Starmer Thrown Out of Pub - #RavenGate

Politicians are always wary of meeting the general public, lest the public say or do something that the politician can't control.

Step forward Keir Starmer and his lookalike body guard, who had a lively encounter with a Labour voter (and landlord of The Raven) in Bath yesterday.

For reasons that are unclear to me, given current Covid restrictions, Starmer was actually trying to enter the pub.

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting 

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; 

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming, 

And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; 

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted—nevermore!

Boris Cancels India Trip

 

Number 10: 'In light of the current coronavirus situation, PM Boris Johnson will not be able to travel to India next week'

— Olly Barratt (@ollybarratt) April 19, 2021

This means that he won't be able to unlock the 5 million does of vaccine held up there.

Handcock's Family Matters

 

It has been reported that Topwood Ltd, a company in which Health Secretary Matt Hancock and his sister have shares won contracts from NHS Wales.

NHS Wales gave the company, which specialises in the secure storage, shredding and scanning of documents, £300,000 of business this year.

 In March this year, Mr Hancock declared in the MPs' register of interests that he had acquired more than 15% of the shares of a company called Topwood Ltd. However, the register did not mention that his sister Emily Gilruth owned a larger portion of the shares and is a director of the firm, or that Topwood has links to the NHS.

The ministerial code states that family connections are meant to be disclosed.

The BBC reports that a Department of Health source said Mr Hancock had discussed the fact he was to be gifted shares in the firm with civil servants before he accepted them.

They ruled that if any conflicts of interest were to arise, they could be handled in line with the ministerial code, the rulebook setting out the standards of conduct for ministers.

The department also said the health secretary had no active role in running Topwood, and as health secretary for England, he had no responsibility for NHS Wales.

A government spokesperson said: 

"Mr Hancock has acted entirely properly in these circumstances. All declarations of interest have been made in accordance with the ministerial code. Ministers have no involvement in the awarding of these contracts, and no conflict of interest arises."

Well this is all very well, but it comes back to the issue of ministers and their dealings not just being honest and above board but also appearing to be honest and above board.

Handcock should ave realised how this must look!

 

 

Greensill and #LobbyGate

 

Cameron's cack-handed handling of his lobbying on behalf of Greensill has exposed what was already well known in Westminster, namely the mess that is the lobbying system and the sometimes dubious looking connections between the private sector and the civil service.

The various enquiries set up will doubtless produce a series of recommendations that may be followed.

However, what is "surprising" is not just that the system is a mess and no one has ever bothered to really sort it out; but that experienced politicians, such as Cameron, have not grasped that its not just a case of substance but also of form. 

In other words, you not only have to be above reproach but you also have to be seen to be above reproach!

Boris Has Dissed The Vaccinations!

 

COVID-19: Lockdown is main reason for drop in coronavirus cases and deaths - not vaccinations, says Boris Johnson https://t.co/cYkdSBfePS

— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 13, 2021

Cameron's In The Shit

JUST IN: Ministers and Special Advisers across Whitehall departments being asked to declare all contact with David Cameron over Greensill by sleazebusters from the Cabinet Office propriety team...

Sounds like an internal investigation is underway to me....

— Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) April 12, 2021

 

What a very foolish thing to have done!

Suspended Labour MP Admits She Skived History Lessons

 

This map has been hidden from you all your life. This is how they carved up Africa pic.twitter.com/gHPlkj3Vo7

— Claudia Webbe MP (@ClaudiaWebbe) April 5, 2021

Taught in schools across the country for decades, and featured in innumerable documentaries and feature films.