the difference is I can laugh at myself I know my IT skills are poor and I am a bit of a posh twat(which I play up to intentionally)

SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:25 am Left hand, right hand, lots of mixed messages and another comms shambles

HOLI-DAY OF CHAOS: Government spin doctors are this morning scrambling for a coherent position on whether Britons will be able to go on summer holidays, after three senior ministers gave the public contradictory answers in a Whitehall day of confusion. With millions of people across the country seeking a glimmer of hope on possible staycations when lockdown lifts, anyone listening to Boris Johnson’s top team yesterday will be clueless as to how they should be planning for summer. Here’s your timeline of the staycay chaos over the past few weeks …

January 17: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told LBC people should not be booking holidays yet: “I think at the moment it’s too early. Until we’re in a position to give the reassurance, I think it’s very difficult to plan.”

January 18: Health Secretary Matt Hancock completely contradicted Raab at a Downing Street press conference: “I’m going to Cornwall. And I have said before I think we’re going to have a great British summer.” His remarks led to hotels and holiday companies urging people to book for the summer as soon as possible …

January 26: Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi then directly contradicted Hancock, telling Sky News he “absolutely” wouldn’t be booking a summer holiday yet as it was “far too early” to do so.

January 31: Holidaying Hancock doubled down, telling BBC Politics East: “In six months we’ll be in the middle, I hope, of a happy and free Great British summer.”

January 31: The same day, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss shot Hancock down, insisting quarantine measures and restrictions on travel would be in place for the foreseeable future, and that “it would be very dangerous for a government minister to make promises about people’s summer holidays.”

February 1: On a visit to Yorkshire, Boris Johnson was asked whether the U.K. could have a “happy and free summer,” and said “I am optimistic” about the prospect of summer holidays, with the caveat that the vaccination program had to go well.

February 10, 8 a.m.: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps contradicted Hancock on the BBC’s Today program, warning: “People shouldn’t be booking holidays right now, not domestically or internationally.”

February 10, midday: Asked about the conflicting advice at the daily Lobby briefing, the prime minister’s official spokesperson produced another line, saying the decision on whether to book a holiday was “a choice for individuals.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: In the evening presser, the PM stressed it was illegal to go on holiday either at home or abroad and seemed to strike a more cautious tone: “I am afraid it is just too early for people to be certain about what we’ll be able to do this summer.” The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg is caught on a hot mic complaining that Johnson “didn’t answer the question.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: At the exact same time as the PM’s presser, Hancock inexplicably once again told Tory MPs on a Zoom call that he’d booked a trip to Cornwall, and shared jokes with Devon MPs who wanted him to holiday in their constituencies, HuffPo’s Arj Singh reports.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:05 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:25 am Left hand, right hand, lots of mixed messages and another comms shambles

HOLI-DAY OF CHAOS: Government spin doctors are this morning scrambling for a coherent position on whether Britons will be able to go on summer holidays, after three senior ministers gave the public contradictory answers in a Whitehall day of confusion. With millions of people across the country seeking a glimmer of hope on possible staycations when lockdown lifts, anyone listening to Boris Johnson’s top team yesterday will be clueless as to how they should be planning for summer. Here’s your timeline of the staycay chaos over the past few weeks …

January 17: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told LBC people should not be booking holidays yet: “I think at the moment it’s too early. Until we’re in a position to give the reassurance, I think it’s very difficult to plan.”

January 18: Health Secretary Matt Hancock completely contradicted Raab at a Downing Street press conference: “I’m going to Cornwall. And I have said before I think we’re going to have a great British summer.” His remarks led to hotels and holiday companies urging people to book for the summer as soon as possible …

January 26: Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi then directly contradicted Hancock, telling Sky News he “absolutely” wouldn’t be booking a summer holiday yet as it was “far too early” to do so.

January 31: Holidaying Hancock doubled down, telling BBC Politics East: “In six months we’ll be in the middle, I hope, of a happy and free Great British summer.”

January 31: The same day, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss shot Hancock down, insisting quarantine measures and restrictions on travel would be in place for the foreseeable future, and that “it would be very dangerous for a government minister to make promises about people’s summer holidays.”

February 1: On a visit to Yorkshire, Boris Johnson was asked whether the U.K. could have a “happy and free summer,” and said “I am optimistic” about the prospect of summer holidays, with the caveat that the vaccination program had to go well.

February 10, 8 a.m.: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps contradicted Hancock on the BBC’s Today program, warning: “People shouldn’t be booking holidays right now, not domestically or internationally.”

February 10, midday: Asked about the conflicting advice at the daily Lobby briefing, the prime minister’s official spokesperson produced another line, saying the decision on whether to book a holiday was “a choice for individuals.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: In the evening presser, the PM stressed it was illegal to go on holiday either at home or abroad and seemed to strike a more cautious tone: “I am afraid it is just too early for people to be certain about what we’ll be able to do this summer.” The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg is caught on a hot mic complaining that Johnson “didn’t answer the question.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: At the exact same time as the PM’s presser, Hancock inexplicably once again told Tory MPs on a Zoom call that he’d booked a trip to Cornwall, and shared jokes with Devon MPs who wanted him to holiday in their constituencies, HuffPo’s Arj Singh reports.

It's nearly always Handincock that is the problem.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:05 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:25 am Left hand, right hand, lots of mixed messages and another comms shambles

Spoiler

Show

HOLI-DAY OF CHAOS: Government spin doctors are this morning scrambling for a coherent position on whether Britons will be able to go on summer holidays, after three senior ministers gave the public contradictory answers in a Whitehall day of confusion. With millions of people across the country seeking a glimmer of hope on possible staycations when lockdown lifts, anyone listening to Boris Johnson’s top team yesterday will be clueless as to how they should be planning for summer. Here’s your timeline of the staycay chaos over the past few weeks …

January 17: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told LBC people should not be booking holidays yet: “I think at the moment it’s too early. Until we’re in a position to give the reassurance, I think it’s very difficult to plan.”

January 18: Health Secretary Matt Hancock completely contradicted Raab at a Downing Street press conference: “I’m going to Cornwall. And I have said before I think we’re going to have a great British summer.” His remarks led to hotels and holiday companies urging people to book for the summer as soon as possible …

January 26: Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi then directly contradicted Hancock, telling Sky News he “absolutely” wouldn’t be booking a summer holiday yet as it was “far too early” to do so.

January 31: Holidaying Hancock doubled down, telling BBC Politics East: “In six months we’ll be in the middle, I hope, of a happy and free Great British summer.”

January 31: The same day, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss shot Hancock down, insisting quarantine measures and restrictions on travel would be in place for the foreseeable future, and that “it would be very dangerous for a government minister to make promises about people’s summer holidays.”

February 1: On a visit to Yorkshire, Boris Johnson was asked whether the U.K. could have a “happy and free summer,” and said “I am optimistic” about the prospect of summer holidays, with the caveat that the vaccination program had to go well.

February 10, 8 a.m.: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps contradicted Hancock on the BBC’s Today program, warning: “People shouldn’t be booking holidays right now, not domestically or internationally.”

February 10, midday: Asked about the conflicting advice at the daily Lobby briefing, the prime minister’s official spokesperson produced another line, saying the decision on whether to book a holiday was “a choice for individuals.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: In the evening presser, the PM stressed it was illegal to go on holiday either at home or abroad and seemed to strike a more cautious tone: “I am afraid it is just too early for people to be certain about what we’ll be able to do this summer.” The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg is caught on a hot mic complaining that Johnson “didn’t answer the question.”

February 10, 5 p.m.: At the exact same time as the PM’s presser, Hancock inexplicably once again told Tory MPs on a Zoom call that he’d booked a trip to Cornwall, and shared jokes with Devon MPs who wanted him to holiday in their constituencies, HuffPo’s Arj Singh reports.

It's nearly always Handincock that is the problem.

I know that people are yearning for certainty over whether they can have a summer holiday, but pandemics are difficult times and there is a lot of uncertainty so I am afraid that people will have to be patient before we can get that certainty.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:36 pm

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:05 am

SaintK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:25 am Left hand, right hand, lots of mixed messages and another comms shambles

It's nearly always Handincock that is the problem.

I think he's fed up being the one who always has to shit on peoples plans; & he fancies being the one making the optimistic, & unrealistic promises for a change; & let the other fuckers be the ones who have to impose reality on the populace.

I spoke to a colleague today for the first time in months; & learned that his mental health has really suffered under lockdown. He's not alone in this; & combined with seeing how many of those hospitalised are now suffering from PTSD; there's a massive challenge ahead for whoever is in charge of the NHS, & every other health service; to cope with the damage that Covid has done to peoples mental health.

The shadow of Covid will run for decades; when you think of things like that, & the disruption to childrens education.