Jenrick in the top three!

Under a normal government, with a normal prime minister, and in normal times, the activities of Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick would be headline news, and his political career toast. "Approving former press baron Richard Desmond`s development plans" against Tower Hamlets council wishes and clearly a "cash for favours" case benefiting the Tory donor a mere £50 million in saved tax should have ensured either a quick resignation, or sacking (Star,16/06/20). Jenrick`s claim that he "inadvertently" sat next to Desmond at a Tory fund-raising dinner  even rivaled Cummings`s claim about an eye-test which involved driving 60 miles for top spot in the "taking the people for mugs" top 20 chart! As he has even admitted to parliament that he knew his decision would save Desmond all that money, it follows he knew it would deprive the council of much needed funds for education and healthcare. Desmond, meanwhile, donated £12,000 to the Conservative party!

       Jenrick could actually claim two of the top three in these charts as it was he who, against lockdown rules, stayed in his second home in Herefordshire. Not only did he visit his parents, also against the rules, he claimed the house was his "family home". Strange, when the one  in which he, his wife and children were based was in London, where the adults both worked, and the children were schooled! This of course is not counting the house in his constituency!

 No sacking, however, and none demanded, though it is becoming increasingly clear that the Tory party, in danger of losing its reputation, unfounded as it is, as a "safe pair of hands", is beginning to lose patience. That`s the trouble with having a lazy and incompetent prime minister, one who is obviously out of his depth, and has a private life with "history"; it`s difficult for him to sack ministers with similar limitations and perhaps some knowledge of past events which the public might find interesting.

     With no Cabinet office inquiry into Jenrick`s behaviour forthcoming, it is essential Labour keeps up the pressure. It`s bad enough having an incompetent government coinciding with the biggest health crisis in over 100 years, it becomes even worse when ministers during the crisis find the time to abuse their positions so blatantly, and get away with it!