https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFe7hmfm/ Sorry to lower the tone to tiktok but this is how I feel about the UK as well as the US.
There's nothing wrong with a bit of tiktok - apart from the propensity of many users to add annoying, and frankly awful, music to their videos - and I agree wholeheartedly with Micky Wallace. Love his sartorial elegance too - his wardrobe must mirror mine - not to mention his tonsorial achievement. I assume Bojo is an admirer of his haircut too - although he stopped short of going the 'full Micky'.
This is the best clip of Kwasi Kwarteng's odd behaviour at the queen's funeral that I've seen so far. He's either drunk, high or simply too uncouth to know how to properly behave on such occasions. Although, to be fair to him, if I found myself stuck between Suella Braverman and Therese Coffey I'd probably be acting irrationally too.
From the Wikipedia page of former Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje. What's good enough for Charles Itandje should be good enough for Kwasi Kwarteng - Cabinet Ministers with his level of responsibility shouldn't be held to lower standards than fourth choice goalkeepers.
Although the behaviour of Kwasi Kwarteng has been all over social media, has it been shown on TV or in the newspapers? It is like a wall of silence has been thrown around the event. If I were an MP, it will not happen, I would bring it to the attention of all by asking would he like to apologise to the country and Royal Family.
None of the major dailies have reported on it, but a few minor ones have, as have Yahoo and MSN. I don't know about TV as I don't watch TV news. There's little doubt that the government, or owners of the major papers, have slapped some sort of ban on it being mentioned.
Maybe it will still happen, but what has an opposition MP to lose by raising the matter under Parliamentary privilege. There are surely enough firebrands on both Labour and SNP benches to ask questions. Unless of course the veil of silence has descended on them as well.
Lindsay Hoyle would definitely gag any SNP MP who tried to ask the question, and, sadly, I suspect that Keir Starmer would do the same if any of his tried.
I remember 1972 and the Heath government trying to stimulate the economy in exactly the same way that Truss is now doing. It didn't work then and it will be no different this time. High inflation, the financial markets collapsed, and it finished with an attempt at a wage freeze, and Heath getting booted out. Thatcher tried something similar which brought about the departure of Lawson, and the start of her demise. As in both of these cases, as today, the polices that brought about this drastic action had ignored the bulk of the population who spend what they earn, in favour of the few who hoard their wealth.
Hope this link works - it's of SNP MP Alison Thewliss taking Kwarteng's budget apart bit by bit. He looks absolutely stunned - either amazed that someone would challenge him, or the realisation of what he has done has hit him. https://fb.watch/fJyKjOYvCB/
IMF says in statement “We are closely monitoring recent economic developments in the UK and are engaged with the authorities.” IMF on Truss/ Kwarteng mini budget “given elevated inflation pressures in many countries, including the UK, we do not recommend large & untargeted fiscal packages at this juncture, as it is important that fiscal policy does not work at cross purposes to monetary policy.” “The nature of UK measures will likely increase inequality. The Nov 23 budget will present an early opportunity for UK government to consider ways to provide support that is more targeted & reevaluate the tax measures, especially those that benefit high income earners.” This the IMF telling a G7 member and major shareholder to “reevaluate” their signature economic policy because it “does not recommend” such packages and will “increase inequality”… suggests profound international concern in finance ministries about a global impact of UK crisis
Our former benefactor trying to deflect away from his favourite party's inadequacies? Dumping sterling because Labour may win an election in two years time sounds a bit odd to me.