Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson

12829313334135

Comments

  • Hugal wrote: »
    By all accounts he was

    I really don’t think he is sleeping well. He’s aged at least three years in about six months.
  • Mind you, sometimes Corbyn looks about 95.
  • Jemima the 9thJemima the 9th Shipmate
    edited November 2019
    About the Boris and public speaking thing, apparently he’s not terribly good at it. Granted the NS is hardly likely to be friendly to Boris, but this is a well known encounter https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/observations/2015/12/clash-titans-when-boris-johnson-met-mary-beard
    A friend of mine who knows Mary Beard a bit says Beard wiped the floor with Johnson, and he was most ungracious in defeat.
  • EnochEnoch Shipmate
    The difference between Beard and Johnson is that she has substance and he hasn't. Johnson has got away with bluster and a plummy voice as a substitute for content for far too long. He isn't amiable and fun. He's facile and a bully. Mair's accusation stands. His speeches so far have been vapid and instantly forgettable.
  • He arms himself with a few stock ‘jokes’ and ‘clever’ phrases. Then he constantly recycles them.
  • Mind you, sometimes Corbyn looks about 95.

    Sometimes these days, the Queen looks like 93.
  • Mary Beard signed the nomination papers as proposer for her local mp - go Mary :)
  • Jane RJane R Shipmate
    edited November 2019
    But remember he wants a Pot Noodle Brexit. The common touch, clever, eh?

    Ah yes... tasteless, predigested, overpriced pap for hoi polloi [= common people]. That sounds about right.

    His appearances in the flood-hit communities of South Yorkshire have gone down like a lead balloon, I see. One woman went so far as to call him an a***hole... https://indy100.com/article/boris-johnson-arsehole-south-yorkshire-floods-general-election-video-watch-9202781?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1PUg3L1rMdKaevt1kskOHBN263zxpPnPZVAttJlajJuvV-OH46awJbDLQ#Echobox=1573742432

  • Jane R wrote: »
    But remember he wants a Pot Noodle Brexit. The common touch, clever, eh?

    Ah yes... tasteless, predigested, overpriced pap for hoi polloi [= common people]. That sounds about right.

    His appearances in the flood-hit communities of South Yorkshire have gone down like a lead balloon, I see. One woman went so far as to call him an a***hole... https://indy100.com/article/boris-johnson-arsehole-south-yorkshire-floods-general-election-video-watch-9202781?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1PUg3L1rMdKaevt1kskOHBN263zxpPnPZVAttJlajJuvV-OH46awJbDLQ#Echobox=1573742432

    Thank you for that link. It cheered me up.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    edited November 2019
    I see he’s learning from tRump at calling the left wing opposition ‘communists’.

    🙄🙄
  • Boogie wrote: »
    I see he’s learning from tRump at calling the left wing opposition ‘communists’.

    🙄🙄

    Don't knock it. This goes down better than you would ever expect.
  • Boogie wrote: »
    I see he’s learning from tRump at calling the left wing opposition ‘communists’.

    🙄🙄

    Nah, the tories have been doing that since at least 2010, and going full tilt since Corbyn's election as leader in 2015. They don't need Mango Mussolini to teach them that one.
  • Boogie wrote: »
    I see he’s learning from tRump at calling the left wing opposition ‘communists’.

    🙄🙄

    Nah, the tories have been doing that since at least 2010, and going full tilt since Corbyn's election as leader in 2015. They don't need Mango Mussolini to teach them that one.

    It goes way back, probably to the Zinoviev Letter which was published four days before the 1924 general election. It was treated as genuine at the time, later found to be fraudulent and turned many voters away from Labour of the basis of a "Red Peril". It was published in the Daily Mail of all places.
  • EnochEnoch Shipmate
    Whereas this time we've got a report on possible Russian interference which probably contains serious and genuine allegations which the Conservative Party has used its power in their last day fully in office to suppress, deliberately.
  • No surprise there, then...
    Bastards.
    :rage:
  • It just underlines how lax and credulous we are when it comes to party funding.

    It is long past time that ALL donations other than a single membership fee should have to be declared and any donation over a certain amount - I'd suggest £500 - could only be from a UK passport holder, paid from a UK bank account, and printed on a published list available on the party's website.

    All corporate donations over £5,000 - and I'd include trades unions in that description - could only be made if they had been approved by a vote at the company or union's AGM/ Conference.

    Of course this would mean the two main parties in particular would have far less money - which would have an added bonus of meaning far fewer cringe-worthy party political broadcasts.
  • It just underlines how lax and credulous we are when it comes to party funding.

    It is long past time that ALL donations other than a single membership fee should have to be declared and any donation over a certain amount - I'd suggest £500 - could only be from a UK passport holder, paid from a UK bank account, and printed on a published list available on the party's website.

    All corporate donations over £5,000 - and I'd include trades unions in that description - could only be made if they had been approved by a vote at the company or union's AGM/ Conference.

    Of course this would mean the two main parties in particular would have far less money - which would have an added bonus of meaning far fewer cringe-worthy party political broadcasts.

    It would also mean my social feed wouldn't be cluttered with nonsense telling me how awesome the Tories are and how much I want to vote for them ... OTH, it's made me log out of FB so I suppose that's a win.
  • All corporate donations over £5,000 - and I'd include trades unions in that description - could only be made if they had been approved by a vote at the company or union's AGM/ Conference.

    Current legislation is that only Trade Unions are covered. Corporate donations are not. So, yes, levelling the playing field in favour of the Labour party would be a terrific idea. How forward-thinking and egalitarian of you.
  • Individuals can already opt out of political donations. Maybe company shareholders ought to be able to do the same?
  • EnochEnoch Shipmate
    Individuals can already opt out of political donations. Maybe company shareholders ought to be able to do the same?
    That's a really good idea.

    As are some company's objects that exclude the power to make such donations
  • Individuals can already opt out of political donations. Maybe company shareholders ought to be able to do the same?

    Yes, they should. Maybe they ahould have to opt in, rather than out?
  • Individuals can already opt out of political donations. Maybe company shareholders ought to be able to do the same?

    Yes, they should. Maybe they ahould have to opt in, rather than out?

    It's opt in for unions, I think.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    So he laid a wreath upside down? It's the right way up if you stand on your head. :wink:

    Well I know, but it makes more sense than some of his statements that I've read.
  • Perhaps he intended it as a tribute to the ANZACs?
  • Huia wrote: »
    So he laid a wreath upside down? It's the right way up if you stand on your head. :wink:

    Well I know, but it makes more sense than some of his statements that I've read.

    He was shown laying the wreath he laid last year, which was the wrong wreath.
  • I hope that, one day, someone will lay him upside down...
  • Its more than likely someone already has :wink:
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Thanks TheOrganist, you gave me a laugh, and a totally grotesque mental picture to start the day with.
  • You're welcome - just channelling my latent Dorothy Parker ("If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.")
  • I'm waiting for the Chief Rabbi, Jewish Chronicle and the Mail & Express to pick up on Boris getting involved with the unveiling of a statue to the notoriously anti-Semitic Nancy Astor.

    (Let me know if I've missed it elsewhere).
  • sionisais wrote: »
    I'm waiting for the Chief Rabbi, Jewish Chronicle and the Mail & Express to pick up on Boris getting involved with the unveiling of a statue to the notoriously anti-Semitic Nancy Astor.

    (Let me know if I've missed it elsewhere).

    Nah, they'll be writing an article explaining why Tory Antisemitism doesn't count.

    Think I'm exaggerating? https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/jacob-rees-mogg-george-soros-parliament-brexit-eu-antisemitic-remarks-opinion-comment-1.489706

    I do not believe the Jewish Chronicle speaks for Jewish people.

    AFZ
  • sionisais wrote: »
    I'm waiting for the Chief Rabbi, Jewish Chronicle and the Mail & Express to pick up on Boris getting involved with the unveiling of a statue to the notoriously anti-Semitic Nancy Astor.

    (Let me know if I've missed it elsewhere).

    Nah, they'll be writing an article explaining why Tory Antisemitism doesn't count.

    Think I'm exaggerating? https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/jacob-rees-mogg-george-soros-parliament-brexit-eu-antisemitic-remarks-opinion-comment-1.489706

    I do not believe the Jewish Chronicle speaks for Jewish people.

    AFZ

    Given the skew of voting intentions among the Jewish community it certainly seems to speak for a quite a lot of Jewish people, unfortunately.
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    AFAICT the article concludes that, while JRM may not have been any-Semitic in the way that Lord Dubs was suggesting, what he (JRM) said was untrue, and
    may indeed have come from a dark place.
    and
    it may be more sensible to take a deep breath, consider context and actually think about what’s been said. Because when we do, we may find the real prejudice we’ve been looking for all along.
  • sionisais wrote: »
    I'm waiting for the Chief Rabbi, Jewish Chronicle and the Mail & Express to pick up on Boris getting involved with the unveiling of a statue to the notoriously anti-Semitic Nancy Astor.

    (Let me know if I've missed it elsewhere).

    Nah, they'll be writing an article explaining why Tory Antisemitism doesn't count.

    Think I'm exaggerating? https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/jacob-rees-mogg-george-soros-parliament-brexit-eu-antisemitic-remarks-opinion-comment-1.489706

    I do not believe the Jewish Chronicle speaks for Jewish people.

    AFZ

    Given the skew of voting intentions among the Jewish community it certainly seems to speak for a quite a lot of Jewish people, unfortunately.

    I'm old enough to remember when Labour had quite a number of distinguished Jewish MPs.
  • sionisais wrote: »
    sionisais wrote: »
    I'm waiting for the Chief Rabbi, Jewish Chronicle and the Mail & Express to pick up on Boris getting involved with the unveiling of a statue to the notoriously anti-Semitic Nancy Astor.

    (Let me know if I've missed it elsewhere).

    Nah, they'll be writing an article explaining why Tory Antisemitism doesn't count.

    Think I'm exaggerating? https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/jacob-rees-mogg-george-soros-parliament-brexit-eu-antisemitic-remarks-opinion-comment-1.489706

    I do not believe the Jewish Chronicle speaks for Jewish people.

    AFZ

    Given the skew of voting intentions among the Jewish community it certainly seems to speak for a quite a lot of Jewish people, unfortunately.

    I'm old enough to remember when Labour had quite a number of distinguished Jewish MPs.

    It still does (well, technically not right now) as well as other senior figures elsewhere in the party. But the zionist portion of the Jewish community turned against Labour under Miliband when he started to offer tentative support to the Palestinian cause. Corbyn's history as a staunch advocate of Palestinian rights only cemented that move.
  • BroJames wrote: »
    AFAICT the article concludes that, while JRM may not have been any-Semitic in the way that Lord Dubs was suggesting, what he (JRM) said was untrue, and
    may indeed have come from a dark place.
    and
    it may be more sensible to take a deep breath, consider context and actually think about what’s been said. Because when we do, we may find the real prejudice we’ve been looking for all along.

    Sort of.

    But the reasoning in the article is incoherent.

    The notion that Rees-Mogg didn't know he was using an antisemitism trope is fanciful at best. Seriously, is it really possible for a politician in his position to not know?

    He would have been laughed at by everyone if he'd tried that defence. He never had to, because he was never challenged on it.
    sionisais wrote: »
    I'm waiting for the Chief Rabbi, Jewish Chronicle and the Mail & Express to pick up on Boris getting involved with the unveiling of a statue to the notoriously anti-Semitic Nancy Astor.

    (Let me know if I've missed it elsewhere).

    Nah, they'll be writing an article explaining why Tory Antisemitism doesn't count.

    Think I'm exaggerating? https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/jacob-rees-mogg-george-soros-parliament-brexit-eu-antisemitic-remarks-opinion-comment-1.489706

    I do not believe the Jewish Chronicle speaks for Jewish people.

    AFZ

    Given the skew of voting intentions among the Jewish community it certainly seems to speak for a quite a lot of Jewish people, unfortunately.

    Good point. Well made.

    AFZ
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Jane R wrote: »
    Perhaps he intended it as a tribute to the ANZACs?

    Being as polite as I can, that was a very silly post.
  • Oh joy, it's Cassetteboy. :smiley:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI87PRgIKks

    Only 2 minutes to brighten your day.
  • it did brighten my day, thank-you 😀

    Especially the ' expecting the dog-shit to be cleaned up by the dog.... ' Might use that while I'm out canvassing

  • Robertus L wrote: »
    it did brighten my day, thank-you 😀

    Especially the ' expecting the dog-shit to be cleaned up by the dog.... ' Might use that while I'm out canvassing

    I am fervently hoping that the voters of Uxbridge and South Ruislip clean up after their dog.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited December 2019
    The Mad Mophead was supposed to favour our fair city with His Holy Presence today, but the visit was called off at the last minute.

    Deep Joy! We remain uncontaminated!
    :grin:
  • The Mad Mophead was supposed to favour our fair city with His Holy Presence today, but the visit was called off at the last minute.

    Deep Joy! We remain uncontaminated!
    :grin:

    So it was your altar party with the placards?
  • DafydDafyd Shipmate
    The Mad Mophead was supposed to favour our fair city with His Holy Presence today, but the visit was called off at the last minute.
    Did he hear rumours of an interviewer lying in wait?

  • Possible reasons were 'logistical', and 'security'.
    The Mad Mophead was supposed to favour our fair city with His Holy Presence today, but the visit was called off at the last minute.

    Deep Joy! We remain uncontaminated!
    :grin:

    So it was your altar party with the placards?

    You may think that. I couldn't possibly comment.
    :wink:

  • For the avoidance of cluttering up Hell with a whole new thread about a separate minister, can I please attach Sajid Javid to Johnson’s coattails for “accidentally” misrepresenting homeless figures to blame a rise on Labour. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sajid-javid-homeless-conservatives-labour-election-brexit-trade-a9234171.html
    In a campaign full of mud slinging, this feels like a particularly low blow.
  • A good point re not having a separate thread, but Hell has plenty of room for gobshites such as Javid.
    :rage:

  • Watching Boris in last night's debate, I was struck by the Gish gallop technique he uses, rendered famous by creationists. If asked something specific, e.g., why does it take 2 weeks to get a GP appointment, he ignores the question, and produces a barrage of stuff, 40 hospitals, 30 000 new nurses, millions of new GP appointments, etc. If you challenge any of this - where are the new hospitals to be built - you get another barrage, seed money, it's Labour's fault, and so on.

    I suppose it works, in a sense. He doesn't actually say anything, and presumably Boris fans think it's energetic. We're being sold down the river by a con artist.
  • HugalHugal Shipmate
    Yes a con artist with only really one phrase. Get Brexit Done.
  • Wesley JWesley J Shipmate
    edited December 2019
    The Mad Mophead was supposed to favour our fair city with His Holy Presence today, but the visit was called off at the last minute.

    Deep Joy! We remain uncontaminated!
    :grin:

    So it was your altar party with the placards?

    Mad Mophead lives in quite an altar-native reality, and should go back to the 'placard' (French: cupboard; closet) whence he came from, together with all the other unsavoury skeletons.
Sign In or Register to comment.