I've found the stupidest political take

[andrewducker]

One of the many Conservative subgroups has decided that it's wrong that Carrie Symonds (Johnson's fiance) has any input into his political decisions, because she's not elected.

Now, she may be giving him advice they disagree with. She may even be giving him terrible advice. But the idea that he shouldn't be talking to his fiance about the decisions he's making because she's not elected is just ludicrous.

Is he not allowed to get ideas from books which aren't written by sitting MPs? Is he not allowed to talk to external experts who aren't elected? Not allowed to talk to members of the public in case he listens to them before they're voted on?

He's an MP. He gets to vote on laws. And he gets to listen to, and learn from, whoever he deems appropriate. If someone doesn't like the opinions he takes on, and the decisions he makes, that's fine. We can totally judge him for that. If someone thinks that he associates with awful people and judges him for that, then that's also fair enough. But the idea that he shouldn't listen to anyone unless they've been elected is beyond laughable.

Comments

[mountainkiss]

SpAds aren't elected and their entire purpose in life is to advise ministers. Are these people suggesting that all should be dismissed? Or that Carrie should be paid?

[jack]

Given the galaxy-brain stupidity of... so much else I barely dared read the article :) My first impression is that no newspaper should ever pass up an opportunity to say "Normans Tebbit and Lamont".

I'm not sure I agree with you though. I mean, I do agree with everything you said, it's the responsibility of Johnson (as anyone in any job) to judge what's right, including taking as much or as little advice from someone else as they judge appropriate. I assume most people take SOME advice from their spouse (or parent, or child, or therapist or whatever) which pertains to their job, but (correctly) don't officially acknowledge it, just present it as their own decision.

But I assume that's the problem -- the implication is that he's not taking advice which is GOOD for the role he's supposed to fulfil, he's doing what his partner wants for other reasons. At least that's my stereotype of "undue influence" and I assume that's what people think is happening (and pretty plausible).

[cellio]

It also seems inconsistent. Do MPs not have staffs, interns, occasional hired consultants, public-relations people who bring them input from (gasp) the public, etc? Do they not read newspapers, Facebook posts, tweets? Do none of them have families?

[aldabra]

If they didn't approve of his choices of life partner they could have not elected him party leader.

[armiphlage]

Wouldn't she be one of his constituents?

[lilysea]

Unless people are offering Carrie Symonds or her friends/family members money or jobs in exchange
for her influencing Johnson, I really don't see any issue/any problem.