... if he receives a fine over 'beergate.' https://www.theguardian.com/politic...tarmer-beer-election-results-uk-politics-live So if he is found guilty and does stand down, Johnson would have to do the same... But would he....
Did I see Lord Snooty arguing that Starmer shouldn't stand down if fined yesterday? Wonder why that is then?
Annoyed at Starmer. He must have known that he'd broken the law,he's a lawyer fgs. Totally letting the Tories off the hook here!
Not really. He's putting them right on the hook. If Starmer he stands down Johnson has to do the same. If he doesn't he'll be brought down. If Starmer isn't fined he's shown was prepared to lose the leadership - showing integrity and standing by principles.
Let's hope so. If he is fined though I don't think Joe public will give two hoots about integrity, Boris gets off cos "they're all as bad as each othet".
No I imagine Johnson would just say he doesn't think Starmer should resign. Given the mixed showing in the local elections for both sides it's a decent gambit from Starmer. He desperately needs to build momentum. If he is fined and has to fall on his sword it would at least leave his successor in stronger postion too.
It's the right move, but he's putting an awful lot of faith in the political impartiality of a constabulary which declined to investigate Dominic Cummings' jaunt to Barnard Castle...
He almost certainly did break the law and at the same time he almost certainly didn't break the law. I say this because the Covid Lockdown laws seemed to change by the hour and were some of the studpiest bits of legislation I have ever seen. A world where people were fined for sitting on park Benches but could have a pint if they ordered a Scotch Egg.
I think in normal times, we wouldn't be in the position we are anyway. And I still believe DePfeffel is done for, it's just a matter of time until the tories decide the succession plan. I think it's a good stance for Starmer and his cohort to take, but frankly, I don't think it will make much difference to what the convict in chief will do. He's going nowhere until he's forced, and he'll do everything he can to reduce the chances of being forced until that time comes. I have a feeling Starmer and Rayner will be fined. Incredible given Cummings was never fined. But I can see it now. The tories will ignore the fact that a moral decent stance has been taken and try and move on. The media will undoubtedly help them. Johnson will keep controlling briefing sessions hoping his backbenchers move on. I suspect if Starmer does have to step down, the tories will wait to see who gets the gig, and how Johnson does against them, and how the pro tory media handles them. At that point, they are probably entering the last chance saloon to allow any new PM time to make an impact ahead of a GE likely in 2024.
And yet Starmer is still in the wrong according to the right wing Torygraph and message being pushed by the usual government propaganda arms And if he doesnt answer the question what would they do then. PS has anyone noticed the news coverage of the Tory Peer Michele Mone whose house was literally raided by police in a fraud invesigation over PPE. You know where somone buys a load of useless PPE with no tendering then sells it to the NHS at more than double what they paid and then it has to be burned because its not fit for purpose - but no lets bang on about a guy who had a meal whilst working
I only found out today that Chris Mason is the new BBC lead political correspondent replacing Kuenssberg. His first effort at a news story.... essentially giving the tories a reset on their disingenuous "levelling up" nonsense tells you all you need to know about his leanings and how the BBC will continue their form of impartiality.
The tub of lard won’t resign if Starmer is found guilty of breaking lockdown rules, which I don’t think he will be by the way. However, it is a very smart move by Starmer, and if I was a betting man, I would say that Starmer knows he has not broken any rules.