Covid-19

[Norm]

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK, has just been reported as being moved to intensive care.

A poignant moment - I wish him and everyone else currently in IC the very best.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Bless the NZ PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-52189013/jacinda-ardern-tooth-fairy-and-easter-bunny-are-essential-workers

[Raider4]

If it wasn't so serious it would be tempting to crack a joke ... but despite the fact that I cannot stand the blaggard - I wish him well and a safe recovery.

Ditto, re: the man & his politics. Not my choice at all.

But . . . this is the PM. Presumably he's getting the very best care available, but if it can affect him like this . . .

Also, as far as I can tell, the last PM to die in office was Palmerston in 1865!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Churchill came close in 43 and also in the 50's, but I think you are right...Are we looking at another General Election ?

[Techno]

I wouldn't have thought so, Ian  .....I don't think the powers that be would want us all to be 'gathering' at polling stations, in the current situation.

I wish anyone with this vile 'bug', all the best.

Cheers - Phil

[Orcs]

Churchill came close in 43 and also in the 50's, but I think you are right...Are we looking at another General Election ?

No, it is just a change of leadership, this will be done by the party faithful in the same way Boris was elected.

[toxicpixie]

Yet *another* appointed PM, most likely, as Orcs says.

After all, it's actually the common way to become PM now! It'll be voted thru on the few thousand Tory party members again.

The question is... Rees-Mog and his "we're buying all your failing businesses and repossessing your houses" platform, Raab on "well, I haven't killed too many of you yet by preventing PPE and ventilators reaching the front line" or Sunak on the "I'm very affable and polished looking whilst I blow the skids out the magic tree and give it all to the banks" platform?!

And I suspect despite seemingly having clipped a bad dose and helping build our herd immunity, Johnson will receive superlative care and at worst end up tranked out on a ventilator for a couple weeks whilst someone else runs the country in his stead. Presumably NOT Lebedev or Chernukhin, if Johnson's out the running for a bit

[Sunray]

The Fall Back position is the old Cold War protocols.  Trident does not have the PAL (Permissive Active Link) or launch codes- the chain of command goes to .....Mr Rabb.

In terms of Government decision making - it is a collective affair.   The Speaker will have to decide how Parliament reconvenes.   There may be calls for a recall if things worsen- but it would have to be virtual

Select Committees are still working by conference link.   

[flamingpig0]

Iain Duncan Smith's comment on Johnson's illness was unbelievable.

'It doesn't necessarily mean he isn't going to pull through'

[toxicpixie]

Great support from his own team there, really rooting for him.

"When asked for comment, Mr Gove said "Meh" and waggled his shoulders with a little grin" is up next

[Westmarcher]

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK, has just been reported as being moved to intensive care.

This is worrying. I've just received a letter from him. 

Seriously, I wish him a speedy recovery, just as I do with any victim of this plague.

[toxicpixie]

Yeah, I have mine too. Well, actually from Hancock and Jenrick, which isn't greatly better as Hancock had it but I assume he doesn't personally lick them, he'll have a minion to do that...

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Mine today as well, looked at and filed !

[John Cook]

Churchill came close in 43 and also in the 50's, but I think you are right...Are we looking at another General Election ?

A General Election is unnecessary.  We have never elected PMs in this country, we elect parties on the basis of their manifesto.  The PM is the leader of the elected party and can, and does, change mid-term.  It doesn't matter who it is as long as they has the confidence of the House of Commons, and with the present Tory majority that is hardly a challenge, I'd say. 

I looked it up out of interest and was surprised to find that since 1900, only 11 of the 28 changes of PM have been the result of General Elections.  The other 17 changes of PM resulted from changes of party leader mid-term.  So, remarkably, it is actually the most common way to become PM.  Brown replaced Blair, May replaced Cameron and Johnson replaced May for the most recent examples. 

In the event of their incapacitation, the PM has the power to delegate responsibility to any of his ministers, and Johnson has nominated Raab, as First Secretary of State, to deputise for him in the interim.  So, Raab will continue to head the government for the foreseeable future.   

In the event of Johnson's demise, I wonder what the Tory party would do.  Would they go through a contested leadership election in the midst of the COVID crisis?  It seems an unlikely distraction.  Perhaps they'd elect Raab party leader unopposed.  Let's hope none of this will be necessary and that Johnson recovers.

Whatever happens, I'm just thankful we haven't got Steptoe and his bunch of misfits in charge.



   

[Techno]

Ahem.....

Gentlemen.....This has been starting to get political again...

....and not just from John's post above.

Can we please (Pretty please !) try and keep politics and political opinion away from the forum....I seem to have been saying this too many times recently.
It'll only end up in a row....and I'll end up having to use 'the buttons'..which I really don't like having to do.

Cheers - Phil   

[FierceKitty]

Sorry, but I feel obliged to use every available platform to denounce the expansionist policies of Babur the Mogul, political or not. Dawghouse me if you must.

[toxicpixie]

Sadly the pandemic is implicitly political, Phil. Politics and it's handling are deeply intertwined, and you can't ignore that (unless you take the "only obeying order" / we just kept quiet approach, which seldom ends well).

I too denounce Babur, except he's got a great hat and fantastic pajama robe there, which would be *ideal* for current quarantine restrictions. I'm not even allowed to wear my harem pants!

[Big Insect]

I'm not even allowed to wear my harem pants!

not even in the house!!! 

[toxicpixie]

Especially not as the other half is also confined to the house and therefore would have to witness my magnificent couture all day!

[d_Guy]

Are you insane! Barbar has brought joy to countless millions of children worldwide and ...oh! Wait! Never mind.