"Here is the News." - Just!

Joy of joys! Whilst making no comment on the justification of the journalists'dispute, today I was granted what I have long yearned for; the news just as it is, not presented by 'personalities' projecting their own particular touch like 'gesticulating' George or 'the tigress' Bruce. I could go on but you should get my drift.

I have never understood why two readers have to take turns to read bits of the news in the morning while managing quite adequately alone later in the day. And why, for example, does the 'Royal Correspondent' have to be standing in front of Buckingham Palace? Can it really help anyone to understand the story as they watch the traffic moving in front of the palace?

The news is the news, why tart it up? In doing so the accustomed formula is to progress from the sombre look of the initial tragedy, through the  self-satisfied, 'I-am-doing-this-remarkably-well' mid-section to the customary 'Cheshire cat' sports grin, and the final pre-weather report chuckle. Doubtless the BBC needs to save money and today we have witnessed plenty of opportunities for savings before cutting the influential World Service. God knows we need as many friends as we can get. With reports of 'stars' such as Kate Silverton, "thought to be one of 33 stars on £250,000-£500,000", for reading the news, there must be ample scope for savings by simply by employing someone to do just that.

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Principles not rhetoric

Souce: LEAVE.EU

The Express 26 June 2016 Nigel Farage warns Boris may be BACK-PEDALLING on EU immigration promises made in campaign: "The Ukip leader said he was nervous that Boris Johnson's position on withdrawal from the EU may have softened in the four days since the referendum vote for Brexit....Mr Johnson yesterday stressed Britain "is part of Europe, and always will be", envisaging "intense and intensifying European co-operation and partnership" even after Brexit."

Mirror 26 June 2016 Great Brexit betrayal: Vote Leave leaders backtrack from NHS and immigration pledges and admit there is NO plan: "Former Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith joined Nigel Farage in distancing himself from the key referendum vow – as Brexiteers warned voters not to expect a quick drop in immigration following the historic poll result."

Critics of Michael Gove have quickly forgotten the glee they were taking in rubbishing Brexit for "back-pedalling". One Brexiteer who was not back-peddling is Michael Gove. He was so horrified by the apparent lack of enthusiasm of Boris Johnson for securing the aims of Brexit that he reluctantly decided to throw his own hat into the ring. I believe he genuinely did not want the job of PM. As he said he his 'standing out of conviction not ambition'.

I for one believe him. Presumably Andrew Neil does not after his snide littleskit - " 'Let me make clear what I have repeatedly said before,' Neil began on Thursday evening. 'I do not want to present Question Time. I could not present Question Time. I?M not equipped to present Question Time'."

Journalists have been having a field day. Gone are the days when they reported the news. They now force their own views on listeners. Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, was 'interviewed' by Evan Davis for the BBC Newsnight programme a few evenings ago. The poor chap was not allowed to say anything unless he agreed with the interviewer who constantly tried to put words into his mouth, taking lessons from Kirsty Wark no doubt.

After Michael Heseletine's scathing attack on Boris Johnson, Ken Clarke who was "personally appalled" by the idea of Boris Johnson being Prime Minister, launched a 'stunning attack' on Michael Gove urging him to 'stand down now'. He said it was important to "have the trust so far as possible of your colleagues," arguing Mr Gove had lost that ability.

When it comes to trust it is a bit rich coming from Mr Clarke following hislinks with BAT when he was earning ?100,000 a year in 2001 as the nation struggled to control smoking with all its consequences for the NHS.

The Remainers have no shame. Scare stories before the Referendum, character assassination afterwards putting rhetoric before principles, all designed to favour Remain over Brexit. But just a minute, "Post-Brexit vote rebound sees FTSE 100 set for biggest weekly rise since 2011". Not a lot said about that!

If the sneerers would open their eyes and pull for Britain instead of condemning people of conviction as racist and untrustworthy, we will make better progress on a decision that has been made. The current battles being waged could damage Theresa May as well as Michael Gove. That could prove to be to the advantage of Andrea Leadsom. She has been a consistent Brexiteer with the right credentials. With support going her way, Michael Gove could still be let off the hook he has previously tried to avoid.

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Get Cummings

The PM's Chief Advisor running the gauntlet of hate                                                                                                                                        Source: internewscast

Regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself in the 'Cummings must go' campaign, the treatment he and his family have had to endure as glimpsed in this tweet is not British. It is a disgrace.

Following the example ofsnowflake no-platformers, get Cummings campaigners have been acting as judge and jury. A witch hunt designed to ensure the departure of the Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister, thus settling old scores after Remainers lost the vote to remain in the EU.

Allegedly unbiased TV presenters who are paid vast amounts of money by the cash strapped BBC decided that Dominic Cummings' actions when he and his wife were required to self-isolate were reprehensible. The man was guilty regardless of circumstances, timing or his use in the fight against the common enemy, Covid-19

Possibly emboldened by the fact that BBC Breakfast's presenter Naga Munchetty was let off  after she 'breached BBC rules', presenter Emily Maitlis launched into her Newsnight introduction with: "Good evening. Dominic Cummings broke the rules. The country can see that and it is shocked the Government cannot. The longer Ministers and Prime Minister tell us he worked within them the more angry the response to the scandal is likely to be.... He made those who struggled to keep the rules feel like fools and has allowed many more to feel that they can flout them".

Crackpot Acting LibDem Leader Sir Ed Davey described the breach as "brilliant journalism". The BBC has since said that "an introduction about Dominic Cummings on Tuesday's Newsnight did not meet the required standards of due impartiality".

'Journalists' and MPs following the pack have been lining up to demand the PM's Chief Advisor should either resign or be sacked regardless of his value in combating the Coronavirus. The Church of England's duplicitous bishops have also weighed into the Prime Minister with "lied to, patronised and treated as mugs" although one has to acknowledge their considerable expertise in that area.

This week we have been celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the rescue of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from Dunkirk. The coverage of the BBC today is in marked contrast with the desire for victory regardless of the cost in 1940.

The get Cummings campaign has completely lost sight of the need to beat the real enemy, Covid-19.

Sir Keir Starmer hastweeted: "Boris Johnson's unwillingness or inability to do the right thing has left the Government looking untrustworthy and unprincipled. Worst of all he's undermined the public health advice that keeps us all safe, just to keep one aide in his job. Our nation?S health must come first."

Sir Keir is correct. Our nation's health must come first. For that reason MPs, the media and Anglican bishops should stop doing what they accuse Dominic Cummings of having done, putting the country at risk.

The issue has been flogged to death.

It is the vendetta that is more likely to undermine the Government's fight against Covid-19 with mischievous suggestions that people should perhaps make their own judgements rather than follow government guidelines.

Postscript [01.06.2020]

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Blasts Bishops over Cummings Controversy

"Controversy is ridiculously overblown, says George Carey

Hysterical, coarsened and divisive nature of debate is creating a dangerous culture war that could harm civic life, he says."

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