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29-07-2020, 03:11 PM
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Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53568610

The job, advertised on the Conservative LinkedIn page, is described as a chance to "communicate with the nation on behalf of the prime minister". "Essential skills" include "excellent risk management and crisis communication skills". The salary is "based on experience", but the Daily Telegraph suggests it is likely to be more than £100,000-a-year.

The successful applicant is likely to be an experienced broadcaster - and the subject of intense media scrutiny.

Traditionally, the UK government's twice daily media briefings have been held behind closed doors, with a civil servant taking questions from a group of accredited journalists, known as the lobby. Quotes are attributed to the "prime minister's official spokesman".

From September, the afternoon lobby briefing will be filmed at 9 Downing Street, while the morning session will continue to be off-camera.

The new spokesperson will be employed as a special adviser (spad), a temporary class of civil servant allowed to give political advice to ministers, meaning they will be free to attack the opposition parties, as well as setting out the government's position.

The job description tells potential applicants: "You will represent the government and the prime minister to an audience of millions on a daily basis, across the main broadcast channels and social media, and have the chance to influence and shape public opinion. You will speak directly to the public on the issues they care most about, explaining the government's position, reassuring people that we are taking action on their priorities and driving positive changes."

The successful applicant would need to be "an experienced and confident media operator who would enjoy working on camera and with senior ministers, political advisers, officials and journalists; who would relish the challenge and pace of televised briefings, and who has a strong grasp of foreign and domestic policy issues".

Applicants are asked to email a CV and a "statement of suitability of no more than 500 words" to Downing Street by 21 August.
Someone (expendable) to take the flak for BJ and DC .....
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29-07-2020, 03:21 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Hi

The new Speaker is already taking issue with this.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/...tary-scrutiny/
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29-07-2020, 03:32 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Can white people apply?
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29-07-2020, 03:42 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Originally Posted by Longdogs ->
Can white people apply?
No doubt they can apply but they shouldn't hold their breath.
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29-07-2020, 03:44 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Originally Posted by Omah ->
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53568610



Someone (expendable) to take the flak for BJ and DC .....
Hardly. It makes sense. Leaves time to concentrate on matters important for the country. In any case neither BoJo or DC are good public speakers.
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29-07-2020, 03:47 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Originally Posted by swimfeeders ->
Hi

The new Speaker is already taking issue with this.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/...tary-scrutiny/
I fail to see that this has anything to do with appointing what is in effect a glorified press officer.
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29-07-2020, 03:53 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Originally Posted by The Artful Todger ->
I fail to see that this has anything to do with appointing what is in effect a glorified press officer.

Hi

There is a view that Boris is a Prime Minister, not a President and should be announcing things in Parliament.
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29-07-2020, 03:59 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Originally Posted by swimfeeders ->
Hi

There is a view that Boris is a Prime Minister, not a President and should be announcing things in Parliament.
Everything? This is of absolutely no relevance to his position as PM.

Reading the article it was clear that the concern was leaks from the government via press conferences etc that were issues that were of relevance to parliament and government of the country.
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29-07-2020, 04:52 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Originally Posted by swimfeeders ->
Hi

The new Speaker is already taking issue with this.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/...tary-scrutiny/
Indeed .....

The Speaker said (paraphrased): "They (Mr Johnson and his Government) are elected to Parliament. Mr Johnson may be the Prime Minister but he has a constituency that elects him as an MP to this House. Other MPs have got to be able to hold the Government to account. Even his own backbenchers want to hear it first, they don’t want to hear it through the BBC or Sky News, they want to hear it on the floor of the House."

Exactly ..... the Prime Minister, himself, is currently expendable - if his constituency or his party do not like what he says or does then they can get rid of him - if BJ has a mouthpiece to blame for "misunderstandings" then he can squirm his way out of "trouble" by blaming and firing his civil servant minion .....
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29-07-2020, 05:23 PM
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Re: Boris Johnson seeks spokesperson to front White House-style briefings

Seems to me that Boris wants to put some distance between himself and the public. He has realised that he doesn't always come across as genuine or serious. Also I fear there will be some uncomfortable announcements to come in the not too distant future and Boris is trying to fend off some of the flack by "hiding in the toilet" where he can't be got at.
 
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