I’m with Douglas. You wouldn’t expect the wife or husband of a FTSE 100 company to have a direct influence.

@barbaraseymour3437

3 жыл бұрын

But they do, anyway.

@ralucadirjan4620

3 жыл бұрын

But they do have that influence

@tudor9218

3 жыл бұрын

@@barbaraseymour3437 They absolutely don't. What FTSE 100 company CEO have you seen bring their wife (or husband) in to re-decorate the company offices or whatever. No board would stand for this.

@jhitchcock5503

3 жыл бұрын

@@tudor9218 all you're doing here is pointing out that you don't know any Fortune 500 CEOs.

@carolecollins853

3 жыл бұрын

@@jhitchcock5503 How many do you know? 😉

Well said Douglas

She's not elected to any office therefore should be completely ignored as far as policy or influence goes. If she wants something to do she should get a job.

@seanmoran6510

3 жыл бұрын

@Maxus Troy Orwell’s view was very different One which I support

@thesmilinggun-knight9646

3 жыл бұрын

@@seanmoran6510 what was Orwell views on the British monarchy I know despite the fact that George Orwell was a socialist he didn’t want to get rid of the monarchy reduce it power to zero yes but not abolish it outright but all I really know was he of the opinion that the crown should remain purely for cultural reasons?

I’m with Douglas on this. Very very bad idea

"Right, but not everybody can be as silent as Denis Thatcher" YES THEY CAN!!!

@philipm06

3 жыл бұрын

Denis Thatcher wasn't silent after a few stiff G&Ts.

@perperson199

3 жыл бұрын

@@philipm06 My god you must be a bore

@utv5490

2 жыл бұрын

Or as unlucky! Or as blind! Or as tasteless! Or as stupid!

Douglas is right, but he is one of the few people left with common sense. As for Symonds being first lady God help us!

The way to test Kate's idea is to transpose it to other walks of life. E.g.1 "Good morning, this is your captain speaking. Our co-pilot today is my wife because she was good enough to stay at home with our children when they were young." E.g.2 "Right then sir, I'm your surgeon. I was going to be taking your appendix out today but my husband thinks he has a better idea."

@lydiamalone1859

3 жыл бұрын

Excellent point

@EmmanuelGoldsteinII

3 жыл бұрын

Kate's idea is that a formal office for pilot/surgeon spouses should hold them accountable for dabbling in activities without the credentials normally required. Kate Andrews is usually on the money, but not this time. I wonder if her husband is responsible for developing this concept?

@got2bharmony

3 жыл бұрын

Good point, however politicians mostly hold posts in which they have no career experience and mainly act as a spokesperson and often projecting their, or their party opinion. Their spouse is potentially as qualified and have their opinion on matters. Even so, I agree with Douglas. Let's remember how often Michelle Obama was on the public stage, but that was mainly because she projected an image that the US establishment wanted to project into the minds of the public.

@benlunch7618

3 жыл бұрын

There is no way to get rid of the PM:s girlfriend (in a good relationship) without getting rid of the PM also. The only person who can be held accountable for the girlfriend is thus the PM. The idea to hold the girlfriend accountable is nonsensical.

@lydiamalone1859

3 жыл бұрын

@@benlunch7618 the question is about her power to affect policy. She is not elected. This has long been a problem with first ladies in America. The Clintons were billed as two for the price of one which turned out to be a huge lie. One doesn't get rid of the PM's girlfriend. But there is nothing wrong with reminding her of her place and that she was not elected. It seems to me that Boris doesn't stay loyal for long anyway. He is well known for his many affairs.

The "hedgehog community" :-) Douglas is completely right as usual.

Always here for Douglas

Douglas is totally correct..

@thesmilinggun-knight9646

3 жыл бұрын

As per usual.

Kate's idea is bonkers. Carrie is not elected. She has no right to poke her nose in too much.

@ceciliajohnson8812

3 жыл бұрын

Kate's wrong here. First spouses are just that...first spouses. ie A vital part of the private life of the elected official. Their only official (and public) function is to make their spouse, The President or Prime Minister, look good at functions and official gatherings.

@joeclarke7048

3 жыл бұрын

Completely her choice to be the partner of a senior politician, too. I'm remembering how girlfriends of princes have conscientiously, (and maybe sadly), walked away, rather than accept a discreet and circumspect existence.

@hittitecharioteer

3 жыл бұрын

"She has no right to poke her nose in too much." Really? I'd say SHE HAS NO RIGHT TO INVOLVE HERSELF AT ALL. She's neither elected nor accountable to the electorate.

@Henshin0101

3 жыл бұрын

I see Kate's idea as damage control. There's no way Boris is going to ignore the influence of his girlfriend so there is an argument for her suggestions to be made public so we can see what Boris does thereafter.

@hittitecharioteer

3 жыл бұрын

@@Henshin0101 Why should she be an "influence" at all? The PM has a cabernet, a civil service, and access to advisors who can inform those ELECTED to form policy. The way the woman is behaving is going to result in her being regarded similarly to The Markles. And that WILL impact on the popularity of the government AND the PM personally. Election polls mean little. All Labour has to do is to start listening to rank and file once again and this could change rapidly. I suspect if you ask ordinary people, "green" issues are well down their list of priorities - especially when our carbon footprint is already remarkably low, and China,India and countries elsewhere are putting MASSIVE QUANTITIES OF CARBON DIOXIDE into the atmosphere (which is actually small compared to the CO2 put into the atmosphere by volcanoes). By the way, water vapour is infinitely more of a greenhouse gas than CO2. Very easy to research.

Agree. Terrible idea.

What we need is for the PM's spouse/partner to have some integrity and keep out of the business of government.

@bighands69

3 жыл бұрын

And what if there not involved in government business and the media that tells you she is are at it them self. What if she just agrees to other peoples propositions without actually understanding that the media are setting this all up. Trust no normal person is actually prepared for the level of games that take place.

We vote for MPs not their friends and families.

@andrewoliver8930

3 жыл бұрын

Oh dear. You've not realised what the folks in charge do. They are there to enrich the donors/themselves whilst having to run the country.

Although I think highly of Miss Andrews, I do believe that Mr Murray has the argument.

@abigailslade3824

3 жыл бұрын

Was there ever any doubt?

@annamack5823

3 жыл бұрын

He pretty much always does (lol).

@hittitecharioteer

3 жыл бұрын

Clarity of thought defines Douglas Murray.

@__loafy__

3 жыл бұрын

Queergument

@utv5490

2 жыл бұрын

There is no point in listening to these two jokers. Two cheeks of the same backside.

The Premier's other half should be seen and NOT heard.I didn't vote for them .

@PL-ds5jn

3 жыл бұрын

I'm happy not to see them either

@bighands69

3 жыл бұрын

Heard? She has a voice and the media are setting this all up so that you can then think she is behind it all. This is the very media that pretends that China is a credible source of information and will routinely quote Communist state media.

@winstonwolf5706

3 жыл бұрын

She's also a satanist.

We don’t want to go down any American routes, at the moment.

@gabbagabbahey4928

3 жыл бұрын

@@juliorosa9857 I wouldn't mind Ted Cruz over here

@gabbagabbahey4928

3 жыл бұрын

@@juliorosa9857 I'm not a communist, u can keep AOC and her insane policies

@clegsmegson2627

3 жыл бұрын

My belief is that the wives should be ornamental - nice to look at and occasionally speak about some nonsense platitudes or non-entity like climate change or the education of women in Africa - and greet other heads of state etc

@threadbear7609

3 жыл бұрын

@@juliorosa9857 A oF steals tips, so warn the barmaids😄

@samjoshi1812

3 жыл бұрын

@@gabbagabbahey4928 don't worry yourself mush. we implemented her 'insane policies' under clement attlee over 70 years ago

I’ve never got involved with my husband designing and fitting kitchens for customers who have employed him to do a job! Same logic

@deedeee6271

3 жыл бұрын

Is your personal job and life necessarily altered by his? A First Lady's life is.

@CHRISDABAHIA

3 жыл бұрын

@@deedeee6271 And she knew that when she got involved with him. Tough. She’s not elected, so she should butt out.

@bighands69

3 жыл бұрын

@Kat Bond But you do have the media constantly breathing down your neck and looking at every small detail trying to trip you and your husband up. The reason Boris and his partner are doing this is because they have a horrible media to deal with. WW3 could be breaking out tomorrow and they would be worried about Boris partners make up bill.

@adamlee2550

3 жыл бұрын

We will give you your own office and then when you fuck up the business we will be able to hold you accountable.

No, I don't think Britain needs a First Bedwarmer.

She's a girlfriend. What happens if she falls out with Boris and leaves and Boris moves another one in ? Does the political power get split along with everything else ?

@edwardst-pierre1020

3 жыл бұрын

I believe that the party is going to ask him to date another conservative girlfriend. We can't have the Prime minister of England dating someone who is in the labor party can you.

@samjoshi1812

3 жыл бұрын

I just hope voters dump him before she does

@edwardst-pierre1020

3 жыл бұрын

@@samjoshi1812 I am amazed we don't hear from England about any changes to immigrants being returned home.

@ALeaud

3 жыл бұрын

@@samjoshi1812 Since the BNP is now gone, I don't see anyone better than the Tories coming into power.

@samjoshi1812

3 жыл бұрын

@@ALeaud What do you like about the BNP?

I cook for a living and you would not want my other half involved!

@didinx8417

3 жыл бұрын

But would it impact the hedgehogs?

Shes only his girlfriend for goodness sake not even his wife - she should have no say whatsoever

I did not see her name on any voting paper

Nut Nuts is hardly the First Girlfriend. I doubt if she’s in the top 50 !

@coraynbell8991

3 жыл бұрын

Doubt if she will be the last either!

@tank8955

3 жыл бұрын

🤣😂🤣😂

Princess Bloody Nut Nut! 🙄

The PMs spouse should most certainly not have a policy role, unless as a government minister accountable to parliament and the electorate. On a practical note Ms .Symonds is most likely driving the insane poverty creating society destroying net zero insanity and therefore is probably the most dangerous person in the UK.

@alexanderfarquhar2712

3 жыл бұрын

No, that title goes to Nicola Sturgeon!

@samjoshi1812

3 жыл бұрын

what do you mean by net zero insanity?

@LeoSavantt

3 жыл бұрын

@@samjoshi1812 Net Zero is ridiculous, UK anthropogenic CO2 emissions make up just 1 part in a million of the atmosphere and reducing that will have no impact on the climate whatsoever. But it will weaken the UK and promote China's dominance by destroying all British heavy industry such as steel making and shipbuilding, not to mention impoverishing the people. Furthermore the only way to really achieve it will be to kill every man, woman and child, bearing in mind human breath is 40,000 parts per million CO2. And anyway termites emit twice as much CO2 as do humans. Reducing CO2 is undesirable, if the policy was to be adopted world wide it would reverse the greening of the planet. 23% of the earth's landmass is permanently frozen, in the northern hemisphere winter that rises to over 30%, if CO2 is warming the planet that would be good, increasing biomass by allowing flora and fauna to thrive in the what are now massive frozen deserts. However, the reason that the phrase "global warming" is not used and has been replaced by "climate emergency" is that there has been no significant measurable warming warming for 20 years, unfortunately. A warmer world means increased rainfall, more fertile land and more biomass. CO2 is the building block of life, humans are returning it to the atmosphere from whence it came and that is natural and to be celebrated. That's why a Net Zero policy is insane.

I am so proud to live in the U.K. ! Well said Douglas ! 👏👏

Douglas Murray says it all, and so perfectly.

I agree with Douglas.

We elect a prime minister not a prime ministers partner! be they either a woman or a man

Douglas is lightyears ahead of Kate Andrews.

Absolutely agree with Douglas Murray, let’s not always complicate situations!

The logic and reason of Douglas Murray.👍 i hear so much Enoch Powel in his verbalisation and presentation. Another Logical thinker a British Jewel, If you will. ✌

She is not like a first lady or first girlfriend; she has FAR more influence and power than that. We have NOT voted for her either...

@samjoshi1812

3 жыл бұрын

meh I don't remember voting for boris johnson but here we are

@scotlandtheinsane3359

3 жыл бұрын

@@samjoshi1812 You could have though, and if I remember correctly, many more people did... Let's hope we don't have to see him again for the next election when presumably, you don't vote for him again...

@samjoshi1812

3 жыл бұрын

@@scotlandtheinsane3359 If you vote for him then you are also voting for Carrie Symonds. It is an uncontroversial fact that he is of limited integrity, so why would you expect him not to simp for his girlfriend?

@scotlandtheinsane3359

3 жыл бұрын

@@samjoshi1812 Well, the point I go back to is the one that everyone else always says to me; BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVES. Much better in fact, but that still doesn't make him particularly good.

@scotlandtheinsane3359

3 жыл бұрын

@@samjoshi1812 Having unelected 'bits on the side' knee deep in policy is totally unacceptable! The Tories should make that clear to him. But of course, like SAGE as well as Symonds, they are all distractions and the buck stops with him and him alone.

"“What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you exercise it? To whom are you accountable? And how can we get rid of you”

@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus

3 жыл бұрын

That was Tony Benn. Whatever you thought of his politics, he at least was a democrat and knew who should be in charge. He often said " i am one employee with 20,000 employers"......

@richardfincher6697

3 жыл бұрын

@@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus That's right it was. I also seldom agreed with Benn's politics, but could listen to him describe political systems and theories all day long. Rees-Mogg is the same on the other side I think.

She should train as a hairdresser, now that would be useful to the country, her husband has an unruly mop.

Bill Burr’s ‘plumber’s wife’ joke springs to mind.

"we don't want spouses doing x" "ok, we can solve this by giving spouses the official role of x" "eh?"

I vote for the Prime Minister not whoever he is living with. As far as I am concerned, politically Carrie is irrelevant she is just making good headlines at the moment for the MSM.

@OsellaSquadraCorse

3 жыл бұрын

She isn't irrelevant - she is a member of the party and is drawing up policies, which are then being put forward (ban on combustion-engines, ban on domestic gas in houses just two examples). Very much not politically irrelevant - though she should be, unless voted/selected formally as a part of the cabinet - which she isn't..

Thank you Douglas!

Agree with Douglas.

Hear, hear Mr Murray!!

I liked the way Douglas referred to hedgehogs as "The Hedgehog Community"

@didinx8417

3 жыл бұрын

I know it was very sweet.

No Kate, you are not right on this. It absurd suggest or even imply that being a spouse of a PM should guarantee some kind of formalised office. We have managed really well for so long without it. Absolutely not a wise move. We need a return to wisdom and accountability not this nonsense. ps. I am a female, jus thought I would mention it as there is some nonsense going about that objections to Carrie sticking her oar in are based in misogyny.

Douglas states we don't want this at all. Her response is I agree so let's give her a title and office....what?! If you want to know how she is held accountable? If she does to much then Boris will lose at the election. She didn't take part in the election and so for her to have an input without being appointed to the cabinet or something is wrong. She should run as an MP if she wasn't to add to he discussion, it's not an oligarchy it's a vote based democracy.

100% with Douglas. You want formal influence then stand for election. She may well influence him in private, all spouses do, but ultimately the Prime Minister is accountable for their decisions and actions to the electorate

Douglas just has a way with words. He makes his argument so clear so cleanly that if you disagree with him you end up looking like a fool. The lady tried hard and gave it her best. She made a compelling argument but her argument couldn't stand

100 percent agree. Think there should be a wedding sometime - naturally not a sponsored event!

Yayyy Douglas! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

The Hedgehog Community.....they've suffered! How? Don't leave it hanging in the air Douglas like a cliff-hanger ending! Surely there is a Spectator column on this from your good self? We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with our prickly mammalian brethren.

@tinafirth2153

3 жыл бұрын

Badgers eat hedgehogs, rather cruelly too, I believe

As a Brit living in America, Douglas wins this one. Well done, Douglas!

Just extend the cabinet with another office and appoint Carrie Symonds as the secretary of state for nagging & browbeating

“...he may want to at some point...” 🤣

Although I disagree with Kate on this one, I enjoy hearing her views so much! So smart so respectful, such a calm demeanor great delivery every single time I see her, really hope she'll be featured on GB News :D

So good Douglas

Well said Douglas. 👍

I noticed she never answered his question "How would they be held accountable?" Just kept repeating they would be held accountable. She really didn't have any argument at all.

How would the formalised, on record influencer, be sacked if she got it too wrong?

There seems to be two words that Carrie does not understand. PRIME MINISTER.

Douglas always talks sense.

They are two separate people. Message ends.

"She's gonna need something to do." How bout get a job or raise a family? The first spouse isn't entitled to any public office; holy shit, how is this a discussion?

Holy shit, she’s such a significant figure in his life that’s he’s not even married her yet...

First lady? I thought Britain was a monarchy?

@catrionamacfarlane4949

3 жыл бұрын

Excellent observation.

Well, Larry's doing a good job of taking care of number 10. Been there longer than any other PM He'd make a good First Cat He almost caught a pigeon not so long ago

Douglas, correct as always 💪💪💪

And that’s why we love Douglas Murray 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Bill Burr does a very pertinent sketch on exactly this topic, titled something like 'Im sick of Michele Obama' at which point there is a gasp from the audience, because, like .... who doesn't like Michele Obama????

@niki4013

3 жыл бұрын

😂 Love Bill Burr! 😆

As always, Douglas Murray is 100% spot on.

too right Douglas!

People vastly underestimate the influence that young girl has on Johnson...He obviously punching well above his weight and feels desperate to comply with her every wish to keep her happy.....very dangerous situation indeed.....remind s me of another famous couple saturating the news coverage at the moment ???

To Douglas Murray, I can best put into words this way... When Mark Levin speaks, i listen. When Rush Limbaugh spoke, i listened. When Victor Davis Hanson speaks, i listen. Now when Douglas Murray speaks, i listen.. Thank you

We really need a 'first bit on the side'

100% correct Douglas

Why does she look like she is constipated when listening to Douglas ?

There is much to do as a spouse of someone in power . There is no bobby prize for a spouse who has given up a career.

If there's a formal office, there's a formal way to get rid of you. How do you get rid of a girlfriend? Do you force Boris to break up? Or, do you force him to take the office away from his fiance? And if you force him to take the office away and give it to someone else, why not appoint someone competent in the first place?

Murray makes a good point: How do you fire a person from a position who was not only never elected to be there in the first place, but also there only via association with the most powerful elected person in the country?

I agree with Douglas , spouses/ partners should not wield influence . We voted for Boris , we did not expect to have him unduly influenced by his girlfriend ,we did not expect that she would bring all her chums into Downing St. , sack the incumbents and replace with ones more to her taste. No.

Distracted by how much Kate Andrews is blinking

I have some bad news, we’ve just had your biopsy results and it looks like cancer but.......I’m just going to bring in the person I’m sleeping with to see what they think.

@willashland4597

3 жыл бұрын

Her: uhhh, I don't... see... anything wrong..? Doctor: Correction, you are just fine.

Spot on, Douglas.

so true , Douglas .

Douglas is always on point.

Now you'll have to look at the spouse too when you elect someone a little more closely

Not only was the woman respectful but she changed my mind Kate Andrews is the type of woman we need right now

We all probably think that Boris is a fool. No major politician is fit for office.

Absolutely not!

The first lady, first mistress, first girlfriend, first lover, first former-lady first former first mistress... all sounding like the court of Charles II

@OsellaSquadraCorse

3 жыл бұрын

Or Louis 16th...?

I'm agree with Douglas Murray in principle but fear that the horse may have bolted.

I am with Douglas on this. I also thought Dan Hodges' suggestion was a good idea. He wrote that either (1) if Carrie has a proper contribution to make, then give her a formal, named job (whatever it is), a job contract, a salary, and then make sure she is scrutinised and accountable for it; or (2), if she does not have such a role, then tell her, politely but firmly, to butt out of it, to stay out of meetings, take no part in policy making or decision making, do not influences press releases, etc.

Douglas Murray is correct.

Politicians have always been influenced and supported by their partners. The problem here appears to be that she is undermining his leadership, party and government. So it's reasonable and necessary to criticise her for continuing to do that.

Good to see a civil debate, Kate put forward her view rationally but for me, Douglas is right on this.

Douglas murrey takes it to the bank!

Too much power in one family should be outlawed.

Absolutely Douglas. Only elected people should have a say in policy decisions.

I agree about the East Wing in America. Both Hillary and Michelle took advantage of the situation. Bill and Hillary promoted her as a 2 for 1. If anyone had the right pose about presidential spouse, it was Melania. She tried to stay out of the limelight as much as possible. The few interviews she did were instructive.

ANY first-what ever -Shouldn´t be near politics.

Douglas how fun it was to watch your logic almost cause the economic’s editor to nearly cry at the end.