Forum Topic

Bought and sold

"TORY donors who have given the party more than £18 million in recent years have pleaded with MPs not to vote against Boris Johnson in Monday night's confidence ballot.The desperate letter from 23 loaded supporters branded rebels "foolish" and says Johnson has their "unwavering support".It claims throughout the pandemic, Johnson took the "tough but necessary" decisions, helped to save lives, and ensured "our great nation is able to thrive again".The 23 also said he "got the big calls right" and insisted he was the right man to lead the country."https://www.thenational.scot/news/20189913.boris-johnson-tory-donors-plead-mps-support-pm-ahead-no-confidence-vote/Wes Streeting on Twitter:-"Never mind the majority of the voters who think Johnson should go, “the donors have spoken” decrees Nadine Dorries, removing any further doubt about whose interests the Conservative Party serves…"

David Ainsworth ● 1337d6 Comments

Ivonne, I was not implying that anyone was inferior or not intentionally anyway but just that they were both absent.Unfortunately you can not separate individuals from parties or our system of government.People like Johnson can only become PM due to failures on multiple levels. His path was cleared and even helped along by the opposition.The Electoral Commission has a break down of money received by parties. It is worth looking at. The two main parties are far ahead of the smaller parties when it comes to large donations.I wonder why people think it is called the party whip? Why do so many MPs follow like sheep with only a few breaking ranks? Call it blackmail or bullying or even bribery but that is simply how the our system works. The system needs fixing, just swapping individuals without real reform is not going to solve the issues.

Ed Robinson ● 1336d

I do not think we are in a situation of justifying one party against the other.We are in a situation where the behaviour of the PM is being questioned for many issues, not just one.The fact that Johnson had COVID, which is awful enough, does not mean that somebody who is being treated for cancer is an inferior soul, or that his illness is less serious than COVID.All parties are seeking donors (so are  charity shops, by the way, but the latter are slightly more respectable).  The fact that Nadine Dories clearly stated that donors would refrain from the conservative party if Boris Johnson lost the no-confidence vote was shocking, but blackmailing MPs for this is, well, my polite vocabulary has taken leave.You mention specifically Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who happens to be a doctor and Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health, as being the only opposition at the time.  She is very well qualified to express her views, I would have thought.On the other hand, I have serious misgivings of Suella Braverman.Please bear in mind that this post refers to individuals, not to parties.  A very great difference.  Sadly, the list of questionable individuals at the moment seem to have a longer list for those attached to the conservative party.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1337d

"It claims throughout the pandemic, Johnson took the "tough but necessary" decisions, helped to save lives, and ensured "our great nation is able to thrive again"."Katrina Black/Jane Carter,The post had the quote above included. My comments were reflection the complete absence of ministers and shadow ministers  during that time.Boris was also hospitalised. Whatever the particular circumstances of individuals it does not explain the complete absence of the opposition and government ministers. Dr Rosena Allin-Khan seemed to be the only opposition at the time.On the funding issue: both parties have had scandals concerning honours and funding. They have or are turning away from membership based funding.Unions are also questioning if they are getting value for money from the Labour party.As far as I can see neither party can claim to be squeaky clean and both will be looking to hook the big donors.

Ed Robinson ● 1337d

Also for Ed RobinsonNot sure what Wes Streeting has to do with Tory donors but  he was indeed diagnosed with kidney cancer and had to take a few months off work in 2020 after surgery and chemotherapy. Perhaps you need to be a bit more forgiving!

Jane Carter ● 1337d

For Ed Robinson - Wasn't Wes Streeting missing during the pandemic because he was receiving Cancer treatment? I vaguely recall something being said about it when he returned to public life.

Katrina Black ● 1337d

Like Boris wasn't Wes Streeting missing during the pandemic?I will never forgive them for having to rely on Piers Morgan to hold the government to account!I still have Piers Morgan flashbacks that may take years to erase.

Ed Robinson ● 1337d