@RussInCheshire I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I must say, you're being remarkably stoic about it. I dare say you're in bits inside. Be kind to yourself. 😇
Meanwhile, don't worry about #TheWeekInTory. I've made some notes for you...
Meanwhile, don't worry about #TheWeekInTory. I've made some notes for you...
@RussInCheshire To start off #TheWeekInTory, some good news —possibly because it's got nothing to do with Tories.
19AUG20: The 1st polar bear to be born in UK for 2yrs will move from its Scottish home to an English Park.
Hmm. That might make a good metaphor for something more political...
19AUG20: The 1st polar bear to be born in UK for 2yrs will move from its Scottish home to an English Park.
Hmm. That might make a good metaphor for something more political...
@RussInCheshire 1.#WorldHumanitarianDay began tragically when the body of a 16yr-old Sudanese refugee trying to cross the Channel with a friend in a dinghy rowed by shovels washed up on a French beach.
2.Priti Patel responded with invective against criminal gangs, bypassing compassion & concern
2.Priti Patel responded with invective against criminal gangs, bypassing compassion & concern
@RussInCheshire 3. Surprisingly, Gavin Williamson was still in his job, as #ExamShambles rumbled on...
4. Publication of the 1st DfEd Board minutes for 2yrs showed exams weren't discussed at the June meeting — raising the question, why hadn't #IncompetentUKGovt prepared better?
4. Publication of the 1st DfEd Board minutes for 2yrs showed exams weren't discussed at the June meeting — raising the question, why hadn't #IncompetentUKGovt prepared better?
@RussInCheshire 20AUG2020
5. Ofqual revealed it had warned DfEd of the potential for *erratic outcomes* from the algorithm, but was put under pressure by the Minister on grade inflation.
6. At the end of the day, Gavin Williamson still hadn't resigned or been sacked.
5. Ofqual revealed it had warned DfEd of the potential for *erratic outcomes* from the algorithm, but was put under pressure by the Minister on grade inflation.
6. At the end of the day, Gavin Williamson still hadn't resigned or been sacked.
@RussInCheshire 7. Public First, run by Gove/Cummings pals, was given £3m in contracts without tender for #COVID19 comms
8. PF faked a Starmer clip, rebranded Con Twitter page as a fact-checker & set up a fake Labour website in GE2019, so we now have a #FakeNews outfit in charge of health comms
8. PF faked a Starmer clip, rebranded Con Twitter page as a fact-checker & set up a fake Labour website in GE2019, so we now have a #FakeNews outfit in charge of health comms
@RussInCheshire 9. Steve Bannon was arrested on board Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui's yacht for defrauding the "We Build the Wall Fund".
10. Lashings of schadenfreude... and speculation. Will Bannon cut a deal and sing? Who will be the next domino to fall? To be continued...
10. Lashings of schadenfreude... and speculation. Will Bannon cut a deal and sing? Who will be the next domino to fall? To be continued...
@RussInCheshire 11. Govt has spent £56m on contracts without tender to 16 private consultancy firms.
12. One firm, McKinsey, is earning £14k/day for 6wks to define the *vision, purpose & narrative* of the replacement for Public Health England.
You'd think they'd do that before breaking PHE up.
12. One firm, McKinsey, is earning £14k/day for 6wks to define the *vision, purpose & narrative* of the replacement for Public Health England.
You'd think they'd do that before breaking PHE up.
@RussInCheshire 13. Liz Truss-IEA meetings were removed from the Transparency register & marked *private*.
14. IEA DG Mark Littlewood used the "we've been friends for years" excuse, which isn't an excuse if one of you is UK TradeSec & the other heads a ThinkTank trying to influence Govt policy
14. IEA DG Mark Littlewood used the "we've been friends for years" excuse, which isn't an excuse if one of you is UK TradeSec & the other heads a ThinkTank trying to influence Govt policy
@RussInCheshire 15. Labour on Truss/IEA: "Truss appears to be evading rules designed to ensure integrity, transparency & honesty in public office"
16. Russian activist Alexei Navalny was in a coma after suspected poisoning. His wife wasn't allowed to see him, but later transferred him to Berlin
16. Russian activist Alexei Navalny was in a coma after suspected poisoning. His wife wasn't allowed to see him, but later transferred him to Berlin
@RussInCheshire 17. The Greenland ice sheet lost a record 1m tonnes of ice per minute in 2019.
No wonder Trump is eyeing it as the location for a sister resort to Mar-a-Lago. He enquired if he could swap Puerto Rico for Greenland, because, in his words, Puerto Rico was dirty & the people poor.
No wonder Trump is eyeing it as the location for a sister resort to Mar-a-Lago. He enquired if he could swap Puerto Rico for Greenland, because, in his words, Puerto Rico was dirty & the people poor.
@RussInCheshire 21AUG2020
18. It was announced BTec results, due for release today, would be delayed until August 28th, because —algorithm woes.
19. At the end of the day, despite yet more #ExamShambles, Gavin Williamson still had not resigned or been sacked.
18. It was announced BTec results, due for release today, would be delayed until August 28th, because —algorithm woes.
19. At the end of the day, despite yet more #ExamShambles, Gavin Williamson still had not resigned or been sacked.
@RussInCheshire 20. After his Times Radio damp squib, it was announced that Rupert Murdoch was teaming up with Andrew Neil & man of the Paypal Nigel Farage to launch a new Brit News channel in 2021 modelled on Fox News.
[Nobody tell'em the demographic they appeal to is unlikely to pay for news]
[Nobody tell'em the demographic they appeal to is unlikely to pay for news]
@RussInCheshire 21. Good news! Thx to campaigning by pressure groups, Keir Starmer & Labour MPs, the Govt did another U-turn. Hurrah! The eviction ban has been extended by 1mth + period of notice for eviction during winter months extended to 6mths.
22. Not enough, so campaigning continues.
22. Not enough, so campaigning continues.
@RussInCheshire 23. PM's secret staycation location was revealed. He cut the holiday short after being found by a Daily Mail reporter
24. Tories launched an attack on the SNP in the press, accusing Ian Blackford of the leak, but the DMreporter denied it was him. Still no apology to Blackford...
24. Tories launched an attack on the SNP in the press, accusing Ian Blackford of the leak, but the DMreporter denied it was him. Still no apology to Blackford...
@RussInCheshire 25. Bletchley Park said 1/3 of its staff were facing redundancy as the Trust that manages it struggled to cover a £2m shortfall.
26. People called on Big Tech to save Bletchley, as none of them wld exist without its pioneering work. The next day Sunak dropped the *Facebook tax*.
26. People called on Big Tech to save Bletchley, as none of them wld exist without its pioneering work. The next day Sunak dropped the *Facebook tax*.
@RussInCheshire 22AUG2020
27. Confidence in the Govt's £10bn #TTT system was rocked by an exposé into wastefulness. A contact tracer said they hadn't made 1 call in 12wks on full pay.
28. Stats show outsourced firms Serco & Sitel (paid £200m between them) miss 46% of test contacts in England.
27. Confidence in the Govt's £10bn #TTT system was rocked by an exposé into wastefulness. A contact tracer said they hadn't made 1 call in 12wks on full pay.
28. Stats show outsourced firms Serco & Sitel (paid £200m between them) miss 46% of test contacts in England.
@RussInCheshire 29. Private Pike struck again: Ministers *privately* (but not so privately it wasn't leaked to the press) warned of a shortage of 6,000 public buses needed to get children to school in England.
30. At the end of the day, Gavin Williamson still had not resigned or been sacked.
30. At the end of the day, Gavin Williamson still had not resigned or been sacked.
@RussInCheshire 31. When banned Far Right group Britain First discovered the Home Office was putting up recently arrived refugees in 12 local hotels, it went ballistic.
32. Clips were streamed of individuals, some convicted of terrorist offences, storming down corridors and terrorising guests.
32. Clips were streamed of individuals, some convicted of terrorist offences, storming down corridors and terrorising guests.
@RussInCheshire 33. Far Right protestors have circulated lists of hotels to target on social media & swamped websites with negative reviews of the hotels in question. Police have been called to several incidents in various places.
34. Radio silence from Patel on the behaviour she has inspired.
34. Radio silence from Patel on the behaviour she has inspired.
@RussInCheshire 35. It's worth repeating an extract of the 15AUG20 Letter to Patel from Windrush survivors & others:
"The pattern of ignoring expert advice, failing to engage with civil society and branding migrants as criminals replicates Home Office failings that caused the #WindrushScandal."
"The pattern of ignoring expert advice, failing to engage with civil society and branding migrants as criminals replicates Home Office failings that caused the #WindrushScandal."
@RussInCheshire 36. The WHO announced children over 12 should wear face-masks.
37. The UK Government said masks are not recommended for use by primary and secondary school pupils.
Savvy people started to run a book on when #IncompetentUKGovt would U-turn...
37. The UK Government said masks are not recommended for use by primary and secondary school pupils.
Savvy people started to run a book on when #IncompetentUKGovt would U-turn...
@RussInCheshire 39. In Ireland, Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary + the Seanad Deputy Chair Jerry Buttimer resigned when it emerged they'd attended a parliamentary golf club dinner held in violation of social distancing rules.
40. Lockdown breakers Cummings & Jenrick still refuse to resign.
40. Lockdown breakers Cummings & Jenrick still refuse to resign.
@RussInCheshire 23AUG2020
41. Keir Starmer attacked #IncompetentUKGovt for putting school return at risk "after a week of chaos, confusion and incompetence".
42. Boris Johnson countered by announcing he would take control of schools following #examshambles.
What could possibly go wrong?
41. Keir Starmer attacked #IncompetentUKGovt for putting school return at risk "after a week of chaos, confusion and incompetence".
42. Boris Johnson countered by announcing he would take control of schools following #examshambles.
What could possibly go wrong?
@RussInCheshire 43. Ofqual revealed the Royal Statistical Society had offered help to Ofqual design its algorithm, but refused to sign Govt's non-disclosure agreement.
44. Gavin Williamson defended his staycation the week before #ExamShambles & not being there to learn from Scotland's mistakes.
44. Gavin Williamson defended his staycation the week before #ExamShambles & not being there to learn from Scotland's mistakes.
@RussInCheshire 45. Meanwhile Chris Whitty admitted re-opening schools cld push R above 1, necessitating local lockdowns, but the harm being done by keeping kids out of school is greater.
46. The Sun leaked a Cabinet Office presentation on No-deal. It's worse than Yellowhammer.
Yellowhammer++?
46. The Sun leaked a Cabinet Office presentation on No-deal. It's worse than Yellowhammer.
Yellowhammer++?
@RussInCheshire 47. BBC considered dropping Rule Britannia from #LastNightAtTheProms, saying it was an opportunity for change after #BLM
48. Nigel Farrago went into meltdown. Never mind that it's not ALWAYS played at the proms, or indeed that the Cons cancelled it at one of their conferences...
48. Nigel Farrago went into meltdown. Never mind that it's not ALWAYS played at the proms, or indeed that the Cons cancelled it at one of their conferences...
@RussInCheshire 49. Suddenly dozens of Tory MPs who'd been so quiet during #ExamShambles that you could be forgiven for thinking they must have died, woke up & jumped onto Nige's bandwagon.
50. Later in the US a white cop shot a black man in the back 7 times in front of his kids #JacobBlake ⬛️
50. Later in the US a white cop shot a black man in the back 7 times in front of his kids #JacobBlake ⬛️
@RussInCheshire 24AUG2020
51. Nicola Sturgeon, who still does a #COVID19 briefing & takes questions from the press EVERY DAY, announced masks would be worn in communal areas in Scottish schools.
52. Alok Sharma confirmed on TV that Govt was sticking to its no-mask policy in English schools.
51. Nicola Sturgeon, who still does a #COVID19 briefing & takes questions from the press EVERY DAY, announced masks would be worn in communal areas in Scottish schools.
52. Alok Sharma confirmed on TV that Govt was sticking to its no-mask policy in English schools.
@RussInCheshire 53. Oliver Dowden said, "Confident forward-looking nations don't erase their history, they add to them." Meanwhile the Tory party is busy re-writing its history.
54. The BBC reinstated Rule Britannia for #LastNightOfTheProms, but music only, as there's no audience to sing along.
54. The BBC reinstated Rule Britannia for #LastNightOfTheProms, but music only, as there's no audience to sing along.
@RussInCheshire 55. The Finnish conductor leading #LastNightAtTheProms suffered abuse & death threats after Farage tweeted,"So the BBC may drop RuleBritannia+LandofHope&Glory from the Proms because the Finnish conductor is too woke. Why not drop her instead?"
Is this the country we live in now?
Is this the country we live in now?
@RussInCheshire 56. Ofqual's Sally Collier resigned in place of Gavin Williamson, as Govt ministers & SpAds have no accountability and absolute impunity for all their cock-ups & rule-breaking.
57. Meanwhile Boris Johnson learnt he was resigning in 6mths time when Cummings's pa-in-law leaked it.
57. Meanwhile Boris Johnson learnt he was resigning in 6mths time when Cummings's pa-in-law leaked it.
@RussInCheshire 25AUG2020
58. Govt said families of low-paid #NHS/#SocialCare workers who die of C19 will lose eligibility for welfare benefits if they receive a compensation payout as it breaches capital limits.
59. Labour asked to waive capital limit rules, as for Windrush & Grenfell victims
58. Govt said families of low-paid #NHS/#SocialCare workers who die of C19 will lose eligibility for welfare benefits if they receive a compensation payout as it breaches capital limits.
59. Labour asked to waive capital limit rules, as for Windrush & Grenfell victims
@RussInCheshire 60. The PM pitched up in fetching red overalls at a shipbuilding firm in Devon & waded into the #RuleBritannia culture war his party is revelling in, instead of, you know, governing.
61. He inspired @tom_newton1234's witty quip
Britannia rules the waves
Johnson waives the rules
61. He inspired @tom_newton1234's witty quip
Britannia rules the waves
Johnson waives the rules
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 62. Still, Johnson hadn't said a word abt #ExamShambles . On TV a headmaster begged, if there's to be another screeching U-turn, please do it now, while we've still got time to prepare.
61. Later the Govt U-turned on masks in schools. Gavin Williamson is still in post.
61. Later the Govt U-turned on masks in schools. Gavin Williamson is still in post.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 62. David Davis popped up to opine on EU trade deal negotiations. TL;dr —keep playing chicken, lads; the EU will cave at the last!
A stopped watch is right 2x/day. David Davis has never been right yet on Brexit & he's not this time.
Here's Cummings on a *stopped watch* occasion
A stopped watch is right 2x/day. David Davis has never been right yet on Brexit & he's not this time.
Here's Cummings on a *stopped watch* occasion
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 26AUG2020
63. Germany scrapped plans for Brexit talks at the EU Ambassadors' summit due to lack of progress. Separately, Michel Barnier lamented how much time the UK had wasted over the summer.
64. Someone call a taxi for David Davis.The German car manufacturers aren't coming.
63. Germany scrapped plans for Brexit talks at the EU Ambassadors' summit due to lack of progress. Separately, Michel Barnier lamented how much time the UK had wasted over the summer.
64. Someone call a taxi for David Davis.The German car manufacturers aren't coming.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 65. The Sun leaked PM might appoint world-beating misogynist Tony Abbott as trade envoy. Mike Rahn, former Aussie high commissioner, "Britain asking Tony Abbott to run its trade negs. would be abt as credible as Oz asking Gavin Williamson to take charge of its education system."
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 66. Gavin Williamson remained in post.
67. Former Australian PM Rudd reacted to the Abbott news: "Is the UK joking? This is the man that called climate change “absolute crap”, likened climate action to “killing goats to appease volcano gods” & repealed Australia’s carbon price."
67. Former Australian PM Rudd reacted to the Abbott news: "Is the UK joking? This is the man that called climate change “absolute crap”, likened climate action to “killing goats to appease volcano gods” & repealed Australia’s carbon price."
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 68. Shadow TradeSec Emily Thornberry spoke up for women, unlike the actual Minister for Women —but more of her anon.
She's disgusted the PM wants "this offensive, leering, cantankerous, climate change-denying, Trump-worshipping misogynist" to rep our country overseas." #GoEmily
She's disgusted the PM wants "this offensive, leering, cantankerous, climate change-denying, Trump-worshipping misogynist" to rep our country overseas." #GoEmily
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 69. As to trade, Govt had better take a closer look at food security. We grow 85% of our wheat here and import the rest from France & Germany, but #BBC reported the UK wheat yield is the worst for decades (too hot at planting, too wet at harvest). The price of bread could soar.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 70. To recapitulate, this winter the Govt expects:
—COVID19 wave II
—flu epidemic
—deepest recession ever
—huge unemployment
—price hikes for staples like bread
& on top of all that, it wants to inflict no-deal Brexit on us.
Aren't Govts supposed to work in citizens' interests?
—COVID19 wave II
—flu epidemic
—deepest recession ever
—huge unemployment
—price hikes for staples like bread
& on top of all that, it wants to inflict no-deal Brexit on us.
Aren't Govts supposed to work in citizens' interests?
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 71. To complete the scapegoating for Gavin Williamson's epic failures, the Education permanent secretary Jonathan Slater was fired after 35 years of dedicated service.
72. *Despatched by Dom* roll-call:
-Mark Sedwill
-Philip Rutnam
-Simon McDonald
-Richard Heaton
-Helen McNamara
72. *Despatched by Dom* roll-call:
-Mark Sedwill
-Philip Rutnam
-Simon McDonald
-Richard Heaton
-Helen McNamara
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 73. Tory MPs like Desmond Swayne & Charles Walker started to complain about "govt by edict".
74. All Tory MPs backed the Coronavirus Bill granting the Govt emergency powers for 2YRS (in other countries, it's weeks or months & has to be renewed). Govt is now abusing those powers.
74. All Tory MPs backed the Coronavirus Bill granting the Govt emergency powers for 2YRS (in other countries, it's weeks or months & has to be renewed). Govt is now abusing those powers.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 75. PM gave an awful speech to bored kids in Leicestershire. Finally he sort of apologised for #ExamShambles, but not really,'cos he lied abt it being the fault of a "mutant algorithm".
76. He was upstaged by the books behind him,selected by an aggrieved librarian when she quit.
76. He was upstaged by the books behind him,selected by an aggrieved librarian when she quit.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 27AUG2020
77. The Home Office sank to a new low when it released an anti-migrant clip with inflammatory language undermining the #RuleOfLaw & whipping up hatred of those who practice it.
78. After public uproar, the HO agreed the clip violated CS Code & eventually withdrew it.
77. The Home Office sank to a new low when it released an anti-migrant clip with inflammatory language undermining the #RuleOfLaw & whipping up hatred of those who practice it.
78. After public uproar, the HO agreed the clip violated CS Code & eventually withdrew it.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 79. Liz Truss was interviewed by ITV's Harry Horton. Ms Truss was so bad, this interview is surely a strong contender for #MichaelSpicer's next #RoomNextDoor skit.
80. Horton pressed Truss for a comment on the mooted appointment of Tony Abbott, but cogent answer there came none.
80. Horton pressed Truss for a comment on the mooted appointment of Tony Abbott, but cogent answer there came none.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 81. Truss's evasion is bad news for women, as she's the Minister for Women, but looks to be prioritising her job as Trade Secretary.
82. One day, this conflict of interest will be a case study —just when women most needed their minister to stand up for them, she was AWOL.
82. One day, this conflict of interest will be a case study —just when women most needed their minister to stand up for them, she was AWOL.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 83. Ed Davey was elected leader of the Liberal Democrats. The two candidates immediately pulled together with a call for unity in the party.
84. Let's hope all progressive parties can now get on with building an alliance that can defeat this kleptocratic kakistocracy of a Govt.
84. Let's hope all progressive parties can now get on with building an alliance that can defeat this kleptocratic kakistocracy of a Govt.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 83. We started with a tragic story abt a drowned refugee, so let's end on a happier one: Banksy has funded a refugee rescue boat,captained by activist Pia Klemp.
84. The boat is painted magenta & white,with a depiction of a girl in a life vest holding a heart-shaped safety buoy.
84. The boat is painted magenta & white,with a depiction of a girl in a life vest holding a heart-shaped safety buoy.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 85. Remember when Eddie Izzard ran all those marathons back-to-back? Every #TheWeekInTory is a marathon, it's unbelievable how much shite they chuck at us, and there's never any respite.
So be good to yourselves this bank holiday weekend, and come back ready to take them on.
So be good to yourselves this bank holiday weekend, and come back ready to take them on.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 Photo credit: Chris Orange
Russ always finishes his #TheWeekInTory threads with a link to a worthy crowdfunder. Here's the one for the Good Law Project's case against Michael Gove & others for dodgy procurement.
Russ always finishes his #TheWeekInTory threads with a link to a worthy crowdfunder. Here's the one for the Good Law Project's case against Michael Gove & others for dodgy procurement.
@RussInCheshire @tom_newton1234 Sorry for
•typo in 1st tweet (1st UK-born polar bear in 25 not 2yrs)
•thread-break at 55 (I appear to have tweeted 55 2x; the one not in the thread is going viral🙄)
•messing up the numbers at 83-84; last 3 points shld be 85,86,87
Twitter threader doesn't work in reply mode!
•typo in 1st tweet (1st UK-born polar bear in 25 not 2yrs)
•thread-break at 55 (I appear to have tweeted 55 2x; the one not in the thread is going viral🙄)
•messing up the numbers at 83-84; last 3 points shld be 85,86,87
Twitter threader doesn't work in reply mode!
