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FROM CHEESE AND wine gatherings, to controversy around how a No 10 flat refurbishment was paid for, and an apology to the House of Commons over another gathering – political pressure doesn’t get much greater than this.
A barrage of controversies have embroiled Boris Johnson’s government in recent months, threatening the premiership of a politician elected in order to win elections for the Conservative Party with ease.
But now his Tory colleagues are wondering whether it is worth the political risk to support him anymore, as they field queries from angry and upset constituents who made sacrifices during pandemic restrictions.
But the first of the political controversies that crept up on Johnson didn’t involve cheese and wine or BYOB – but luxury wallpaper and a late-night House of Commons vote.
Johnson has faced scrutiny since early 2021 over how some £112,000 worth of renovations of his Downing Street flat were paid for by a Tory donor, in a controversy dubbed ‘wallpapergate’ – based on an £850-a-roll wallpaper chosen by Johnson’s wife.
A watchdog concluded that Johnson “unwisely” allowed the work on the apartment to go ahead without “more rigorous regard for how this would be funded”, but cleared him of breaking the rules.
This was upheld despite further revelations that hinted Johnson may have known more than he indicated to the inquiry. The refurbishments were paid for by a Tory donor, and the Tory party was fined £18,000 for the incident (close to the cap of £20,000).
Another sleaze row broke out in November 2021 when Conservative MP and former Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson was found to have repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than £100,000 per year.
Boris Johnson initially moved to prevent Paterson being disciplined for it by instructing Tory MPs to vote against a 30-day suspension and launching a review of the entire disciplinary system, but backed down when it was blocked by opposition parties and sparked public outrage.
Then – a series of reports began to trickle through that rule-breaking gatherings had been held by various British government departments, sparked by an explosive video published by ITV of a No 10 spokesperson joking about a “cheese and wine” gathering of civil servants that was later defended as a “business meeting”.
The “bring your own booze” party in the No 10 garden reported this week and a leaving party held during a period of national mourning in the UK are just the latest in a string of allegations of gatherings held across the British Government while coronavirus restrictions of various sorts were in place.
Here is a list of the gatherings that have been reported so far – starting with the two controversies from the summer in 2020 that have fuelled the latest bout of political pressure on Boris Johnson.
Guardian front page, Monday 20 December 2021: Johnson and
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 19, 2021
staff seen at No 10 event in lockdown pic.twitter.com/rLJGbjCWg4
Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie, former chief adviser Dominic Cummings, and Boris Johnson’s principal private secretary Martin Reynolds were all pictured, in a photograph leaked to The Guardian, sitting around a table in the No 10 garden, with wine and cheese in front of them.
Some 15 other people were also in the photograph, but the Prime Minister has insisted this was a work meeting, saying: “Those were meetings of people at work, talking about work.”
EXCL: Email obtained by @itvnews proves over 100 staff were invited to drinks party in No 10 garden at height of lockdown to “make the most of the lovely weather”.
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) January 10, 2022
We’re told PM and his wife attended, with staff invited to “bring your own booze!”https://t.co/rg34EIkdz2 pic.twitter.com/UORlSwwHJX
The latest revelation came in an email, leaked to ITV, from Mr Reynolds to more than 100 Downing Street employees asking them to “bring your own booze” for an evening gathering.
Multiple reports have suggested the Prime Minister attended the event with his wife.
According to reports at the time, Mr Johnson gave a leaving speech for Lee Cain, his departing director of communications and close ally of Mr Cummings.
There are allegations that the Prime Minister’s then fiancée hosted parties in their flat, with one such event said to have taken place on 13 November, the night Cummings departed No 10.
A spokesman for Carrie Johnson has called the claim “total nonsense”.
A Treasury spokesperson told The Times a number of staff had come into the office to work on the Spending Review.
They said: “We have been made aware that a small number of those staff had impromptu drinks around their desks after the event.”
The Mirror reported that the Prime Minister gave a farewell speech to an aide at the end of November while the lockdown in England was still in place.
Other reports have said the leaving do was for Cleo Watson, a senior Downing Street aide and ally of Cummings.
The DfE confirmed a social event had happened after The Mirror reported former education secretary Gavin Williamson threw a party and delivered a short speech at an event organised at his department’s Whitehall headquarters.
A spokesman acknowledged that “it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time”.
It turns out that top Tory Shaun Bailey didn't bail early on *that* Christmas party - more digging from our @mikeysmith https://t.co/bG2YQHgQm2
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) December 19, 2021
Shaun Bailey apologised “unreservedly” for attending the gathering at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) organised by staff on his campaign team.
“It was a serious error of judgment at a time when Londoners were making immense sacrifices to keep us all safe and I regret it wholeheartedly,” he tweeted.
He quit his role chairing the London Assembly’s police and crime committee after The Mirror published a picture showing him at the gathering.
Boris Johnson pictured hosting Number 10 Xmas quiz ‘in breach of Covid Laws’https://t.co/wkZh77S0Gv pic.twitter.com/BYg7NJXOk3
— Mirror Politics (@MirrorPolitics) December 11, 2021
The Prime Minister appeared on contestants’ screens at the quiz but insisted he broke no rules.
An image published by the Sunday Mirror showed the Prime Minister flanked by colleagues, one draped in tinsel and another wearing a Santa hat, in No 10.
Downing Street admitted Mr Johnson “briefly” attended the quiz after the photographic evidence emerged but insisted it was a virtual event.
The Mirror reported senior civil servants were “boozing and dancing” at the event, allegedly planned by staff from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps’ office.
A DfT spokesman said: “Fewer than a dozen staff who were working in the office had a low-key, socially distanced gathering in the large open-plan office after work on 16 December, where food and drink was consumed. We recognise this was inappropriate and apologise for the error of judgment.”
A number of outlets reported that a gathering was held in the Cabinet Office on 17 December.
The Times reported that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case attended the party in room 103 of the Cabinet Office, that it had been organised by a private secretary in Case’s team, and that it was included in digital calendars as “Christmas party!”.
The Cabinet Office confirmed a quiz took place, but a spokesperson said: “The Cabinet Secretary played no part in the event, but walked through the team’s office on the way to his own office.”
EXCLUSIVE: Video obtained by ITV News shows Downing Street staff joking about a Christmas party on 18th December last year.
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) December 7, 2021
No 10 has spent the past week denying any rules were broken. This new evidence calls that into question. pic.twitter.com/nKYK0tG0dQ
The claim which kicked off the rule-breaking allegations is that a party was held for Downing Street staff on 18 December.
Officials and advisers reportedly made speeches, enjoyed a cheese board, drank together and exchanged Secret Santa gifts, although the Prime Minister is not thought to have attended.
Johnson’s spokeswoman Allegra Stratton quit after being filmed joking about it with fellow aides at a mock press conference.
A report in The Daily Telegraph newspaper on Friday claimed that two gatherings were held in No 10 in April last year, on the day before Prince Philip’s funeral.
This was during a time of national mourning in the UK and ongoing pandemic restrictions on indoor gatherings.
The newspaper reported accounts from witnesses, who said alcohol was drunk and guests danced to music, with a person sent to a local shop with a suitcase to buy wine.
The paper reported that two staff leaving events were held that evening, with both later merging into one.
One gathering was a leaving party for Johnson’s former director of communications, James Slack, who said on Friday he was “deeply sorry” for the “anger and hurt” this event caused.
A Downing Street spokesperson said of Slack’s event: “On this individual’s last day he gave a farewell speech to thank each team for the work they had done to support him, both those who had to be in the office for work and on a screen for those working from home.”
Johnson’s spokesman said the prime minister was at his country residence Chequers on 16 April and had not been invited to the events.
The reports were heavily criticised by opposition politicians, many of whom once again called for Johnson to resign. No 10 then apologised to Buckingham Palance, saying it is “deeply regrettable” that the event took place during a time of national mourning.
Johnson’s political future depends on two things: one is the report from the “formidable” civil servant Sue Gray into the allegations that Johnson broke coronavirus lockdown rules at parties in Downing Street.
The Times of London reports that that is expected to happen at the end of next week.
The other is if 54 Conservative MPs write letters of no confidence in Johnson, which would trigger a vote on his position. Whether they write those letters may depend on the level of outage among their constituents.
The Metropolitan Police could also get involved with an investigation of its own, which could actually put off action being taken over the No 10 parties until their investigation concludes – but it’s worth noting hat they have been so-far reluctant to get involved.
- With reporting from Gráinne Ní Aodha and Orla Dwyer
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We’ve known this for years.
Aye.. couldn’t the money used to conduct this study not have been used to actually address the problem? I mean it might have actually saved a life..
Imagine if that was the amount of people killed in car crashes? There would be lots of action. This is not acceptable and needs to be addressed. Our young people are very important to us we have to look after them.
Studies help understand the problem. You can’t fix a problem until you fully understand it
To be fair I doubt it cost that much to put these numbers together and it’s done on a yearly basis, the same with all sorts of statistics. It’s important to keep track of these things to see how effective our policies are. Evidently a lot of people with mental health issues are being let down by the system, men in particular.
People still don’t understand suicide though.
They don’t appreciate how devastating emotional pain has to be to override the survival instinct, the most powerful drive we have. They still treat mental illness as less than other illness.
They sit in pubs ignorantly going on about how “selfish” it is. What kind of pain do you think someone has to be in such that the pain of those left behind isn’t enough to stop them?
Maybe realise that many who do it think that they’re doing friends and family a favour by checking out, as suicides usually the end of years of emotional turmoil and they think well at least I’m sparing them more of being around that.
With all due respect Seal no study is published without money. There’s lads/ladies walking bridges across the country looking out for people. In Limerick the rescue crews are seeing a hike in their insurance this year… Yes that’s right, rescue crews need insurance, and this lot are wasting wasting money publishing what’s already known. If it cost as little as €500 , that’s €500 that could have been better spent.
@Deborah Behan: I think the number of suicides is actually higher than reported, as some are ruled “car accidents” rather than “intentional suicide”.
1. It was t all already known you are looking at ONE part of the study
2. We need UP TO DATE information and repeat studies as trends change.
Without continual study you can have all the cash you want but won’t know where to spend it, think of it like this:
Say previous studies showed men 18-25 had by far the biggest suicide rate. That study’s done in 1999. So instead of doing another study in 2009 we keep targeting ads and mental health too up cash at say colleges to target that demo, but because “sure we know it all already” we didn’t do the 09 study and this missed a major change in trends where suicides amoung 15-18s spiked, and thus nothing’s being directed at them to stop it.
You totally misunderstand how science works, besides needing updated data different studies might have improved sampling or other methods that can give us sharper data. You don’t just study Simone once one way then stop for all time ffsake.
There would be close to zero suicide if we had a more holistic approach to education. The education system primarily focuses on Left brain analytical thinking while ignoring right brain creativity. Both sides of the brain can be developed equally with a balanced approach to teaching but it won’t happen in the short to medium term because humanity is still asleep and is complicit it’s own psychological enslavement.
A holistic approach to education in the way forward which would involve classes on philosophy & spirituality but also classes that develop critical thinking skills, currently left to a few conspiracy theorists in the Dail doing the job of mainstream Journalists who have better things to do, you know who I’m talking about, people like Mick Wallace & Clare Daly.
The reason the education system focuses on the left side of the brain is because we can be much more easily indoctrinated to follow instructions and orders from the hierarchy and are therefore easily manipulated to follow a role in society that benefits the top 1% with help from their carefully chosen and groomed puppet governments. Right Brain creative thinkers can’t be manipulated to the same extent. We all have intuition, we are born with it and we should be allowed to develop it without any compromise from within the education system!
But all that aside, what happens when people step outside the carefully constructed paradigm whether it’s because they become more consciously aware of the true reality we live in or via illegal drugs to bring them to that realisation. Well what generally happens is that they develop a “mental illness” like, Chronic Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar and the list goes on.
A convenient label for people who have opted out of the madhouse that the vast majority of people have been conditioned to accept as normal. When these, “usually outside the box thinkers” become marginalized because they don’t fit into the “system”, suicide becomes a very real option!
How do you define crazy in a world that is completely bonkers! Well you can create labels that can be used by the all powerful pharmaceutical industry to sedate any unruly patients who try to escape the madhouse ;) Do you really know who is crazy anymore! Look at your own compliance within the system and ask yourself that question ;)
In reality it’s around 2000 a year but we can’t talk about that. The majority of suicides are ruled as person misadventure if no note us left… I was in the coroners Court for an inquest a few weeks ago. We were the 5th case. All 4 before hand were clear suicides from listening to people outside but we’re all ruled as person misadventure because no note was left…. Just another way the government are cooking the books cause the true figures would be a national scandal
Yep…they brought that law in a few years ago knowing that suicide in Ireland is off the charts and they are trying to spin it on the radio that Ireland has one of the lowest suicide rates in Europe…typical of this country.
@John Martin:
But a court cannot rule as suicide if the evidence doesn’t exist. Especially just to placate the emotions of some. The law has to be without emotion.
My mental health is in bits lately, reported an issue of bullying in work and HR said I was not in a creche despite the fact I could prove it! I’m depressed, stressed and using alcohol too much. Want more than a distant helpline to be honest.
Might be worth a try at a job change mate. Sounds like a bad company. The alcohol won’t help and may only add to the problem as hops in beer have depressant side effects. Hang in there mate and hopefully things get better. In my experience they do.
HR aren’t some neutral arbiter between you and the bosses , people seem to think that’s what they are but in realty they are the principals office for adults.
They (bosses) can take you to the principals office but not vice Versa. Workplace bullying and office politics are responsible for a huge % of depression in Ireland. There is a very sad vindictive class of creature in some workplaces that think the way to advance is to crap on colleagues and be a doormat to superiors. Unless you’re afraid you might go over the edge don’t bother with helplines. They’re actually banned from offering specific advice and are only there for you to vent which won’t fix the problem. Without knowing specifics I wouldn’t wanna give advice
@Colin Foley: Time to look for a new job. Not easy, particular when you’re not mentally in the best state, but if your employer doesn’t have you back you’re better off rid of them.
Best of luck, and lay off the alcohol. If you reply on it too much it becomes another problem for you to handle – no kidding but join a yoga or Pilates class, something to get you out of the house and away from temptation, concentrating on yourself. It worked wonders for me, and I met a nice lady who decided she’d like to spend sometime with me there too!
@Colin Foley:
Colin – you need to make a doctor’s appointment for Monday.
Tell him about the bullying, stress and depression caused by work, and then get him to write you out sick for three weeks – exaggerate your symptoms even if you are feeling OK on Monday.
Tell him you cannot cope with the atmospghere at work.
HR will request that you see their company doctor. Tell him / her what a toxic environment your workplace it. Get written out sick for three monrths.
During this three months see a counsellor and start job hunting.
It’s the only way to deal with this.
@Colin Foley: Sorry for your troubles Colin. Going through the rounds myself. Don’t allow yourself to be bullied. I had a horrid supervisor in one of my previous jobs, where I was having anxiety attacks at the thought of even going into work.
Keep your chin up bud, and tell HR you’ll be getting your solicitor involved if they don’t take your reports seriously.
Please cut out the drink and replace it with doses of vitamin D, a new hobby and fresh air. The drink will only compound your problems. Also, try get some counselling so you have someone to listen to you.
@Seán Ó Briain: I don’t think he needs to try to involve HR any more. He has already tried.
A common mistake people make is that HR somehow cares about employees.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
HR is just the human face of the company, but above all else it serves to protect the company’s interest above all else.
He has tried with HR – now is the time to go on sick leave, I think Use the paid time off to get better and to get a new job.
@Stiofain Murray: Agreed, made my points to them and they tried to make out that I was making a false accusation and started accusing me of such!. I was disgusted with the behaviour and had plenty of proof which was obvious a supervisor was victimisng/targeting me but they lied, twisted and manipulated everything to protect him and the company. HR are nothing more than a companies propaganda machine. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back, alot of heavy things going on in my personal life and feel time off is a good idea. thanks for the ideas
Hang in there Colin and be kind to yourself.
@ Colin foley well said and well done to you, it’s a pity that there isn’t more people out there like you to keep people positive x
Sorry for my mistake the above message was for Phil but Colin please contact your doctor and talk to him, Talk to someone please
New figures?? This is a commonly known fact for years
You do realise you don’t just do one study then stop for all time don’t you?
By that logic we’d do one study in 1970 then never do another one.
We study suicide TRENDS and that means repeat studies because suicide rates don’t stay static in all circumstances they vary wildly with certain conditions, age groups etc you can’t say “ah sure we knew men did it more” and leave it at that. It’s too vague. In order for us to make concrete policy proposals to govts we need more detail. What men? Why men? Ages? Do Religions have any effect? Education stays? Etc these are the details that don’t get out into the news story so you see “men do it more” and leave it at that.
Societies going through major changes good or bad see a spike in the rate for example. At the start of the Celtic tiger there was a boost so we need more studies showing what happened at the crash. We can’t just throw money at things Without detailed continually updated studies how would we know how to spend the cash? Who to target and in what way?
Well if something had actually been done any to improve the situation maybe it would justify more studies wouldn’t it? But seeing as the issue is ignored why bother?
Always a case of “study shows more young men commit suicide” which is followed by a collective shrug and “I guess we’ll just do another study and hope it’s different next time??”
Yeah those continuous studies are a great help…
I partially blame society for its unfair expectations that men should be “men”. Thankfully society is becoming more accepting of men not being “men” and allowing them to express themselves.
Agree, it takes a lot of strength and courage to say you’re not ok but for some reason it’s seen as being weak. This needs to change. Bressie has been doing great work in this area but we need to have the resources if someone needs help they’re not waiting for months.
To be fair though, there is nothing wrong with being “men” as you put it. If anything the demonisation of masculinity is only serving to further drive this problem. What isn’t really realised is that men do talk, we just prefer to talk to other men who can understand us. We sometimes do need male only spaces where we can just be ourselves.
Yeah it’s our male dominated society that is to blame as apposed to the fact that young men are pariahs in our society. Shame on feminists for demonizing them.
@Jeffrey McMahon: sorry jeff i meant to hit the green thumb instead of red (must be my big manly fingers)
Literally the only people I ever see telling men to “be men”, telling men that showing emotions is “weak” that needing help is “weak” are other men.
That’s coming from 33years as a man.
Get the hells off this thread with your “Waaaaagh…the mean old feminists!” nonsense if you’re not going to contribute constructively to the debate.
All you do whenever you start spouting this garbage is to show that you don’t care about helping men in the slightest, that you’re more interested in having a go at feminists than in helping men, and that makes you disgusting.
The world changed massively over the past 100 years and instead of altering our narratives to help men find their place in the new society we just left them to carry on regardless. Leave feminists out of this, in fact leave women out of it altogether. Let’s centre this conversation around the people we should be helping, men.
If you actually give two tosses about them, then let’s talk about it.
But I know you won’t do that, because as I said, you don’t care about men, you don’t care about these victims of suicide, you just wanna spout your alt-right nonsense.
Jog on.
Happens to me a lot as well mate. No worries.
Bryan, your argument is laughable simplistic so it is you who should get off the forum. Men and boys want to be men and boys but it’s the feminists narrative that wants to demonise them and tell them they are disgusting. Every where they look young men are told that they are disgusting perverts. Virtually no one cares that they are the most vulnerable group in terms of violence, unemployment, mental illness and drug addiction. Blaming masculinity for this issues is nothing short of a stupid cop out by sado whites knights such as you.
Bryan, if you cared to read my comment carefully you will see I did make a constructive contribution to the debate by suggesting something that might help men open up. All you have done is have a go at me over my opinions on feminists and call me disgusting. How about you follow your own advice and offer something constructive. As for talking about the problem, that is what I am doing. And as has been said in relation to men arguing when women talk about their issues; “shut up and listen to them”, maybe you could follow that advice. And if I do have something against feminists in relation to this, it’s the type of feminist who drinks from mugs labelled “men’s tears” that I take offence to, because they are doing more damage than good. I have nothing against actual feminists though, I just have some animosity to misandrists who label themselves feminists and poison a movement with an otherwise admirable history of egalitarianism.
Bryan Kelly: stfu, what a load of b o llox you just spouted
Emily what are you on about? I don’t ever hear anyone call all men “disgusting” or perverted, never mind feminists calling them that. Agreed the ultra feminists whose agenda is to suppress masculinity and men in general would probably blame other men for the higher suicide rate but they are a very very small part of society and not many people pay attention to what they say.
@Bunny: Emily is some sort of MRA troll, spouting the most absurd things. It’s really irritating because it totally derails conversations, which I guess, is what they want.
If young men aren’t viewed as disgusting why is there a push by university feminists for patronising mandatory consent class?
Yeah Veronica, any one who calls out the hypocrisy of the way young men are treated by society must be a troll.
@emily davison: Oh chill out. You aren’t even pointing them out, you’re just trying to hammer away at a nail that only the MRAs see sticking out. It’s a farce.
Veronica, Coming from man hater number one that is rich
@emily davison:
>man hater number one
lol, I’ll put it on a bagde and wear it with pride.
“internet nutter thinks I’m man hater number 1 based on the fact that I think women should be equal to men”
@emily davison:
Every time I see the idiotic comments from people like you on this place I have to go beat my head off a wall until sweet, sweet unconsciousness takes me.
You have something to contribute Titus are is that it? Stellar contribution. They day you approve of what I post I’ll give up. Pretty insensitive on a thread like this
I think you all got the wires crossed there and misunderstood his point.
Masculinity and people saying “shut up moaning and be a man, suck it up) are different things. The seconds more a generational thing, most men born after the mid to late 80s would be able to talk to friends about emotional problems without getting that kind of response.
The idea that socially the under 30 male demo is crapped on is undeniable. There’s even, as part of state policy, the idea that if you happen to loose a job under 25 you’ve done something wrong and should get paid less, but if it happens to you when you’re slightly older it’s ok.
@emily davison:
Insensitive? You come on this thread to attack feminists, who weren’t even mentioned in the article but are the only group that are doing anything AT ALL to help with the implications of gender stereotyping and I’m the insensitive one. This is point scoring to you. You don’t give a rats ass about young men.
Point scoring? Sorry if me pointing out the fact that society couldn’t care less about young males triggers you. But it is a fact, I’m just letting you know that your feminists out look causes suicide.
@emily davison:
Hahaha… Riiiight. Feminism causes male suicide…. That’s as good a batshit MRA theory as I’ve heard anywhere and I’ve read Return of Kings on occasion.
Anyone who gives a shit about the well being of young men is an MRA? Typical sociopathic feminists rhetoric.
“Feminism causes male suicide” has shag all to do with the wellbeing of young men and you know it.
@Titus Groan:
>“Feminism causes male suicide” has shag all to do with the wellbeing of young men and you know it.
Although Titus, what if they’re just that dim and that hateful that they don’t know it?
@Veronica: almost definitely.
∆∆∆ Echo chamber∆∆∆
I want you to tell me EXACTLY what those fish darned feminists are telling men they can’t do that is preventing men from being men.
Please do…I’ll wait.
*gosh* darned feminists
Bryan, first follow your own rules and offer something constructive. This isn’t about feminism. This is about men’s issues, and a serious one in particular, if you can’t focus on that then save your rhetoric for a topic on feminism.
Unfortunately this is not news. Has been the case for years. But nobody really cares to tackle it. Hell, looking at most media you would think how far we spread our legs on public transport were a more dire problem.
In other news the grass is green and sky is blue.
I attempted suicide a few times, well twice. I was deeply affected by the suicide of a good friend. My last attempt I stopped and thought about how my family and friends would be affected had I succeeded. The pain I had endured would only reflect on my loved ones as it had on me those years back.
I’m glad I survived.
Keep your head high if you are suffering, and speak your mind, do things that please you, and not others. Talk the pain away, only those with mental health issues know, some bruises don’t show.
Did you know if someone dies by suicide and doesn’t leave a note they won’t be included in those figures that law needs to be changed
The best way for this horrendous gov to prevent suicide is for them to resign and let people in who can run the country properly. Our disgraceful polticians have blood on their hands over this.
In fairness mate, this trend is global, not just isolated to Ireland. This is one thing that can’t be pinned on our politicians. They may not help, but you can’t blame them for causing this.
Sickening that you’re trying to turning this into a political football. Suicide exists in every society. The are multiple reasons why. You have no decency.
If govts resigned every time people here wanted them to we’d have elections every few weeks.
These are macro trends unrelated to which 15 people are around the govt table
I repeat, politicians are to blame for a lot of the suicides in Ireland.
They construct the type of society we live in, and its unjustifiably a very harsh society for some, while these pathetic, useless politicians give themselves pay rises and lavish expenses, for what, for doing more damage to the country than good.
This coun try still has nothing but contempt for vulnerable people
If only some how the patriarchy could save these young men
@emily davison: why are you trying to turn this into an issue on feminism? It just shows you don’t care at all about men or women. This issue is far too complex to be solved by silly identity politics.
Young men are the most vulnerable group in our society yet they are widely demonised. This fact is a major contributor to the high rates of suicide
@emily davison: You act like men killing themselves is somehow feminisms fault. You also apparently don’t know much about suicide or suicidality either.
I never said feminists, I said our attitude towards young men. Feminists are the ones who demonizing young men more than anyone. They can’t mix it with more experienced males who won’t take their shit so they target younger males to make them feel powerful, how else would you explain this consent class bull shit
@emily davison: >how else would you explain this consent class bull shit
the majority of rapes are done by men against women, it’s about prevention. Not about demonising men, so relax. If you hate it, campaign so your beloved men stop raping women and men.
You are constantly going on about feminism and feminists, and “feminazis” (the poor manjews!) on articles that have no relevance to it, like this one. This is about deficiencies in our mental health system, and you had to turn it into why young men need to learn about what consent is. Come on.
∆∆∆There you have it people, demonization of young men. I’d never call a man hater a “feminazi”, why play into your hands. No one give two f$&ks about young men in this society and that is where this all starts. Many are effectively lone wolves who are left behind in education(thanks again feminism) and when they are attacked in the streets no one says anything. They are completely unvalued by society
@emily davison:
The MRA circle of life:
1. #notallmen -> 2. “locker room talk” -> 3.”All guys do it”.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
You plagiarise that from tumbler? Feminists humour is a case of laughing at you not with you.
@emily davison:
No, that’s literally exactly what has been said here all week. You typically have an issue with the fact anti-rape campaigns are predominantly geared towards men, yet Trump et al were just having “banter” and “sure all men talk like that”. Which is it?
Tumblr? Seriously? Next
So sick of seeing that locker room talk thing.
Talking about sexual conquests in a locker room maybe common but not bragging about assault.
Then you have the other side suggesting college age guys need special classes on consent!! No…we don’t, it’s common sense.
@Ryan Carroll: while I agree re the ‘banter’, interesting that all the allegations are only really coming out now, its almost like the media and establishment are trying to quash any dissent in an effort to avoid another brexit scenario…nothing about Clinton’s donors or her responsibility in post invasion Iraq that led to isis… its very dirty and everything now is again all about preventing a republican win
@Ryan Carroll: While I agree r.e. the ‘banter,’ interesting that all the allegations are coming out now about Trump, its almost like the media and establishment are working together to quash any dissent in order to avoid another brexit scenario but no they wouldnt,right… lets be honest theres nothing about Clintons donors nor her role in post-invasion Iraq leading to the rise of isis in the mainstream media..this is all again about preventing a republican win,
@Veronica:
its about a lot more than ‘deficiencies in our’mental health system’.
That ‘line’ is the same old same old trotted out ad nauseu every time.
Feminism is farsical ,but its not the only cause, but society certainly.
It is also, relevant to the occurrence of suicide break ups divorce that women should be submissive to their husbands but also that men should be honourable which ist very liberalish.
Feminism and the mens version of it …whatever, dont need to exist.
I think its best for all to apply everything unless relating to sexual hormones to everyone.
@Shirly Temple: for the grammar pussies . Is’nt .
Best thing to do for that is keep mind active at all times and a good hobby aswell and stay off those antidepressants! :)
And the government couldn’t give a shít about it.
Men are increasingly being demonised
THIS ABSOLUTELY SICKENS ME, SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY IS PUT INTO ROAD CAMPAIGN’S TO SLOW DOWN ECT ECT! MY PERSONAL FEELING IS BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING MONEY OFF FINES… LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF YOUNG PEOPLE (MOSTLY YOUNG MEN) WHO TAKE THEIR OWN LIFE, THIS IS KEPT SO QUIET NOT ENOUGH IN THE MEDIA, NOT ENOUGH MONEY PUT INTO MENTAL HEALTH, NOT ENOUGH EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS ABOUT THIS!!! “MEN DON’T TALK” THEY THINK IT’S A SIGN OF WEAKNESS ‘ITS NOT’ MEN DON’T LOOK FOR HELP, MEN DON’T TALK TO EACHOTHER THE WAY WOMEN DO! AND I DON’T FEEL THERE IS ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OUT THERE TO SEE THE SIGNS AND BEFORE YOU ALL SHOOT ME DOWN I KNOW IN SOME CASES YOU CANT ALWAYS TELL BUT OUR GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO FACE THIS PROBLEM HEAD ON!!!
So that’s over 500 a year in the republic??
Have these people who have mental or suicide issues no friends to talk to. I’m not saying talking to a friend or family will solve all the issues but it may help. When my mother was my age everyone knew everyones elses business. We need to learn not to be afraid to talk to each other. We have forgotten how to talk. We need to discover the act of talking to real people again on a 1-1 bases. As they say a problem shared is a problem halved or something like that. I feel for the people who feel that they have no one to talk too. Everyone needs at least 1 good friend in their lives.
Yes, with the cost of car insurance, rent, degrees. Minimum wage, different hours. It’s all extremely stressful. Especially car insurance big scary numbers they come up with.
Lost my dad 69 to suicide four weeks ago. Just can’t get over the violent way he decided to leave this world. He hung himself. We are all devastated. Did he think no one care? Could he not see the luce that surrounded him? What in his mind made him to do this? Just a sad lonely violent end.
This is true my ex boyfriend of three years ended his life 4 months ago.
God I’m in tears reading all the posts let’s just say I know how your feeling, please get help from someone if you can’t go on your own bring someone, don’t let things get worse please please please
have your say