I return to Blighty only to discover that poor Angela Rayner has been getting a lot of stick.
She's a classic 'rags to riches' gal, and good for her for that! But that doesn't excuse her hypocrisy.
She's, frankly, much more suited to being a Trade Union 'rabble rouser' than a senior politician. Such people can shout "Tory Scum" with impunity, but not as the deputy leader of a major political party.
Nor can they fiddle their tax payments on a house purchase (her £800,000 Brighton seaside 'second home' flat), especially when they are Secretary of State for Housing.
Of course, according to the fragrant Angela, she did no wrong; it was everyone else's fault. She took advice from the wrong adviser (don't we all).
We would all use HER tax adviser, as long as we didn't get caught. Unfortunately all senior politicians are under permanent scrutiny, and she WAS caught! A small question of dodging a £40,000 tax bill was bound to surface.
She knew she couldn't escape the whole murky scandal, so she's finally thrown in the towel.
So, ta ta Ducks; it were grand knowing yer.
In many ways Angela was quite fun. She was Starmer's trusty Pit Bull, sitting by his side in loose cannon pose. She was also the darling of the 'lower classes' who saw her as their mouthpiece against all those who achieve and succeed. Along with Rachel Reeves and David Lammy, she was one of that trio of hard-line Socialist front benchers who hate the rich but are desperate to join them.
The delightful David Lammy has now replaced her as Deputy Prime Minister. Gawd 'elp us; it gets worse and worse!
Careful, Cro. Your "political" broadcasts do, at times, verge on some borderline you may be best advised not to cross. It'll reflect more on you than "them" whoever "they" are.
ReplyDeleteAs to Rayner, and you point out: Unfortunate when caught out. Lammy? He may surprise.
On a more general note, let's say Rayner was good in her role (I don't know) isn't it a pity to lose a talent, a force on some technical issue nothing to do with her abilities within government?
Whatever. Glad you, Lady M and Billy made it back - not too worse for wear.
U
As I'm sure you are aware, I'm just as critical of ALL politicians when merited. No-one escapes my very gentle wrath.
Deletehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk
DeleteHere you go have a go at this
David Lammy, who's appearance on the 2009 Celebrity Mastermind was pure car crash tv when asked who succeeded King Henry VIII. He replied Henry VII. Absolutely unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteI just hope he never has to take over as PM. What a nightmare that would be. It was bad enough having him as Foreign Sec'.
DeleteAs someone who spent her years on the Opposition front bench, crying "resign" for every real or imagined "crime" of those in government, she was very much hoist with her own petard once her questionable dealings came to light. And there would appear to be more murky waters yet to reveal judging by today's press.
ReplyDeleteWe all like to save money, but her way of doing it was almost 'criminal'.
Delete"Of course, according to the fragrant Angela, she did no wrong". What do you mean? She did the honourable thing and resigned. There cannot be a clearer admittance of error than that. If only the Tory pitbull newspapers would pursue Tory politicians and the likes of Nigel Farage with the same relish and energy!
ReplyDeleteShe only resigned as her lies caught-up with her. She was CAUGHT red-handed. It was silly of her to lie about it in the first place. I don't call that 'honourable', I call it 'last resort'; she had nowhere to hide!
DeleteDo tell what those Tories, and Farage, have done. I'm sure your 'Socialist Worker' paper would welcome the info!
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DeleteYour wish, Cro, has come true faster than you can say Boris Johnson. Don't say "boy done good". I don't cast a stone either. Facts are facts. Humans are greedy opportunists. Some resist temptation, live by an ethical code; others don't.
DeleteWake up to today's news. Don't forget the smelling salts.
U
You're right on this; and she got her comeuppance!
DeleteWill she now sell her new Hove "pad" at an extortionate price and try to cover up how much profit she's made? Surely as a hard-line Socialist buying an 800,000 GBP property (to add to the two she already owns) is against all Socialist principles!
ReplyDeleteI expect she'll keep the flat as a hideaway home. She'll probably sell the one in Manchester. They only hate 'The Rich' until they become one as well.
DeleteOf course she gets her severance payment which apparently will be enough to settle her fines for tax avoidance. Good riddance I say.
ReplyDeleteShe'll probably be offered a few tasty directorships too. And a TV slot perhaps? She'll do well for herself.
DeleteAs it is said, with power comes corruption. Unfortunately, this can be seen widely and at the highest of levels.
ReplyDeleteLook at some of our world leaders: BN, VP and DT and nobody has managed to stop them, as yet.
In the big picture, AR is small potatoes. That being said, at least she's been caught and halted.
She's of little importance in UK politics, it's amazing that she got as far as she did.
DeleteI always liked her
ReplyDeleteI never did.
DeleteSurely Boris Johnson got up to way more no good and yet survived for many years
ReplyDeleteBoris Johnson? The timing is impeccable. Big smile. Do see my reply to Cro, above, on thread with YP.
DeleteU
Boris was Prime Minister and needed to be all over the place. I do remember Starmer going to a Beer and Curry party, up north somewhere, and got away with it.
DeleteAs Ursula said, the timing is impeccable
Deletehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/08/boris-johnson-had-dinner-in-lockdown-with-peer-funding-flat-refit-files-suggest