So DD hangs on too. There's got to be one high-profile sacking surely. If not Boris, Hammond or DD then what about Gove or Fox?
Even though I despise Boris, Fox is the most obnoxious person in politics. To coin a phrase the guy is an an utter c*nt. As someone of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, he should be no-where near the levers of power...
McDonnell gets that award
As ever, Big_G, you miss the point....
Not really
Yes, you do. Read up on Liam Fox and educate yourself...
Do not patronise me
I am not patronising you - I just want you to educate yourself.
For your information, Liam Fox is an enemy of progress and an enemy of the Sri Lankan Tamil people. While David Cameron, William Hague and many other MPs from all political parties were trying to get a fair and just settlement by putting pressure on the then Sri Lankan Government of alleged war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, Liam Fox and a few other obnoxious Tory politicians (e.g. Lord Naseby) were cosying up to the said regime.
So, yes in my opinion and hopefully the opinion of many others, Liam Fox is the most obnoxious person in British politics.
So DD hangs on too. There's got to be one high-profile sacking surely. If not Boris, Hammond or DD then what about Gove or Fox?
Even though I despise Boris, Fox is the most obnoxious person in politics. To coin a phrase the guy is an an utter c*nt. As someone of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, he should be no-where near the levers of power...
McDonnell gets that award
As ever, Big_G, you miss the point....
Not really
Yes, you do. Read up on Liam Fox and educate yourself...
Do not patronise me
I am not patronising you - I just want you to educate yourself.
For your information, Liam Fox is an enemy of progress and an enemy of the Sri Lankan Tamil people. While David Cameron, William Hague and many other MPs from all political parties were trying to get a fair and just settlement by putting pressure on the then Sri Lankan Government of alleged war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, Liam Fox and a few other obnoxious Tory politicians (e.g. Lord Naseby) were cosying up to the said regime.
So, yes in my opinion and hopefully the opinion of many others, Liam Fox is the most obnoxious person in British politics.
McDonnell owns that title lock, stock and barrel
I simply give up!
You are quite simply the most partisan poster on here and that's saying something...
Rather disappointed in the renaming of DCLG. Cosmetic change, and it means both that Housing won't get the extra attention it needs and local government is deprioritised. However Sajid Javid seems like a decent enough incumbent.
If it was up to me, I'd have a department for devolution covering all tiers of gvt - city deals, local government, Wales NI and Scotland all in one department together for a joined up approach. Then a second for Housing and Communities to lead on Housing, planning and the civil society aspects of DCLG.
Separating planning appeals and local government oversight would help streamline relations as well - it's a major conflict negotiating with Gvt on e.g. housing when the same decision maker is considering large scale controversial planning appeals.
So DD hangs on too. There's got to be one high-profile sacking surely. If not Boris, Hammond or DD then what about Gove or Fox?
Even though I despise Boris, Fox is the most obnoxious person in politics. To coin a phrase the guy is an an utter c*nt. As someone of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, he should be no-where near the levers of power...
McDonnell gets that award
As ever, Big_G, you miss the point....
Not really
Yes, you do. Read up on Liam Fox and educate yourself...
Do not patronise me
I am not patronising you - I just want you to educate yourself.
For your information, Liam Fox is an enemy of progress and an enemy of the Sri Lankan Tamil people. While David Cameron, William Hague and many other MPs from all political parties were trying to get a fair and just settlement by putting pressure on the then Sri Lankan Government of alleged war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, Liam Fox and a few other obnoxious Tory politicians (e.g. Lord Naseby) were cosying up to the said regime.
So, yes in my opinion and hopefully the opinion of many others, Liam Fox is the most obnoxious person in British politics.
McDonnell owns that title lock, stock and barrel
I simply give up!
You are quite simply the most partisan poster on here and that's saying something...
Do you work for CCHQ?
I think you are finding it difficult to realise that to many of us McDonnell is just off the scale of decency. You need to see his comments about Esther McVey and many other objectionable incidents he has been involved in
If it was up to me, I'd have a department for devolution covering all tiers of gvt - city deals, local government, Wales NI and Scotland all in one department together for a joined up approach.
It could be called the Department for Administrative Affairs.
So DD hangs on too. There's got to be one high-profile sacking surely. If not Boris, Hammond or DD then what about Gove or Fox?
Even though I despise Boris, Fox is the most obnoxious person in politics. To coin a phrase the guy is an an utter c*nt. As someone of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, he should be no-where near the levers of power...
McDonnell gets that award
As ever, Big_G, you miss the point....
Not really
Yes, you do. Read up on Liam Fox and educate yourself...
Do not patronise me
I am not patronising you - I just want you to educate yourself.
For your information, Liam Fox is an enemy of progress and an enemy of the Sri Lankan Tamil people. While David Cameron, William Hague and many other MPs from all political parties were trying to get a fair and just settlement by putting pressure on the then Sri Lankan Government of alleged war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, Liam Fox and a few other obnoxious Tory politicians (e.g. Lord Naseby) were cosying up to the said regime.
So, yes in my opinion and hopefully the opinion of many others, Liam Fox is the most obnoxious person in British politics.
So DD hangs on too. There's got to be one high-profile sacking surely. If not Boris, Hammond or DD then what about Gove or Fox?
Even though I despise Boris, Fox is the most obnoxious person in politics. To coin a phrase the guy is an an utter c*nt. As someone of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, he should be no-where near the levers of power...
McDonnell gets that award
As ever, Big_G, you miss the point....
Not really
Yes, you do. Read up on Liam Fox and educate yourself...
Do not patronise me
I am not patronising you - I just want you to educate yourself.
For your information, Liam Fox is an enemy of progress and an enemy of the Sri Lankan Tamil people. While David Cameron, William Hague and many other MPs from all political parties were trying to get a fair and just settlement by putting pressure on the then Sri Lankan Government of alleged war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, Liam Fox and a few other obnoxious Tory politicians (e.g. Lord Naseby) were cosying up to the said regime.
So, yes in my opinion and hopefully the opinion of many others, Liam Fox is the most obnoxious person in British politics.
How horrible, fantastic, incredible it is that we should be debating a quarrel in a far away country between people of whom we know nothing. What we do know, though, is that Rajapaksa's alleged victims were LTTE members. The expression "had it coming" springs forcibly to mind.
I think you are finding it difficult to realise that to many of us McDonnell is just off the scale of decency. You need to see his comments about Esther McVey and many other objectionable incidents he has been involved in
I'm a Lib Dem and I completely agree with that. The thought of McDonnell holding any kind of power is a very scary one indeed. All parties contain a few really bad people though, of course.
At what point can I claim that this reshuffle would be much ado about nothing is vindicated? Its looking desperately dull at the moment.
On the face of it I agree but Brendon Lewis and James Cleverly will inject a new sense of purpose, David Lidington is a safe pair of hands, and beefing up DCLG with emphasis on Housing is a good move. Other appointments will no doubt follow and it needs to be judged in the round after tomorrow's junior promotions
I'd expected the government to see quite an improvement after the December staging post was reached.
Only if people are paying attention - which they’re not - so they’re missing the entire psychodrama that consumes anoraks. I suspect all voters are (generally) interested in is “getting on with it” and “not cocking it up” which so far appears to be largely the case.
So DD hangs on too. There's got to be one high-profile sacking surely. If not Boris, Hammond or DD then what about Gove or Fox?
Even though I despise Boris, Fox is the most obnoxious person in politics. To coin a phrase the guy is an an utter c*nt. As someone of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, he should be no-where near the levers of power...
McDonnell gets that award
As ever, Big_G, you miss the point....
Not really
Yes, you do. Read up on Liam Fox and educate yourself...
Do not patronise me
I am not patronising you - I just want you to educate yourself.
For your information, Liam Fox is an enemy of progress and an enemy of the Sri Lankan Tamil people. While David Cameron, William Hague and many other MPs from all political parties were trying to get a fair and just settlement by putting pressure on the then Sri Lankan Government of alleged war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, Liam Fox and a few other obnoxious Tory politicians (e.g. Lord Naseby) were cosying up to the said regime.
So, yes in my opinion and hopefully the opinion of many others, Liam Fox is the most obnoxious person in British politics.
I'd expected the government to see quite an improvement after the December staging post was reached.
Only if people are paying attention - which they’re not - so they’re missing the entire psychodrama that consumes anoraks. I suspect all voters are (generally) interested in is “getting on with it” and “not cocking it up” which so far appears to be largely the case.
Yes, you are right, "cocking it up" does indeed appear to be largely the case.
This exercise barely warrants the title of reshuffle at all. She could have just sacked McLoughlin and shifted the the new bods in accordingly. A rotten bloody swizz!
So DD hangs on too. There's got to be one high-profile sacking surely. If not Boris, Hammond or DD then what about Gove or Fox?
Even though I despise Boris, Fox is the most obnoxious person in politics. To coin a phrase the guy is an an utter c*nt. As someone of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, he should be no-where near the levers of power...
McDonnell gets that award
As ever, Big_G, you miss the point....
Not really
Yes, you do. Read up on Liam Fox and educate yourself...
Do not patronise me
I am not patronising you - I just want you to educate yourself.
For your information, Liam Fox is an enemy of progress and an enemy of the Sri Lankan Tamil people. While David Cameron, William Hague and many other MPs from all political parties were trying to get a fair and just settlement by putting pressure on the then Sri Lankan Government of alleged war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, Liam Fox and a few other obnoxious Tory politicians (e.g. Lord Naseby) were cosying up to the said regime.
So, yes in my opinion and hopefully the opinion of many others, Liam Fox is the most obnoxious person in British politics.
McDonnell owns that title lock, stock and barrel
Do you work for CCHQ?
Next desk to me....
Well one has to admire both your indefatigability to the conservative cause.
It is amazing that at a time of significant national need, the Tories and Labour have conspired to present us with the worst government and opposition in living memory.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
At what point can I claim that this reshuffle would be much ado about nothing is vindicated? Its looking desperately dull at the moment.
On the face of it I agree but Brendon Lewis and James Cleverly will inject a new sense of purpose, David Lidington is a safe pair of hands, and beefing up DCLG with emphasis on Housing is a good move. Other appointments will no doubt follow and it needs to be judged in the round after tomorrow's junior promotions
I looked up David Lidington quotes. There was 1:
"If the TTIP project fails I think that will send a really dismaying message about Europe's waning importance in world affairs, we should not pretend that that will have anything other than a damaging impact both economically and diplomatically." https://www.quotes.net/authors/David Lidington
It had zero fans, funnily enough. It doesn't exactly set the pulse beating.
Surely, with all the hype, Theresa never intended it to be this much of a non event. Most likely she planned some big moves, but the cabinet stuck together ('If he goes then I go') and she was left impotent and shunned.
This exercise barely warrants the title of reshuffle at all. She could have just sacked McLoughlin and shifted the the new bods in accordingly. A rotten bloody swizz!
Interesting to see whether Mercer and/or Mogg gets something tomorrow.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
You would have been anti no matter what TM did unless of course she decided to ignore the democratic vote of the Country and announce she would reverse Brexit
Surely, with all the hype, Theresa never intended it to be this much of a non event. Most likely she planned some big moves, but the cabinet stuck together ('If he goes then I go') and she was left impotent and shunned.
Yeah.... it really doesn't make sense to have built it up like this, if this was really all she intended.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
It is amazing that at a time of significant national need, the Tories and Labour have conspired to present us with the worst government and opposition in living memory.
Hardly a conspiracy Cameron called the referendum and threw the dice up in the air.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Hmm. I wonder if there is more to it than meets the eye? Why would No. 10 have ramped it up so much if it this really was the intention? Even they aren't that bad at media management. I sniff a rat!!
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
Not really. Most people aren't watching this minute by minute; in fact most normal people have barely noticed it is happening.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
Not really. Most people aren't watching this minute by minute; in fact most normal people have barely noticed it is happening.
Tom Newton Dunn Verified account @tnewtondunn 1m1 minute ago
Another clue: is Jeremy Hunt about to be made Business Secretary? His DoH deputy Philip Dunne is responding to a Commons UQ on his behalf now.
Pretty standard for junior ministers to respond to UQs.
But that's not to say.....
Of course, Labour and our well-beloved Speaker knew perfectly well that the reshuffle was taking place today - and so the placing and scheduling of the UQs would have been done to make things as uncomfortable as possible.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
Not really. Most people aren't watching this minute by minute; in fact most normal people have barely noticed it is happening.
Front page of several newspapers including the most popular media website on the planet.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
A full on Night of the Long Knives would have been fun, but TM is not NLK material. Knowing how she works, I'd say she planned something major (possibly on the unofficial advice which I bet she is still getting from Fiona and beardy), everyone from the 3 great officers of state to the downing street cat told her over the weekend that if she moved them she was dead meat, and she is now going through the motions but not actually doing anything.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
A full on Night of the Long Knives would have been fun, but TM is not NLK material. Knowing how she works, I'd say she planned something major (possibly on the unofficial advice which I bet she is still getting from Fiona and beardy), everyone from the 3 great officers of state to the downing street cat told her over the weekend that if she moved them she was dead meat, and she is now going through the motions but not actually doing anything.
It just looks absurd. And whatever people may say about no one will notice, it is on every media front page both online and in real life.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
Not really. Most people aren't watching this minute by minute; in fact most normal people have barely noticed it is happening.
Front page of several newspapers including the most popular media website on the planet.
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
Not really. Most people aren't watching this minute by minute; in fact most normal people have barely noticed it is happening.
If she’s ‘recepting’Hunt’s been kicking his heels a long time. Is Arlene having a go about whoever’s being sent to Belfast?
Ironically, Hunt has now been waiting in a corridor for 3 hours.
(Not my joke - shamelessly stolen from the matt cartoon)
I hope they’ve given him some of the reception tea and biscuits.
He'll have to keep popping out to feed the meter for the car parking though.
(OT, but free hospital car parking is a bloody silly policy. In my experience paying for hospital parking isn't the issue. Finding a space is. You can circle the John Radcliffe in Oxford for 15 minutes before finding somewhere to park. Free parking will make this a whole lot worse.)
It is amazing that at a time of significant national need, the Tories and Labour have conspired to present us with the worst government and opposition in living memory.
We appear to have entered an age of reverse politics, whereby talentless extremists prosper while skilled pragmatists founder on the backbenches. One could quite easily select a strong cabinet from those sidelined by May's Brexit-botherers and Labour's PLP rebellion!
Can someone explain to me what the point of this 'reshuffle' was exactly? A couple of complete nobodies appointed to party roles, and entirely cosmetic departmental rebrand, and all of the big offices of state left untouched. A squib of the dampest order – one only the trio of true believers – Lotta, Morty and G-Man – could love.
Clearly the point of it is to give people like you the opportunity to rubbish it, irrespective of what it actually comprised.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Then someone, be it the govt's PR, or marketing, or communications directors are at fault.
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
A full on Night of the Long Knives would have been fun, but TM is not NLK material. Knowing how she works, I'd say she planned something major (possibly on the unofficial advice which I bet she is still getting from Fiona and beardy), everyone from the 3 great officers of state to the downing street cat told her over the weekend that if she moved them she was dead meat, and she is now going through the motions but not actually doing anything.
As was predicted over the weekend.
That said, I don't think she could have avoided this one, which looks to have been prompted by James Brokenshire's lung. Hard to replace him - which couldn't be delayed - and not sort out the gap left by Green's departure. And if you replace two office-holders then it's become a reshuffle and you have to resolve other hanging issues, such as the CCHQ posts (which do look a decent set of appointments).
Even so, the error was in allowing the story to leak out well before the changes were made.
If she’s ‘recepting’Hunt’s been kicking his heels a long time. Is Arlene having a go about whoever’s being sent to Belfast?
Ironically, Hunt has now been waiting in a corridor for 3 hours.
(Not my joke - shamelessly stolen from the matt cartoon)
I hope they’ve given him some of the reception tea and biscuits.
He'll have to keep popping out to feed the meter for the car parking though.
(OT, but free hospital car parking is a bloody silly policy. In my experience paying for hospital parking isn't the issue. Finding a space is. You can circle the John Radcliffe in Oxford for 15 minutes before finding somewhere to park. Free parking will make this a whole lot worse.)
We have free parking here in Wales and you cannot get parked without going ages before your appointment
It is amazing that at a time of significant national need, the Tories and Labour have conspired to present us with the worst government and opposition in living memory.
We appear to have entered an age of reverse politics, whereby talentless extremists prosper while skilled pragmatists founder on the backbenches. One could quite easily select a strong cabinet from those sidelined by May's Brexit-botherers and Labour's PLP rebellion!
You may be surprised but I could agree with you on that but until Brexit is sorted we are where we are
I've often wondered if Lammy didn't do that on purpose. I can't think what he might have been trying to achieve but surely nobody could be that thick in real life?
Apparently there is a pause due to a reception at no 10
which shows a government fit for the future, doesn't it, Big G?
Lot fitter than Corbyn's labour
Weak, weak, weak. Your argument essentially boils down to "we are shit, but not as shit as the other lot hypothetically would be, were they in government, which they are not."
If she’s ‘recepting’Hunt’s been kicking his heels a long time. Is Arlene having a go about whoever’s being sent to Belfast?
Ironically, Hunt has now been waiting in a corridor for 3 hours.
(Not my joke - shamelessly stolen from the matt cartoon)
I hope they’ve given him some of the reception tea and biscuits.
He'll have to keep popping out to feed the meter for the car parking though.
(OT, but free hospital car parking is a bloody silly policy. In my experience paying for hospital parking isn't the issue. Finding a space is. You can circle the John Radcliffe in Oxford for 15 minutes before finding somewhere to park. Free parking will make this a whole lot worse.)
+1
It's an absolutely barmy policy, especially for London & the SE
Being forced to park in Orpington Sainsburys the day and night my son was born is burned in my memory...popping outside every hour or so to move the car a few spaces and make sure I wasn't clamped.
If she’s ‘recepting’Hunt’s been kicking his heels a long time. Is Arlene having a go about whoever’s being sent to Belfast?
Ironically, Hunt has now been waiting in a corridor for 3 hours.
(Not my joke - shamelessly stolen from the matt cartoon)
I hope they’ve given him some of the reception tea and biscuits.
He'll have to keep popping out to feed the meter for the car parking though.
(OT, but free hospital car parking is a bloody silly policy. In my experience paying for hospital parking isn't the issue. Finding a space is. You can circle the John Radcliffe in Oxford for 15 minutes before finding somewhere to park. Free parking will make this a whole lot worse.)
We have free parking here in Wales and you cannot get parked without going ages before your appointment
I think I’ve posted before that at one time I worked in a hospital which had free parking and was a long but manageable walk from a commuter railway station, with very limited parking.
Miss Anazina, given politics is a choice (in this case largely between Conservative and Labour), how is "the Conservatives are better than Labour" a weak argument?
Comments
You are quite simply the most partisan poster on here and that's saying something...
Do you work for CCHQ?
If it was up to me, I'd have a department for devolution covering all tiers of gvt - city deals, local government, Wales NI and Scotland all in one department together for a joined up approach. Then a second for Housing and Communities to lead on Housing, planning and the civil society aspects of DCLG.
Separating planning appeals and local government oversight would help streamline relations as well - it's a major conflict negotiating with Gvt on e.g. housing when the same decision maker is considering large scale controversial planning appeals.
Sad
Sad
+1
In government, as opposed to the Tory party?
By the pricking of my thumbs
Jeremy Corbyn this way comes.
Scary.
"If the TTIP project fails I think that will send a really dismaying message about Europe's waning importance in world affairs, we should not pretend that that will have anything other than a damaging impact both economically and diplomatically."
https://www.quotes.net/authors/David Lidington
It had zero fans, funnily enough. It doesn't exactly set the pulse beating.
So far it's a minor reshuffle, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, but it seems sensible enough. It's not like one of Blair's idiotic games of musical chairs which moved ministers around just at the point where there might be some small risk that they'd be about to master their briefs.
Tom Newton Dunn
Verified account @tnewtondunn
1m1 minute ago
Another clue: is Jeremy Hunt about to be made Business Secretary? His DoH deputy Philip Dunne is responding to a Commons UQ on his behalf now.
It just seems bumbling and unfocused. Why take a whole day to do f**k all?
But that's not to say.....
Impressive.
Brexit and Trump was just a dream.
#CallthisaReshuffle?
If it is not a Reshuffle fair enough, in which case expectations should have been managed down ("the right team in place but that's not to say we won't be welcoming new blood...") or it should have been all done by midday and they could move on.
As it is, they allowed the build up of expectations, and then have dashed those expectations (of new blood, of a change, of clearing out the Augean stables, of whatever...) with a hugely underwhelming teeny tiny change dragged out over two days.
So far...
Well that there was that time OGH told off for calling George Osborne a creep...
dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html
Is that it?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/08/belgium-coalition-government-risk-collapse-sudan-migrants-scandal
If you look at the trend, it dropped over the election campaign, when May lost her majority, and I think it's by and large a proxy for her ratings.
Doing my bit for UK Plc.
(Not my joke - shamelessly stolen from the matt cartoon)
(OT, but free hospital car parking is a bloody silly policy. In my experience paying for hospital parking isn't the issue. Finding a space is. You can circle the John Radcliffe in Oxford for 15 minutes before finding somewhere to park. Free parking will make this a whole lot worse.)
We appear to have entered an age of reverse politics, whereby talentless extremists prosper while skilled pragmatists founder on the backbenches. One could quite easily select a strong cabinet from those sidelined by May's Brexit-botherers and Labour's PLP rebellion!
That said, I don't think she could have avoided this one, which looks to have been prompted by James Brokenshire's lung. Hard to replace him - which couldn't be delayed - and not sort out the gap left by Green's departure. And if you replace two office-holders then it's become a reshuffle and you have to resolve other hanging issues, such as the CCHQ posts (which do look a decent set of appointments).
Even so, the error was in allowing the story to leak out well before the changes were made.
Although, it is true to say that we Brits can't run major companies for toffee.
It's an absolutely barmy policy, especially for London & the SE
Being forced to park in Orpington Sainsburys the day and night my son was born is burned in my memory...popping outside every hour or so to move the car a few spaces and make sure I wasn't clamped.
Yup, got it in one!