This was not even a case of rearranging the deck chairs on Titanic.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/08/theresa-mays-reshuffle-thrown-off-course-by-defiant-ministers

Theresa May's reshuffle in disarray 

What had been heralded only 24 hours before as the cabinet reshuffle to stamp Theresa May's authority on her government, a bold and ruthless purge to demonstrate that she is in charge and in complete control, has turned into nothing of the sort. In fact the proverbial "damp squib", was not even present for this performance of stunning ineptitude and chaos. The event got off to a poor and confused start with the announcement that Chris Grayling was to be the new Conservative Party Chair. Less than 5 minutes later, the "appointment" was hurriedly withdrawn and Grayling's name was never mentioned again as he remains Transport with Brandon Lewis later appointed to Conservative party Chair. Grayling must be the shortest serving party Chair in the history of politics.

From there the day which had started badly became even worse. Minister after minister who Theresa May wanted to move to other positions (or perhaps even sack), told her very clearly that they were not prepared to leave their posts. What threats these cabinet members used to keep their positions we may only speculate on, but at the end of the day Johnson, Hammond, Rudd, Davis, Hunt, Leadsom, and Clarke all remain in place. Justine Greening resigned from government rather than be moved, adding another complication after Brokenshire resigned from government on health grounds.

The resultant chaos from this reshuffle that never was will no doubt have ramifications for Theresa May over the coming weeks. If she expected some support from the usual quarters this morning, she is sadly mistaken. She probably expected  some criticism from those elements of the media who traditionally would not necessarily support a conservative government, but she must have been shocked and even hurt by the savage comments in those papers who usually support the conservatives no matter what. Today's papers reveal the extent to which the Prime Minister has been damaged by the events of yesterday. A glance at the headlines will be worrying not only for Theresa May, but for all of her government.

"No Prime Minister." Daily Mail.

"Cabinet reshuffle descends into chaos". Express

"Night of the blunt stiletto". Telegraph.

"Greening quits in shambolic reshuffle". Times.

"Theresa May's Cabinet reshuffle backfires as education secretary Justine Greening refuses new role and quits". Evening Standard.

"Night of the blunt knives: Ministers wreck reshuffle". Independent. 

Senior Conservative tells The Independent, 'if this was meant to show she has the power to reshuffle her Cabinet, it has shown the complete opposite' 

A few short weeks ago, some senior conservative sources were saying that Theresa May would only be allowed one more mistake, but yesterday she made a series of errors and misjudgements.

Cabinet reshuffles are supposed to be about the Prime Minister asserting her power. Yesterdays comedy of errors has only underlined her weakness.

Northern Ireland and Brexit. The return of "The Troubles"

Northern Ireland: police attacked in another night of disturbances | Northern Ireland | The Guardian When the "Brexit" debate was still filling our newspapers and our television screens, readers may remember why I had changed my mind since voting to leave at the referendum vote. Apart from the economic arguments, which had become crystal clear after peeling away all the lies and misrepresentations trotted out by Bozo Boris and his "Get Brexit Done" conspirators, there was always the problem of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Would it be possible to have a border between the European Union and the United Kingdom where people, goods and services could pass freely between the two nations without customs restrictions, tariffs, duties and all the other formalities? Would it be possible to have one part of the United Kingdom treated differently from other parts of the United Kingdom, particularly when Scotland for example had voted overwhe

The Parliamentary Labour Party conspirators are hatching another coup.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/corbyn-labour-leadership-rebel-mps-a7202641.html Labour MPs plan for Corbyn victory and plot how to confront an emboldened leader Even for the "Independent", the number and use of unnamed anonymous "sources" in this article is quite astonishing. However, amongst all the usual speculative delusion, there is one factor which causes concern to anyone who believes in the Labour Party, its principles and in he democratic process of the Labour movement. It is abundantly clear that elements within the Parliamentary Labour Party, are even now, planning another coup in the event that Jeremy Corbyn should emerge as winner in the current ballot. The failed coup of earlier this year, has now descended into a sham leadership election, because the conspirators still fail to accept the democratic decision of the Labour party membership and cling to

Plemont development or return to nature?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey- A date has been set for a public inquiry into plans for Plemont Headland. This exceptional location must be sold to the National trust for Jersey, and returned to nature. Any other outcome involving development of the site, can only demonstrate the extent to which greed and self interest have become endemic in Jersey.

Agenda 2019

Search This Blog