Forum Topic

Another Grailing Fail

Just heard on BBC news he didn't get elected as chair of the Intelligence and Defence committee! It's Julian Lewis.

Michael Ixer ● 2094d17 Comments

Thank God we have a modern democracy and constitution with all the necessary checks and balances.Imagine if it was just like an old private club which just relied on members being honourable. I dread to think what could happen!

Ed Robinson ● 2093d

Agreed, it has all the hallmarks of the Cummings manipulative style but it's the elected representative who has to be accountable and take the responsibility for trying to subvert the independence of the committee.

Michael Ixer ● 2093d

It may well have Cummings' fingerprints all over it (and I agree with you Richard), BoJo is the PM (at least in name) and, as the saying goes, "the buck stops with him".BoJo will defend Cummings come hell or high water.  Terrible!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2093d

And Johnson is getting the blame for defenestrating Lewis but I think that's wrong. Johnson would never have the nerve to do it, instead this has Cummings' fingerprints all over it.

Richard Carter ● 2093d

Grailing would appear to be beyond parody.

Clifford Cowell ● 2093d

.."having Grayling and Intelligence in the same title would be an oxymoron."  I agree!I still find it mind boggling that Lewis had the Whip removed.  The government is behaving like a spoiled brat I think.  As a result of this, can Lewis still be the chair of the intelligence committee?The next question coming is, of course, the publication of the report on Patel.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2093d

@Richard. Ha, ha. Yes, that had occurred to me. Surely, the whips should have withdrawn the whip from Grayling for crass incompetence? Interesting hearing Malcolm Rifkin on the Today programme putting the boot into Johnson for meddling with what is supposed to be an independent, non partisan, oversight committee. And Dominic Grieve is now on TV saying Johnson shouldn't have meddled ...

Michael Ixer ● 2093d

A somebody pointed out (on Facebook, I think), Failing is the only person who could contrive to lose a fixed election!

Richard Carter ● 2093d

As my wife just pointed out it would never have worked having him as chair of that committee because having Grayling and Intelligence in the same title would be an oxymoron - or perhaps just a moron? 🙂

Michael Ixer ● 2094d

It's brilliant news. But yet again Johnson shows his petty vindictiveness in withdrawing the whip from an MP sufficiently independent to go against him. Just as he turfed out so many decent, competent MPs last autumn. He doesn't grasp it only underlines his weakness.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2094d

This is beyond belief!!  Lewis lost the Tory Whip because he was elected to the Committee?  I am lost for words!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2094d

Vindictive and self defeating. Should stiffen his resolve.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2094d

I see Lewis has now lost the Tory whip. Still at least we might get to see the Russian interference report now.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/15/chris-grayling-fails-to-become-intelligence-and-security-chairApologies to Grayling for misspell his name in my enthusiasm to post this news item.

Michael Ixer ● 2094d

That is certainly good news!  Let us hope the Russian report is published soon, though I understand it has been heavily edited.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2094d

This really is excellent news, and almost compensates for the lunacy of Jackass trying to get Grayling into the post in the first place. Two cheers for democracy!

Richard Carter ● 2094d

I'd love to have seen Dominic Cummings's face seven he heard about it!

Michael Ixer ● 2094d

I needed some good news!

Jonathan Callaway ● 2094d