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Boris Johnson the fragile
“He doesn’t like not being liked,” said Katie Perrior of Boris Johnson in this 2016 of the then outgoing Mayor of London in this 2016 essay by Jeremy Cliffe. Those words have stuck with me since...
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How does an impeccable but essentially typical politician cope in...
A 57 year old straight white man, an ex-lawyer and ex-Director of Public Prosecutions, has been elected as leader of the Labour Party. He is married with two children. He is himself one of five, his...
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The Express on Germany’s Coronavirus stats – a classic of the fake news genre
“Germany’s daily coronavirus cases nearly TRIPLE – states bring back tougher measures” screamed The Express last night. Even some normally level headed friends of mine had fallen for it and shared the...
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Why details still matter in the Dominic Cummings case
On BBC Breakfast this morning, recounted by The Guardian here, Robert Jenrick (Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government) said the following: [Dominic Cummings] has given his explanation...
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A knighthood for Cummings? It’s probably a lie. But what happens when there...
I read this tweet earlier: Hearing rumours that Dominic Cummings will get a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. — Christopher Snowdon (@cjsnowdon) June 5, 2020 It had a hundred odd...
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“World-leading” as a framing device in the UK Government’s communication
So the UK Government is at it again. Sunak has announced a “world-leading £1.57 billion rescue package to help cultural, arts and heritage institutions” The show must go on. We’re introducing a...
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UK politics: not normal
A Minister who had presided over a fiasco as major as Gavin Williamson has with the A-Level results algorithm problems would – in normal times – have either resigned or been sacked. A Special Adviser...
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Starmer’s steady stability – I’m not sure this is enough
Back in April when he was first elected, I wondered how Keir Starmer – an essentially normal politician – would manage as leader of the UK Labour Party in extraordinary political times. Now we are...
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The Labour Party, the Union Flag, and patriotism
Ah. Here we ago again. “Leak reveals Labour plan to focus on flag and patriotism to win back voters“. And the reactions are pretty predictable too – Clive Lewis MP expresses caution, Ian Dunt tries to...
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A proposal for Keir Starmer: make politics simple
Does Keir Starmer think Ministers should act legally? We don’t really know. Apparently the public do not think politicians should ask for other politicians’ heads during a health crisis, so that’s...
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Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock, and the accountability inversion
What two consenting adults get up to in their free time is a matter for them. Even if there are husbands and wifes and kids involved, best let those families sort the problems out between them. So that...
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Runners and riders to succeed Boris Johnson as Tory Leader (and Prime Minister)
So the results are in. The Tory Party took one hell of a beating in the North Shropshire by-election. And this coming on top of the many other scandals and headaches for Johnson’s government. All of...
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