Such a parcel of rogues

[Richard A]

Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, asked why the people of Scotland should not see the Tory government as a "parcel of rogues". Not just the Scottish people:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvtSomaXKE8

[Lianachan]

He’s a standard issue SNP trougher with his slippers under the table, and has about as much interest in gaining Scottish independence as Genghis Khan did.

[g-one]

Apologies for not knowing the 'Parcel of Rogues' reference, had to look that up.

[Lianachan]

Apologies for not knowing the 'Parcel of Rogues' reference, had to look that up.

It’s a great phrase, sadly only too appropriate in this case. It didn’t even occur to me that folks might not know it, stuck as I am in my Scottish echo-chamber.

[Arneb]

Looking it up taught me something, so no regrets.

[Richard A]

Burns used it in a specific context - which I gather Lianachan applies to at least most of the current leadership of the SNP. But I think the wider meaning also fits.

[Arneb]

Speaking of rogues, Dominic Raab has been forced to resign as Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of Justice because apparently, he is unable to conduct his office like a gentleman. Given the rarity of good news these days, this one's worth a toast!

[Richard A]

And he has made it clear that he feels he has done nothing wrong. Essentially, his explanation for having resigned is: "I made a bet that the report would not uphold any of the allegations of bullying. I lost that bet so I have to follow through and resign." He went on to say that he feels it was unfair to call his management style bullying ("setting the bar this low sets a dangerous precedent") and that it undermines the ability of others to run their Departments.

Sadly, though, in being forced out, he is the exception. Far too many people, in my experience (and not just in politics) genuinely believe that bullying is effective management. The way you get things done is to cosh those under you to do your will. And Raab is far from alone in believing that being called out for it is desperately unfair.

But he's done OK. I see he was barely out of the door when he got a job with GB News. Which tells you all you need to know about both him and GB News.

[Arneb]

Allerdings!