Oh look, Gavin Williamson re-joins the fray in the attempt to make Mr Johnson look competent by stint of comparison to the rest of the Cabinet. Suggesting £6000 per school to hire additional teachers (plural!) to help children catch up. My maths may not be quite up to the level of Secretary of State for Education, but £6000 looks like less than 25% of the cost of hiring a single teacher.
Probably thinking it'll go to an outsourcing agency to recruit volunteers!
Oh look, Gavin Williamson re-joins the fray in the attempt to make Mr Johnson look competent by stint of comparison to the rest of the Cabinet. Suggesting £6000 per school to hire additional teachers (plural!) to help children catch up. My maths may not be quite up to the level of Secretary of State for Education, but £6000 looks like less than 25% of the cost of hiring a single teacher.
Probably thinking it'll go to an outsourcing agency to recruit volunteers!
Sadly, I think you’re right, going on what’s been done so far 😡! I’ve certainly read that it’s not going to schools to do what’s best for their children. Also, no mention, as far as I can see, of considering social, emotional and mental health issues, etc.
Looking at the payscales, that's a fifth of someone 3 points in. (So with a couple of years experience.) Assuming that the salary just covers 39 weeks teaching (which isn't true), that is just shy of 8 weeks worth of teaching time, so 4 teachers if you set up a 2 week summer school, assuming using current staff so no recruitment costs. Not really enough, even assuming that a school just focuses on maths and english lessons for people who need it.
I shouldn't worry. They're that short of physics teachers that knowing why astrology is a pile of bollocks would put a candidate in a strong position.
Back in my student days, we had a supplier write to us at the "Department of Physics and Astrology". In retrospect, that should have been more of a sign of the quality and attention to detail we should have expected from that particular company.
Back in the world of Very Important Matters, it seems as though the current First Lady has overspent a bit on the wallpaper etc. for the refurbishment of the love-nest shared by herself and Bozzie:
A Guardian reader reckoned this was a good idea, and that he was going to set up a JustGiving page at justfuckoffborisyoutwat.co.uk (or words to that effect).
It's difficult to avoid the suspicion that this is a cunning plan to enable people to get tax relief on their bribes.
Not suspicion. Fact. Even if it doesn't meet the legal standard for such. It is unavoidably a means of inciting donations effectively to an individual - i.e. not even a political cause - in return for what exactly? The warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that Boris has nice wallpaper?
Johnson spekes his branes, before remembering someone might hear him and acting like a cat trying to claw the soiled carpet into the litter tray: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56504546
Johnson spekes his branes, before remembering someone might hear him and acting like a cat trying to claw the soiled carpet into the litter tray: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56504546
How many times does Johnson have to show his true colours before people see through him???
Johnson spekes his branes, before remembering someone might hear him and acting like a cat trying to claw the soiled carpet into the litter tray: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56504546
How many times does Johnson have to show his true colours before people see through him???
How long, O Lord, how long?
AFZ
It's my impression that far from seeing through Johnson, it's more a case of him simply articulating what his supporters believe. Whether it's Muslim 'women looking like pillar boxes' or 'picaninnies' with 'water-melon smiles' or 'capitalism and greed' keeping the UK ahead of other nations in the vaccine programme - he's just saying what his supporters already think. That's WHY they support him. Johnson's true colours have always been flying high and visible since he was a crap journo in the EU inventing stories about the Union. It's not news that Johnson says these things. It's only news that so many people apparently agree with him, approve of it and then vote for it.
Johnson spekes his branes, before remembering someone might hear him and acting like a cat trying to claw the soiled carpet into the litter tray: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56504546
How many times does Johnson have to show his true colours before people see through him???
How long, O Lord, how long?
AFZ
It's my impression that far from seeing through Johnson, it's more a case of him simply articulating what his supporters believe. Whether it's Muslim 'women looking like pillar boxes' or 'picaninnies' with 'water-melon smiles' or 'capitalism and greed' keeping the UK ahead of other nations in the vaccine programme - he's just saying what his supporters already think. That's WHY they support him. Johnson's true colours have always been flying high and visible since he was a crap journo in the EU inventing stories about the Union. It's not news that Johnson says these things. It's only news that so many people apparently agree with him, approve of it and then vote for it.
Yes and no.
I think his political 'genius' is that he appeals to those who agree with him and those who would actually be horrified by what he actually stands for if they were not too busy lying to themselves to be able to see it. Neither of those groups is probably bigger than about 20% but the coalition of both is a guaranteed route to power in the UK.
I mean, Boris Johnson is promiscuous is not really news is it - is there anyone in the country that doesn't already know that ?
Not really, but an omission on a section that normally covers all the front pages. Though I assume it'll turn out to be just another of those very strategic mistakes.
It's interesting that the UK is gradually moving from a country with a reputation - at least - for probity, to one where 'everyone knows' something, but the public broadcaster doesn't report on it.
Sounds like the programme editor is taking his cues from the Edward VIII playbook. (The rest of the world knew about Mrs Wallis Simpson long before the UK press deigned to enlighten the British public.)
It's worse than just an affair, it's the Downing Street Press Officer,
PM press sec Allegra Stratton says of Boris Johnson: "He does believe in the wider principles of integrity and honesty.
"He acts with integrity and honesty and he follows the Nolan principles when conducting himself in public life".
In the face of allegations of a four year affair and public funding of Jennifer Acuri's business with grants during the time of the affair. - link to Independent coverage.
This really should be covered by the BBC and I haven't heard it covered on several radio news programmes today (which tend to be a bit better than TV).
At his appearance in the new press conference studio yesterday, Boris still looked both quite ill and faintly ridiculous, dwarfed by the giant Union Flags which his government currently insists on displaying at every opportunity.
Sounds as if the Beeb is trying to keep its licence fee safe.
We've got to the point where we expect that corruption involving the current governing party won't be covered on the public (should that be state?) broadcaster and most of the print press.
Hair cut is a non-issue as no hairdressers open in England until 12 April, if we are still on track. Johnson has said in one of his conferences that he's looking forward to a hair cut. And if he'd had one when no-one else is allowed, that would be taken up by the tabloids too.
I've been trimming my hair at home myself, struggling in front of a mirror to see what I'm doing, and haven't been to a barbers shop for well over a year. And, my hair looks much better than his.
Surely, he deliberately tousles his haystack hair before he appears on TV, so as to give himself that boyish, raffish *Just William* look we all love so much?
There must still be a True-Blue British Hair Cream that he could use to glue it down.
TBH, hair or not, the very sight of his ugly mug turns my stomach...and that's before he opens his gob in order to spout more Hideous Fibs.
Hair cut is a non-issue as no hairdressers open in England until 12 April, if we are still on track. Johnson has said in one of his conferences that he's looking forward to a hair cut. And if he'd had one when no-one else is allowed, that would be taken up by the tabloids too.
He could use clippers, or those special stripping bladed combs mothers used to use in the seventies for cutting their kids hair (yes, I was one of those kids and have the photos to prove it!). I'm sure his current live-in girlfriend could help out, maybe follow a youtube tutorial. Many of us are managing not to look entirely like we don't know what a comb is. Hair 'product' is also a wonderful thing. Again the current squeeze might share some tips about self-grooming? She's a very smart-looking woman.
But as Bishop's Finger says it is on record that before any public appearance Johnson runs his hands through his hair to tousle it up in its signature fashion. Must get the priorities right.
To be honest, I wouldn't care what he looked like if I felt he could be trusted to conscientiously discharge the duties of Prime Minister to the best of his abilities. Even if those abilities were limited or flawed. I wouldn't even care about the odd mistake, bad decision or stupid joke. I could even (controversial!) forgive him being a Tory, if he was only relatively capable, wise, principled and reliable. Kind of the baseline requisites for anyone who runs a nation, if you would like that nation to prosper.
Well, the politics of paranoia have taken over again in Northern Ireland (if indeed they ever went away), as ayone but our old mate Bozza could have foreseen. But he's a laugh, isn't he?
“Boris Johnson may be questioned by senior MPs on use of personal phone, liaison committee to discuss issue amid concerns about PM’s undisclosed communications.”
Cue lots of text and WhatsApp deleting as we speak.
Comments
All she needs to do now is stop phoning me and the Boy up to ask us Physics questions, and she'll be fine.
Probably thinking it'll go to an outsourcing agency to recruit volunteers!
Sadly, I think you’re right, going on what’s been done so far 😡! I’ve certainly read that it’s not going to schools to do what’s best for their children. Also, no mention, as far as I can see, of considering social, emotional and mental health issues, etc.
Well, quite. I've told her that "I'm just going to call my dad", while effective, is not the best example of pedagogy.
You mean they're compelled to love bullshit?
Back in my student days, we had a supplier write to us at the "Department of Physics and Astrology". In retrospect, that should have been more of a sign of the quality and attention to detail we should have expected from that particular company.
https://theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/02/johnson-trying-to-set-up-charity-that-could-fund-downing-street-flat-revamp
A Guardian reader reckoned this was a good idea, and that he was going to set up a JustGiving page at justfuckoffborisyoutwat.co.uk (or words to that effect).
Not suspicion. Fact. Even if it doesn't meet the legal standard for such. It is unavoidably a means of inciting donations effectively to an individual - i.e. not even a political cause - in return for what exactly? The warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that Boris has nice wallpaper?
Really?
Who could resist?
I think I might have a spare Dandiprat* somewhere - that would seem to be appropriate as a donation...
(*early 16thC coin worth about three halfpence.)
Meanwhile this is only marginally less North Korean than the earlier Sunak as Superman feature: https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1367059443939225602
Goodness me - we're definitely in the (wrong) parallel universe!
How many times does Johnson have to show his true colours before people see through him???
How long, O Lord, how long?
AFZ
It's my impression that far from seeing through Johnson, it's more a case of him simply articulating what his supporters believe. Whether it's Muslim 'women looking like pillar boxes' or 'picaninnies' with 'water-melon smiles' or 'capitalism and greed' keeping the UK ahead of other nations in the vaccine programme - he's just saying what his supporters already think. That's WHY they support him. Johnson's true colours have always been flying high and visible since he was a crap journo in the EU inventing stories about the Union. It's not news that Johnson says these things. It's only news that so many people apparently agree with him, approve of it and then vote for it.
Kyrie, eleison...Lord, have mercy...
Bozzie the Bumblewimp is the True Spirit of Ingurlaaaand™, which is why this wretched country is so rapidly heading down the lavatory...
Yes and no.
I think his political 'genius' is that he appeals to those who agree with him and those who would actually be horrified by what he actually stands for if they were not too busy lying to themselves to be able to see it. Neither of those groups is probably bigger than about 20% but the coalition of both is a guaranteed route to power in the UK.
I notice the Beeb are quite over the Acuri story. To the point of not covering the Mirror on their 'Papers' section of Marr's show.
No. But the level of corruption in plain site should be news...
Not really, but an omission on a section that normally covers all the front pages. Though I assume it'll turn out to be just another of those very strategic mistakes.
It's interesting that the UK is gradually moving from a country with a reputation - at least - for probity, to one where 'everyone knows' something, but the public broadcaster doesn't report on it.
This really should be covered by the BBC and I haven't heard it covered on several radio news programmes today (which tend to be a bit better than TV).
We've got to the point where we expect that corruption involving the current governing party won't be covered on the public (should that be state?) broadcaster and most of the print press.
Other than that: get a suit that fits, shine his shoes and FFS stand up straight, don't hunch over the lectern like a wilting crane.
Though, I also use a comb.
There must still be a True-Blue British Hair Cream that he could use to glue it down.
TBH, hair or not, the very sight of his ugly mug turns my stomach...and that's before he opens his gob in order to spout more Hideous Fibs.
There's no accounting for taste.
He could use clippers, or those special stripping bladed combs mothers used to use in the seventies for cutting their kids hair (yes, I was one of those kids and have the photos to prove it!). I'm sure his current live-in girlfriend could help out, maybe follow a youtube tutorial. Many of us are managing not to look entirely like we don't know what a comb is. Hair 'product' is also a wonderful thing. Again the current squeeze might share some tips about self-grooming? She's a very smart-looking woman.
But as Bishop's Finger says it is on record that before any public appearance Johnson runs his hands through his hair to tousle it up in its signature fashion. Must get the priorities right.
To be honest, I wouldn't care what he looked like if I felt he could be trusted to conscientiously discharge the duties of Prime Minister to the best of his abilities. Even if those abilities were limited or flawed. I wouldn't even care about the odd mistake, bad decision or stupid joke. I could even (controversial!) forgive him being a Tory, if he was only relatively capable, wise, principled and reliable. Kind of the baseline requisites for anyone who runs a nation, if you would like that nation to prosper.
https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2021/mar/28/ben-jennings-conservatives-boris-johnson-union-flag-jennifer-arcuri-cartoon
Border in the Irish Sea.
Border between NI and Ireland.
Customs union.
Those were the choices, only one of which is congruent with the Good Friday Agreement.
It's the simple logic here that's been consistently ignored and waved away.
"Boris" now has to face reality rather than the nonsense of 'bothsiderism.'
As with Covid, reality is unforgiving. As with Covid, it is others who pay the price. And the price is very high.
AFZ
Cue lots of text and WhatsApp deleting as we speak.