[thread] #DayOfReflection
I am going to write a thread where I praise Boris Johnson
Our herd leader
Our Prime Minister
Our People's Prime Minister
Our Lion King
Where I thank him for being an inspiration
I am going to write a thread where I praise Boris Johnson
Our herd leader
Our Prime Minister
Our People's Prime Minister
Our Lion King
Where I thank him for being an inspiration
This heart-warming video of him talking to schoolchildren about what inspired him to be a politician
Inspired me to write this tribute to Boris
Inspired me to write this tribute to Boris
Here's a man who joked about shaking hands with covid patients
Thumping his chest
Thumping his chest
https://mobile.twitter.com/politicsforali/status/1372641194015084545
Now I would like to congratulate Boris Johnson
He has had his jab
Of course it was the Oxford / Astra Zeneca one
There was never any question of that
He has had his jab
Of course it was the Oxford / Astra Zeneca one
There was never any question of that
https://mobile.twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1372999248854315015
At least Boris didn't strip off to get his vaccine
Unlike so many of his party want to do
businessinsider.com/putin-defends-…
Unlike so many of his party want to do
businessinsider.com/putin-defends-…
Anyway today is apparently supposed to be a day of reflection
https://twitter.com/PippaCrerar/status/1373981262763978753
A reminder from a year ago today
First of all before we get started 
What I am asking for forgiveness for?
That I have written this as a thread
Rather than a blog post
I just prefer threads to blogs tbh
There will also be some sub-threads
That I have written this as a thread
Rather than a blog post
I just prefer threads to blogs tbh
There will also be some sub-threads
I will break this thread down into 4 sections
1. Aristotle & The Pursuit of Happyness
2. What inspires you?
3. What question to ask?
4. ABC
1. Aristotle & The Pursuit of Happyness
2. What inspires you?
3. What question to ask?
4. ABC
So on the Pursuit of Happyness
First I would like to quote Will Smith
This will tie in to the start & end of this section in way even I had not imagined when I started writing it
liveabout.com/will-smith-tal…
First I would like to quote Will Smith
This will tie in to the start & end of this section in way even I had not imagined when I started writing it
liveabout.com/will-smith-tal…
Now Will talks of the challenge it is as an actor to do a movie based on a life story and to have to meet the real character behind the story
Other actors also face this
Other actors also face this
I want to write on
The 12 virtues of Boris Johnson
To be celebrate his virtues, honour them, clap for them
To quote Maya: "I have a feeling that you're going to lift up the icon. It is my intention to lift you up."
quora.com/What-did-Maya-…
The 12 virtues of Boris Johnson
To be celebrate his virtues, honour them, clap for them
To quote Maya: "I have a feeling that you're going to lift up the icon. It is my intention to lift you up."
quora.com/What-did-Maya-…
Now Boris is a student of history
So I want to go back to Aristotle
Here is Mayor Johnson with Will Smith
So I want to go back to Aristotle
Here is Mayor Johnson with Will Smith
Here's it written down
Here are Aristotle's twelve virtues
Courage
Temperance
Liberality
Magnificence
Generosity
Ambition
Patience
Friendliness
Honesty
Wit
Modesty
Justice
Courage
Temperance
Liberality
Magnificence
Generosity
Ambition
Patience
Friendliness
Honesty
Wit
Modesty
Justice
I managed to force myself to write that list
It took some effort
I think Boris Johnson
Is an amoral cheating lying racist self serving incompetent charlatan
Alas
It took some effort
I think Boris Johnson
Is an amoral cheating lying racist self serving incompetent charlatan
Alas
Just to confirm to Stanley Johnson
I can spell the word he mentions here correctly
*BUT*
Even if I couldn't
I would still have no qualms about describing his son as an amoral cheating lying racist self serving incompetent charlatan
theguardian.com/politics/video…
I can spell the word he mentions here correctly
*BUT*
Even if I couldn't
I would still have no qualms about describing his son as an amoral cheating lying racist self serving incompetent charlatan
theguardian.com/politics/video…
Anyway enough about Stanley
Boris Johnson inspires me
To not be like him
Now those who enabled Boris Johnson
A parliamentary party
Know exactly who and what he was, is and always will be
As to the media ditto
As to his voters ditto
Boris Johnson inspires me
To not be like him
Now those who enabled Boris Johnson
A parliamentary party
Know exactly who and what he was, is and always will be
As to the media ditto
As to his voters ditto
Everyone *KNOWS* exactly who and what Boris Johnson is
The question is not do you know
The question is WHY do you not care
The question is not do you know
The question is WHY do you not care
Oh yes and see also
This story from June 2020
Ask yourself
Which MPs
And which ministers
Sought to *exploit* coronavirus
Now of course this was reported in Summer 2020 when the death toll was *ALREADY* high
This story from June 2020
Ask yourself
Which MPs
And which ministers
Sought to *exploit* coronavirus
Now of course this was reported in Summer 2020 when the death toll was *ALREADY* high
Roll on to 2021
And well
And well
So let me go through that list again of virtues
There is a good series of articles here on the life challenge of living to the 12 virtues
But also trying to explain what each virtue is and its extremes (on either side)
benjaminmcevoy.com/virtuous-life-…
But also trying to explain what each virtue is and its extremes (on either side)
benjaminmcevoy.com/virtuous-life-…
The link above has a weekly challenge for the 12 virtues
But it also has a fascinating quote from Benjamin Franklin on them
But it also has a fascinating quote from Benjamin Franklin on them
Ooops sorry my mistake
Here's the Benjamin Franklin quote
Here's the Benjamin Franklin quote
Oh yes and see also
Margaret Thatcher
22/6/1963 on Macmillan
"The Prime Minister is a man of the highest integrity and honour and should not, therefore, suffer for someone whose standards were not as high as his own.”
Margaret Thatcher
22/6/1963 on Macmillan
"The Prime Minister is a man of the highest integrity and honour and should not, therefore, suffer for someone whose standards were not as high as his own.”
Also Maggie
1970 General Election Address
We want a nation with high standards of integrity, tolerance and personal responsibility.
1970 General Election Address
We want a nation with high standards of integrity, tolerance and personal responsibility.
Anyway enough about Margaret Thatcher or Benjamin Franklin
Back to Boris Johnson and Aristotle
Now I have tried to give - well I should say limit myself to - 4 photographic examples of how he lives up to these virtues and one link
Back to Boris Johnson and Aristotle
Now I have tried to give - well I should say limit myself to - 4 photographic examples of how he lives up to these virtues and one link
COURAGE
It wasn't just GMB
He also hid in a room at JCB when fleeing from Michael Crick
And here is a video & transcript
Of a man who waited until all his opponents attended interviews before he chickened out
bbc.co.uk/news/election-…
It wasn't just GMB
He also hid in a room at JCB when fleeing from Michael Crick
And here is a video & transcript
Of a man who waited until all his opponents attended interviews before he chickened out
bbc.co.uk/news/election-…
TEMPERANCE
Here is a writer referencing statues on the subject of temperance and Boris Johnson
theguardian.com/politics/2021/…
Here is a writer referencing statues on the subject of temperance and Boris Johnson
theguardian.com/politics/2021/…
GENEROSITY
Here is Boris Johnson expressing how he cannot understand the motive of someone wanting to do goood
Here is Boris Johnson expressing how he cannot understand the motive of someone wanting to do goood
https://twitter.com/magnitsky/status/1273680896042962946
MAGNIFICENCE
the magnificent public projects Boris Johnson has delivered - "got done" you might say
From a publicly funded technology tutor, to a garden bridge, to a magic roundabout one of so many of the "many solutions" to the NI border promised
the magnificent public projects Boris Johnson has delivered - "got done" you might say
From a publicly funded technology tutor, to a garden bridge, to a magic roundabout one of so many of the "many solutions" to the NI border promised
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1369944068004982786
PRIDE
Apologies - I misunderstood the word pride
Here is something Boris Johnson is proud of (just don't ask about transparency and corruption)
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
Apologies - I misunderstood the word pride
Here is something Boris Johnson is proud of (just don't ask about transparency and corruption)
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi…
AMBITION
2 quotes from the video below
Rachel Johnson at 1m30s in below video
"Whenever anyone asked him what he wanted to be, he would answer, world king."
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-pol…
2 quotes from the video below
Rachel Johnson at 1m30s in below video
"Whenever anyone asked him what he wanted to be, he would answer, world king."
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-pol…
GOOD TEMPER
Apologies for the partial Sonia Purnell quote - the joys of paywalls - the Times article link is below
thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-…
Apologies for the partial Sonia Purnell quote - the joys of paywalls - the Times article link is below
thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-…
And here's the fuller link of Boris getting angry
FRIENDLINESS
See Eddie Mair asking Boris on the detail of exactly what Boris would do for a friend
independent.co.uk/voices/iv-drip…
See Eddie Mair asking Boris on the detail of exactly what Boris would do for a friend
independent.co.uk/voices/iv-drip…
TRUTHFULNESS
Jesus
Where to start
4 photographs seems an unfair limit
So here's a different question
Boris Johnson is a liar
That is known by all
The questions are
Why is the fact he is a liar ok to you?
What lie would you *not accept*?
Jesus
Where to start
4 photographs seems an unfair limit
So here's a different question
Boris Johnson is a liar
That is known by all
The questions are
Why is the fact he is a liar ok to you?
What lie would you *not accept*?
https://twitter.com/OborneTweets/status/1369985798179852292
READY WIT
Since we are on jokes from historical periods
Here is Boris telling a joke at the UN
If you have to explain your joke whilst telling it
It isn't a good sign
edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2…
Since we are on jokes from historical periods
Here is Boris telling a joke at the UN
If you have to explain your joke whilst telling it
It isn't a good sign
edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2…
JUSTICE
Here is the British Prime Minister
Who tried to interfere into an ethics investigation into a Home Secretary
His ethics advisor resigned
The payouts
And a protective square?
Here is the British Prime Minister
Who tried to interfere into an ethics investigation into a Home Secretary
His ethics advisor resigned
The payouts
And a protective square?
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1367507825082195974
WISDOM
Anyway enough about Boris on plans
Here is Boris Johnson on cornflakes
facebook.com/MirrorPolitics…
Anyway enough about Boris on plans
Here is Boris Johnson on cornflakes
facebook.com/MirrorPolitics…
So I am going to wrap up this thread on Aristotle and the Pursuit of Happyness
See how a company leader inspires a culture for his staff and for his business
See how a company leader inspires a culture for his staff and for his business
https://twitter.com/JamesTCobbler/status/1373588723460403200
By coming back to the movie title, I referenced it with Will Smith earlier
I referenced it with the Mayor meeting Will & Jaden
So
Just imagine what a Boris Johnson article titled the "Pursuit of Happyness" would look like
I referenced it with the Mayor meeting Will & Jaden
So
Just imagine what a Boris Johnson article titled the "Pursuit of Happyness" would look like
Well you don't have to imagine
For he wrote one
I am going to pick just a few quotes from it
I will try not to - how does Boris put it - oh yes "wrench" his "satirical" words out of "context"
boris-johnson.com/2007/05/25/the…
For he wrote one
I am going to pick just a few quotes from it
I will try not to - how does Boris put it - oh yes "wrench" his "satirical" words out of "context"
boris-johnson.com/2007/05/25/the…
See also: school cuts under Tories
I think I understand Boris' disdain for the rule of law now
It is beneath him
Something for the little people
Certainly not him
See also: his father
standard.co.uk/news/uk/stanle…
It is beneath him
Something for the little people
Certainly not him
See also: his father
standard.co.uk/news/uk/stanle…
I am minded of other words that Boris has used on female students
But I am trying to get over this
"adverse consequences for family life"
But I am trying to get over this
"adverse consequences for family life"
"Of course I am in favour of women working, and the world would be far nicer if women ran it, but I sometimes wonder if they — we — really want to work quite so hard. "
time.com/magazine/south…
time.com/magazine/south…
Anyway Happy Women's History Month
Imagine anyone had asked Boris Johnson MP who's going to look after the children?
Imagine anyone had asked Boris Johnson MP who's going to look after the children?
https://twitter.com/HouseofCommons/status/1373988147848212485
"In the words of Hesiod, who will be rarely off the lips of the coming Conservative government, they are fools who know not how much the half is greater than the whole, nor what blessedness there is in mallow-grass and asphodel."
hansard.parliament.uk/search?startDa…
hansard.parliament.uk/search?startDa…
That is the first section done
I have covered Aristotle and the Pursuit of Happyness
The topic of happiness we will come back to during our talk on inspiration as it pertains to Boris Johnson
I have covered Aristotle and the Pursuit of Happyness
The topic of happiness we will come back to during our talk on inspiration as it pertains to Boris Johnson
So a reminder
4 sections
1. Aristotle
2. What inspires you?
3. What question to ask?
4. ABC
So now we reach Section 2
I want to go back to the video I started with
4 sections
1. Aristotle
2. What inspires you?
3. What question to ask?
4. ABC
So now we reach Section 2
I want to go back to the video I started with
First of all on journalism
I am so so sorry the PM of ... demeaned your entire profession as “abusing” those they write of
I am sure he was thinking of very specific examples of “journalists” who abuse persons
I am so so sorry the PM of ... demeaned your entire profession as “abusing” those they write of
I am sure he was thinking of very specific examples of “journalists” who abuse persons
Here's the transcript as well
It is a horrid horrid interview from Boris
independent.co.uk/voices/iv-drip…
It is a horrid horrid interview from Boris
independent.co.uk/voices/iv-drip…
Sorry back to journalists
"The basis of journalism as the fourth estate and a watchdog for corruption and injustice brings an unequivocal responsibility for journalists to be equally skilled and hard-working as they are virtuous and ethical."
nyfa.edu/student-resour…
"The basis of journalism as the fourth estate and a watchdog for corruption and injustice brings an unequivocal responsibility for journalists to be equally skilled and hard-working as they are virtuous and ethical."
nyfa.edu/student-resour…
"they overcame gender bias, racial segregation, death threats, and gun attacks to get their voices heard and report on the reality they witnessed. "
celebromedia.com/7-female-journ…
celebromedia.com/7-female-journ…
Here is Boris flinging a protective square around Kemi
https://twitter.com/xtophercook/status/1364964952876933121
Here a reminder on the "output" of the British press
Here's a flash back to the past
One Boris Johnson in 1998
One Boris Johnson in 1998
Now I think there are lots of topics you can cover on supermarkets
You can focus on
How they push out smaller retailers as they expand from just selling food stuffs
How they negotiate with food/farm producers
How they deal with automation going forward e.g. self checkouts
You can focus on
How they push out smaller retailers as they expand from just selling food stuffs
How they negotiate with food/farm producers
How they deal with automation going forward e.g. self checkouts
But Boris focuses on how supermarkets give donations to the Labour party
Just a reminder
26th February 2020
2 crises
UK flooding victims
&
Killer virus: Fear hard-pressed NHS won't cope with fast-spreading bug
Meanwhile, Boris finds time for....
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
Just a reminder
26th February 2020
2 crises
UK flooding victims
&
Killer virus: Fear hard-pressed NHS won't cope with fast-spreading bug
Meanwhile, Boris finds time for....
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
"A trip to Italy for a party held by a billionaire socialite ended with the then foreign secretary at an airport “looking like he had slept in his clothes”, struggling to walk in a straight line and telling other passengers he had had a heavy night"
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
And roll on to March 2021
By god it really was horrible the Labour party had branding on their party conference lanyards
Meanwhile
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9…
By god it really was horrible the Labour party had branding on their party conference lanyards
Meanwhile
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9…
What worries me is that Boris Johnson seems to think that such "abusive" behaviour from a journalist is something that would be approved of by a editorial/ management team
That to me is more disturbing
That to me is more disturbing
I am sure no reputable management team would allow their journalists to do that
Right?
What newspaper would allow that?
(rhetorical question)
Right?
What newspaper would allow that?
(rhetorical question)
Anyway I want to focus not on that answer to school children that Boris gave about journalists and abuse
But this one
But this one
Here's a copy of the transcript
Now there were other parts to that video
Imagine a year into a pandemic
Talking to schoolchildren without being aware of the impact the pandemic has had into their examination schedule
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
Imagine a year into a pandemic
Talking to schoolchildren without being aware of the impact the pandemic has had into their examination schedule
mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…
Think back to August 2020
Boris Johnson has been accused of “shamefully” trying to dodge blame for this summer’s exam chaos after he told schoolchildren that a “mutant algorithm” was to blame.
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Boris Johnson has been accused of “shamefully” trying to dodge blame for this summer’s exam chaos after he told schoolchildren that a “mutant algorithm” was to blame.
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Also from that statement
Anyway
Sorry back to Boris explaining to school children on what suddenly at age 35 inspired him to become a politician
See my earlier observation on his ambition to be King of the world
Sorry back to Boris explaining to school children on what suddenly at age 35 inspired him to become a politician
See my earlier observation on his ambition to be King of the world
The question of who or what inspires you
Is a fascinating question
independent.co.uk/news/media/wha…
Is a fascinating question
independent.co.uk/news/media/wha…
Anyway I am not going to talk about the years of inspiration Jennifer provided to Boris
The misuse of public funds I could talk about
But I am not going to
My focus lies elsewhere
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
The misuse of public funds I could talk about
But I am not going to
My focus lies elsewhere
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Back to inspiration
The sources of our inspiration are diverse and wonderful
psychcentral.com/blog/10-creati…
The sources of our inspiration are diverse and wonderful
psychcentral.com/blog/10-creati…
"Her example, Keenness, charm and endeavour inspired us all.”
Mrs. Thatcher said that when she went away she would not remember the politics so much, but the friendship and loyalty and the way all had worked together."
margaretthatcher.org/document/100935
Mrs. Thatcher said that when she went away she would not remember the politics so much, but the friendship and loyalty and the way all had worked together."
margaretthatcher.org/document/100935
"I suddenly thought the world's full of these extraordinary causes and injustices"
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
‘I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse.’
forbes.com/sites/jacquely…
forbes.com/sites/jacquely…
Professor Kevin Warwick
"I like to read the biographies of people I admire, people I feel have, in their own way, really achieved something - examples being Michael Faraday, Albert Einstein, Captain Scott, Roger Bannister and Stephen Hawking. "
independent.co.uk/news/media/wha…
"I like to read the biographies of people I admire, people I feel have, in their own way, really achieved something - examples being Michael Faraday, Albert Einstein, Captain Scott, Roger Bannister and Stephen Hawking. "
independent.co.uk/news/media/wha…
Trump said it was a gift from “my friend Marty Davis from Paramount who gave me a copy of Mein Kampf, and he’s a Jew” and denied having read the book: “If I had these speeches, and I am not saying that I do, I would never read them.’”"
theguardian.com/books/2016/oct…
theguardian.com/books/2016/oct…
oh yes a reminder
Boris Johnson 17/4/2020
"I’ve been comparing notes & talking to leaders around the 🌍, & I can tell you that 🇬🇧 is leading a growing global campaign amongst friends & allies"
Boris Johnson 17/4/2020
"I’ve been comparing notes & talking to leaders around the 🌍, & I can tell you that 🇬🇧 is leading a growing global campaign amongst friends & allies"
Now you could denigrate the Prime Minister for having hindsight
Personally I wouldn't
I think it's great for a politician to admit they could have done things differently, better
Personally I wouldn't
I think it's great for a politician to admit they could have done things differently, better
"Prime Minister Boris Johnson kept using the nickname for Sir Keir Starmer, despite No 10’s call for political debate to be ‘civil and kind’."
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/downin…
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/downin…
Anyway back to inspiration
Now it's ok
I am not going to take Boris Johnson's words "satirically" or "wrench" them "out of context"
‘The quotations have been wrenched out of context,’
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Now it's ok
I am not going to take Boris Johnson's words "satirically" or "wrench" them "out of context"
‘The quotations have been wrenched out of context,’
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Being taken "out of context" does seem to happen a lot
https://twitter.com/DailyMailUK/status/1369704871226662915
So second
I want to commiserate with Boris Johnson
At age 35 it would have been 1999 where Boris Johnson says he experienced a mid-life crisis
So first of all
For anyone who is suffering
telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness…
I want to commiserate with Boris Johnson
At age 35 it would have been 1999 where Boris Johnson says he experienced a mid-life crisis
So first of all
For anyone who is suffering
telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness…
So I am glad that Boris Johnson found away to address the causes of his mid-life crisis
Weirdly though
Here he is in January 2021
Saying he is also experiencing a mid-life crisis
Weirdly though
Here he is in January 2021
Saying he is also experiencing a mid-life crisis
31/1/2020
"Normally I'm not allowed in, I need a block and tackle to get me out"
I tell you what
I have just got a motorbike
It's a complete crisis, a midlife crisis
I have a 125cc, it's the biggest joy of my life
Apart from Brexit, of course"
"Normally I'm not allowed in, I need a block and tackle to get me out"
I tell you what
I have just got a motorbike
It's a complete crisis, a midlife crisis
I have a 125cc, it's the biggest joy of my life
Apart from Brexit, of course"
Oh yes and also
"There was no hair-raising theft of a German fighter plane for an aborted flight to Switzerland, and the daredevil Steve McQueen character trying to leap to freedom on a motorcycle was a complete fiction."
abc.net.au/news/2019-03-2…
"There was no hair-raising theft of a German fighter plane for an aborted flight to Switzerland, and the daredevil Steve McQueen character trying to leap to freedom on a motorcycle was a complete fiction."
abc.net.au/news/2019-03-2…
If some twenty years on from his "mid-life" crisis
Boris Johnson is experiencing another "mid-life" crisis
what his definition of "mid-life" is
Did he learn any lessons from his first mid-life crisis that he can bring to his second one?
What is causing the malais this time ?
Boris Johnson is experiencing another "mid-life" crisis
what his definition of "mid-life" is
Did he learn any lessons from his first mid-life crisis that he can bring to his second one?
What is causing the malais this time ?
Is Boris just having a crisis because the Conservative Party has not shifted enough product?
They have reduced the price from £70.00 to £56.00
It is a limited edition print
They have NOT managed to sell 250
shop.conservatives.com/limited-editio…
They have reduced the price from £70.00 to £56.00
It is a limited edition print
They have NOT managed to sell 250
shop.conservatives.com/limited-editio…
"The future belongs to the middle-aged
In 2020, for the first time, the median human will be older than 30"
worldin.economist.com/article/17373/…
In 2020, for the first time, the median human will be older than 30"
worldin.economist.com/article/17373/…
Maybe Boris Johnson has been frozen at age 35
Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, 45, told The New York Times that many of her older clients, who range from magazine editors to financiers to celebrities, strive to be 'suspended' at 45 to 55.
dailymail.co.uk/femail/article…
Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, 45, told The New York Times that many of her older clients, who range from magazine editors to financiers to celebrities, strive to be 'suspended' at 45 to 55.
dailymail.co.uk/femail/article…
Apparently having a "mid-life" crisis
Is a good way for senior politicians to score empathy points with the public
If Rishi (aged 40) can do it
Then so can Boris (aged 56)
Is a good way for senior politicians to score empathy points with the public
If Rishi (aged 40) can do it
Then so can Boris (aged 56)
https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1371182203451891721
Never mind
Here he is in 2014 explaining further his mid-life crisis
theguardian.com/politics/2014/…
Here he is in 2014 explaining further his mid-life crisis
theguardian.com/politics/2014/…
So I am going to focus a little bit around that period when Boris Johnson was 35
To wonder what caused him to experience a mid-life crisis
And then I will turn to the second question I have from the video of the school children combined with some of the words from Johnson
To wonder what caused him to experience a mid-life crisis
And then I will turn to the second question I have from the video of the school children combined with some of the words from Johnson
"Pondering the fundamental questions – What does it feel like to be overtaken by a female driver when you’re behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo? Can a car really precipitate a mid-life crisis?"
amazon.co.uk/Life-Fast-Lane…
amazon.co.uk/Life-Fast-Lane…
Episode 675
28th October 1999
Theresa May, Diane Abbott, Lembit Opik, Boris Johnson, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
facebook.com/BBCQuestionTim…
28th October 1999
Theresa May, Diane Abbott, Lembit Opik, Boris Johnson, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
facebook.com/BBCQuestionTim…
11/11/2004
Spectator awards
And you can witness what happens
When someone holds up a mirror to Boris Johnson
gettyimages.fi/detail/video/b…
Spectator awards
And you can witness what happens
When someone holds up a mirror to Boris Johnson
gettyimages.fi/detail/video/b…
14/11/2004
"Mr Johnson last week, when he described reports of an affair with Ms Wyatt as "an inverted pyramid of piffle".
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3…
"Mr Johnson last week, when he described reports of an affair with Ms Wyatt as "an inverted pyramid of piffle".
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3…
14/11/2004
"It is a wretched and lamentable day when people's private lives become used in political machinations."
He later told the Press Association: "God. It's been a bad evening."
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi…
"It is a wretched and lamentable day when people's private lives become used in political machinations."
He later told the Press Association: "God. It's been a bad evening."
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi…
15/12/2005
Andrew Neil
“Boris has been a wonderful and magnificent editor of The Spectator and we are
sorry to lose him; in many ways he will be irreplaceable. But we wish
him every success in his political career.
pressgazette.co.uk/boris-johnson-…
Andrew Neil
“Boris has been a wonderful and magnificent editor of The Spectator and we are
sorry to lose him; in many ways he will be irreplaceable. But we wish
him every success in his political career.
pressgazette.co.uk/boris-johnson-…
So you can look at some - just some of the articles from Boris' time as Mayor
On holiday when he refused to return and shad to be FORCED to come back when London was rioting
standard.co.uk/hp/front/boris…
On holiday when he refused to return and shad to be FORCED to come back when London was rioting
standard.co.uk/hp/front/boris…
Say sorry to Liverpool with yet more lies
"In fact, most people I have met in the street have been extremely nice," he said, but admitted he had not actually met anyone yet,
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi…
"In fact, most people I have met in the street have been extremely nice," he said, but admitted he had not actually met anyone yet,
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi…
So there are lots of stories of Boris Johnson and his career across decades from "journalist" to politician
So so many stories
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
So so many stories
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
Now we turn to the second element I wanted to look at
His quote from Scarface
His quote from Scarface
There are several people who try to take a stab at understanding the usage of the Scarface quote
movies.stackexchange.com/questions/6208…
movies.stackexchange.com/questions/6208…
Personally I would go back to something I referenced earlier around Stanley Johnson
theguardian.com/politics/video…
theguardian.com/politics/video…
And one simple observation
If you wanted to defend someone from a charge that they were a liar
All you need to is present the truth
You would not need to attack the person accusing them of being a liar
If you wanted to defend someone from a charge that they were a liar
All you need to is present the truth
You would not need to attack the person accusing them of being a liar
Or to put it as Thatcher did
“I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.”
“I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.”
It must be so easy being Boris Johnson
If you can lie to voters
If you can lie to the Queen
Then lying is easy
There are therefore two questions:
What would you not lie about?
To whom would you not lie?
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
If you can lie to voters
If you can lie to the Queen
Then lying is easy
There are therefore two questions:
What would you not lie about?
To whom would you not lie?
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
With every lie
Those who fall for
Or those who sell the lie on
Become ever more invested in not admitting
Who is a liar
And that they were lied to
Or that they sold on the lie
Those who fall for
Or those who sell the lie on
Become ever more invested in not admitting
Who is a liar
And that they were lied to
Or that they sold on the lie
Even sharing that victimhood with ones partner is an "embarrassment"
bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-…
bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-…
I want to say its not
There is no shame in being a victim
The shame belongs to the perpetrator and their acts
There is no shame in being a victim
The shame belongs to the perpetrator and their acts
There is also a very good write up by David Allen Green below
https://twitter.com/davidallengreen/status/1373596096321183748
Back in 2010, Urban Dictionary decided that the best way to describe a clown is: "Just a downright fool, someone who there's no other word for other than 'clown' it explains how stupid they can be and how little you think about them."
elle.com/culture/career…
elle.com/culture/career…
So on the historic use of "clown" as an insult
14/6/1971 Margaret Thatcher
"I thought that we were in a circus where a clown had taken over"
margaretthatcher.org/document/102121
14/6/1971 Margaret Thatcher
"I thought that we were in a circus where a clown had taken over"
margaretthatcher.org/document/102121
23/9/1983
Margaret Thatcher on a letter from a clown (literally)
margaretthatcher.org/document/132360
Margaret Thatcher on a letter from a clown (literally)
margaretthatcher.org/document/132360
12/3/1985
Mr Bidwell MP to PM Margaret Thatcher
Mr Bidwell MP to PM Margaret Thatcher
Now
I really object to the insult of clown
Number one because clowns are noble profession
They bring joy, humour to people's lives
They work hard on their craft
ft.com/content/1934b7…
I really object to the insult of clown
Number one because clowns are noble profession
They bring joy, humour to people's lives
They work hard on their craft
ft.com/content/1934b7…
I also object to the word comedian applied to Boris Johnson
He's not funny
He is a buffoon
Plain and simple
He's not funny
He is a buffoon
Plain and simple
I do tend to quote this interview a lot
Because it has so much in it
And even a small question is so fascinating
quora.com/What-did-Maya-…
Because it has so much in it
And even a small question is so fascinating
quora.com/What-did-Maya-…
I would convert that question from Maya Angelou into the topic of lying
What happens to you when you get a bigger laugh or a laugh when you didn't expect one? Or a bigger one than you expected? What happens on that occasion?
What happens to you when you get a bigger laugh or a laugh when you didn't expect one? Or a bigger one than you expected? What happens on that occasion?
So anyway enough about Boris Johnson for now
I want to talk about a writer who could make people laugh
Who could inspire
I want to talk about a writer who could make people laugh
Who could inspire
Terry Pratchett
I have a link to some of his quotes in my Twitter bio
telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/…
I have a link to some of his quotes in my Twitter bio
telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/…
Now I could talk about Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.
goodreads.com/quotes/72745-t…
goodreads.com/quotes/72745-t…
Instead I want to talk about something else from Pratchett
Lies to children
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie-to-ch…
Lies to children
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie-to-ch…
And here
It’s a binary situation
Boris either
Knows he is lying
Or does not know he is lying
Now if he does not know he is lying
That is actually more worrying
Boris either
Knows he is lying
Or does not know he is lying
Now if he does not know he is lying
That is actually more worrying
So let’s operate on the premise
He knows he is lying
It is deliberate
It is calculated
The question then becomes
What lie would you not tell?
Who would you not lie to and about what?
Are there different gradations of lie?
He knows he is lying
It is deliberate
It is calculated
The question then becomes
What lie would you not tell?
Who would you not lie to and about what?
Are there different gradations of lie?
His father gets really upset when people call his son a liar
But unable to rebut the lies
He then spouts some shite about one’s ability to spell Pinocchio
He cannot even properly defend his son
And I pity him that he can’t
But unable to rebut the lies
He then spouts some shite about one’s ability to spell Pinocchio
He cannot even properly defend his son
And I pity him that he can’t
So the question is
How great is Boris’ contempt for those he lies to?
His contempt is universal
For citizens
For MPs
For Her Majesty the Queen
There is no one he will not lie to
There is nothing he will not lie about
How great is Boris’ contempt for those he lies to?
His contempt is universal
For citizens
For MPs
For Her Majesty the Queen
There is no one he will not lie to
There is nothing he will not lie about
To wrap up in this section
Perhaps you should find it inspiring
That Boris Johnson is a desperate cheating lying racist nativist incompetent charlatan
He will stoop to nothing in his desperation to protect himself
During his ascent
During his reign
And during his descent
Perhaps you should find it inspiring
That Boris Johnson is a desperate cheating lying racist nativist incompetent charlatan
He will stoop to nothing in his desperation to protect himself
During his ascent
During his reign
And during his descent
The inspiration you should take from Boris Johnson
Is not to be like him
Be better than him
It shouldn't be difficult
It's a low bar
Is not to be like him
Be better than him
It shouldn't be difficult
It's a low bar
So a reminder 4 sections
We now reach the concluding sections
Well done for those who made it this far
1. Aristotle
2. What inspires you?
3. What question to ask?
4. ABC
We now reach the concluding sections
Well done for those who made it this far
1. Aristotle
2. What inspires you?
3. What question to ask?
4. ABC
I would ask a different question
Boris Johnson
Has the job he always coveted
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
First Lord of the Treasury
Minister for the Civil Service
No one can take that away from him
He has his place in history amongst the pantheon of Prime Ministers
Boris Johnson
Has the job he always coveted
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
First Lord of the Treasury
Minister for the Civil Service
No one can take that away from him
He has his place in history amongst the pantheon of Prime Ministers
It also answers another questions
Never again need we ask
What happens if we elect one like him?
Never again need we ask
What happens if we elect one like him?
https://twitter.com/bydonkeys/status/1349388189295849473
I would ask a more fundamental question of Boris Johnson
What are you afraid of?
What are you afraid of?
You can go to the etymology of Project Fear in the political sphere
heraldscotland.com/news/13194407.…
heraldscotland.com/news/13194407.…
Given coronavirus
I think the public were absolutely correct to fear politicians
I think the public were absolutely correct to fear politicians
I am curious at coriander at 17% though
But that's a topic for another thread
But that's a topic for another thread
I think the answer is simple
Boris Johnson is afraid of 5 things
That he is/will be only a one term PM
How will he live financially?
How he will be remembered?
How he will be written of?
That one such as himself one would be the one writing of him.
Boris Johnson is afraid of 5 things
That he is/will be only a one term PM
How will he live financially?
How he will be remembered?
How he will be written of?
That one such as himself one would be the one writing of him.
Oh here's another example of how afraid he is
https://twitter.com/paulwaugh/status/1372120784035049474
I give an analogy from an earlier ages
And Dennis Thatcher
The farewell of Dennis to Downing St staff
"I hope you will remember me as never having been discourteous to anyone. That's what I'd like to be remembered for."
thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7025714.d…
And Dennis Thatcher
The farewell of Dennis to Downing St staff
"I hope you will remember me as never having been discourteous to anyone. That's what I'd like to be remembered for."
thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7025714.d…
And I would also say
Do not allow the experience of certain invididuals reflect on one school
It reflects on the individual
Floreat Etona!
Do not allow the experience of certain invididuals reflect on one school
It reflects on the individual
Floreat Etona!
"Speaking personally, I think it is unfortunate at the moment and we'd all be better served as a nation if this particular clutch of people hadn't been educated at the same school."
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7…
dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7…
"For those of us who work in independent schools, watching Boris Johnson move into Number 10 is like rubbernecking a car crash of Bill Viola-like slowness;"
tes.com/news/dont-blam…
tes.com/news/dont-blam…
So I have written up 15 suggestions on how to help Boris face those fears
His enablers in his party are too committed
They will do anything also - because they are afraid for self and career
And of a cult that would expel them if they dared wake up (so to say)
His enablers in his party are too committed
They will do anything also - because they are afraid for self and career
And of a cult that would expel them if they dared wake up (so to say)
1. Shower him with honorifics
Can the People’s Prime Minister please answer
Can the Lion King please answer
Can Herd Leader please answer
Can the People’s Prime Minister please answer
Can the Lion King please answer
Can Herd Leader please answer
2.
Preface every question to the PM
I do not seek to “abuse” the PM and I do not want to use the wrong “tone” or be accused of being totty can the PM please grace me with an answer to .....
Preface every question to the PM
I do not seek to “abuse” the PM and I do not want to use the wrong “tone” or be accused of being totty can the PM please grace me with an answer to .....
3.
Can I offer my condolences on the death of the Conservative & Unionist Party - is Boris proud of the Boris Nationalist Party
A reminder
Of Boris' own words around the union and Northern Ireland
Can I offer my condolences on the death of the Conservative & Unionist Party - is Boris proud of the Boris Nationalist Party
A reminder
Of Boris' own words around the union and Northern Ireland
https://twitter.com/ByDonkeys/status/1184738823420502016
4.
Quote Thatcher at him
Quote Thatcher at him
5.
Use Boris' words to quote back at him/his party
e.g. Michael fallon when preseted with anonymised words
Use Boris' words to quote back at him/his party
e.g. Michael fallon when preseted with anonymised words
6.
Do not let a man AND his party
Who spaffed on the union
Who lied to the Queen
Appropriate the flag of this nation
Ask him what the flag stands for
Do not let a man AND his party
Who spaffed on the union
Who lied to the Queen
Appropriate the flag of this nation
Ask him what the flag stands for
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1184843920578093057
7.
Hammer away at questions on his moral compass
Hammer away at questions on his moral compass
8.
Every PM finds their own style to evade questions
Focus on Boris and find what he struggles with , what voters dislike and use that
e.g. here is Theresa May on VIDEO accusing the police of crying wolf
theconversation.com/theresa-may-ha…
Every PM finds their own style to evade questions
Focus on Boris and find what he struggles with , what voters dislike and use that
e.g. here is Theresa May on VIDEO accusing the police of crying wolf
theconversation.com/theresa-may-ha…
Here's a thread on the "People's Government"
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1321871265553096704
9.
Remember his words
Record his words
Thatcher has an entire archive of her words
Do this for Boris
Every place of his words article, radio, tv, visit, speech, Hansard, daily briefing
Preserve it for posterity
As a remembrance
And as a warning
To future generations
Remember his words
Record his words
Thatcher has an entire archive of her words
Do this for Boris
Every place of his words article, radio, tv, visit, speech, Hansard, daily briefing
Preserve it for posterity
As a remembrance
And as a warning
To future generations
10.
Address his colleagues. Ask them what would they not do?
Matt Hancock
proroguing parliament would go against “everything that those men who waded on to those beaches fought and died for”, adding: “And I will not have it.”
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
Address his colleagues. Ask them what would they not do?
Matt Hancock
proroguing parliament would go against “everything that those men who waded on to those beaches fought and died for”, adding: “And I will not have it.”
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
11.
Now I know parliamentary rules prevent you from calling someone a liar
So borrow a leaf from Dennis Skinner
Now I know parliamentary rules prevent you from calling someone a liar
So borrow a leaf from Dennis Skinner
12.
If borrowing a leaf from Dennis Skinner isn’t your choice then borrow one from Kwasi Kwarteng
Resort to “many people say”
facebook.com/BBCPolitics/vi…
If borrowing a leaf from Dennis Skinner isn’t your choice then borrow one from Kwasi Kwarteng
Resort to “many people say”
facebook.com/BBCPolitics/vi…
See of course
The Daily Telegraph
And the "People's Government"
And next they came for the judiciary
The Daily Telegraph
And the "People's Government"
And next they came for the judiciary
https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1370302846768398337
"Many, many times since it all happened I have pondered that pair of great maxims, Principiis obsta and Finem respice—‘Resist the beginnings’ and ‘Consider the end.’ "
press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/5…
press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/5…
13.
react as Boris Johnson does when on LBC with Ken Livingston
As Maya Angelou says below - channel the anger
react as Boris Johnson does when on LBC with Ken Livingston
As Maya Angelou says below - channel the anger
https://twitter.com/IanDunt/status/1370322183793295370
14.
Sing, dance and joke
Turn him, his words, his effects into prose
Into song
Into jokes
Into dance
I tried to do this in memory of the Garden of England becoming the Garage of England
Sing, dance and joke
Turn him, his words, his effects into prose
Into song
Into jokes
Into dance
I tried to do this in memory of the Garden of England becoming the Garage of England
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1345296244533587968
15. This is my last suggestion
Mimic Johnson
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
Go big
Go bold
Go unshackled
Liberate yourself from having to have any regard for telling the truth
Make things up
Make them up big
Lie and lie big
Mimic Johnson
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
Go big
Go bold
Go unshackled
Liberate yourself from having to have any regard for telling the truth
Make things up
Make them up big
Lie and lie big
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1369944068004982786
So I am wrapping up this section now
Here's a reminder of someone being held account for their past racist comments
Here's a reminder of someone being held account for their past racist comments
https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/1372669118474780673
Here's a reminder of Boris Johnson's words
https://twitter.com/snigskitchen/status/1274729578628603904
Now I often try and imagine the best representation for Boris Johnson
Is it a totem?
An idol?
The head of a battering ram?
Is it a totem?
An idol?
The head of a battering ram?
Here is an example of an evaluation of a country
Kidding that was actually about Stalin
Here's the fuller quote & link
press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/pres…
Here's the fuller quote & link
press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/pres…
Now as Tory MP's go full tilt at flag shagging
What does the flag stand for ?
The flag is a "symbol of liberty and freedom that binds the whole country together"
What does the flag stand for ?
The flag is a "symbol of liberty and freedom that binds the whole country together"
https://mobile.twitter.com/RobertJenrick/status/1372612389779161102
Here's a reminder of a story
Simple questions to Tories:
What does the Monarch mean to you?
What does the flag mean to you?
As you lie to the monarch
Break the law
Prorogue Parliament
And put a border in Irish Sea no unionist could support
What does the Monarch mean to you?
What does the flag mean to you?
As you lie to the monarch
Break the law
Prorogue Parliament
And put a border in Irish Sea no unionist could support
Apparently now
Not showing the "correct" number of flags is disloyal to the Queen and to the union
Not showing the "correct" number of flags is disloyal to the Queen and to the union
https://twitter.com/PickardJE/status/1374109150423216132
I wouldn't mock Robert Jenrick for the flag he feels he has to put in his zoom background
I would mock him for his fawning over Richard Desmond that saved him nearly £50 million of tax only netted a Conservative donation of £12k
Imagine doing that for only £12k
I would mock him for his fawning over Richard Desmond that saved him nearly £50 million of tax only netted a Conservative donation of £12k
Imagine doing that for only £12k
To quote President Andrew Shepherd
Here instead is a real President with a counterpoint to well... another American President
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1251044564611338241
Anyway to go back to the words of President Andrew Shepherd
"Being President of this country is entirely about character."
"Being President of this country is entirely about character."
There is a reason why Boris Johnson and his cult want a culture war
To protect them
Amidst austerity, brexit and covid
It is all about forming a protective square (or ring) around Boris Johnson
And his successor who is yet to be revealed
To protect them
Amidst austerity, brexit and covid
It is all about forming a protective square (or ring) around Boris Johnson
And his successor who is yet to be revealed
A reminder - a culture war is nothing new
9/9/1977 Margaret Thatcher
margaretthatcher.org/document/103268
9/9/1977 Margaret Thatcher
margaretthatcher.org/document/103268
Now I remember Krishnan Guru Murphy doing the same word anonymisation game with Michael Fallon
theguardian.com/politics/2017/…
theguardian.com/politics/2017/…
So here's another from Priti
Your reminder: As part of denying the conclusions of a report into HER bullying her staff - she denied that she had read that report
Your reminder: As part of denying the conclusions of a report into HER bullying her staff - she denied that she had read that report
https://twitter.com/itvpeston/status/1372255339626835976
A reminder for the Priti Patel bullying
The story is both
The bully
And the PM who interfered to try to tamper with the investigation
The story is both
The bully
And the PM who interfered to try to tamper with the investigation
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1367507825082195974
Anyway back to sexual violence
Conservative MP's got really upset at the below
I wrote a short thing wondering why they got angry at the words on it
Rather than the thing itself
Conservative MP's got really upset at the below
I wrote a short thing wondering why they got angry at the words on it
Rather than the thing itself
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1371948321502281733
Now I agree with Boris on the words below
https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1372162289206489089
"Do you understand that victims of child sexual abuse, survivors of child sexual abuse will hear you use the word 'spaffed' - which means 'ejaculated', prime minister,"
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Now I tried to find how many times Thatcher got into arguing over what a word meant in that arena of activity
spaffing 0
ejaculation 0
wanking 0
masturbation 1 (around sex education concerns)
margaretthatcher.org/document/102106
spaffing 0
ejaculation 0
wanking 0
masturbation 1 (around sex education concerns)
margaretthatcher.org/document/102106
Now that's enough on sexual violence
Now we turn to Britain's place in the world
“I am profoundly optimistic about the U.K.’s place in the world and our ability to seize the opportunities ahead,”
Not just optimistic
Profoundly optimistic
hindustantimes.com/world-news/joh…
Now we turn to Britain's place in the world
“I am profoundly optimistic about the U.K.’s place in the world and our ability to seize the opportunities ahead,”
Not just optimistic
Profoundly optimistic
hindustantimes.com/world-news/joh…
I am curious at Britain becoming a "global activist"
A reminder of Boris and not understanding doing good
A reminder of Boris and not understanding doing good
https://twitter.com/magnitsky/status/1273680896042962946
So I would ask Boris to define
What makes him "profoundly optimistic"?
A reminder Dominic Raab on a 10 year view
theguardian.com/politics/2021/…
What makes him "profoundly optimistic"?
A reminder Dominic Raab on a 10 year view
theguardian.com/politics/2021/…
Oh here is Jacob Rees Mogg on the lost half century
https://mobile.twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1020671636524191745
Here is Jacob lying to his constitients about the brexit dividend
Boris Johnson *COULD NOT* persuade his own brother of the blessed sunlit uplands that brexit is
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
theguardian.com/politics/2019/…
And I mentioned Dominic Raab
Here is Dominic's view on a 2nd referendum - one he wanted simply if he lost
Here is Dominic's view on a 2nd referendum - one he wanted simply if he lost
See also: David Davis
So anyway back to open global Britain and the "activism" of Boris Johnson
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
"In a message entitled “TRUST” sent to civil servants on Wednesday morning, Barton berated those who leaked Raab’s comments to HuffPost UK and Bloomberg, saying they had caused “significant breaches of the trust placed in us”."
theguardian.com/politics/2021/…
theguardian.com/politics/2021/…
The notion of anyone sending a email titled "TRUST" regarding Dominic Raab or Boris Johnson's behaviour is hilarious
Alas
Alas
Oh also from Foreign Office
“We don’t junk whole relationships because we’ve got issues – we have a conversation because we want to change the behaviour. And I think we’re in a much better position to do that if we’re willing to engage.
“We don’t junk whole relationships because we’ve got issues – we have a conversation because we want to change the behaviour. And I think we’re in a much better position to do that if we’re willing to engage.
https://twitter.com/FCDOHumanRights/status/1285145691841605632
How did that work out for the Uighur?
Boris Johnson:
The Mayor warned that it would be “economic folly” to prevent major foreign investors pouring money into housing, transport and utilities and that he had “no qualms” about them doing so.
standard.co.uk/news/politics/…
The Mayor warned that it would be “economic folly” to prevent major foreign investors pouring money into housing, transport and utilities and that he had “no qualms” about them doing so.
standard.co.uk/news/politics/…
How Jacob Rees Mogg responds to things is quite sad
He just cannot play the ball
So here he is responding to Dominic Raab's words
He just cannot play the ball
So here he is responding to Dominic Raab's words
https://twitter.com/mikeysmith/status/1372526918986252288
Roll on a day
And apparently Boris Johnson would not have said that
And apparently Boris Johnson would not have said that
https://twitter.com/PoliticsForAlI/status/1372904049096396803
And *refuses to say*
I don't actually have an issue with Yes or No as an answer
Provided you can explain what and why you answer that way
I don't actually have an issue with Yes or No as an answer
Provided you can explain what and why you answer that way
https://twitter.com/politicshome/status/1372913182705123329
If you can fling a protective square around the Prittster
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1367507825082195974
A reminder on what Boris Johnson did say and him being held to account for those words
Here also is Jacob reduced to such pathetic BS as a deflection
I pity him
Jacob Rees Mogg on responding to the nepotism in government procurement contracts
I pity him
Jacob Rees Mogg on responding to the nepotism in government procurement contracts
https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1364944314825117708
See also:
The happiest fish in the world
I want to know
Which experts did he consult to determine their happiness?
facebook.com/LBC/videos/208…
The happiest fish in the world
I want to know
Which experts did he consult to determine their happiness?
facebook.com/LBC/videos/208…
So I am going to finish this third section with a thread
Before we go on to ABC
I am going to end with a focus on Boris Johnson
Before we go on to ABC
I am going to end with a focus on Boris Johnson
https://twitter.com/WinstonCProject/status/1372890427347628040
Whichever of the 15 you do
Do not rely on it being the purview of any one political party or group or political side of the spectrum
Do not rely on it being the purview of any one political party or group or political side of the spectrum
All opposition parties are struggling to triangulate in the messed up world of British politics as Boris Johnson simultaneously wants to proclaim brexit done and its wonderful AND stoke the divisive fires of it it being under threat
And you can be damned sure whether we have a general election in 2024 or ahead of then
The Tories will weaponise anything and everything in pursuit of victory
The Tories will weaponise anything and everything in pursuit of victory
This is something we all should do
Despite politicians
Despite politicians
And there is a key point
Words matter
Do not allow Boris Johnson or his cult to control, define or limit the words used
“Take back control” of words
Words matter
Do not allow Boris Johnson or his cult to control, define or limit the words used
“Take back control” of words
Abraham Lincoln
“I should regret to see the day in which the people should cease to express intelligent, honest generous criticism upon the policy of their rulers.”
“I should regret to see the day in which the people should cease to express intelligent, honest generous criticism upon the policy of their rulers.”
Don’t let anyone deride you as a keyboard warrior
After all whether it be Fact Check U.K. , AIQ or Cambridge analytica this lot want to weaponise social media
buzzfeed.com/alexspence/the…
After all whether it be Fact Check U.K. , AIQ or Cambridge analytica this lot want to weaponise social media
buzzfeed.com/alexspence/the…
Of course the irony is that some of the heaviest criticism of brexit now comes from those who sold its lies and racist bullshit eg the ERG and BXP/UKIP/Reform Party or WTAF they call themselves
They need an eternal war
For their grift
For a distraction
They need an eternal war
For their grift
For a distraction
The fault can never be on those who brought you austerity, brexit and covid
It must always be someone else’s fault
It must always be someone else’s fault
Hence deflections are necessary
On China
On “wokeness”
On BLM
On culture
On history
Oh statues
For their business
For their base
On China
On “wokeness”
On BLM
On culture
On history
Oh statues
For their business
For their base
Oh on China
We have come along way in a century
Not sure - but this poster brought back memories of brexit and "pigs ears"
digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/7cfe15…
We have come along way in a century
Not sure - but this poster brought back memories of brexit and "pigs ears"
digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/7cfe15…
To George and Boris
It was never just about hiding brexit within covid
It was about hiding everything within Boris - brexit is just one of the strands of that protective umbrella that Boris uses to shield behind
It was about hiding everything within Boris - brexit is just one of the strands of that protective umbrella that Boris uses to shield behind
It is all only and ever about the grift
For self, career and party
Just like “fuck business”
For self, career and party
Just like “fuck business”
When you can deliberately promise anything to your constituents in the full knowledge that once elected you will do anything to break that promise
theguardian.com/environment/20…
theguardian.com/environment/20…
Here's a reminder of school special needs cuts
https://twitter.com/SchoolsWeek/status/1372955531569201155
Now there are 3 actors in that breaking of a promise
The person who made the promise
The people to who he made the promise
The person who enabled him to be sent overseas to avoid a vote on it
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
The person who made the promise
The people to who he made the promise
The person who enabled him to be sent overseas to avoid a vote on it
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
So as I wrap up this section.
Before I come on to ABC
I want to finish with two stories to illustrate the hollow bullshit served up by the Conservative party
Before I come on to ABC
I want to finish with two stories to illustrate the hollow bullshit served up by the Conservative party
first on sexual assaults
The confected anger at the Labour Party
Is to mask shame
The legacy of a decade of their rule
The confected anger at the Labour Party
Is to mask shame
The legacy of a decade of their rule
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1371948321502281733
And 2nd on vaccine exports
The best most effective form of export ban
Is where you do not have to put a ban in at all to achieve the same result
The best most effective form of export ban
Is where you do not have to put a ban in at all to achieve the same result
https://twitter.com/MatinaStevis/status/1369639472447565833
Ask a simple question of any minister , MP or Tory
How many vaccines has the U.K. exported ?
It’s a simple Q
To refute a ban you would answer it
How many vaccines has the U.K. exported ?
It’s a simple Q
To refute a ban you would answer it
But the U.K. government cannot
Instead the only minister I saw deflecting with actual quite sad attempts was covax shipments of vaccine which she ofc neglected to mention were *EXPORTED BY INDIA*
Instead the only minister I saw deflecting with actual quite sad attempts was covax shipments of vaccine which she ofc neglected to mention were *EXPORTED BY INDIA*
Now I have no issue with U.K. government hoarding all U.K. produced vaccines
Just be open and own that decision
Stand proud
e.g. British jabs for British subjects
Own the decision
Defend it
That you can’t .... well
Just be open and own that decision
Stand proud
e.g. British jabs for British subjects
Own the decision
Defend it
That you can’t .... well
So at the last here in a section of ideas
If Boris Johnson can lie about protective rings in care homes
Form a protective square around Priti when she bullies
Form a protective square around Rishi and David
There dishonour is infinite
If Boris Johnson can lie about protective rings in care homes
Form a protective square around Priti when she bullies
Form a protective square around Rishi and David
There dishonour is infinite
https://twitter.com/PickardJE/status/1374072096687546370
Just a reminder
A "joke" between a PM, Queen, Archbishop and Speaker
A "joke" between a PM, Queen, Archbishop and Speaker
Now before I move onto my 4th section on ABC
I wrap up with a warning
this is a long thread in and of itself with a lot of threads included from other people and their recording of the words and acts of Boris Johnson
It starts with Jacob Rees Mogg
I wrap up with a warning
this is a long thread in and of itself with a lot of threads included from other people and their recording of the words and acts of Boris Johnson
It starts with Jacob Rees Mogg
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1201096472235847681
So I have finished my 3rd section
My fourth and final section is ABC
Here is Usher with an intro
My fourth and final section is ABC
Here is Usher with an intro
Now I apologise
This section is going to contain some threads and some compendium threads
So there's a lot here
Peruse it and read it as much as you wish to
There is a lot in here
This section is going to contain some threads and some compendium threads
So there's a lot here
Peruse it and read it as much as you wish to
There is a lot in here
I had a flashback there to a musical thread I did on Georgia
Back in the days where a President was trying to tamper with electoral results
Back in the days where a President was trying to tamper with electoral results
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1346471633012178947
Roll on
And that President led an insurrection to storm the capitol and interrupt the operation of Congress
I did a thread on that with an introduction from Kipling
And a comparison between Donald and Boris
And that President led an insurrection to storm the capitol and interrupt the operation of Congress
I did a thread on that with an introduction from Kipling
And a comparison between Donald and Boris
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1348593396005351424
Anyway back to ABC
Now first of all before we talk about austerity
I am old enough to remember a note
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
I am old enough to remember a note
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Now any party coming in in 2010
Was going to face a backdrop of how they dealt with the aftermath of the global financial crash
Was going to face a backdrop of how they dealt with the aftermath of the global financial crash
to highlight
"Drawing the lesson that austerity had become an electoral asset and useful stick with which to beat Labour, the Chancellor doubled down. He tightened his fiscal rules in a way that virtually the entire economics profession regarded as economically illiterate"
"Drawing the lesson that austerity had become an electoral asset and useful stick with which to beat Labour, the Chancellor doubled down. He tightened his fiscal rules in a way that virtually the entire economics profession regarded as economically illiterate"
And there was always going to be a point at which
If you need to take tough decisions
Fine
Take them
But *be prepared* to defend them
e.g. the aunt & mother of the PM raising concerns
theargus.co.uk/news/14262322.…
If you need to take tough decisions
Fine
Take them
But *be prepared* to defend them
e.g. the aunt & mother of the PM raising concerns
theargus.co.uk/news/14262322.…
And David Cameron's response was to spout utter bullshit at the local council leader
A reminder on the European Investment Bank
A reminder
A country is NOT a household
A country is NOT a household
https://twitter.com/bbcquestiontime/status/1367612897661173760
I don’t want to talk about build back better
Anyone using that slogan better explain to me first what and whom are we building back better / levelling up from?
Because if you don’t understand the last decade
Anyone using that slogan better explain to me first what and whom are we building back better / levelling up from?
Because if you don’t understand the last decade
Then those who delivered that will soon declare "build back better" done
It will come just in time for the next general election
As will lots of tory focus on spaffing cash at their target seats
It will come just in time for the next general election
As will lots of tory focus on spaffing cash at their target seats
Here's Nicky Morgan
Baroness now
Baroness now
So we end our austerity lesson with Liz Truss
And a simple question
How did it affect you and your local constituency
And she *cannot* answer
And a simple question
How did it affect you and your local constituency
And she *cannot* answer
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1202012607928061952
Yet somehow the party cheer her on
Oh yes a reminder
"He (Boris) does not want to use archaic procedures"
"He (Boris) does not want to use archaic procedures"
https://twitter.com/bbcnewsnight/status/1144004341092585472
Roll on a few months
And what did Boris do
And what did Boris do
See also
M. Thatcher
"My Britain is one where the rule of law is upheld, impartially even against the most powerful bodies in our community and where those entrusted with upholding the law, whether policemen or judges, are given respect, support and encouragement. "
"My Britain is one where the rule of law is upheld, impartially even against the most powerful bodies in our community and where those entrusted with upholding the law, whether policemen or judges, are given respect, support and encouragement. "
Ronald Reagan
"It has been said that an institution is the lengthening shadow of a man. This institution is the lengthening shadow of all the men and women who have sat here and all those who have voted to send representatives here."
americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronal…
"It has been said that an institution is the lengthening shadow of a man. This institution is the lengthening shadow of all the men and women who have sat here and all those who have voted to send representatives here."
americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronal…
M. Thatcher
"Under treaties we accept obligations which we ourselves help to formulate. "
&
“Britain does not renounce Treaties..to do so would damage our integrity as well as international relations"
"Under treaties we accept obligations which we ourselves help to formulate. "
&
“Britain does not renounce Treaties..to do so would damage our integrity as well as international relations"
To return to a musical muse
So next we move on to brexit
It couldn't have been won without austerity
It needed an environment where people were annoyed and frustrated at politicians and their policies
But they could be deflected by lies and racism
It couldn't have been won without austerity
It needed an environment where people were annoyed and frustrated at politicians and their policies
But they could be deflected by lies and racism
Now in 5 years I have only seen 2 Brexit “dividends” that it has revealed
1) It could only be won by cheating, lies and racism
2) Having been “won” those who sold it will do anything to sell on the the shitshow, lie to the Queen, spaff on the union, break the law. Anything.
1) It could only be won by cheating, lies and racism
2) Having been “won” those who sold it will do anything to sell on the the shitshow, lie to the Queen, spaff on the union, break the law. Anything.
Racism and xenophobia of course has always existed
See also
Now I actually happen to agree with both Nigel's upset at being called a "fruitcake" long ago
I would call racists racists
I would call racists racists
Because what you need to do is as a politician
Is be prepared to have an adult converstaion about the consequences of your policies
And own their effects
Without resorting to racism, othering and xenophobia as a deflection
Alas
With brexit
We had years and decades of that
Is be prepared to have an adult converstaion about the consequences of your policies
And own their effects
Without resorting to racism, othering and xenophobia as a deflection
Alas
With brexit
We had years and decades of that
So instead of having an informed conversation about immigration
About what immigrants bring to a country
And look to a Home Secretary who supressed not one study
But 9
civilserviceworld.com/professions/ar…
About what immigrants bring to a country
And look to a Home Secretary who supressed not one study
But 9
civilserviceworld.com/professions/ar…
Oh yes a reminder
“All his cabinet agreed with that unilateral offer, except his home secretary, Mrs May, who insisted on blocking it.”
theguardian.com/politics/2017/…
“All his cabinet agreed with that unilateral offer, except his home secretary, Mrs May, who insisted on blocking it.”
theguardian.com/politics/2017/…
Also T. May
"if you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere. You don’t understand what citizenship means.”
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
"if you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere. You don’t understand what citizenship means.”
theguardian.com/politics/2018/…
“ We hope wherever they go in this wide domain, to which we set no limits in the European Continent, they will truly feel "Here I am at home. I am a citizen of this country too".”
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1110855444296290304
Daniel J Hannan
"It's irresponsible to scare EU nationals in the UK by hinting that their status might change after Brexit. No one's suggesting such a thing,"
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
"It's irresponsible to scare EU nationals in the UK by hinting that their status might change after Brexit. No one's suggesting such a thing,"
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
I am now going to do something unusual
I am going to agree with Steve Bannon
"let them call you racists
let them call you xenophobes
let them call you nativists
wear it as a badge of honour“
facebook.com/fullfrontalsam…
I am going to agree with Steve Bannon
"let them call you racists
let them call you xenophobes
let them call you nativists
wear it as a badge of honour“
facebook.com/fullfrontalsam…
I would much rather racists, xenophobes and nativists wore it as a badge of honour
Don't hide it
I would rather you were open about it
This is 20 minutes long
But it is a reminder of Farage is open as to what he is
It's an old one from @mrjamesob
Don't hide it
I would rather you were open about it
This is 20 minutes long
But it is a reminder of Farage is open as to what he is
It's an old one from @mrjamesob
And in case you think it was just Nigel peddling the racism
It wasn't
Vote Leave of course wanted to rely on Nigel to do the dirty work for them so they could (try to) keep their hands clean
They didn't
Vote Leave lent full in as well
It wasn't
Vote Leave of course wanted to rely on Nigel to do the dirty work for them so they could (try to) keep their hands clean
They didn't
Vote Leave lent full in as well
Anything justified in order to win
A reminder
Boris Johnson DENIED that Vote Leave mentioned Turkey in the referendum
A reminder
Boris Johnson DENIED that Vote Leave mentioned Turkey in the referendum
https://twitter.com/g_gosden/status/1366370629461639176
Here's a reminder:
Oh yes AND
Vote Leave DOCTORED a video of the Turkish parliament
Ask yourself
WHY did they doctor it?
Imagine if another EU nation, a NATO ally doctored a video of the UK parliament
Can you imagine how politicians in the UK would react?
Vote Leave DOCTORED a video of the Turkish parliament
Ask yourself
WHY did they doctor it?
Imagine if another EU nation, a NATO ally doctored a video of the UK parliament
Can you imagine how politicians in the UK would react?
Oh yes and see the benefit of immigration
"The cost of lower EU migration will be greater than the benefits of a US trade deal, leaked Brexit analysis says"
uk.businessinsider.com/cost-lower-eu-…
"The cost of lower EU migration will be greater than the benefits of a US trade deal, leaked Brexit analysis says"
uk.businessinsider.com/cost-lower-eu-…
So the question is why can you not have an honest conversation about demographics
About the population
And about trends within it
euronews.com/2016/11/15/the…
About the population
And about trends within it
euronews.com/2016/11/15/the…
A reminder here is the Department for Education on immigration trends and impacts on school numbers
oh yes and see also
The Warsaw government’s Powroty, or Returns, programme is aimed at persuading back the army of well educated and skilled workers who flocked to the UK when Poland joined the EU more than a decade ago.
telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/im…
The Warsaw government’s Powroty, or Returns, programme is aimed at persuading back the army of well educated and skilled workers who flocked to the UK when Poland joined the EU more than a decade ago.
telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/im…
A research paper by academics the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence published in January estimated that around half a million non-UK born workers had left the UK during the pandemic – many of them EU citizens.
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
This was a good Radio 4 show on a discussion on demographics and population trends
bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08…
bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08…
Now obviously you can try and have government programme's to support procreation
No I don't mean Boris Johnson and his technology tutor
independent.co.uk/news/world/eur…
No I don't mean Boris Johnson and his technology tutor
independent.co.uk/news/world/eur…
Now I know I will get the usual screams from brexiteers going
There was no racism
I voted for brexit and I'm not racist
So
Sit down
Brexit was sold with racism and xenophobia
You are either ok with that or you are not
There was no racism
I voted for brexit and I'm not racist
So
Sit down
Brexit was sold with racism and xenophobia
You are either ok with that or you are not
Now I am not saying everyone who voted for brexit is a racist
But you accepted a product sold with racism
Those who sold it - knew they had to sell it with racism and xenophobia
And those who bought it with it either because of it or despite it
You knew what it was
But you accepted a product sold with racism
Those who sold it - knew they had to sell it with racism and xenophobia
And those who bought it with it either because of it or despite it
You knew what it was
So we return to one simple question
Boris Johnson and Michael Gove stated they had a plan for brexit
Where is it?
Who contributed to the plan?
Who reviewed the plan?
Here's Dominic and Michael/Boris
Boris Johnson and Michael Gove stated they had a plan for brexit
Where is it?
Who contributed to the plan?
Who reviewed the plan?
Here's Dominic and Michael/Boris
Here is Lord Lawson
Here's Michael on that plan
Not just a plan
A proper plan
Not just a plan
A proper plan
So I could just leave you with that one simple question
Any time you see Boris, Michael, Gisela or any other vote leave liar
Ask them
Where is the plan?
After all it should take pride of place at FUK
express.co.uk/news/uk/139774…
Any time you see Boris, Michael, Gisela or any other vote leave liar
Ask them
Where is the plan?
After all it should take pride of place at FUK
express.co.uk/news/uk/139774…
The plan should be held aloft
The document which led Britain forward on the path to the sunlit uplands
The document which led Britain forward on the path to the sunlit uplands
Joking of course
Here is Boris' 10 point “plan” that he released in september 2017
telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/1…
Here is Boris' 10 point “plan” that he released in september 2017
telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/1…
Anyone remember that red bus
And the promise lie of £350 million a week and “let us”
Well....
Why in the duck are any of you still believing that lie?
*EVEN* Nigel Farage was so embarrassed he disowned that lie the day after the referendum
And the promise lie of £350 million a week and “let us”
Well....
Why in the duck are any of you still believing that lie?
*EVEN* Nigel Farage was so embarrassed he disowned that lie the day after the referendum
Here is Jacob not just doubling down on the lies of a red bus
But quintupling down on it
Imagine lying so unashamedly in front of your constituents
Imagine the contempt you have that they will fall for or not care of your lies
But quintupling down on it
Imagine lying so unashamedly in front of your constituents
Imagine the contempt you have that they will fall for or not care of your lies
"A new study by King’s College London of attitudes to Brexit found that 42 per cent of people who had heard of the claim still believe it is true, while just 36 per cent thought it was false and 22 per cent were unsure"
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
From the same article
"The former boss of the Vote Leave campaign, Dominic Cummings, admitted after the referendum that “all our research and the close result strongly suggests” that Remain would have won without the advert."
Also Dominic
"The former boss of the Vote Leave campaign, Dominic Cummings, admitted after the referendum that “all our research and the close result strongly suggests” that Remain would have won without the advert."
Also Dominic
The incoherent bullshit of those who promised things during the Leave campaign
See: Sir Bernard Jenkin & George Eustice
See: Sir Bernard Jenkin & George Eustice
A reminder of what brexit has cost us *so far*
>£4.4bn brexit prep cost
£170bn BOE stimulus cost
>£130bn lost growth (so far)
£39bn liabilities
>£4.4bn brexit prep cost
£170bn BOE stimulus cost
>£130bn lost growth (so far)
£39bn liabilities
Here is Jacob though
Not to worry
Jacob is so so desperate to sell you the uplands
Here he is on an article about food savings that was so bad and inaccurate even the Sun withdrew it
Jacob is so so desperate to sell you the uplands
Here he is on an article about food savings that was so bad and inaccurate even the Sun withdrew it
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1024895987876343808
Not to worry though
Jacob is a believer in horoscopes
It would be better to “consult a newspaper horoscope than treasury forecasts”
theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/ja…
Jacob is a believer in horoscopes
It would be better to “consult a newspaper horoscope than treasury forecasts”
theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/ja…
Do let me know
Why are these companies not sharing his faith in horoscopes?
fortune.com/2020/10/01/ban…
Why are these companies not sharing his faith in horoscopes?
fortune.com/2020/10/01/ban…
Hence why the government are desperately spending money on an advertising campaign
https://twitter.com/JackDromeyMP/status/1371842442291515407
So there is a reason why Michael Gove has to spread the bullshit of
people have “had enough of experts”
people have “had enough of experts”
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1034127151874957319
And a reminder from June 2020
Brexit is so bad
Tories want to exploit coronavirus to hide brexit within
Imagine being so shameless
Brexit is so bad
Tories want to exploit coronavirus to hide brexit within
Imagine being so shameless
And don’t even start with the Freeport bullshit
https://twitter.com/BestForBritain/status/1367468333944168450
So if you don’t want to talk about actual economic damage
Here is a thread on the “feeling” of sovereignty
Here is a thread on the “feeling” of sovereignty
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1337005707263172609
Here is one on Liz Truss
A woman who knows she is selling tickets to the ghost train
The simplest thing she could do is explain how it would be better
She can’t
A woman who knows she is selling tickets to the ghost train
The simplest thing she could do is explain how it would be better
She can’t
So Liz Truss managed to get continuity deals
To allow the U.K. to roughly stand still
She sold these as a massive prize
All they are is damage limitation exercises
To allow the U.K. to roughly stand still
She sold these as a massive prize
All they are is damage limitation exercises
A reminder on David Davis and those massive trade deals that await within 2 years
conservativehome.com/platform/2016/…
conservativehome.com/platform/2016/…
Here is one on Liam Fox
On that “easiest deal in history”
On that “easiest deal in history”
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1064947049119051777
Anyway back to Liz
She is selling on the shit
She is desperate
And I have sympathy with her
She knows it’s a shitshow
All that matters is that she ride that wave of shit to higher office
She is selling on the shit
She is desperate
And I have sympathy with her
She knows it’s a shitshow
All that matters is that she ride that wave of shit to higher office
Which ever country it is
For example Japan
She can only pretend her deal is better by comparing it against no deal
For example Japan
She can only pretend her deal is better by comparing it against no deal
https://twitter.com/EmilyThornberry/status/1331920701171888133
See also America
We will get a deal
But we are desperate
Weakened
Enfeebled
We will get a deal
But we are desperate
Weakened
Enfeebled
Here’s a reminder on protectionism
I talked earlier of charity in one of Aristotle’s virtues
Well
“Open global Britain” has been unashamed at saying it would use foreign aid as a trade tool
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
Well
“Open global Britain” has been unashamed at saying it would use foreign aid as a trade tool
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
This week apparently Conservative representatives want us to bomb Bristol
That was on Monday
God knows what the rest of this week will bring
That was on Monday
God knows what the rest of this week will bring
Anyway here’s a 50 pence piece
Never mind though I am sure at some point the BS of buying a new royal yacht will come back around in the news cycle
express.co.uk/news/uk/897239…
express.co.uk/news/uk/897239…
Maybe like the Bung a Bob for a Big Ben Bong
We can crowdfund for a royal yacht
We can crowdfund for a royal yacht
https://mobile.twitter.com/pandascottish/status/1217031358939369473
Not to worry Boris has two aeroplanes now
https://twitter.com/Independent/status/1373997963320684551
First of all
Just so it’s clear I am not picking on Boris
Here’s a thread on Michael Gove
Just so it’s clear I am not picking on Boris
Here’s a thread on Michael Gove
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1260888879948869636
Oh and Jacob Rees Mogg
Here I start from Jacob with Ben Bradley spouting shite on foreign aid and "subjects"
Here I start from Jacob with Ben Bradley spouting shite on foreign aid and "subjects"
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1333364793579888640
Here is Mogg confirming that you should take the 50 year view
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1020691324637536257
Here is Andrew Bowie on not being able to articulate to young adults how brexit will be any benefit in their lifetime
https://twitter.com/AdamBienkov/status/1367474671017418758
So on a final topic on brexit
Here is Northern Ireland
Yes that place where Vote Leave said they had many solutions to the NI border
Here is Northern Ireland
Yes that place where Vote Leave said they had many solutions to the NI border
We are now 5 years in
And
Unspecified technology
drones
Blimps
Radar
Border posts shifted away from border
Maxfac
Alternative arrangements
Haven’t solved it
And
Unspecified technology
drones
Blimps
Radar
Border posts shifted away from border
Maxfac
Alternative arrangements
Haven’t solved it
And you roll on to a border in the Irish Sea
Put there by a “Conservative and Unionist Party” Prime Minister whose words well....
Put there by a “Conservative and Unionist Party” Prime Minister whose words well....
https://mobile.twitter.com/pandascottish/status/1184843920578093057
The contempt that liars have for those who fall for their lies
Is only exceeded by the lack of honour those who peddle the lies have
Is only exceeded by the lack of honour those who peddle the lies have
https://twitter.com/adampayne26/status/1370305016880365570
It is also even more insulting
That those who lied to the Queen
Who break the law of international treaty as easily as they unlawfully prorogue Parliament
Who spaff on the union
Go full flag shagging on the flag, Her Majesty and Maggie iconography
That those who lied to the Queen
Who break the law of international treaty as easily as they unlawfully prorogue Parliament
Who spaff on the union
Go full flag shagging on the flag, Her Majesty and Maggie iconography
https://twitter.com/RobertJenrick/status/1372612389779161102
So anyway
I could go about so much in brexit
But you can see where the thematic lies from GB News
It aligns with and reinforces the themes from the People's Government
I could go about so much in brexit
But you can see where the thematic lies from GB News
It aligns with and reinforces the themes from the People's Government
https://twitter.com/afneil/status/126610797746084
Now on innovation
That will be the new theme alongside environment
Along with the war on woke/culture/heritage/China brought to you by the flag shagging People's Government
Innovation and environment are two themes they will hammer
That will be the new theme alongside environment
Along with the war on woke/culture/heritage/China brought to you by the flag shagging People's Government
Innovation and environment are two themes they will hammer
The UK ranked 11th of all EU countries’ R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP in 2017.
ons.gov.uk/economy/govern…
ons.gov.uk/economy/govern…
Funding for the NGI includes £38m from the Government, as part of £50m allocated for graphene research. The remaining £23m was awarded to the University by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
graphene.manchester.ac.uk/collaborate/na…
graphene.manchester.ac.uk/collaborate/na…
Here is one of those graphene experts
Nobel Prize-winning physicist Andre Geim
“We cannot even expect a neutral outcome anymore,” he says. “The question now is simply: to what extent is this going to be a disaster for science in the U.K.”
independent.co.uk/news/science/b…
Nobel Prize-winning physicist Andre Geim
“We cannot even expect a neutral outcome anymore,” he says. “The question now is simply: to what extent is this going to be a disaster for science in the U.K.”
independent.co.uk/news/science/b…
Before I wrap up
To celebrate the Garden of England being turned into a franchise of Farage Garage's
I took the words of a Vera Lynn song and amended it
To celebrate the Garden of England being turned into a franchise of Farage Garage's
I took the words of a Vera Lynn song and amended it
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1367507825082195974
To wrap up brexit
I did a simple thread which quoted Margaret Thatcher
A woman whose party
Spaffed on her grave
Spaffed on the union
Spaffed on the monarch
All for self and career
She would be ashamed of them
I did a simple thread which quoted Margaret Thatcher
A woman whose party
Spaffed on her grave
Spaffed on the union
Spaffed on the monarch
All for self and career
She would be ashamed of them
https://mobile.twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1342019458366382081
Now we come to the final letter (so far)
C is for Coronavirus
God help us with whatever the Tories do with the letter DENIED
First of all
Here's the father of the Prime Minister
With his judgement
C is for Coronavirus
God help us with whatever the Tories do with the letter DENIED
First of all
Here's the father of the Prime Minister
With his judgement
https://mobile.twitter.com/jasongroves1/status/1372559310836928516
We go back again to Stanley Johnson
At least his book was a useful story on epidemics
indianexpress.com/article/books-…
At least his book was a useful story on epidemics
indianexpress.com/article/books-…
We are now over a year into a pandemic
A pandemic that in early January Matt Hancock assured us we were well prepared for
That was a lie
A pandemic that in early January Matt Hancock assured us we were well prepared for
That was a lie
From the cobra meetings missed, herd immunity, joking about shaking hands with patients, lockdown to late, a PPE crisis, care home deaths, test and trace, procurement scandals
There is so much
So so much
There is so much
So so much
You go back to summer 2020
Where we emerged from the first lockdown
And Conservatives were afraid
A key point
“His inadequacies would not have mattered so much were the prime minister surrounded by capable ministers”
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Where we emerged from the first lockdown
And Conservatives were afraid
A key point
“His inadequacies would not have mattered so much were the prime minister surrounded by capable ministers”
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Tories have to peddle anything in desperation to sell on the shitshow of brexit
Whether it be on appropriating vaccines for political benefit
Whether it be on appropriating vaccines for political benefit
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1357299627989606402
You can lie about not having an export ban
When you have somehow magically achieved exactly that result
When you have somehow magically achieved exactly that result
https://twitter.com/MatinaStevis/status/1369639472447565833
Whether it be Matt Hancock and PPE nepotism
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1364178093318037504
Whether it be lying about when lockdown started
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1284257918486011910
And Christmas 2020
Never ever again ask what happens when you let a vain self glorious cheating lying racist incompetent self serving charlatan be Prime Minister
Never ever again ask what happens when you let a vain self glorious cheating lying racist incompetent self serving charlatan be Prime Minister
https://twitter.com/henrymance/status/1373204945256775680
120,000 plus have paid the price of that lesson
I do think sometimes I am unfair to Boris
As I am almost as angry not at him
But at the courtiers that surround him
They could not temper him, remind him, steer or cajole him into being better for this pandemic
As I am almost as angry not at him
But at the courtiers that surround him
They could not temper him, remind him, steer or cajole him into being better for this pandemic
Here is a journalist
With a great long read
With a great long read
https://twitter.com/JenWilliamsMEN/status/1374091193039065089
And here is Boris Johnson
Laying a bullshit narrative of lies ahead of any next surge in covid in the UK
He spouts utter bullshit
With complete contempt and nonchalance
Laying a bullshit narrative of lies ahead of any next surge in covid in the UK
He spouts utter bullshit
With complete contempt and nonchalance
https://twitter.com/chrischirp/status/1374092822350020617
I will leave you with covid and a small (sic) thread which builds up across a time and range of 2020
If you have made it this far before my closing thread
Well done
And again
If you have made it this far before my closing thread
Well done
And again
And I end with my final covid thread
Written through summer - autumn of 2020
Before Boris Johnson and the utter disaster of christmas 2020
You know what I am afraid of
What the hell the tories will inflict on us with the letter D
Written through summer - autumn of 2020
Before Boris Johnson and the utter disaster of christmas 2020
You know what I am afraid of
What the hell the tories will inflict on us with the letter D
https://twitter.com/PandaScottish/status/1356236600729067521
@threadreaderapp unroll please
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