en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/5492263 Comments by Keith_N https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094886572 No parent doesn't want to feed their kids but this is a national emergency and help is required. Remember many families are on reduced or no income, and poverty levels were high before this begun, so for any government to say 'tough, don't ask us to help, it's all down to you', especially when it has mishandled that emergency, is very heartless. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:59:16 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094886572 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094884315 “It’s time we put party politics aside and worked together to find a long-term sustainable solution to child food poverty in the UK.” It's hard to disagree with this. The fault lies with whoever decided to whip the Conservatives against the motion. They should have allowed a free vote. It would have helped the reputation of parliament if every MP had marched as one together to help the kids during these emergency times. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:58:42 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094884315 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094884246 No, he's got to take responsibility for the mess he has created and sort it out. We expect every PM to leave the job with the country in a better state than when he took over, not to drop us all in it and then do a runner. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 07:56:27 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094884246 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094450980 Because most of the articles are good and well written, the newslinks page is excellent, and I enjoy the discussions in the comments. Many of those who read and comment on ConHome are not Conservative party supporters. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 13:24:42 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094450980 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/john-howell-it-is-time-for-britain-to-take-the-council-of-europe-more-seriously.html#IDComment1094450444 If a leader of any government is fighting for the interests of their country, what is wrong with that? We would expect a British PM to do the same. What we must not do is generalise and assume that every organisation with the word 'European' is bad. As the articles says, we have left the EU, we have not left Europe. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 12:50:31 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/john-howell-it-is-time-for-britain-to-take-the-council-of-europe-more-seriously.html#IDComment1094450444 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/john-howell-it-is-time-for-britain-to-take-the-council-of-europe-more-seriously.html#IDComment1094450415 And not forgetting the Eurovision Song Contest, the Europa League and the Western European Union (although the latter is no longer with us). I met a few people who voted Leave because they did not like the Eurovision Song Contest, and even one person who was annoyed about European footballers in the Premier League. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 12:47:27 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/john-howell-it-is-time-for-britain-to-take-the-council-of-europe-more-seriously.html#IDComment1094450415 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/john-howell-it-is-time-for-britain-to-take-the-council-of-europe-more-seriously.html#IDComment1094449948 The colleague referred to in the first paragraph clearly makes the same mistake as so many do - that anything with the prefix 'Euro' or word 'European' must be something to do with the EU - such as the European Court of Human Rights or the Eurovision Song Contest, both of which as we know pre-date the EU. John Howell is correct that we have not left Europe - it will be many millions of years before that literally happens. It would be wrong for anyone to extend their dislike of the EU to everything European, and, for this reason, we must continue to search for good relations with those states across the Channel and wish them well. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 12:20:50 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/john-howell-it-is-time-for-britain-to-take-the-council-of-europe-more-seriously.html#IDComment1094449948 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094448280 It is interesting how the British are often so opposed to any British candidate for an international post. Some countries thinks it adds prestige if they get someone in a big post and will put aside their differences to lobby for that one. Here in Britain, our politicians generally have minority support, so there will always be a majority against them. Most opposed Liam Fox for the WTO, partly because most of us are not Conservative supporters, and many of those that are Conservative supporters do not support his Brexit views. Gordon Brown and the IMF is another example. Like Fox, it was hard to find anyone in this country who supported that suggested appointment - least of all the then Cameron government. As an example, imagine if the NATO Secretary General post became vacant. Imagine the choice was between Tony Blair of the UK and Hans Romburg from Denmark - which would you choose? I think 80% of you would choose Romburg, even though I have just made him up. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 11:00:22 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094448280 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094447757 I think whenever we put forward any British candidate for any international job, a large number of us would oppose it. It was the same when Gordon Brown was up for the IMF job. Whereas in many other states, they will often put aside their differences and lobby for a countryman to take over anywhere as they think it brings prestige to that country. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 10:25:44 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094447757 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446838 We hear a lot about the EU's 'behaviour' as if we expect them to bow the knee to someone who have loudly told them how much they are hated. The EU has many good points and many bad points - as we have discussed many times - but I do not believe it is to blame for any and every misfortune that exists in the world. I certainly do not believe that the EU selects the Director General of the World Trade Organisation. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 09:35:48 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446838 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446741 I should add that last bit was aimed at Iain Dale. To be fair, as far as I know, Fox is not blaming the EU for him not getting the job. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 09:32:33 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446741 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446695 Well, now we have left the EU, and have 'taken back control', I hope we can at last move on. Almost all government mistakes are home grown. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 09:30:06 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446695 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446674 I do not believe that the EU choose the Director General of the World Trade Organisation. I do not know why Fox did not get the job but perhaps there were better candidates. When we fail at job interviews, we should look at ourselves and how we can improve, not just blame someone for whom we have a strong dislike. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 09:29:03 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446674 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446301 Yes, a reasonable point, but it is not possible for Trump and Biden to both lose so we must all hope for our chosen candidate. According to YouGov, 45% of Conservative voters want Biden to win with 26% for Trump. (The other 29% presumably don't care). And, overall, 61% of Britons are cheering on Biden with 13% for Trump. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 09:09:32 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446301 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446224 I always thought that Boris Johnson would have made the perfect Conservative party chairman, and was surprised that he was never considered for the job. His energy and enthusiasm would have rallied a party and led a good campaign. He would certainly be more suitable and comfortable than he is in his current post. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 09:06:09 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446224 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446157 So the EU gets the blame once again? What a surprise. Ireland were knocked out of the Euros 0n penalties last night, perhaps that was the EU's fault too. The EU has many faults but, now we have left, please can we stop this pure hatred campaign, and blame it for everything we do not like. I have to say that, even amongst Conservatives, it was hard to take the idea of Liam Fox leading the WTO seriously - many thought he only applied for a laugh. It would be like Tony Blair trying to be peace envoy (oh, wait a minute .. ) Maybe Liam Fox did not get the job because, whoever decides these things, thought he was not the right person for the job. It's possible! We have all been turned down for jobs in the past. Fri, 9 Oct 2020 09:03:42 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-if-milling-isnt-up-to-being-party-chairman-why-was-she-appointed-in-the-first-place.html#IDComment1094446157 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/what-will-trumps-illness-mean-for-the-us-election.html#IDComment1094274282 I think 'hatred' is too strong. I don't hate the guy, as I said I wish him a quick recovery. I said the same when Johnson was unwell. (And I used to like the US version of The Apprentice). I just think the world's interests, and those of the UK, would be better off if Donald Trump was no longer in the White House. Not sure what the EU has to do with Trump's illness. It would be naive to think that Trump is a friend of the UK. He will shaft the UK if he got the opportunity - but to be fair that is his job. Just looked up 'Riding the Dragon' and it appears to be about Joe Biden. I am no fan of Biden but he is the only alternative. It is not possible for both candidates to lose, however much we may wish. Fri, 2 Oct 2020 15:11:39 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/what-will-trumps-illness-mean-for-the-us-election.html#IDComment1094274282 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/what-will-trumps-illness-mean-for-the-us-election.html#IDComment1094272487 I think this is true. The White House would have leaked if it were not true and presumably the doctors will need to address a press conference at which they would not perjure themselves - as their career would be finished if they did. (If he was feeling better, he could do the debates via Zoom). Fri, 2 Oct 2020 13:07:16 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/what-will-trumps-illness-mean-for-the-us-election.html#IDComment1094272487 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/what-will-trumps-illness-mean-for-the-us-election.html#IDComment1094272461 I am sure we all wish Trump a quick recovery and return to fitness so he can be defeated fair and square on 3 November. The only concern is that he might use his recovery as proof of his physical and mental strength compared to the older Biden (although that might be the case) and also downplay the effects of the illness which has crippled the world and of which over a million have died. I agree with the article that Trump will not stand down - and, to be fair, why should he? There are now lots of speculation about the constitutional position of a President dying before or after the election, but I think we can be confident of Trump's recovery. He will have the best medical care available to the USA. I think the election will be very close so, again as the article states, there is also the concern that he might get something of a sympathy vote. Fri, 2 Oct 2020 13:05:29 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/what-will-trumps-illness-mean-for-the-us-election.html#IDComment1094272461 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/henry-hill-the-challenges-involved-in-reviving-the-four-nation-approach-to-covid-19.html#IDComment1094101838 Indeed, there are parties and movements in both Wales and Scotland which have the aim of abolishing the assemblies and restoring all powers to Westminster. Why anyone in Wales and Scotland would want to take away powers from Cardiff and Edinburgh respectively and give it to Boris Johnson in London is a mystery? Thu, 24 Sep 2020 13:28:11 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/09/henry-hill-the-challenges-involved-in-reviving-the-four-nation-approach-to-covid-19.html#IDComment1094101838