bluewolf
Money List Winner
Fair enough.. I'll be honest and state that my sense of humour is sadly lacking where Mr. Cummings is concerned. Quite possibly the most dangerous person in politics at the moment.
Brexit - The negotiations.
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SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
Hope for consistencies sake you had the same misgivings for Alastair Campbell in the Blair years.?
bluewolf
Money List Winner
I did, although his role was quite different and his influence much less. Cummings appears to be the actual power behind the frontman Boris. I really don't think that Campbell ever had as much power as Cummings.
It all started with Bernard Ingram! PM's since Maggie, maybe before but I get the impression he was the first bruiser to come out and be open about it, have had 'trusted' advisors in one capacity or another. Cummings seems to be aggressive in the Campbell mould but each PM for many years have had unelected, non civil servants, at their sides. (I know that Ingram was classed as the press officer but he was much more than that)
drdel
Tour Rookie
I'm sure Cummings would be very amused by the intellectual credit and power attributed to him.
We might want to remember the HoC has 600+ members, another 300 sit in the HoL Most work is done by Cross Party committees with the help of very able Civil servants across the various departments. Cummings may advise the PM and 'have his ear' but I think the PM is no walk-over and the democratic machinery of the UK's Parliamentary system of government is well able to cope.
We might want to remember the HoC has 600+ members, another 300 sit in the HoL Most work is done by Cross Party committees with the help of very able Civil servants across the various departments. Cummings may advise the PM and 'have his ear' but I think the PM is no walk-over and the democratic machinery of the UK's Parliamentary system of government is well able to cope.
Foxholer
Blackballed
I believe his ego is even greater than either of those attributes!
But that view is rather distorted by the attitude of (at least much of) the Press, or at least much of it, who seem to object to and criticise anyone who might exert influence politicians more than any/all of them! And such 'power games' create their own news stories!
bluewolf
Money List Winner
There is a significant difference between the 2 attributes you have mentioned. I strongly suspect that his "power" outweighs his "intellect".
Still, it's very easy to support someone who, on the surface, is giving you what you want. The real test of character is when you recognise that there is an issue even when that issue is in your favour.
drdel
Tour Rookie
Promotion to beyond capability is a common issue.
bluewolf
Money List Winner
Very much agree. On all sides of the discussion.
He didn't. Mendelson wielded the axe on behalf of Blair.
Like Priti Patel in this photo?
I get that there is a lot of desperately seeking positives going on at the moment as we enter negotiation with the EU - and maybe they will indeed become evident in the years and decades to come - but I'm not sure a US trade deal delivering 0.16% growth in the economy by 2035 was something that we were led to expect would come about once we were free of the EU shackles. But maybe that was always going to be the case and those that knew aren't surprised.
Anyway - here's hoping the EU is needing us or feeling generous to us - or both - and the basics of good deal are agreed is the coming 4 months - though that's not a lot of time.
I wouldn't trust her with a school crossing. Certainly an appointment I just don't understand. Too much of a loose cannon for me.
Foxholer
Blackballed
The Peter Principle!
Seen it; experienced it! Nearly partaken of it (twice), but recognised it in time to avoid and still 'improve my status'!
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
Some flowers only blossom when exposed to the sun. The clever part is someone recognising the potential.
Some of these senior civil servants look like dower jobsworths who would struggle to excell outside their current roles.
Some of these senior civil servants look like dower jobsworths who would struggle to excell outside their current roles.
Mudball
Assistant Pro
Funny to hear Boris referring you scientists and experts when talking about Corona today.... I thought his camp’s motto was ‘we have too many experts, don’t listen to them’ ...
Record number of UK expats are leaving Spain and France.... for Portugal. Portugal has changed its tax take from immigrants, and its also attracted a lot of (current) UK citizens. How very dare the Portuguese create tax havens!! And them being left wing too...!
bluewolf
Money List Winner
I know absolutely nothing about this, so I have only one question...
Are they creating “tax havens” for people or businesses?
Or both I suppose ?
Don't know about businesses, although in that respect there's always Ireland's low Corp tax... Portugal have offered 0% income tax for the first 2 years of immigration. As you can imagine, saving 20% of a decent sum over 2 years can be quite a sum.
Spain have also offered a non-lucrative residencia visa for those bringing a decent lump sum into the country... there's all sorts of tax breaks around it.
Both the above have not been welcomed by the EU Commission.
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
I thought the EU were concerned about the UK becoming a low tax competitor.
ColchesterFC
Journeyman Pro
You've missed some key words off the end of that sentence.... "outside of their control" is the bit that really concerns them. The EU can reprimand Spain or Portugal or get them to reverse those decisions if they go against EU rules/laws. Once we've left they can't do that to the UK.
Mudball
Assistant Pro
Is Brexit still going ahead?? Does anyone care?
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