Today's PMQs- Johnson deflecting questions as usual.

I suspect that if Starmer asked just one question it would still be sidestepped!

If parliament, in the person of the Speaker, can't get the PM to actually answer the questions than I can't see how anyone could do it just by questioning him. All Starmer can do is trip him up with facts and demonstrate to all those who take notice, that Johnson has no answers. Johnson doesn't even 'latch on to the easy bit', he just goes off at a complete tangent talking absolute rubbish...exactly the same rubbish week after week. It's theatre as far as he is concerned and he seems to think it's all a bit boring...

Good point. By the way, are you from Hall Green? If so, fellow Brummie here.

MayBee70

He just turns every question into another question and makes out that any criticism of the government is a criticism of the NHS or key workers. Why doesn’t the speaker make him actually answer the questions?or indeed why are no MP’s made to answer the questions put to them?

Keir Starmer’s mistake is to ask too many questions in one go. This allows Johnson to latch on to the easy bit and sidestep the questions we really want answering. I know Starmer wants to make the most of his limited number of questions but he doesn’t seem to learn. The opposition should organise themselves to stop giving the PM these escape routes.

Whitewavemark2

Someone suggested that every time he touches his hair, he is lying.

? You mean he's being "economical with the truth"-

Which surely is not lying -- as stock markets rise to record highs, people stand in food lines and those in government grow wealthier by the day .. while seal-clapping for charities ..

They do all lie and collude for what they think is best for us. Blair is probably the worst with the war against Saddam Hussein. How many acts get through parliament that we have no say on? Our elected MPs often vote for what the party whip says and not necessarily what their constituents want. So we do have some input into who gets elected in but do conservative voters agree with all Conservative policies and do Labour supporters agree with all Labour policies? We just hope to get most of what we voted for.

25Avalon

So Heath told the truth, Wilson told the truth, Blair told the truth, Corbin told the truth, Clegg told the truth.

You just reinforce what I asked, Avalon.

If you believe that all politicians lie, what is the point?

Voting and supporting political parties is supposedly having some input into the way one would like the country to be run. If you believe they're all liars, it completely negates the whole process. Don't bother to have any input and just let them get on with whatever they're hiding by their lies?

No Avalon25, they didn't all tell the truth all the time as we well know, and I am prepared to accept a bit of swerving the question if it may land you or your party in trouble, but blatant lies are quite another. Combine this with his laziness, inability to plan or research anything before he opens his mouth and it/he is a disaster. You can't defend Johnson's performance by listing others who have possibly or probably done the same at some time in their careers.

So Heath told the truth, Wilson told the truth, Blair told the truth, Corbin told the truth, Clegg told the truth.

MaizieD

If all politicians lie, why on earth are we bothering with politics?

Why do people bother to vote for different political parties if all the politicians in them are all lying? What is the point?

I think that there is a real reason to worry about democracy when we know that we have a prime minister that no one can trust or believe.

If all politicians lie, why on earth are we bothering with politics?

Why do people bother to vote for different political parties if all the politicians in them are all lying? What is the point?

We're not going to try and argue that Johnson isn't a liar now are we? He's well known to lie repeatedly and to have been sacked from previous jobs for doing so. To suggest that he simply stretches the truth like any politician is apologetic in the extreme. His supporters should be calling out his unacceptable behaviour and holding him to account for the repeated lies he tells.

Exactly my point. Being economical with the truth, if that truth may cause you or your party problems is one thing, but lies are quite another. How can fellow party members just sit there and listen to the diatribe of jibbering nonsense and party speak that he trots out? It is embarrassing to listen to him when he gets all blustery and defensive. The problem I have is that I now don't believe anything he says. He is morally bankrupt, a failed journalist, failed mayor and now a failed PM.

There’s a difference between being economical with the truth and telling blatant lies though.

All politicians seem to me to be economical with the truth

Someone suggested that every time he touches his hair, he is lying.

I accept avoidance of a direct answer as a means of avoiding repercussions, I accept lots of talking but not actually saying anything, but I categorically will not accept deliberate lies. There are supposed to be standards of public behaviour. the Speaker needs to step up and do his job properly and re-direct Johnson to the question asked. I know that there is a great deal of theatricality in the HoC, but if the protocol does not allow one member to call another a liar, how is is permissible to tell lies? Johnson is a disgrace, a moral shambles of a man and a fool if he thinks that anyone is taken in by his 'bumbling Boris' act with the tousled hair.

I am. DH said Ian Hislop was talking about Johnson being on HIGNFY and said he was a nightmare to work with. Totally disorganised and kept getting things mixed up. And yet people still think underneath the bumbling facade is a highly intelligent man. Even I thought he would become ministerial when he became PM but it never happened. I’m afraid that what you see really is what you get. He can’t even dress himself properly.

I knew someone who was a politician, and he told me that whenever he saw another politician whose lips were moving he would ask himself "Why is this b*****d lying to me?"

I don't believe we should accept "they all lie". I can accept politicians don't always give a full and honest answer to a question, that they may deflect or say they don't have enough information to answer but will find out. When did it become a universal truth to dismiss lying politicians by simply responding 'well, they all lie'.
As for PMQ's, Johnson has always been a well rehearsed one trick pony. It was entertaining on HIGNFY but much less so when he's supposed to be leading the country through a pandemic and Brexit.

They all lie- And when they evade and deflect? They are intentionally hiding the truth- Either way it's shady behaviour, like an enticing sales pitch- An attempt to convince people to buy something that's not as described-

MayBee70

DH read that the Scottish fishermen had the sense not to sell their fishing quotas to other countries. If that’s the case, good for them.

Yep - helpful article summarising it all from the BBC here www.bbc.co.uk/news/52420116

Why did Cummings get a £40,000 pay rise and us he still being paid?

Dinahmo, I just can't watch any more. I feel so horrified and deeply ashamed (as the world watches too) of being British right now. I used to think it was hilariously funny, yet now my sense of humour seems to be in hiding!

DH read that the Scottish fishermen had the sense not to sell their fishing quotas to other countries. If that’s the case, good for them.

Hopefully the Scottish fishing industry will be more pleased than you are Paddy.