When John Crace became the Guardian's Political sketch writer I wondered how he could possibly fill his predecessor's shoes. It takes considerable skill to be faithful to the truth and funny at the same time.
As those who read him regularly will, I think, agree he has more than managed it, adding along the way a deeply moving element of his awareness of his own human frailty.
His conclusion to yesterday's Prime Minister's Question Time, in which Johnson tried to play the common sense card, was typical (and the whole piece is well worth reading and a wholly fair summary of proceedings) :
In other times it might have been uplifting for the opposition benches to see the prime minister so comprehensively dismantled. But there was little cheering or a sense of satisfaction, because in a time of crisis you rather hope the country would have a leader in whom you could believe. Someone you could trust to make at least some of the right decisions. But we have Boris. Incompetent, unprepared, selfish, lazy, amoral, and just not that bright. And no matter how many times Starmer batters him with an indefensible charge sheet at PMQs, Boris will remain prime minister for the duration.
That is balanced, plays to his audience and at the same time is cuttingly accurate.
It's also worth remembering what common sense is defined by the Tories to be. We have a source for that. William Hague ran to be Prime Minister in the 2001 general election under the banner:
Time for Common Sense
As his manifesto said (and it's worth recalling it):
We present here the most ambitious Conservative programme for a generation.
Its aim is to release the wisdom, decency and enterprise of British citizens. We can achieve that by handing back to individuals and families the ability to shape their own lives and communities.
We will free entrepreneurs to build businesses and to create prosperity, free those who use public services to choose what is best for them and free those who work in our schools and hospitals and police service from endless political interference.
We want to set people free so that they have greater power over their own lives. That is what I have always believed.
From 2010 this is, of course, what the Tories did. Their common sense was to pass control back to those who thought themselves able to take it.
What Hague forgot to mention was that his party would be indifferent to the needs of those who did not have the means to do so. Or simply could not, for whatever the cause of the constraint, and in our world they are many of them.
And what he also made clear was that he would run away from government, saying:
But there is something else too. I value those aspects of our national life which are bigger than individuals and families. That is why we will nurture our towns and cities, our countryside, our local institutions, our charities, our democracy -- for they make us who we are as a nation.
NHS reform was the result of that and delivered an organisation incapable of planning for a pandemic. By gutting it of common purpose and making it a fractured organisation it was left unable to manage.
But Hague said:
Our programme is rooted in the instincts of millions of people whose beliefs are mocked by Labour. It is rooted, in other words, in common sense.
It shouldn't be necessary to make an appeal to common sense.Yet the common sense wisdom of the mainstream majority, on crime, or on taxes, or the family, or on Europe, is under threat as never before.
Labour does not understand our country and cannot value what it cannot understand.
This meddling and interfering Government is eroding our freedoms as well as weakening the institutions that give us a sense of common purpose.
At this Election Britain has a choice between a Labour Party that trusts government instead of people and a Conservative Party that trusts people instead of government.
I am not uncritical of Labour: and in pointing this out I am not saying that the Labour Party is free of mistakes. The Labour government elected in 2001 most certainly was not, as we all now know. I am instead pointing out a philosophy that persists in the Conservatives today, and which has left it and its leader quite unable to know what to do in the face of a pandemic.
They do not trust government.
They do not trust anything government does, even when they do it.
So they choose to do nothing.
And as a result we got delay, dither, and deliberate inaction in February, leaving this crisis unmanaged even when it was apparent that this would result in many of the most vulnerable dying, as they have.
I think that this country does believe that government can give us a common purpose.
And it does know that when the chips are down that we do need leadership, action in the common interest, and protection for all. And we know that there are occasions when that requires we suppress our own interests.
Those are values that Hague said were alien to Tories.
I'll leave others to decide whether those are the beliefs that left Johnson appearing incompetent, unprepared, selfish, lazy, amoral, or just not that bright, as Crace put it.
But I do know that the mindset Johnson clearly shares with Hague is hopelessly out of touch with the needs of this country now.
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Hat tip to Bryan Rylands for the 2001 manifesto
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Rumblings that Boris might do an “Anthony Eden” and retire through ill-health. He can’t be enjoying this and his recent illness along with a new partner/baby offer ample cover. As an ex-PM he can continue to be the comedian that he is…. but in front of a less discerning audience.
So, (1) re-open the economy, (2) declare “victory” (3) head off into the sunset in September….. if (and that is a big IF) he can keep the show on the road that long as public anger builds.
But who would we get instead?
I think this likely
I think faith is being lost
I am told there is a booze problem…hence the absence from the public eye, but that could just be gossip
And I think the Tories realise Brexit is not possible now – and they have to get rid of him to change course
Johnson certainly looks more and more ragged. Still I am not convinced enough Tories realise Brexit is not possible now. There are all the shiny new Tories from the Red Wall, alongside the hardcore ERG members, all 100% committed to Brexit. And of course legally we have left the EU – we are just in the transition phase.
One suggestion I have seen is that he will be dumped/backstabbed (perhaps by Gove again) after June when it is too late to ask for the 1-2 year extension to the transition period. Another suggestion is they will leave him in place to take the flak when the disaster of a no-deal Brexit happens next year.
Ditching Brexit would mean a change before the end of June, deadline for extending negotiations, and before “victory” could possibly be declared. I don’t see how Johnson could be persuaded to go so soon, nor who in the Tories would be brave enough to take on the ERG over ditching Brexit.
Even in these extraordinary times, ditching the leader just months after a landslide seems plain weird.
Rising death rates….
The elephant in the room, now, is Brexit. The continental countries, especially Germany, are ahead, in emerging blinking into the post covid sunlight, and ready to move, haltingly and carefully along the paths of economic recovery. The UK is behind in the infection curve, and has a wrecked or stalled economy, and shoulkd not be contemplating lockdown. But the pressure on Mr Johnson is to get the economy up and running, and as strong as the north European EU economies, so that it will be (in the UK neogotiatiors’ minds) a battle between equals. By presenting to the peoples of the UK and to Barnier and the rest, the image of a country back on its feet and fighting fit, Mr Johnson can claim there is no need to ask for a transition. It is a fantasy, but convincing to too many. One thinks of Tennyson: Ours not to reason why – ours but to do and die – into the valley of death will ride the nation, guns to the right of us, guns to the left of us………….
You’re feeling optimistic today, I note….
This is a quotation from this week’s online current affairs magazine ” The Scottish Review”, which I think sums up how dire the government is –
“This is a Government filled with incompetent, overpromoted, second-rate dogmatic ideologues who have been given Cabinet posts not because of their talents and insights, but because of their loyalty. At this time of national crisis, numerous Cabinet ministers have to be hidden as far as is possible from voters. “
I agree
From another Old Codger
I think the link below pretty well summarises the way we should be going. But I’m at a loss as to how can it be achieved.
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2020/April/philip-pullman-coronavirus-essay-change/
The url does not work…
Noch einmal !
Seems you need to paste it into your browser – hope it works this time.
Regards
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2020/april/philip-pullman-coronavirus-essay-change/
It works now! Thanks
Government filled with incompetent, overpromoted, second-rate dogmatic ideologues who have been given Cabinet posts not because of their talents and insights, but because of their loyalty.
as you say: https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/minister-nadine-dorries-criticised-for-tweeting-doctored-video-from-farright-account-attacking-keir-starmer.
when a health minister -at this time- finds time to smear the Leader of the Opposition, she should sacked. She might not be bright enough to know it was doctored but she should have checked. Or maybe she knew and didn’t care.
It certainly would be convenient, and possibly true, given what some doctors are now saying about what they’ve seen of the impact of the virus on your general health even after you recover.
My son has taken a long time to get over the coughing from coronavirus, which he caught in Italy
He has, but he’s young and fit
I can see it can have long term harm
Your son too? I am very sorry to hear that. Hope he and you are recovering as well as can be expected.
“Incompetent, unprepared, selfish, lazy, amoral, and just not that bright.” Ouch. True, unfortunately, as anyone with eye to see would have known before be was elected to lead the Conservatives.
As for the alcohol, he said he had given up until after Brexit, but perhaps he believes his own rhetoric and thinks he has got that “done” already. He has a lot on his mind and his plate, but it is an unreliable crutch. He may not have noticed that Churchill watered down much of his drinks, particularly his glasses of soda with a drop of whiskey.
I am guessing the other son has had it as well
But if he had he showed no sign of it
And re the soda – 🙂
Should you really be slinging around accusations of a “booze problem” when you have nothing to back that up?
I said I could be wrong
But I have heard of it…from sources
Such things have happened before
I refer you to Charles Kennedy
My wife, who has been receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer so has not been out much, noted from social media that a case of Dom Perignon was delivered to Ten Downing Street soon after the birth of Johnson’s son. I checked before penning this, and The Guardian had a picture of (inter alia) a case of 1999 Dom Perignon being carried towards the black door.
If he wasn’t planning on getting royally bladdered on quality fizz, then he was obviously planning on flouting his own government’s rules on social distancing.
🙂
Good luck to your wife too Roy
I’ve been there
Good luck to you too
some interesting insights to the way the crisis has been mismanaged in UK from the former CMO of Scotland – no, not that one, the one before her, Professor Harry Burns. Very widely respected. I had glimpsed bits and pieces in my readings but one point he mentioned I have been a bit puzzled about. The mantra ‘protect the NHS’ Harry points out is boomed out over the nation but should it rather be ‘protect the people’? In the early weeks in Scotland the trio of phrases concluded ‘protect Scotland’ from Professor Jason Leitch. I haven’t heard that for a while. Who made him change?
The interview is conducted by Alex Salmond and if you normally can’t stand him suck it up! He is actually a very good interviewer who asks the Qs and then shuts up and listens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab-wKPLuboA
I have appeared on Alex’s show
He’s no saint – and I do not foresee a political return – but he is a good interviewer
No saint, and no sinner either according to the jury. Alex Salmond is one of the few politicians around who has any gravitas and respect from the voters. I suspect his political career is over only when he decides it is. If the SNP don’t deliver, their worse nightmare must be that he will be back.
Your last is undoubtedly the case
I suspect Joanna Chery will acquire the case before then
Optimist of the will, pessimism of the intellect…
Meanwhile, it’s just not clear for how long there will be a European Union – e.g. with stuff like this taking place:
https://www.ft.com/content/2d4a6959-8bdc-4d74-b617-873bba839807
As to the competence of HM Government current post holders, it’s difficult to find words – this twitter thread (https://twitter.com/bigblockocheese/status/1259516689777143808) documents the experience of someone trying to get a personal test at home, then after realising there weren’t any, attending a regional testing centre. My reaction on reading that thread: anger. I’d just like to emphasise how important I think it is to give expression to such feelings, rather than shaking our heads or rolling eyes and letting it sit in inside, by the way, so it’s good to see regular expression of such feeling here Richard, as I find your blog, and the many non-trolling contributors excellent. Thanks.
“Ditching Brexit”
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020.
The transition could last forever…
I’m sure the Tory Party is worried about how Johnson looks especially now that he’s faced by someone like Starmer, who is very clinical and precise, and dare I say it actually looks Prime Ministerial. Johnson simply looks like the clown that he is. Take away his cheerleaders in Parliament and he come across as the mumbling, poorly prepared liar that he is.
However, the Tories are unlikely to stab him in the back until evidence starts to come in that Labour is picking up support and the Tories are wilting in the polls. So far, support for the Tories remains high despite their incompetence. Johnson’s mindset may well be out of touch, but so far that has not been reflected in a fall in support.
Here’s one from 6th May, 50% support for our clown, remarkable I know.
https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2020/05/07/voting-intention-con-50-lab-30-5-6-may
The Tories do however, have a get out card and that is Johnson’s health. They could play that card, but that then poses who comes next. I know that Richard has suggested Hunt, but I really think that he would probably split the party. The Tories purged the old one nation Tories just before the last election, does anyone know the makeup of what replaced them? I don’t, but I’m guessing that there was a shift to the right especially in support of a hard, if necessary Brexit. I cannot see Hunt winning support now and if he were to be anointed the fall out would be nuclear. The hard right Tory rank and file have no time for him. Remember also that Farage is out there waiting for his next gravy train to jump on. He’s already talked of setting up a reform party. That’s guaranteed to happen if Hunt became Tory leader. Any sign of backtracking on a hard line Brexit and Farage will split the Tories and their vote. The Tories know this, they will not rock the boat as everything they do is about power and keeping hold of it.
Surely Sunik is being lined up? Although I am not sure the Tory party could stomach a BAME leader yet.
If the Tories follow their own rules there would have to be a leadership contest followed by a vote of the membership on the final two. Johnson beat Hunt last time with 66% to 34%. The party has arguably moved further to the right since then. The membership is largely old, 55+, male, white, reasonably well off and probably has more in common with what ERG MP’s believe in than traditional one nation Tories. I can imagine a right wing BAME candidate winning if up against someone like Hunt. I doubt whether anyone who voted to remain, even if they are now onside with a no deal Brexit has got a chance against a more purist leaver candidate. Farage would probably win the membership vote easily if he was a Tory mp and got in the final two.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9320545/half-of-tories-would-be-happy-for-nigel-farage-to-lead-them-poll-reveals/
Do you have any evidence that the government went against the advice from their scientific advisors?
If not, it’s hardly the fault of the government if that advice turned out to be wrong, given the limited and misleading information that was coming out of China and the guidance from the WHO at the time.
If you haven’t followed this issue it’s not my job to lead you through it….
The government’s scientific advisors have been chosen first and foremost because they are Tories. Vallance was knighted last year. Whitty was CBE’d in 2015. Harries (who embarrassed herself royally and destroyed all of her credibility by proclaiming that our preparedness was internationally exemplary) was CBE’d in 2016. They aren’t where they are solely because of their expertise, but also because of their undying loyalty to the Tory party. And SAGE meetings have been attended by the puppet master Cummings and his weirdo minions. Leaks from the SAGE meetings have confirmed that Cummings et al haven’t merely been observing but have been directly influencing the meetings. This is the Cummings that is known to unleash fury and get rid of anyone that doesn’t toe the line.
Are all these things coincidental to the fact that ‘The Science’ that the government has been following is flying in the face of the scientific advice from the WHO and other countries health organisations? Nope. ‘The Science’ that the Tories have been following is being influenced by a desire to prioritise the economy over people’s lives, unsurprisingly.