en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/23634061 Comments by locale https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2021/01/iain-dale-400000-police-records-have-gone-and-patel-is-nowhere-to-be-seen-either.html#IDComment1096899318 While I agree Priti shouldn't have palmed it off to Malthouse it is difficult to see why the affair is a resigning matter for a Home Secretary still relatively new to the office rather than others more directly involved. Having said that I'm not convinced of her competence and ability in more general terms. On that the jury is still out. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 12:23:44 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2021/01/iain-dale-400000-police-records-have-gone-and-patel-is-nowhere-to-be-seen-either.html#IDComment1096899318 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/we-wish-the-new-president-well-as-he-starts-but-fear-that-his-term-wont-go-well.html#IDComment1096850172 Yes when it comes down to it this is the determining feature of this presidency. He would have been a better choice than the oleaginous Bill Clinton when he was 50 back in 1992 but now we will be wondering whether he will be able to serve his full term or will Kamala as many suspect take over the reins before too long. Wed, 20 Jan 2021 15:22:48 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/we-wish-the-new-president-well-as-he-starts-but-fear-that-his-term-wont-go-well.html#IDComment1096850172 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/we-wish-the-new-president-well-as-he-starts-but-fear-that-his-term-wont-go-well.html#IDComment1096845431 By luvvies I am not just referring to actors but musicians and others in the wider creative sector. There were plenty in the alternative 1980's scene. Many of them and their younger successors are still at it today. Trump apparently is raging at the number turning up for Biden's coronation in contrast to his. Wed, 20 Jan 2021 11:49:23 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/we-wish-the-new-president-well-as-he-starts-but-fear-that-his-term-wont-go-well.html#IDComment1096845431 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/we-wish-the-new-president-well-as-he-starts-but-fear-that-his-term-wont-go-well.html#IDComment1096843909 Yes the point is well made about how much of our media regard the American Right. The dysfunctional Trump was manna from heaven in that respect but those with longer memories remember their previous viciousness towards George W Bush and even towards possibly the greatest post war president Ronald Reagan who was cruelly and unjustly lampooned by much of the same media and political class and their right-on luvvie sympathisers at the time. Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:31:39 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/we-wish-the-new-president-well-as-he-starts-but-fear-that-his-term-wont-go-well.html#IDComment1096843909 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/in-2021-the-union-is-in-danger-but-there-is-a-way-to-ridicule-and-defeat-the-nats.html#IDComment1096338855 It is interesting to note that Neil Oliver once ubiquitous at the BBC seems to have become rather persona non grata at that place of late. Can't think why that is ;-) Fri, 1 Jan 2021 11:20:50 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/01/in-2021-the-union-is-in-danger-but-there-is-a-way-to-ridicule-and-defeat-the-nats.html#IDComment1096338855 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2020/11/profile-carrie-symonds-experienced-tory-adviser-turned-prime-ministerial-consort-loyal-to-her-friends-detested-by-her-enemies.html#IDComment1095326996 I know where you're coming from but Boris should have seized his chance when he was clearly needed to lead the country forward after Cameron abdicated. His skill set is peculiarly ill-suited to tackling a pandemic..something for which May for all her known failings in other areas might have handled better. Tue, 17 Nov 2020 18:57:06 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2020/11/profile-carrie-symonds-experienced-tory-adviser-turned-prime-ministerial-consort-loyal-to-her-friends-detested-by-her-enemies.html#IDComment1095326996 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2020/11/profile-carrie-symonds-experienced-tory-adviser-turned-prime-ministerial-consort-loyal-to-her-friends-detested-by-her-enemies.html#IDComment1095322995 Yes we had May when we needed Boris and Boris when we needed May Tue, 17 Nov 2020 14:31:13 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2020/11/profile-carrie-symonds-experienced-tory-adviser-turned-prime-ministerial-consort-loyal-to-her-friends-detested-by-her-enemies.html#IDComment1095322995 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2020/11/profile-carrie-symonds-experienced-tory-adviser-turned-prime-ministerial-consort-loyal-to-her-friends-detested-by-her-enemies.html#IDComment1095318637 I just think the timing of all this is unfortunate with the December 31st deadline coming up as it has sent out all the wrong signals to our former "partners" in the EU. Once we are beyond this and Covid-19 and perhaps with less time on our hands fewer of us will be paying so much attention to Carrie - all I can say based on this article like the rest of us she appears to have her strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully she will mature into the role and sense when not to get involved as time goes on. Tue, 17 Nov 2020 10:04:30 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2020/11/profile-carrie-symonds-experienced-tory-adviser-turned-prime-ministerial-consort-loyal-to-her-friends-detested-by-her-enemies.html#IDComment1095318637 https://www.conservativehome.com/faragewatch/2020/11/farage-returns-to-a-favourite-game-winding-up-tory-mps-and-flying-them-like-a-kite-or-trying-to.html#IDComment1095012216 I'd be careful suggesting only 20% of people oppose a renewed lockdown. Anti-lockdowners by nature will not be the type to participate in YouGov polls. Admittedly some of them will not be the type to vote in general elections either although some turned out for the EU referendum. My rather more boots on the ground guess is that around a third of the British public are highly sceptical or actively oppose these new measures. Mon, 2 Nov 2020 13:03:25 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/faragewatch/2020/11/farage-returns-to-a-favourite-game-winding-up-tory-mps-and-flying-them-like-a-kite-or-trying-to.html#IDComment1095012216 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/11/like-the-virus-itself-and-like-other-restrictions-this-shutdown-will-come-down-hardest-on-the-deep-poor.html#IDComment1095009927 +1 Mon, 2 Nov 2020 10:24:06 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/11/like-the-virus-itself-and-like-other-restrictions-this-shutdown-will-come-down-hardest-on-the-deep-poor.html#IDComment1095009927 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/11/like-the-virus-itself-and-like-other-restrictions-this-shutdown-will-come-down-hardest-on-the-deep-poor.html#IDComment1095009907 It will be interesting to see if Farage's new party kicks off. While I 100% agree with him on the second lockdown there is no getting away from the fact he is a better agitator than party manager. I have never gone there apart from voting TBP in the 2019 Euros because of the fruitloop factor. However if he manages to exclude the nuttier elements and establish a more broad based socially conservative party but economically centrist party then the Tories may have some cause for concern. Mon, 2 Nov 2020 10:22:05 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/11/like-the-virus-itself-and-like-other-restrictions-this-shutdown-will-come-down-hardest-on-the-deep-poor.html#IDComment1095009907 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-stop-the-utter-selfishness-and-pathetic-whinging-about-not-having-a-normal-christmas.html#IDComment1094936241 There's actually only one good reason to accept a second lockdown and that is if a fully tried, tested and viable vaccine is literally just round the corner as clearly if one is about to be available you wouldn't want to be like the soldier killed on the Western Front at 5 minutes to 11. Fri, 30 Oct 2020 10:07:01 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thecolumnists/2020/10/iain-dale-stop-the-utter-selfishness-and-pathetic-whinging-about-not-having-a-normal-christmas.html#IDComment1094936241 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094894362 Possible if you know how to cook and use the right ingredients. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:36:59 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094894362 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094887691 Yes indeed. Re your last sentence local gov't is the same - we are told officers and staff are fragile. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 11:02:02 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094887691 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094886847 There is another danger sneaking up unnoticed namely the newly sensible liberal Liberal Democrats. Davey has recently outflanked the Tories on their own ground twice - the latest on relaxing Christmas restrictions. Of course they are recovering from a miserable base but they will soon start inflicting damage in the wobbly Tory shires - for them the only way is up. Wed, 28 Oct 2020 10:15:07 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/10/normal-relations-between-the-conservative-leader-and-conservative-mps-are-breaking-down.html#IDComment1094886847 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/chris-green-we-are-following-a-failing-covid-strategy-and-its-costs-are-too-high-thats-why-i-quit-the-government.html#IDComment1094603470 I sense there's a growing divergence between the views of many of the voters that put this administration in power whom I think Chris Green represents well and the actions of this government on Covid-19. I am not privy to the finances of the Tory party but I bet their income is well down and in part that will reflect some disillusionment among this previously enthusiastic supporter group. Not surprising really if like me this week you see a previously successful well run local business have to close down resulting in dozens of lost jobs and taxes. Just as well we are still in negotiations with the EU or support might be falling off a cliff right now. Chris was right to resign and it is an indictment of the present leadership his moderate sensible approach as set out in his article has been rejected. Fri, 16 Oct 2020 08:15:18 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/chris-green-we-are-following-a-failing-covid-strategy-and-its-costs-are-too-high-thats-why-i-quit-the-government.html#IDComment1094603470 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2020/09/switching-to-more-unitary-authorities-and-directly-elected-mayors-must-be-achieved-by-consent.html#IDComment1093643426 Exactly. Tue, 8 Sep 2020 13:55:15 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2020/09/switching-to-more-unitary-authorities-and-directly-elected-mayors-must-be-achieved-by-consent.html#IDComment1093643426 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2020/09/switching-to-more-unitary-authorities-and-directly-elected-mayors-must-be-achieved-by-consent.html#IDComment1093639474 It strikes me local Tory prospects will be damaged by this every bit as much as Labour's red wall. Our Tory district authority in Kent is very well run and that is a judgement made by independent organisations and so why would I want to see it dismantled in favour of a new unitary Kent County Council which would be 13 times the size and represent 1.5 million people. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Tue, 8 Sep 2020 11:08:56 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2020/09/switching-to-more-unitary-authorities-and-directly-elected-mayors-must-be-achieved-by-consent.html#IDComment1093639474 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/why-williamson-should-be-moved-now.html#IDComment1092759242 Of course you are correct and actually in my opinion too many people go to university rather than take up the technical qualifications mentioned by Ross above. However specifically when it comes to Education Secretary you do need someone out of the top drawer academically as well as possessing the virtues you describe. I could bore everyone by elaborating why but I feel sure you will be aware of the reasons. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:48:04 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/why-williamson-should-be-moved-now.html#IDComment1092759242 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/why-williamson-should-be-moved-now.html#IDComment1092750310 Restore Michael Gove to the tenure he never had a chance to complete thanks to wobbly Cameron. He doesn't seem to be doing much at the moment anyway. And the civil servants won't have to school him. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 09:46:57 +0000 https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2020/08/why-williamson-should-be-moved-now.html#IDComment1092750310