Politics Today

[BigBanker]

They simply don't give a flying f***

 

[Rosencrantz]

This is depressingly familiar as it's what happens constantly.

Never really understood why the papers (bearing in mind they don't sell much copy anymore) never go all in. It's not like the politician or the public don't know they're being played.

The newspapers generally do when they are sure of the story. The problem with SLAPP letters is that they are now targeted against individual journalists who normally do not have the resources to fight and respond to the avalanche of correspondence that these law firm's churn out.

In Zahawi's case he took on the wrong person in Dan Neidle although he did shut down others through SLAPP intimidation.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1619640133481029632

As you can see, he does say how much stories broke at different times by The FT, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and even The Sun aided him at times but also broke the story when it wasn't being widely reported.

Unfortunately this does not happen all the time and there is a reason why specific law firm's specialise in this "reputational help" service for clients rich enough to close down stories that damage them by investigative journalists by intimidation. And that feeds into that if you have the money, you can away with things.

 

[Banksy]

More power to Dan Neidle’s elbow then.About time someone stood up to these barstewards .If they’re going to fiddle , at least do it outside of politics. ( Sorry , forgot in a lot of cases that’s the raison d'être for being a politician.)

 

[Grecian2K]

And Zahawi's reponse?

The letter from Nadhim Zahawi
Dear Prime Minister,
Thank you for your kind words. It has been, after being blessed with my loving family, the privilege of my life to serve in successive governments and make what I believe to have been a tangible difference to the country I love.
I arrived in this country fleeing persecution and speaking no English. Here, I built a successful business and served in some of the highest offices in government. I believe that in no other country on earth would my story be possible. It reaffirms my belief in the greatness and compassion of our nation.
I take particular pride in two achievements in government. First the vaccine rollout. This saved huge numbers of lives. It is also what has allowed us to move beyond Covid and get our economy and society moving again. I believe that there are wider lessons for governments in the success of this programme. Policy making and delivery are normally treated as two separate processes. In the vaccine rollout, they were combined, and I think that accounts for why it worked so well. If we could apply this model to other parts of government, I believe it could have a transformative results.
The second was my role in the mourning period for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Those days, that celebration of her life of service represented so much of what is best about our country. I was honoured that as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster I could help ensure that everything went smoothly and that as many people as possible could pay their respects and tributes to our longest serving monarch.
I am concerned, however, about the conduct of some of the fourth estate in recent weeks. In a week when a Member of Parliament was physically assaulted, I fail to see how one headline on this issue 'The Noose Tightens' reflects legitimate scrutiny of public officials. I am sorry to my family for the toll this has taken on them.
You can be assured of my support form the backbenches in the coming years. Your five priorities are the right priorities, and I will do whatever I can to help you deliver them.
Yours,
Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP

Not a hint of contrition or apology.

Just an outpouring of vainglorious bragging rounded off by a whinge at "The Fourth Estate" for having the sheer gall to catch him out.

The STILL just don't "get it", do they?

 

[Alistair20000]

And Zahawi's reponse?


Not a hint of contrition or apology.

Just an outpouring of vainglorious bragging rounded off by a whinge at "The Fourth Estate" for having the sheer gall to catch him out.

The STILL just don't "get it", do they?

Never explain. Never apologise.

A bit of humility would not have been amiss.

I hope he leaves Parliament at the next GE. 20,000 majority in Stratford-on-Avon so probably would not be voted out. Needs to crawl quietly away.

I think there was widespread cross party approval of his work with the roll out of the Covid vaccines but his reputation is now trashed.

Curiously another disgraced Tory, John Profumo, used to represent this seat. Zahawi could learn a lesson from how Profumo behaved doing valuable charitable work after his disgrace leading to a restoration of his reputation and ultimately a CBE

 

[Grecian2K]

I hope he leaves Parliament at the next GE. 20,000 majority in Stratford-on-Avon so probably would not be voted out.

Mind you, they thought that in both North Shropshire and Tiverton & Honiton. Admittedly both were "mere" by-elections but in the present, still growing, climate of sleaze and incompetence can ANY Tory seat be considered truly safe, not just from Labour but also, in the "blue wall" by the lurking Lib Dems?

 

[Rosencrantz]

More power to Dan Neidle’s elbow then.About time someone stood up to these barstewards .If they’re going to fiddle , at least do it outside of politics. ( Sorry , forgot in a lot of cases that’s the raison d'être for being a politician.)

A good summary from Dan Neidle on his investigation Here although not quite up to date with the sacking of course.

 

[Alistair20000]

A good summary from Dan Neidle on his investigation Here although not quite up to date with the sacking of course.

A very interesting read.

Thanks for the link

 

[tavyred]

Scotland’s brave new trans world is on hold it seems as the SPS pauses all trans offender moves in order to carry out an urgent review.
Entirely predictable.

 

[Grecian2K]

Scotland’s brave new trans world is on hold it seems as the SPS pauses all trans offender moves in order to carry out an urgent review.
Entirely predictable.

Lovely deflection Tavers!
(Almost as good as the one yesterday that laid Jev's second goal on a plate. I'll credit you with an "assist" there! )