July 29, 2019 4.48 pm
This story is over 52 months old
Caroline Kenyon: Why I do not recognise Boris Johnson as my Prime Minster
Boris Johnson was declared Prime Minister of the United Kingdom last week. I do not recognise him as such. I do not respect the process by which he has claimed this high, privileged office and I regard him as a disgrace, a man who brings shame and dishonour upon our wonderful country. I shall happily…
Caroline Kenyon is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Lincoln
Boris Johnson was declared Prime Minister of the United Kingdom last week.
I do not recognise him as such.
I do not respect the process by which he has claimed this high, privileged office and I regard him as a disgrace, a man who brings shame and dishonour upon our wonderful country.
I shall happily explain why.
He was voted in by 92,000 votes from members of the Conservative Party. This cohort was largely male, white, over 60 – wholly unrepresentative of this country of 66 million people – but also, hypocritically, included members as young as 15 who are not permitted to vote in elections.
More people voted in the poll to name our new polar research boat (result: Boaty McBoatface) than in this apparent coronation.
He has now declared that we will leave, deal or no deal, no ifs or buts, on 31 October. A man with NO mandate from the country to be our premier, tells us that we will take the most high-risk path that any Western, civilised nation has ever taken, a path that was never on the ballot paper, never discussed in the Referendum debate (“easiest deal in history”, “settled over a cup of tea in an afternoon” “exact same benefits”).
This is nothing more or less than a coup.
But it is not just the man’s political intent with regard to Brexit that means I do not recognise him.
I will not recognise a man of such moral bankruptcy, in both his private life or his public life, as my leader.
This is a man for whom the consequences of his actions are irrelevant, the pain of others of no significance so long as he gains what he, Boris Johnson, craves.
Victims of his narcissistic cruelty run from Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, who was chained to bed in an Iranian psychiatric hospital last week, her prison sentence extended after Johnson’s lazy, incorrect statement as Foreign Secretary that she had been teaching journalism.
To Sir Kim Darroch, our former Ambassador to the United States who was forced to resign two weeks ago. His crime? Simply doing his job, as all ambassadors do, by reporting back to the UK the truth of the chaotic incompetence of the Trump administration, somehow mysteriously leaked to the press. But Johnson, so eager to ingratiate with Trump, refused to support our loyal representative and Darroch’s 40-year distinguished career ended overnight.
To his estranged wife and four children, deeply wounded by his repeated infidelities.
Add to the mix his blatant pandering to his paymasters. His leadership campaign attracted an astonishing £500,000 from hedge fund managers (who will make a killing when the pound collapses further on No Deal) and arms dealers, while his campaign managers included tobacco and sugar lobbyists.
It stinks to high heaven.
And that is before his cavalier attitude to public money. The disgusting scandal of the Garden Bridge which wasted £49 million of taxpayers’ money with absolutely nothing to show for it. That’s nothing to Johnson, who said of his £275,000 fee from the Daily Telegraph for his writing that it was “chickenfeed”.
But to a little business like mine, it would take an astonishing 2,000 years for us to generate that amount of tax. And for what? Nothing.
I do not and I will not recognise a man who has lied and cheated his way to the top. So, Mr Boris Johnson, as far as I am concerned, you are a squatter in Downing Street, with as little right to be there as if you had broken in with a camp bed and sleeping bag.
Not in my name.
Caroline is the parliamentary spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats in Lincoln. She stood as they party's candidate in the 2017 general election in the city.
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: