The monotony of party gate has been reiterated without end for two years and perpetuated by media & politicians like they were suffering turrets. Despite, recent geopolitical events that include covid, the war in Ukraine, climate change and the cost of living crisis. Beyond the politicised perception of institutional racism, there was only one news story, because ‘the public were angry’. Where fresh calls for the prime minister to step down, were still originating from those invested in the leverage of the party gate scandal.
When the scandal over parties was made public, the matter would be raised in Parliament by every opposition Leaders at every possible opportunity; and ‘quiet unintentionally’ interfered with every proceeding and issue of parliament for the next year.
In reality no perceived scandal could have lasted this long without politicised news agencies regurgitating a story on a daily basis.
In response, the Prime Minister would state he did not know of any parties that had taken place during lockdown. After evidence surfaced regarding the PM’s birthday cake, Boris would state that over this incident, if he broke the rules, he did so unknowingly. But more importantly he would setup an investigation to ascertain any rule breaking and to what extent.
An important question that needs to be raised was who leaked the PM’s birthday gathering and for what purpose?
Perhaps the most allegedly damning evidence, was the leaked test video from the then new No.10 strategic communications office. This would show Allegra Stratton being asked a mock question about a party during lockdown. Allegra would joke, stating ‘did cheese and biscuits at a meeting constitute a party?’ For much of the opposition this was the smoking gun that led to Stratton’s resignation and another successful career assassination. What seemed a silly and spur of the moment question, was part of a video allegedly leaked by Dominic Cummings.
A question that does need to be asked, was whether Allegra Stratton attended any of the alleged parties?
Initially, the press reported that there was an alleged party at No. 10, then there were possibly more than one. Later, it had been found that the parties were actually at CCHQ, but news agencies then publicised four parties and then just multiple parties at no. 10. During lockdown, there were certain categories of people that were keeping society functioning, that had to work with slightly modified considerations. These included Government, the NHS, Fire, Police and the Armed forces, where some staff could work from home, but many had to be in the office at their posts. Further, there were others that included personnel in power stations, factory workers and HCAs in nursing homes. All these had to continue working where social distancing was more difficult and proximity working was always an issue. Essential workers, constantly carried the fear of transmitting Alpha, Beta or the Kent variant and required regular testing. These individuals were contained in work bubbles, that developed as a consequence of the importance of their work in supporting the nation.
Subsequently, since party gate, birthday cakes in offices are now perceived as a party. I like many millions, worked in offices for many years and they were no such thing. People would sit in their department office; a cake was brought in with candles lit and happy Birthday was sung. Cards were then given, positive words were spoken, the cake was cut and everyone went back to their work. The definition of an office party would need include: drinks, a buffet, music and even dancing.
One of the fundamental issues of the so called ‘party gate’ allegations and investigation was what questions were asked in relation to Lockdown rules.
Pictures were even leaked complaining about the PM and his wife sitting together with other distanced in the No.10 Garden? It must be stated, sources have always been conveniently vague about the details surrounding the alleged gatherings of MP’s. According to the press, the alleged party that the Prime Minister attended and has now been fined was reportedly inside No.10. A more important question, why was this information and the subsequent allegation not put into the public consciousness sooner?
Notwithstanding, the most difficult rule to follow for the public, was not being able to gather outside their own household or extended bubble. The public would accept different rules for NHS workers. A not unexpected move on the part of the media was to ask members of the public their opinion of cake in an office setting. Controversially, of all the public interviewed it was unlikely that anyone questioned had worked in a true office environment; and probably never experienced team relationships in their workplaces handled in this manor, where they were more likely to just go out for food and drinks.
In response to these gatherings the voting public were unhappy and rightly so. When we consider how many of our relatives we lost and then having to accept mourning via Zoom or Teams. The reality is that public perception is everything. Two years on, despite the public being unhappy about party gate and contrary to opposition propaganda, people have moved on as current and far more pressing matters are now affecting our lives.
However, more interestingly, Keir Starmer one of the most outspoken politicians over these Parties, was allegedly caught eating a takeaway with others at a gathering in Feb 2021. But was then later photographed in late spring 2021, drinking a beer at a gathering where another person was eating. At this time Lockdown rules prohibited gatherings, where he and the Labour party in response have denied any wrong doing.
Nonetheless, Kay Burley celebrated her 60th Birthday with colleagues at a Soho restaurant and then there were the Parties in Brixton that ended in rioting. Further, it has been alleged that there were NHS parties, a fact that in honesty, if true there would be little opposition. As a result of the consequential Met Police investigation, an institution many currently have little trust, there were other people found to have attended Parties. But that they would not be issued fines, an obvious question is who are these individuals and where were these parties.
I cannot believe that all members of the opposition were at home diligently following the rules. The Press are always watching.
In assessing these events of the past two years, the conclusion has only raised more questions in relation to how this investigation was conducted and those that were investigated.
It would be interesting to know what now is defined as a party?
Who was at this alleged party with the Prime Minister and where was this hosted?
Were the guests at this Party a part of the work bubble?
Where they socially distanced?
The past two years of Keir Starmer’s leadership, has been spent crying foul at any and all of the policies proposed by this government in the worst time since WWII. Absent of counter policies or new suggestions, Labour have been growing with malice toward the Conservative’s and a self-destructive resentment of the British Public. Keir Starmer has been utterly ineffective as an opposition leader and where the labour mantra is “Power by any means”.
By Alfred Stephen Pryor © 2022
The Two Way Mirror 