Thread by @syrpis

It has been 6 days since the Sue Gray report landed. Way back then, the humble PM said he took full responsibility.

Having been asked not to pass judgement or comment while we awaited the 'full facts', we were, immediately asked to move on.

How's that been going? 🧵1/8

First, #partygate is going nowhere. Why? Because the PM is, again, failing to take responsibility.

We've had more party allegations (Sue Gray's mandate only ever involved investigating parties on a list of dates); met with more obfuscation. 2/8

We've had allegations about editing the Sue Gray report, and a host of questions about the role of the Met Police.

The PM and No 10 are again, failing to provide any clarity; only increasing suspicions. 3/8

And, we've had the PM publishing a new version of the Ministerial Code (his Ministerial Code), which, in this of all weeks, erases the Nolan principles and gives the PM even more discretionary power. 4/8

Second, the Govt's attempt to reset the agenda is... floundering. The Chancellor's economic package was condemned by many on his own side as 'unconservative'.

So, he gave every impression that the help people desperately need is... time-limited (great...). 5/8

The windfall tax U-turn promises to raise £5bn. It is vulnerable to tax rebates to the oil and gas sector for UK fossil fuel extraction. COP 26 was a long time ago. Tory voices against net zero are a more pressing concern. 6/8

In any case, the economic policy news was quickly replaced in the headlines by the Govt's latest Brexit (non) benefit - the return to imperial measurements. (I'm not sure of the Govt position on conversion therapy).

They are bereft of ideas. 7/8

It looks very much as though the scandals are going to keep on coming and that the policy cupboard is bare.

The Party is riven with divisions and lacks direction. And a big majority of MPs still think that it makes sense to stick with the PM.🤷‍♂️ 8/8