Updated below
Dear West Country Voices,
I have, like many others, just watched Prime Minister’s Questions.Wow! What a farce. Brian Rix (apologies to younger readers) would be turning in his grave.
So our PM just happened across a ‘work gathering” in his garden, failed to notice bottles of booze and food laid out and assumed it was part of a normal working day, albeit after working hours? Sounds reasonable. His then girlfriend went as well.
I clearly remember that at about that time I walked our dog most days in the hills surrounding our home in Swimbridge. Oné day I met a couple of friends, one a vet and the other a GP colleague of my wife. We paused to chat for a few seconds and then the GP said ‘Ýou know that technically we are breaking the law, as there are three of us” We laughed but immediately carried on in different directions.
I fully expected the crocodile tears of Johnson, an apparent apology and hoping to get through the day, at the same time probably delaying the report.
It was very significant that the Paymaster General (hardly a Witchfinder General) had suggested the previous day that a possible police enquiry would delay the Gray report. We can expect that to happen followed by ‘no further action‘ from the Met.
Partygate will go on, Wallpapergate is not over yet. Johnson’s biggest gate is still Gatewaygate. Some of us remember when the UK was seen by most as the gateway to Europe. He has closed that one through Brexit.
What a (and I can think of no better word, apologies) tosser.
Ian Jacques
UPDATE
I am disappointed that this article still retains a great deal of accuracy, which is why, I guess, it is still on the site. Along with many, I had hoped that an unimpeded Sue Gray report would have skewered the PM, made even clearer his lies and seen a vote of no confidence brought about.
However I was right!
The resignation (sacking) of Cressida Dick will only bring more delay.
The Johnson legal team funded by himself (pause for laughter) will exploit some form of loophole which will avoid a fine. His MPs will then make the decision that there’s “nothing to see here” and he will remain.
The UK economy will continue to tank, Covid-19 cases and deaths will probably increase and Johnson – the laughing stock of world leaders – will carry on, probably causing a conflict with Russia.
My real fear is that despite all of the totally sensible and truthful issues raised by West Country Voices, as well as many other platforms and publications, that we are only preaching to the converted.
The UK has now been confirmed as ranking a lowly 18th in the list of the most democratic countries in the world. Wow! All my friends in the EU and the USA message me saying what is going on? I really do not know.
There does not seem to be any good news from anywhere, yet the government of the country with one of the worst death rates from Covid-19 decides to lift all restrictions. The country with more food banks than McDonalds has branches is claiming to be the fastest growing economy in the G7? The country with over 6 million waiting for medical treatment has one of the lowest spend per capita on healthcare in Europe?
Getting rid of Johnson will not cure these ills. But it may be a start. Suggestions please.
