This is just downright nasty.
I don't come on here often, but this has disgusted me to my core
Off Topic The Politics Thread
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This is just downright nasty.
I don't come on here often, but this has disgusted me to my core
What I don't understand about the Rashford thing is how poorly they are handing it, rather than the rights and wrongs of it all.
I actually do understand why they don't want to be seen to be giving in to him again. Politics is about power and you can't appear to be caving to every celebrity who campaigns on an issue because it makes you look powerless and not in control of the agenda. Doing the 'right thing' often comes second to the ultimate goal of power.
This sort of thing should be relatively easy to nip in the bud and there are plenty of ways for the Govt to take back the agenda. Setting up a commission on child food poverty and asking Rashford to co-Chair it would be a classic way to kick this into the long grass, for example. Or find a way to extend UC for those with school aged children in the holidays to cover meals - a solution he didn't call for so can't claim the win on. There are probably ten other ways the Govt could handle it without appearing so cold hearted and belligerent.
As others have said, this isn't a policy issue - it's an easy and inexpensive fix - but a political one, of not suffering another defeat. It's odd as Boris is for all his many failings normally quite adept at dealing with this sort of thing.
Must be missing something.
I actually do understand why they don't want to be seen to be giving in to him again. Politics is about power and you can't appear to be caving to every celebrity who campaigns on an issue because it makes you look powerless and not in control of the agenda. Doing the 'right thing' often comes second to the ultimate goal of power.
This sort of thing should be relatively easy to nip in the bud and there are plenty of ways for the Govt to take back the agenda. Setting up a commission on child food poverty and asking Rashford to co-Chair it would be a classic way to kick this into the long grass, for example. Or find a way to extend UC for those with school aged children in the holidays to cover meals - a solution he didn't call for so can't claim the win on. There are probably ten other ways the Govt could handle it without appearing so cold hearted and belligerent.
As others have said, this isn't a policy issue - it's an easy and inexpensive fix - but a political one, of not suffering another defeat. It's odd as Boris is for all his many failings normally quite adept at dealing with this sort of thing.
Must be missing something.
Politics aside, this is about what's right and wrong. If you think it's right that children should go hungry during this pandemic then it speaks volumes about that person.
You wonder sometimes if they can go lower and they always find a way.
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To be clearer than my original post - you can do the 'right thing' here without giving Rashford a 'win' which is clearly what they want to avoid. I'm just saying I'm very surprised with how they've handled it politically (naturally leading to posts like yours and Beth's) given all the textbook things they could have done to avoid appearing weak.
I get what you're saying. The whole thing is totally wrong and disgusting. Winning/losing shouldn't come in to kids starving in this country.
Obviously I agree with that in principle ... I'd just be making sure I got a win out of it if I was the media advisor to BoJo 
A very grubby business and all that!
What do you think about voting not to feed hungry British children Ellers?
I agree with you too.
This is not a battle ground that this or any government so be involved in...not only morally but selfishly for their own PR.
I do not get it, half term is only a week afterall. Christmas is a bit longer....but hey the Christmas spirit etc etc yadder yadder.
They could have got such good publicity out of it..."Boris gives every needy kid a Christmas meal".
Make Rashford an ambassador, not going to cost the government anything. Get him to sit on a committee that meets once every 6 months ...on a Saturday at 3pm. Get him to cut a ribbon. No money ...great PR.
Are the government advisors arrogant or just stupid please
Mind you ...The Tories voting against the school meals bill, has actually made me so annoyed I have forgotten how annoyed I was at our team last night.
Think it’s just simply that it’s a Labour motion so absolutely has to be opposed. It’s been deemed a bit cruel by Nigel Mussolini himself which is probably a reasonable sign it’s going a bit far.
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But they lead in the polls, so I guess people out there rate the job that’s being done.
That's the funny thing - one thing this Government has shown it is good at is politics. Saying the right things to the right people at the right time - even if it's a gross exaggeration or outright lie. Dropped the ball here somehow. Must be COVID sucking away the focus of the best strategists and spinners...
I guess not but I doubt we know all the facts. People were outraged with the government because Andy Burnham said he hadn't received a call yet Jenrick said on TV that he called Burnham before that interview with the press. When all the facts are in, then we can make our judgement. I'm not sitting up for them as I said I believe all children should get free school dinners but I don't know the full costings.
Very different things mate. This was a vote in parliment for all to witness. Might only be a short term fix to the problem but still a disgusting, vile outcome. Seriously, who in their right mind wants children of this country to go hungry this winter?