UK Politics

[steviewevie]

I can afford my own clothes but if someone offered me a load of free designer gear I definitely wouldn't be saying no.

The stupid thing is they didn't see how this would look if came out, and here we are.

[steviewevie]

They need an Alastair Campbell shouting at everyone.

[stuie]

1 hour ago, steviewevie said:

I can afford my own clothes but if someone offered me a load of free designer gear I definitely wouldn't be saying no.

The stupid thing is they didn't see how this would look if came out, and here we are.

it’s not a new thing though… Samantha Cameron rocked a new Gucci dress every time she went out of Downing Street and Theresa May spoke openly about all the shoes she got sent by Blahnick etc. 

 

 

[steviewevie]

3 minutes ago, stuie said:

it’s not a new thing though… Samantha Cameron rocked a new Gucci dress every time she went out of Downing Street and Theresa May spoke openly about all the shoes she got sent by Blahnick etc. 

 

 

yes, but it's expected of them because they're tory scum and not squeaky clean puritanical roundheads (plus, Starmer made a meal of calling out this stuff when in opposition).

[stuie]

18 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

yes, but it's expected of them because they're tory scum and not squeaky clean puritanical roundheads (plus, Starmer made a meal of calling out this stuff when in opposition).

I honestly don’t get what the big deal is… so long as it’s all declared and doesn’t influence their politics. I’d rather they got given stuff than buy it on expenses. 

[steviewevie]

1 hour ago, stuie said:

I honestly don’t get what the big deal is… so long as it’s all declared and doesn’t influence their politics. I’d rather they got given stuff than buy it on expenses. 

Well some of it wasn't declared....and who knows about any influence. The media, and so the public, definitely cares, which is why they've had to come out and say this won't continue.

Just doesn't look good if they're seen to be getting loads of freebies whilst telling the public things are going to get worse and cutting benefits to pensioners.

[LJS]

I am not allowed to accept any gift with a value of over £25 in my job. Is there a reason why politicians should be any different?

[stuie]

36 minutes ago, LJS said:

I am not allowed to accept any gift with a value of over £25 in my job. Is there a reason why politicians should be any different?

Tbf, neither am I… anymore. Suppliers used to send me Xmas hampers but new companies took over and it was forbidden. I admit the optics of this aren’t good for Labour but for some of the donors this is just about getting their products seen, not bribery or policy influencing. 

[lost]

oh dear..

 

[Crazyfool01]

6 minutes ago, lost said:

oh dear..

 

Hardly surprising given the role of the right wing press , determined to destroy him 

[steviewevie]

37 minutes ago, lost said:

oh dear..

 

Actually quite impressive 

[steviewevie]

Bring back Boris

[Ryan1984]

52 minutes ago, Crazyfool01 said:

Hardly surprising given the role of the right wing press , determined to destroy him 

 

 
It feels like they played the waiting game to get dirt and go for him, doesn’t it? Working as well, judging by Facebook posts on my local area’s community page….

[Crazyfool01]

1 minute ago, Ryan1984 said:

 
It feels like they played the waiting game to get dirt and go for him, doesn’t it? Working as well, judging by Facebook posts on my local area’s community page….

no mentions of Boris and others along with all the other dodgy contracts the Torys gave out ... this isnt costing the taxpayer . The optics certainly arent good I agree . This seems to be the best they can find 

[steviewevie]

They just need to stop accepting stuff from this Alli bloke. The press are going to keep going for this stuff...it is easy to understand, it looks dodge, and just feeds the there all the same thing and the public loves to hate politicians.

[pink_triangle]

I remember when I started working in the NHS they gave us £20 vouchers at Christmas, that didn’t last long! To me some of this is getting a bit silly with them asking Phillipson about Taylor Swift tickets. My daughter tells me she is a swifty hater so they would be no use to me. However if I worked somewhere and got offered free tickets for a band I liked then I would accept with no guilt.

[steviewevie]

7 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

I remember when I started working in the NHS they gave us £20 vouchers at Christmas, that didn’t last long! To me some of this is getting a bit silly with them asking Phillipson about Taylor Swift tickets. My daughter tells me she is a swifty hater so they would be no use to me. However if I worked somewhere and got offered free tickets for a band I liked then I would accept with no guilt.

Yeah I would accept anything too...but these are politicians and there are questions of influence, although it has been declared and no rules has been broken and this isn't a new thing.

It is damaging them though and risks drowning out anything they might say about visions or policies at conference. I don't think this is easily recovered from though, a stupid thing to slip up on.