Stories of the week 6th October
Boris Johnson launched his once-and-for-all take-it-or-leave-it what-a-special deal- this-is plan for Brexit which quite frankly left everyone disappointed at best and confused at worst. The European Union wanted clarification because, as usual, what was written down stated one thing whilst Johnson was verbally saying another. Needless to say, European leaders who already suspected Johnson of not really trying for a new deal were not surprised when Johnson’s plan put two borders in Northern Ireland when all negotiations to date had categorically stated that no border and no border infrastructure should be in place in the country. Johnson’s plan also gave the DUP and on-going and final veto, something that was greeted with fury from other political parties in Northern Ireland. But Johnson being Johnson hinted that this could change. Yet another example of all things to all people Johnson or not untrustworthy, unbelievable Johnson.
The Press said that Johnson was playing a bad joke on the British people and even loyalists in Northern Ireland were being driven to support reunification over Johnson’s new deal or no deal plans. The EU said that his new deal was a backwards step, totally unrealistic and no legal surety or basis for future talks at this stage.
Boris Johnson and the Conservative party have been taking to task because of their threatening, inciting and war-like terminology in Parliament. Johnson even dismissed death threats to MPs and disgraced the memory of Jo Cox. This led the Press to say that the Conservative Party has become the party of resentment, the party of fear and the party of right wing threats. Conservative Party ministers keep the same rhetoric about riots if Brexit isn’t done.
The rise of right wing terrorism is now the greatest threat to UK security and this week saw Jacob Rees-Mogg quote from the Far right’s playbook on anti-Semitism. This, the Press said, proved he is unfit for office and should be deselected. Something the Conservative Party will not do. Another Tory icon, Dominic Cummings, was accused of lying to undermine MPs. There’s a surprise.
Boris Johnson and the Jennifer Arcuri affair refuse to go away. Johnson keeps denying it but more and more evidence is appearing of something dishonest and fraudulent goings on with taxpayers’ money.
As Extinction Rebellion prepare for mass protests shocking reports emerged this week about the state of British wildlife. This is not the Amazon burning or Indonesia on fire, it’s like ‘football’s coming home’ except this time it’s the Climate Emergency. There are an incredible 13 per cent less species than in the 1970s because of pollution, climate change and farming destroying habitats. Now many more animals and plants are on the brink of extinction in the UK.
