THE GUARDIAN: Party figures demand shake-up of No 10 operation after byelection defeat to Liberal Democrats
Boris Johnson is “on notice” and could be gone within a year unless he cleans up his act and shakes up his No 10 operation, senior Tories are warning, after the Liberal Democrats scored an extraordinary victory in the North Shropshire byelection.
The Conservative party chair, Oliver Dowden, conceded on Friday that voters had wanted to give the government a “kicking” because they were “fed up” with “sleaze allegations”.
But Johnson himself did not appear repentant about the accusations of parties in No 10 during lockdown, or the scandal over his attempt to water down the MPs’ standards system that led to the North Shropshire byelection. » | Heather Stewart, Rowena Mason and Aubrey Allegretti | Friday, December 17, 2021
Friday, December 17, 2021
Au Royaume-Uni, Boris Johnson fragilisé par une claque électorale
LE FIGARO : ANALYSE - La perte d’un siège dans le Nord-Shropshire tombe mal, alors que le premier ministre britannique enchaîne les faux pas.
Le siège était imperdable et ils l’ont perdu. Depuis la nuit des temps démocratiques, deux siècles tout au moins, la circonscription du Nord-Shropshire était détenue par les conservateurs. Ils viennent d’y essuyer une cuisante défaite. Les électeurs leur ont fait payer les scandales touchant le parti et Boris Johnson. Alors que tout le pays était tourné vers cette élection partielle, véritable test pour le premier ministre, cette claque électorale le fragilise encore un peu plus.
Dans cette circonscription rurale du centre de l’Angleterre, ce sont donc les libéraux-démocrates qui leur ont soufflé la place. La candidate du petit parti pro-européen, Helen Morgan, l’a emporté avec 47% des suffrages. Pour elle, les électeurs ont «clairement signifié à Boris Johnson que la fête est finie». Aux dernières législatives de 2019, les conservateurs avaient obtenu 62,7% des suffrages…
Face à ce cruel verdict, le premier ministre a adopté vendredi une posture modeste. «Je comprends parfaitement les frustrations des gens, a-t-il déclaré, j’entends ce que disent les électeurs du North Shropshire et, en toute humilité, je dois accepter ce verdict. Bien sûr, je prends mes responsabilités personnelles.» Pour le Daily Telegraph, le quotidien conservateur qui fut longtemps celui de «BoJo», cette défaite «choc» est une «humiliation». Le Daily Mail estime que Johnson vit un «cauchemar avant Noël» et que la défaite révèle le «niveau élevé de fureur publique contre le premier ministre». Dans le Times, le politologue vedette John Curtice parle d’un «tremblement de terre politique de 8,5 sur une échelle de 10». » | Par Arnaud De La Grange | vendredi 17 décembre 2021
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Cole Rasmussen | Reconciling My Faith by Accepting My Sexuality
Le cadeau qu'Elizabeth II offre à chacun des 550 membres de son personnel
MADAME FIGARO : Parmi les nombreuses traditions auxquelles s'attache la famille royale britannique, l'une revêt une importance particulière pour la reine. Chaque année, Elizabeth II offre à tous les membres de son personnel, un présent choisi.
Pendant que Tom Cruise offrait 300 pâtisseries aux membres de l’équipe du film Mission: Impossible 7 pour Noël, la reine Elizabeth II, quant à elle, s'apprêtait à donner ses traditionnels cadeaux à son personnel. Et la souveraine a aussi misé sur quelque chose de comestible. » | Alice Mascher | vendredi 17 décembre 2021
Boris Johnsons Party ist vorbei
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Bei einer Unterhausnachwahl verlieren die britischen Konservativen eine vermeintlich unbezwingbare Tory-Hochburg. Im Zuge der Affäre rund um Lockdown-Partys droht der einstige Erfolgsgarant Boris Johnson für die Tories zur nachhaltigen Hypothek zu werden.
Vom charismatischen Siegertyp zur Hypothek? Der britische Premierminister Boris Johnson befindet sich in einem Popularitätstief, wie die Wahlschlappe seiner Partei vom Donnerstag bestätigt. | Kirsty O'Connor / AP
KOMMENTAR
Der Wahlkreis North Shropshire in den englischen Midlands westlich von Birmingham gehört zu den Hochburgen der Konservativen Partei. Unter der ländlich geprägten Bevölkerung gibt es bis heute viele Landwirte, das Wahlvolk stimmte beim Brexit-Referendum von 2016 deutlich für den EU-Austritt, und der Anteil von Hausbesitzern ist hoch. Es kommt daher einem veritablen Überraschungscoup gleich, dass die Liberaldemokraten die Unterhausnachwahl in North Shropshire vom Donnerstag gewannen – und den Sitz damit erstmals seit 200 Jahren konservativen Händen entrissen.
Der liberaldemokratische Sieg fiel nicht einmal knapp aus. Die frischgebackene Abgeordnete Helen Morgan kam auf knapp 18 000 Stimmen – fast 6000 Stimmen mehr als der konservative Kandidat. Das bedeutet, dass der Wähleranteil der Tories im Vergleich zu 2019 um nicht weniger als 34 Prozentpunkte einbrach. Die Bezeichnung politisches Erdbeben stellt deshalb für einmal keine Übertreibung dar. Nur in sieben Urnengängen seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg ist in Grossbritannien ein noch massiverer Umschwung in der Wählergunst registriert worden. » | Niklaus Nuspliger, London | Freitag, 17. Dezember 2021
Der Wahlkreis North Shropshire in den englischen Midlands westlich von Birmingham gehört zu den Hochburgen der Konservativen Partei. Unter der ländlich geprägten Bevölkerung gibt es bis heute viele Landwirte, das Wahlvolk stimmte beim Brexit-Referendum von 2016 deutlich für den EU-Austritt, und der Anteil von Hausbesitzern ist hoch. Es kommt daher einem veritablen Überraschungscoup gleich, dass die Liberaldemokraten die Unterhausnachwahl in North Shropshire vom Donnerstag gewannen – und den Sitz damit erstmals seit 200 Jahren konservativen Händen entrissen.
Der liberaldemokratische Sieg fiel nicht einmal knapp aus. Die frischgebackene Abgeordnete Helen Morgan kam auf knapp 18 000 Stimmen – fast 6000 Stimmen mehr als der konservative Kandidat. Das bedeutet, dass der Wähleranteil der Tories im Vergleich zu 2019 um nicht weniger als 34 Prozentpunkte einbrach. Die Bezeichnung politisches Erdbeben stellt deshalb für einmal keine Übertreibung dar. Nur in sieben Urnengängen seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg ist in Grossbritannien ein noch massiverer Umschwung in der Wählergunst registriert worden. » | Niklaus Nuspliger, London | Freitag, 17. Dezember 2021
Offices Shut and Holiday Parties Dim as a Familiar Feeling Sinks In
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Employers mandate boosters, postpone return dates and brace for an Omicron surge.
Many financial firms, like Morgan Stanley, had employees returning to the office this summer. | Jeenah Moon for The New York Times
It was three words that workers don’t hear every day from their bosses: “I was wrong.”
Morgan Stanley’s chief executive, James Gorman, asked this week about employees returning to the office, said his projection about the pandemic subsiding was off. “I thought we would have been out of it past Labor Day,” Mr. Gorman said on CNBC. “And we’re not.”
Office workers this week watched as events unfolded that were once familiar and jarring in their persistence: Covid case counts ballooned, and employer plans deflated. The United States is reporting an average of more than 120,000 new Covid cases each day, up 40 percent from two weeks ago, according to a New York Times database. New York City is experiencing a spike in cases larger than any since last winter. Employers that had been growing bolder in their plans — reopening offices, mandating or strongly suggesting that workers report back, promising holiday blowouts — are now scaling back their ambitions for in-person business and socializing. » | Emma Goldberg and Lananh Nguyen | Friday, December 17, 2021
It was three words that workers don’t hear every day from their bosses: “I was wrong.”
Morgan Stanley’s chief executive, James Gorman, asked this week about employees returning to the office, said his projection about the pandemic subsiding was off. “I thought we would have been out of it past Labor Day,” Mr. Gorman said on CNBC. “And we’re not.”
Office workers this week watched as events unfolded that were once familiar and jarring in their persistence: Covid case counts ballooned, and employer plans deflated. The United States is reporting an average of more than 120,000 new Covid cases each day, up 40 percent from two weeks ago, according to a New York Times database. New York City is experiencing a spike in cases larger than any since last winter. Employers that had been growing bolder in their plans — reopening offices, mandating or strongly suggesting that workers report back, promising holiday blowouts — are now scaling back their ambitions for in-person business and socializing. » | Emma Goldberg and Lananh Nguyen | Friday, December 17, 2021
People Are Angry – and Now We’ve Shown That Johnson’s Tories Can Be Beaten Anywhere
THE GUARDIAN - OPINION: The brilliant Lib Dem victory in North Shropshire is part of a trend; the default setting of ‘vote Tory’ has been broken
‘In Helen Morgan, voters in Shropshire saw a community activist who shared their anger at an underfunded health service and at soaring ambulance waiting times.’ Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
As the nights draw in and the days grow shorter, the people of North Shropshire have lit a flame of hope to brighten our nation.
The Liberal Democrats have defeated Boris Johnson in Shropshire, just as we did in Buckinghamshire in June. Two heartland Tory constituencies, more than 150 miles apart, written off as foregone conclusions at every past election. Until now.
My party has shown that the Conservatives can be beaten anywhere – because across the villages, towns and cities of our country, people are fed up and angry.
Throughout the North Shropshire campaign, I spoke to lifelong Conservative voters who had decided enough was enough. Many told me loud and clear – they will never vote Tory again.
In North Shropshire and earlier this year in Chesham and Amersham we have seen a fundamental realignment of British politics, a generational shift, in which the default setting of “vote Tory” has been reset. » | Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Kingston and Surbiton | Friday, December 17, 2021
Boris Johnson accepts responsibility for North Shropshire byelection mauling: PM says he hears what voters are saying, but blames media for focusing on politics and politicians »
North Shropshire, Peppagate and partygate put Boris Johnson in peril: Analysis: a series of self-inflicted reversals is steadily undermining the prime minister’s hold on power »
As the nights draw in and the days grow shorter, the people of North Shropshire have lit a flame of hope to brighten our nation.
The Liberal Democrats have defeated Boris Johnson in Shropshire, just as we did in Buckinghamshire in June. Two heartland Tory constituencies, more than 150 miles apart, written off as foregone conclusions at every past election. Until now.
My party has shown that the Conservatives can be beaten anywhere – because across the villages, towns and cities of our country, people are fed up and angry.
Throughout the North Shropshire campaign, I spoke to lifelong Conservative voters who had decided enough was enough. Many told me loud and clear – they will never vote Tory again.
In North Shropshire and earlier this year in Chesham and Amersham we have seen a fundamental realignment of British politics, a generational shift, in which the default setting of “vote Tory” has been reset. » | Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Kingston and Surbiton | Friday, December 17, 2021
Boris Johnson accepts responsibility for North Shropshire byelection mauling: PM says he hears what voters are saying, but blames media for focusing on politics and politicians »
North Shropshire, Peppagate and partygate put Boris Johnson in peril: Analysis: a series of self-inflicted reversals is steadily undermining the prime minister’s hold on power »
NastassjaCanCook: Zabaglione / Zabaione, Italian Egg Custard with Marsala | Special Celebration Dessert.
Dec 17, 2021 • The Italians love their desserts, but when there is a special gathering or celebration, then the special effort is made. So, for that Christmas Dinner, we are making Zabaglione!
INGREDIENTS:
5 egg yolks
100g/3½oz caster (superfine) sugar
100ml (or less)
½ cup Marsala or sweet sherry
Amaretto cookies to serve.
(Please keep in mind that Marsala has a very strong flavor, so if you not familiar with it, use less in this recipe)
This dessert has some variations:
Variation #1: Any other type of liqueur can be used instead of Marsala. Use 1tbsp of Amaretto or Frangelico.
Variation #2: Serve with berries like raspberries or strawberries and add whipped cream on top.
METHOD:
Separate the eggs. (We only need ythe olks.) Add sugar and start whipping the egg yolks until the mixture is pale yellow, doubles in size and all the sugar has dissolved (about 5 minutes).
Gradually add the Marsala and mix. Bring water to a simmer in a pot that will fit your mixing bowl. (The bowl should not touch the water.) Place mixing bowl on the bain-marie (double boiler) and continue mixing. Cook the egg custard until it thickens (about 10 minutes).
Spoon out into clear glasses and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or you can enjoy it warm).
Decorate and serve with Amaretto cookies! What a beautiful dessert! Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:
5 egg yolks
100g/3½oz caster (superfine) sugar
100ml (or less)
½ cup Marsala or sweet sherry
Amaretto cookies to serve.
(Please keep in mind that Marsala has a very strong flavor, so if you not familiar with it, use less in this recipe)
This dessert has some variations:
Variation #1: Any other type of liqueur can be used instead of Marsala. Use 1tbsp of Amaretto or Frangelico.
Variation #2: Serve with berries like raspberries or strawberries and add whipped cream on top.
METHOD:
Separate the eggs. (We only need ythe olks.) Add sugar and start whipping the egg yolks until the mixture is pale yellow, doubles in size and all the sugar has dissolved (about 5 minutes).
Gradually add the Marsala and mix. Bring water to a simmer in a pot that will fit your mixing bowl. (The bowl should not touch the water.) Place mixing bowl on the bain-marie (double boiler) and continue mixing. Cook the egg custard until it thickens (about 10 minutes).
Spoon out into clear glasses and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or you can enjoy it warm).
Decorate and serve with Amaretto cookies! What a beautiful dessert! Enjoy!
German Government Considering Classifying UK 'Virus Variant Area', Meaning Travellers Would Be Required to Quarantine
THE GUARDIAN: The German government is looking into whether the UK should be classified as a “virus variant area”, reports Reuters, following the rapid rise of Omicron in the country.
Classification as a virus variant area would mean that travellers arriving in Germany from the UK would be required to quarantine for two weeks, even if they are vaccinated.
A spokesperson for the health ministry said the government is expected to make a decision later today. » |Miranda Bryant (now); Jedidajah Otte and Samantha Lock (earlier) | Friday, Dece,ber 17, 2021
Classification as a virus variant area would mean that travellers arriving in Germany from the UK would be required to quarantine for two weeks, even if they are vaccinated.
A spokesperson for the health ministry said the government is expected to make a decision later today. » |Miranda Bryant (now); Jedidajah Otte and Samantha Lock (earlier) | Friday, Dece,ber 17, 2021
Boris Johnson - Dishonesty, Incompetence and Self-obsession Are Finally Bringing Him Down
North Shropshire Byelection: Liberal Democrats Win Former Safe Tory Seat in Blow to Johnson
THE GUARDIAN: Helen Morgan wins seat the Conservatives have held for almost 200 years in a byelection called after environment secretary Owen Paterson resigned
The Liberal Democrats have won a stunning victory in the North Shropshire byelection, taking what had previously been a safe Conservative seat by a margin of nearly 6,000 votes, and capping a disastrous few weeks for Boris Johnson.
Helen Morgan, the Lib Dem candidate, won 17,957 votes, ahead of the Conservatives’ Neil Shastri-Hurst, on 12,032, a majority of 5,925. Labour’s Ben Wood was third, with 3,686 votes. Turnout was 46.3%.
The calamitous collapse in Conservative support – a 34% swing in a seat where they had a near-23,000 majority in 2019 – will prompt significant jitters among many Tory MPs, and is likely to raise questions about Johnson’s future.
It was a swing even greater than the 25% seen last June when the Lib Dems won the Chesham and Amersham byelection.
North Shropshire was seen as a notably greater challenge for the party, given it is a largely rural and strongly pro-Brexit constituency, one which has been Tory for all but two of the past 189 years, from 1904 to 1906. Morgan fought the seat in 2019 and came third, with 10% support. With video » | Peter Walker Political correspondent | Friday, December 17, 2021
At last, some good news! A drubbing for BoJo, the corrupt clown! Get these Brexit-loving, anti-EU Tories out of office! Kick them into the long grass! They belong to a bygone age and they are destroying this once proud nation. They are unpatriotic, over-privileged chancers! – © Mark
Tories lose North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years: The Conservatives have lost the North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the Liberal Democrats in a by-election blow to Boris Johnson. »
Royaume-Uni: le parti de Boris Johnson largement battu lors d'une législative partielle : La candidate du parti libéral démocrate Helen Morgan s'est imposée avec près de 6.000 voix d'avance dans ce fief conservateur. Un camouflet pour le premier ministre britannique. »
Schlappe für Boris Johnson und die Tories: Wie sehr der britische Premier nach einigen Affären um seine Partei und Regierung im Stimmungstief steckt, zeigt die Neubesetzung eines Parlamentssitzes. Eine Liberaldemokratin erobert den sonst stramm konservativen Wahlkreis. »
Britain’s Conservatives Lose ‘Safe’ Seat, Dealing Blow to Boris Johnson »
Debakel für Boris Johnson: Die Tories verlieren einen Wahlkreis nach über 200 Jahren an die Liberaldemokraten »
North Shropshire byelection earthquake delivers unhappy Christmas for Boris Johnson: Analysis: PM’s aides will be alarmed by the outcome and his MPs will be wondering: if the Tories can lose such a safe seat, what does it mean for them? »
Au Royaume-Uni, le parti de Boris Johnson sévèrement battu dans une législative partielle : Le LibDem, parti europhile, l’emporte dans le North Shropshire, une circonscription rurale normalement acquise aux conservateurs. »
'One more strike and Boris is OUT': Christmas nightmare for 'failed' PM as he faces Tory meltdown after by-election 'earthquake' saw 23,000 majority in true-blue, Brexit-backing North Shropshire routed by Lib Dems: Tories turn on Boris Johnson after 'earthquake' by-election defeat in previously rock-solid North Shropshire / MPs say result a 'referendum' on PM and warning he will face a leadership challenge unless things improve / Owen Paterson held seat with a huge 23,000 majority in 2019 and it was strongly Leave in 2016 referendum / But in a stunning turnaround Lib Dem Helen Morgan was elected to heap more pressure on the Prime Minister »
The Liberal Democrats have won a stunning victory in the North Shropshire byelection, taking what had previously been a safe Conservative seat by a margin of nearly 6,000 votes, and capping a disastrous few weeks for Boris Johnson.
Helen Morgan, the Lib Dem candidate, won 17,957 votes, ahead of the Conservatives’ Neil Shastri-Hurst, on 12,032, a majority of 5,925. Labour’s Ben Wood was third, with 3,686 votes. Turnout was 46.3%.
The calamitous collapse in Conservative support – a 34% swing in a seat where they had a near-23,000 majority in 2019 – will prompt significant jitters among many Tory MPs, and is likely to raise questions about Johnson’s future.
It was a swing even greater than the 25% seen last June when the Lib Dems won the Chesham and Amersham byelection.
North Shropshire was seen as a notably greater challenge for the party, given it is a largely rural and strongly pro-Brexit constituency, one which has been Tory for all but two of the past 189 years, from 1904 to 1906. Morgan fought the seat in 2019 and came third, with 10% support. With video » | Peter Walker Political correspondent | Friday, December 17, 2021
At last, some good news! A drubbing for BoJo, the corrupt clown! Get these Brexit-loving, anti-EU Tories out of office! Kick them into the long grass! They belong to a bygone age and they are destroying this once proud nation. They are unpatriotic, over-privileged chancers! – © Mark
Tories lose North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years: The Conservatives have lost the North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the Liberal Democrats in a by-election blow to Boris Johnson. »
Royaume-Uni: le parti de Boris Johnson largement battu lors d'une législative partielle : La candidate du parti libéral démocrate Helen Morgan s'est imposée avec près de 6.000 voix d'avance dans ce fief conservateur. Un camouflet pour le premier ministre britannique. »
Schlappe für Boris Johnson und die Tories: Wie sehr der britische Premier nach einigen Affären um seine Partei und Regierung im Stimmungstief steckt, zeigt die Neubesetzung eines Parlamentssitzes. Eine Liberaldemokratin erobert den sonst stramm konservativen Wahlkreis. »
Britain’s Conservatives Lose ‘Safe’ Seat, Dealing Blow to Boris Johnson »
Debakel für Boris Johnson: Die Tories verlieren einen Wahlkreis nach über 200 Jahren an die Liberaldemokraten »
North Shropshire byelection earthquake delivers unhappy Christmas for Boris Johnson: Analysis: PM’s aides will be alarmed by the outcome and his MPs will be wondering: if the Tories can lose such a safe seat, what does it mean for them? »
Au Royaume-Uni, le parti de Boris Johnson sévèrement battu dans une législative partielle : Le LibDem, parti europhile, l’emporte dans le North Shropshire, une circonscription rurale normalement acquise aux conservateurs. »
'One more strike and Boris is OUT': Christmas nightmare for 'failed' PM as he faces Tory meltdown after by-election 'earthquake' saw 23,000 majority in true-blue, Brexit-backing North Shropshire routed by Lib Dems: Tories turn on Boris Johnson after 'earthquake' by-election defeat in previously rock-solid North Shropshire / MPs say result a 'referendum' on PM and warning he will face a leadership challenge unless things improve / Owen Paterson held seat with a huge 23,000 majority in 2019 and it was strongly Leave in 2016 referendum / But in a stunning turnaround Lib Dem Helen Morgan was elected to heap more pressure on the Prime Minister »
Thursday, December 16, 2021
A Beautiful Kiss before the Pandemic.
Assaut contre le Capitole: l’étau se resserre sur Donald Trump
LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - La commission d’enquête veut entendre Mark Meadows, son ultime chef de cabinet.
Mark Meadows pensait avoir évité le pire en partageant près de 9000 documents personnels avec le Congrès. Le dernier chef de cabinet de Donald Trump espérait ainsi éviter une convocation en bonne et due forme devant la commission d’enquête sur l’attaque du Capitole, le 6 janvier 2021, par des centaines de supporteurs du président sortant et de militants d’extrême droite (9 morts, dont 4 suicides ultérieurs).
Lors d’un vote réunissant mardi soir 220 démocrates et 2 républicains, la Chambre des représentants l’a accusé d’entrave au Congrès et a saisi le ministère de la Justice de son cas. Si l’Attorney general, Merrick Garland, suivait cette recommandation, des poursuites pénales seraient engagées contre Meadows, à l’instar d’un autre témoin clé récalcitrant, Steve Bannon, condamné le 12 novembre, incarcéré le 15 puis libéré sous caution en attendant son procès. » | Par Maurin Picard | jeudi 16 décembre 2021
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À LIRE AUSSI :
Comment Donald Trump a assisté imperturbable à l’assaut du Capitole : GRAND RÉCIT - Alors que ses partisans donnaient l’assaut au siège du Parlement américain, le président sortant était fasciné face aux images de télévision. »
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