UK News and Discussions

[Time_Traveller]

John Bercow defects to Labour with withering attack on Johnson

Sat 19 Jun 2021

John Bercow, the former Tory MP and Speaker of the House of Commons, today delivers an extraordinary broadside against Boris Johnson and the Conservative party as he announces he has switched his political allegiance to Labour.

In an explosive interview with the Observer, Bercow says he regards today’s Conservative party as “reactionary, populist, nationalistic and sometimes even xenophobic”.

Bercow, who stepped down as Speaker in 2019 after 10 years, says he joined the Labour party a few weeks ago because he now shares its values and sees it is as the only means to removing the current Tory government from office.

“I am motivated by support for equality, social justice and internationalism. That is the Labour brand,” he said. “The conclusion I have reached is that this government needs to be replaced. The reality is that the Labour party is the only vehicle that can achieve that objective. There is no other credible option.”

Bercow says that despite Johnson’s professed commitment to “levelling up”, he has no interest in those less privileged than himself. He also describes as “utterly shameful” the decision to cut international aid.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... on-johnson

[Time_Traveller]

Morrisons rejects £5.5bn takeover offer from private equity firm

Sat 19 Jun 2021

Morrisons has rejected a £5.5bn takeover bid from a private equity firm, believing it would have “significantly undervalued” the company.

Private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) had earlier said it was considering a possible cash offer for the supermarket chain.

Morrisons said it rejected a conditional cash offer from CD&R of 230p per share – which amounts to just over £5.5bn.

Morrisons said: “The board of Morrisons evaluated the conditional proposal together with its financial adviser, Rothschild & Co, and unanimously concluded that the conditional proposal significantly undervalued Morrisons and its future prospects.

“Accordingly, the board rejected the conditional proposal on 17 June 2021.”

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -morrisons

[wjfox]

WTF.

----------

‘Hyper-creepy’: Gavin Williamson mocked over One Britain, One Nation song

Wed 23 Jun 2021 15.25 BST

For North Korea, it is a rousing anthem with a bold opening line: “Let morning shine on the silver and gold of our land.” For Vladimir Putin, it’s a chanson-like melody, Where does the motherland begin?, from his favourite Soviet spy film. And for Gavin Williamson, it’s a new “patriotic” song with the chorus line “Strong Britain, Great Nation”.

The education secretary has provoked outrage – both real and amused – for suggesting children should sing the song on Friday to mark “One Britain, One Nation” (OBON) day. Williamson has praised the campaign by a former policeman, Kash Singh, and encouraged all schools to take part. “Children can learn about our shared values of tolerance, kindness, pride and respect,” the education department tweeted.

[...]

There have been inevitable comparisons with the Hitler Youth and with the school song sung by millions of young East German communist pioneers: “Uns’re Heimat”, or “Our homeland”. Some have suggested alternative patriotic anthems, including the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen or Pink Floyd’s We Don’t Need No Education. Comments have ranged from “brainwashing” and “stomach-churning”, to “hyper-creepy”.

Even the usually flag-waving Daily Express struck a sceptical note on Wednesday, reporting that some parents have threatened to boycott the event and to take their children out of school in protest. “Leaving aside the significant concern that this all seems very Hitler Youth, why on earth are you encouraging singing in schools during a global pandemic when cases are rising in schools?” one asked Williamson on Twitter.

Meanwhile the LBC host James O’Brien played the song on his show on Wednesday while standing ironically to attention. Striking a tone both weary and incredulous, he said: “I wish I was joking. It’s real. It’s actually real. I don’t know how much time we can spend on it without collapsing into fits of giggles coupled with a really weird sense of desolation.”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... n-day-song

[Time_Traveller]

WTF.

----------

‘Hyper-creepy’: Gavin Williamson mocked over One Britain, One Nation song

Wed 23 Jun 2021 15.25 BST

For North Korea, it is a rousing anthem with a bold opening line: “Let morning shine on the silver and gold of our land.” For Vladimir Putin, it’s a chanson-like melody, Where does the motherland begin?, from his favourite Soviet spy film. And for Gavin Williamson, it’s a new “patriotic” song with the chorus line “Strong Britain, Great Nation”.

The education secretary has provoked outrage – both real and amused – for suggesting children should sing the song on Friday to mark “One Britain, One Nation” (OBON) day. Williamson has praised the campaign by a former policeman, Kash Singh, and encouraged all schools to take part. “Children can learn about our shared values of tolerance, kindness, pride and respect,” the education department tweeted.

[...]

There have been inevitable comparisons with the Hitler Youth and with the school song sung by millions of young East German communist pioneers: “Uns’re Heimat”, or “Our homeland”. Some have suggested alternative patriotic anthems, including the Sex Pistols’ God Save the Queen or Pink Floyd’s We Don’t Need No Education. Comments have ranged from “brainwashing” and “stomach-churning”, to “hyper-creepy”.

Even the usually flag-waving Daily Express struck a sceptical note on Wednesday, reporting that some parents have threatened to boycott the event and to take their children out of school in protest. “Leaving aside the significant concern that this all seems very Hitler Youth, why on earth are you encouraging singing in schools during a global pandemic when cases are rising in schools?” one asked Williamson on Twitter.

Meanwhile the LBC host James O’Brien played the song on his show on Wednesday while standing ironically to attention. Striking a tone both weary and incredulous, he said: “I wish I was joking. It’s real. It’s actually real. I don’t know how much time we can spend on it without collapsing into fits of giggles coupled with a really weird sense of desolation.”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... n-day-song

Just reminds me of nationalistic jingoism.

[Time_Traveller]

UK government confirms TV ban on pre-9pm junk food adverts

Thu 24 Jun 2021

The government has confirmed it is to introduce a pre-9pm ban on junk food advertising on TV and tighten restrictions online, as reported by the Guardian on Wednesday.

The new restrictions, which come into force from the end of next year, have been branded as “draconian” by the advertising industry.

The rules, which will ban the advertising of products deemed to be high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), will not apply to marketing by smaller companies of less than 250 employees.

“We are committed to improving the health of our children and tackling obesity,” said Jo Churchill, public health minister.

“The content youngsters see can have an impact on the choices they make and the habits they form. With children spending more time online, it is vital we act to protect them from unhealthy advertising.”

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... tv-adverts

[wjfox]

[wjfox]

Latest Tory scandal.

Doubtless to be swept under the carpet within a few days.

[Ozzie guy]

If I am honest I don't have a problem with this did a something else happen because of the adult activities?

Latest Tory scandal.

Doubtless to be swept under the carpet within a few days.

[wjfox]

Labour Party chairwoman Annaliese Dodds: "If Matt Hancock has been secretly having a relationship with an adviser in his office - whom he personally appointed to a taxpayer-funded role - it is a blatant abuse of power and a clear conflict of interest.

"The charge sheet against Matt Hancock includes wasting taxpayers' money, leaving care homes exposed and now being accused of breaking his own Covid rules.

"His position is hopelessly untenable. Boris Johnson should sack him."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57612441

[wjfox]