[satnav]

Whilst I really hope that this story causes long term damage to Johnson what is worrying in the short-term is that Johnson could now avoid taking stronger action to tackle the new Covid variant because he knows that the media will totally demolish him because of all his double standards.

[kreuzberger]

Good point. Maybe commercial logic too in that other papers could have got the leak if they waited too long?

Hadn't thought about that but it very valid. As the bin-fire takes hold, there will be more and more leaks, and it is best to get in there first with your own.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Night before the party.

[Tubby Isaacs]

The DfE have coughed already.

The UK Department for Education has admitted it held a social gathering of staff last December in contravention to Covid social distancing rules.

It comes after a report claimed that then education secretary Gavin Williamson threw a party where he delivered a short speech before officials and ministers knocked back glasses of wine.

Up to two dozen of Williamson’s staff gathered for “drinks and canapes” in the DfE cafe on 10 December, the Mirror reports. At the time, London was in tier 2, which banned any social mixing between households.

[The All New KevS]

Sun and Telegraph not mentioning it on the front page at all.

However...

[Boiler]

It'll make no difference.

Tomorrow's chip papers.

[The All New KevS]

Also, note how the Mail is framing Allegra as the main culprit in everything.

[davidjay]

Also, note how the Mail is framing Allegra as the main culprit in everything.

She gets hung out to dry, The Ledge carries on being a character innee.

[mattomac]

I’d completely forgotten about that blue room and her role up to this point.

Another waste of tax payers money that he never used as they’ve gone back to the wooden panels and Allegra was doing some climate change role.

Intriguing this has mostly come from ITV and the Mirror.

[Oboogie]

Intriguing this has mostly come from ITV and the Mirror.

Imagine how big the BBC's funding cut would have been if they'd got the leak?

[Youngian]

Intriguing this has mostly come from ITV and the Mirror.

Imagine how big the BBC's funding cut would have been if they'd got the leak?

The more supine the BBC and press is, the bolder the government lies become. And a news vacuum is created for others to fill.

Many, including some in this parish, predicted it wouldn’t be a big lie with far reaching geopolitical consequences, that would be a tipping point for Johnson. Or Partygate may cost him a few points temporarily and the storm will pass. We shall see.

[Youngian]

Tim has a feeling that Johnson is a wrong ‘un.

[Oboogie]

The more supine the BBC and press is, the bolder the government lies become. And a news vacuum is created for others to fill.

The Tories visceral hatred of the BBC is twofold. It appals them with their sense of arrogant entitlement that anyone should dare to question them.
But more fundamentally, they don't understand it, just like they don't understand the NHS. It's ideological, where's the profit? How can there possibly be any value in an organisation which isn't quoted on the stock exchange? They see the BBC and NHS as fantastic wasted opportunities to make enormous wads of personal wealth.

[Oboogie]

Tim has a feeling that Johnson is a wrong ‘un.

Didn't catch his name but there was a bloke from Conservative Home on Newsnight yesterday, pulling no punches on Johnson.

[Boiler]

Didn't catch his name but there was a bloke from Conservative Home on Newsnight yesterday, pulling no punches on Johnson.

Henry Hill, interview starts at 6:36 in.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m ... t-07122021

It's all academic anyway; nothing will come of this.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

The first thing he does at PMQs is throw Allegra Stratton under the bus for joking about the Christmas Party and then deny that there was a party...

[Boiler]

Just heard Starmer say "we could be in plan B this afternoon": numerous outlets now picking up on this.

Am I to believe that Johnson effectively said "who cares, this was a year ago"?

[Crabcakes]

Cummings has just popped up mid-PMQs to say there was another party at No. 10 on November 14th.

I'll say one thing for him - he's certainly got an eye for timing

[Boiler]

The only person I see "playing politics" is Johnson - it is just a game to him.

Blackford calling for the Ham Scarecrow's resignation/removal.

[Youngian]

The first thing he does at PMQs is throw Allegra Stratton under the bus for joking about the Christmas Party and then deny that there was a party...

More or less. BJ's Captain Renault performance was woeful and insulting. Stratton was the top talent available who actually wanted the job. Like Seamus Milne was the best option for Corbyn's press secretary. Catastrofuck government.