Astonishing. At that time I travelled into central London on Saturday to do a bit of food shopping (mainly to enjoy the strange emptiness of the never-empty city). When done, I'd sit on a bench in Soho square to drink a can of pop. There was always a group of police rotating the park asking (ever so politely) people to move on, as sitting on benches was not permitted. If you chose your bench wisely, it would take them about 20 minutes to get around to you.<p>Clearly I would have been better off with 8 cans of Special Brew in the No 10 garden.
I think what is more fascinating is that high-ranking politicians have always sought ways to circumvent the rules, in order to get ahead, securing themselves exorbitant personal fortunes, even in times of financial crisis, and often at the immediate or delayed expense of the taxpayer (if not simply evading taxes).<p>And this phenomenon is not new. It has most probably been going on as long as the concept of money has been around, or even the concept of trade and personal-private wealth, be it tribal chieftains/shamans, monarchs and satellite nobles, land-owners/feudal leaders, warlords/military commanders, right the way up to contemporary politicians.<p>and yet, what the people get up in arms about is the garden party? How many of the UK's politicians have bizarre private companies and "offshore" bank accounts? How many of them paved the way for absurd legislation and policy decisions that serve only the top 1%?<p>How many of them let their actions be determined by lobbying and veiled bribery rather than any personal convictions or, heaven forfend, the views of the electorate?<p>People are getting upset about this, even though a non-trivial portion of the same people broke the law at the same time to see family and party? The people should pay attention to what else is going on.<p>Of course, the people mostly pay attention to whatever is put on the stage and given the spotlight. And that is determined not by an obligation to pursue and broadcast the truth, but rather by whatever can sell newspapers and online news subscriptions, and whatever can capture people's gaze on the television screen and online ad real estate -- but, critically, without shaking the foundations of the status quo.<p>It's all just a theatrical presentation. Politics and its coverage in the media is little more than a reality TV show.<p>None of it deserves your time of day.
It’s a trope in British politics that the real division is not between left and right but between roundhead and cavalier. It’s a useful way to think about things. The British tend to prefer a bit of the cavalier in their Prime Ministers. The cavaliers do well until they forget that the British also expect at least a roundheadish front when the times call for it.<p>Like Charles I though, Johnson believes in the divine right of toffs and seems likely to end up with his Government decapitated.
It might be good to ask at an interview. "Will I be able to tell a work meeting from a party". If the answer is no, life could be interesting.
For the none Brits on here, we are nearing the end of Boris Johnsons farcical term as PM. It could be just a matter of days until he is gone, and god know what then happens as there is no one obvious to take over - even on an interim basis. Most people I have spoken too would like there to be an early general election, even if they want another Conservative government, because we need to clear house and start afresh.
Politicians here in California and the US are no different. The rules they advocate, mandate and prescribe to the masses do not apply to them.<p><a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/heatherknight/article/S-F-Mayor-London-Breed-had-her-own-French-15767506.php" rel="nofollow">https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/heatherknight/article/S-...</a><p><a href="https://abc7news.com/london-breed-french-laundry-san-francisco-stay-at-home-order-sf-coronavirus-covid-in/8852527/" rel="nofollow">https://abc7news.com/london-breed-french-laundry-san-francis...</a><p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-12-03/skelton-edd-inmate-unemployment-fraud-scandal-french-laundry-embarassment" rel="nofollow">https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-12-03/skelton-...</a><p><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/18/opinions/california-governor-gavin-newsom-recall-mitchell/index.html" rel="nofollow">https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/18/opinions/california-gover...</a><p><a href="https://www.brproud.com/news/former-president-obama-celebrates-birthday-without-a-mask-and-social-media-reacts/" rel="nofollow">https://www.brproud.com/news/former-president-obama-celebrat...</a>
This is one of the stupidest scandals I’ve ever seen. It makes Labour look very bad and deluded. They think the PM is going to resign because he stepped outside to the Downing St back garden for a short break and a glass of wine on a sunny day?<p>Hall Monitor mentality in full effect.