General UK politics

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Darat said:
I caught the tail end of a report about this - a mayor being arrested as part of a fraud investigation, I chuckled and said that will be the Liverpool mayor and lo and behold it was: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/04/mayor-of-liverpool-arrested-as-part-of-investigation

Personally I think this is out of order, it's like arresting a dog for wagging its tail, surely it has to fall under some of our anti-discrimination legislation?
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Surely they are just following the shining example of the current government?
 
Lothian said:
Also arrested for witness intimidation was a 72-year-old man, from Aigburth. I wonder if 72 year old Aigburth resident Derek Hatton knows the arrested man?
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Intimately, according to a story in the Times.

Four other men have also been arrested in connection with bribery and witness intimidation allegations.

They include Derek Hatton, 72, the former deputy leader of Liverpool city council and firebrand former member of the Trotskyist Militant Tendency, on suspicion of witness intimidation. Andy Barr, 46, the council’s assistant director of highways and planning, and the mayor’s son David Anderson, 33, were also arrested
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Darat said:
Creating a role for your mate is something we all do: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...end-nimco-ali-given-350-a-day-government-role
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While I do agree with the general sentiment, I think this is nowhere near as bad as other recent appointments, given a) that she's getting relatively little money for it,* b) the subject she's been brought in to tackle is one that is often overlooked and does require tackling and reform, and c) she does appear to actually be qualified for and passionate about the job.

Perhaps there should have been an interview process, but this doesn't strike me as "let's find a way to bung you some money, shall we?" but more as "you're talking a lot of sense. I think we could do well by hiring you".

The majority of job hires come about through knowing the right people. Sometimes that can lead to unqualified people getting jobs because their mates are in the position to give it to them, but it can also mean that people get jobs that they're suited for because the people in the position to hire people already know their ability and their character. This strikes me as much more akin to the latter than the former.

*£8,400 a year isn't nothing, certainly, but it's not the more traditional millions, either.
 
Squeegee Beckenheim said:
While I do agree with the general sentiment, I think this is nowhere near as bad as other recent appointments, given a) that she's getting relatively little money for it,* b) the subject she's been brought in to tackle is one that is often overlooked and does require tackling and reform, and c) she does appear to actually be qualified for and passionate about the job.

Perhaps there should have been an interview process, but this doesn't strike me as "let's find a way to bung you some money, shall we?" but more as "you're talking a lot of sense. I think we could do well by hiring you".

The majority of job hires come about through knowing the right people. Sometimes that can lead to unqualified people getting jobs because their mates are in the position to give it to them, but it can also mean that people get jobs that they're suited for because the people in the position to hire people already know their ability and their character. This strikes me as much more akin to the latter than the former.

*£8,400 a year isn't nothing, certainly, but it's not the more traditional millions, either.
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I don't entirely disagree, she certainly seems one of the more appropriate choices this government has made. But on the money side, this is two days days a month, £370/day, so no, it's not a fortune, but it's not a part time gig most people would turn their nose up at either & very reminiscent of the non-exec & consultancy positions that people in these circles such as MPs stack up.

And as with the PPE contracts, although giving the contracts to people who couldn't deliver or charged over the odds was the worst part, it was also the crap icing on the corruption cake. When the field is narrowed down to legitimate suppliers offering quality goods or services at the appropriate price, when government money is being handed out the process should be transparent and fair to all qualified to apply not dependent on having a personal connection to Ministers, spads or the PM's girlfriend.
 
And another example of our current excuse for a government's chumocracy - https://www.theguardian.com/society...west-suffolk-hospital-witch-hunt-matt-hancock - as well as being yet another example for my continuous tirade about useless, bullying NHS management.

I mean, it's not like every single NHS trust has a specific policy concerning whistle blowers nor any policies concerning bullying and harassment. I mean why would they have such policies? It's not like anyone needs them, is it?
 
So it appears that even with a pandemic fiasco and a looming Brexit disaster Boris thought, 'you know I don't think I'm being criticized enough, what else can I do?'

Peter Cruddas: PM overrules watchdog with Tory donor peerage

Boris Johnson has nominated businessman Peter Cruddas for a peerage, despite his rejection by the honours watchdog.

The Lords Appointments Commission did not support ennobling the businessman, who quit as Tory co-treasurer in 2012 following cash-for-access allegations.

Mr Cruddas later won a libel case against a newspaper over its claims.

Mr Johnson rejected the commission's recommendation, becoming the first PM to ignore its advice on a nomination since it was set up in 2000.

Labour accused Mr Johnson - who received £50,000 from Mr Cruddas for his campaign to become Conservative leader in 2019 - of "cronyism".
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Johnson really just doesn't care how blatantly he displays his cronyism, he simply can't imagine ever being held to account.
 
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