ROLL ON MACBETH

I heard on the Today Programme an interview with Karl McCartney the current MP for Lincoln. He stated that he wants Boris Johnson back, primarily on the basis that he owed his majority in the 2019 general election to Boris. Great loyalty, no reason other than self-interest.

 

Here is part of his Wikipedia entry:

 

Expenses: McCartney claimed a total £1,159,047.08 in Parliamentary staffing and business costs (often referred to as "expenses") between 2010 and 2017 (the majority of which are Parliamentary staff costs and also include travel, accommodation and office expenses) alongside his annual salary of £74,962. His staffing and business costs rose each year he was MP, until 2017 when he accumulated over £90,000 in staffing and business costs in just six months before he was voted out at the 2017 general election (this included winding up costs such as staff severance. He employed his wife as an "office manager" and paid her between £40,000 and £45,000 in 2015–16.

For comparison, in 2018/19, the then Labour MP for Lincoln, Karen Lee, claimed staffing and business costs of £196,340.59. In 2020/21, McCartney's staffing and business costs were £147,538.47.

From January to June 2020, McCartney claimed £21,600 in expenses for Anagallis Communications, a firm run by a donor who helped fund his first election campaign.

Electoral Commission and police investigation: In March 2017, the Electoral Commission fined the Conservative party £70,000 (the Labour party and Liberal Democrats were both fined £20,000) following the United Kingdom general election, 2015 party spending investigation.

During the 2015 general election coaches of activists were transported to marginal constituencies including Lincoln to campaign alongside or in close proximity to local campaigners. The inclusion in the Conservative party national return of what in the commission's view should have been reported as candidate spending meant that there was a realistic prospect that this enabled its candidates to gain a financial advantage over opponents. In consequence, more than 20 sitting Conservative MPs, including Karl McCartney, were investigated by Lincolnshire Police over whether he breached election spending rules. Lincolnshire Police subsequently passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision on whether McCartney and his Election agent should be prosecuted for electoral fraud in relation to the 2015 general election.

In May 2017, the CPS announced that no further action would be taken in respect of the allegations, including those against McCartney. In advance of the 2017 general election, McCartney issued a letter to all other candidates for the Lincoln seat, warning of legal action against false, misleading or defamatory statements in the wake of investigations into the party's spending.

Judicial Conduct Investigation Office (JCIO): In January 2021 the JCIO issued a formal warning to McCartney for referring to his role as a Magistrate in election material, despite having been reprimanded for this previously. This reprimand was "for allowing his judicial status to be referred to on a political leaflet in a way that gave the appearance of seeking to gain advantage, which is contrary to guidance that is intended to protect judicial independence and impartiality." In reaching their decision, the JCIO noted that McCartney had previously received a disciplinary sanction for similar behaviour and was unwilling to acknowledge the inappropriateness of his actions.

In response, McCartney publicly stated that the complaint was 'politically motivated', that he had not been previously reprimanded and that he complied with relevant guidance.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Investigation: In July 2021, it was announced that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards was investigating McCartney for failing to declare an interest in a company run by his brother. Business Insider said their investigation "revealed that he had made false declarations for more than a decade about his links to a family firm." The Standards Commissioner instructed that the entry to be amended known as a rectification procedure.

Inappropriate comments: On 28 February 2013, McCartney apologised to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) for the content of notes he had sent to staff. The notes were described by IPSA Chief Executive, Andrew McDonald as 'abusive', 'offensive' and 'condescending'. McCartney's apology stated, "I apologise unreservedly to IPSA for my comments which were inappropriate, and which I regret having made. I accept that such comments have given cause for offence. You will not see me making similar remarks in the future in respect of IPSA, which has a difficult and important job to do." The following month he said that IPSA's incompetence had forced MPs from all parties to borrow money and that he had had to ask his parents for financial assistance. McCartney also said that he had been told by a "senior IPSA official" that the organisation intended to "damage MPs as much as possible," a claim that IPSA said was "wild ..simply untrue."

 

Under the Expenses entry he appears to have claimed over £1 million, yet he claims under Inappropriate comments that he had to ask for financial assistance from his parents, because of the IPSA’s incompetence.

 

On what level does Mr McCartney exist?  That he was elected at all by the citizens of Lincoln is baffling.  The above comments reveal a lack of character that surely must have been apparent to his electorate. Who, in their right mind, would want this man as their representative in government? He is the same type of clown as his hero Boris Johnson.

 

I have also now heard Ben Wallace MP taking about reinstating Mr Johnson. What is wrong with this man? Why is he even a minister? Seven years in the army reaching the rank of Captain. Is that sufficient to make him a Defence Minister? Penny Mordant had 9 years in the navy, to the rank of acting Honorary Captain, so I guess that is all that's needed. Who are these people? How can they have anything to do with running a country? 

 

How can the conservative party even think of allowing Mr Johnson to participate in the coming choice of party leader, other than casting his vote as a conservative MP for another candidate. He probably shouldn’t be allowed to do that. Who would want his endorsement?

 

If Boris Johnson is chosen,  Parliament should be surrounded by the entire population and not let out till a general election is announced, and Boris removed.

 

How the British electorate sits still for these charlatans and their shenanigans is a mystery.  Clown followed by clown followed by clown. What are we left with?

 

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.