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IT IS “IMPORTANT for the whole country” that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is able to take a holiday a minister has said, as the country faces a cost of living crisis and spiralling gas prices.
Home Office minister Damian Hinds defended Johnson’s decision to go on holiday, asking “when is the right time?” when pressed about whether Johnson should have travelled abroad.
Industry leaders have criticised Johnson for the holiday, while Labour has called on the Government to get a “grip” on the “chaotic” crisis the UK is facing.
Sky News asked Hinds if now was the right time for the Prime Minister to go on holiday, and he replied: “When is the right time? I think it is important that people do have an opportunity to be with their families to have some relaxing, unwinding.
He later added: “What is important for the rest of us actually, for the whole country, is that the Prime Minister does get to have some family time, does get to have a break.”
Labour shadow Treasury minister Pat McFadden said he “doesn’t care” whether or not Johnson is currently on holiday.
The MP, also a former shadow business secretary, said: “I honestly don’t care where he is. What I want is grip from the Government.
“Whether he’s in Spain, whether he is in the UK, it seems just as chaotic when the Prime Minister is here.
“So, frankly, I’m not concerned whether he’s on holiday or not. What I want is grip from the Government, and we haven’t got that at the moment.”
Gareth Stace, the director general of UK Steel, said of the trip: “I’m sure he can get on the phone and get talking to them but to my mind, now is not the time for a prime minister to be on holiday, from the steel sector point of view.”
The Prime Minister is reported to have flown to Marbella to stay in a private villa on the Costa del Sol.
Holidays have at various times caused difficulties for Johnson’s Government.
Dominic Raab was demoted from his role as foreign secretary after criticism for staying on vacation in Crete while the Taliban marched back to power in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister himself also endured months of scrutiny after a trip to the Caribbean island of Mustique in 2019.
He was ultimately cleared of breaking the MPs’ code of conduct after an investigation into whether he adequately registered £15,000 worth of accommodation paid for by a Tory donor.
“But I wouldn’t want to overstate the amount of unwinding and relaxing you get to do as prime minister because as I say you are constantly in touch, you are constantly being briefed and you remain in charge of the Government.”
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As bad as he is everyone is entitled to a holiday.
@a: I don’t know what’s worse with your reply the sense of entitlement or the lack of perspective in relation to the struggles of working class people in the UK.
@Chris OB: Not everyone sees life in a begrudging way like yourself.
@a: would you not think it’s better to try solve some huge problems facing your country (which is his job) then take a holiday when it’s appropriate?
@Chris OB: a holiday does not necessarily mean abroad. There is no sense of “entitlement” for taking a holiday from work. Its required by law? The law requires people should get x number annual leave days from work each year. In perspective to the working class, the same legislation applies to them – imagine that! Where he goes on his time off is none of anyone else’s business. Silly comment.
@Eoin Jackson: there are certain jobs or posts where holiday does not mean “disappearing” for two weeks and I am sure that should there be a national crises then Boris would be informed and, as leader, jt is his job to take the helm.. For many workers a holiday means not thinking of work for the two weeks. However, the UK does seem to be in a crises between the NI protocol and domestic shortages and the fallout from same. This is the reason to question Boris going on holiday as obviously he does not consider that the UK is in crises. It may also be a dodging tactic with the pig cull looming and the UK raising the NI protocol stakes.
@Chris OB: he has a “sense of entitlement” for Boris Johnson? Surely on boris Johnson has that. The man has a right to a holiday. And I don’t like him.
@a: of course…a more interesting question might be how is he paying for it or more importantly who is paying for it….the place costs 25k a week…
@Niall Ó Cofaigh: I think he’s made a decision that a picture of his mug eating ice-cream will take over headlines and comment threads as people argue about whether he’s entitled to that or not. It would probably be a pretty even split. That’ll keep them distracted for a while.
@K C: No time for the man but he has a young baby, a pregnant wife and his mother passed away two weeks ago. I’m sure a few days away is not going to make much of difference.
@Franny Ando: I’m sure a lot of people in the UK wouldn’t care about him having a baby or a pregnant wife. He should be allowed time to grieve for his mother. In a job like his a few days does matter.
@K C: Everyone is entitled to a holiday irrespective of what their position is.
How tories are still ahead in polls astounds me…Labour need a real leader , they should be making hay on this shambles.
@Mike: Labour is still divided but keir stamer is a big improvement on the last weasel that led them. I hope they can give Boris enough over the winter so he can twist in the wind in 22. Sadly Ms Patel is waiting in the wings and loves been compared to the iron lady so watch this space it could be more of the same
@Hugh Mc Donnell: you must be a FF or FG supporter!
@Hugh Mc Donnell: Previous leader done better in the polls no? Starmer seems to be sinking them further when they should be steamrolling these nutty tories..
@Mike: it seems to me as an outsider that the Labour party is as functional as a group of independents with many opposing views. The media is doing more than Labour questioning the Tory policies and direction. They could do worse than read the SF book on how to be successful in opposition.
@Niall Ó Cofaigh: I think Labour already read the bit about losing all their local councillors and MEPs.
Doesn’t matter where Boris is … he is probably doing the UK a favour by getting out … his cabinet is collectively known as the Shambollics and Boris likes to be called Sham.
A growing number would like home to take a permanent holiday.
@Mark O’Driscoll: Still leading polls , mad stuff.
Of course it’s good for the country as that gobsh*te can’t do too much damage while lolling on a beach. Disappointing that he couldn’t holiday in “Great” Britain to support Brexit.
The UK needs Boris just like we need Leo said no one ever!
Bozo is a spoofer.
As a human being in a very stressful position isn’t he entitled to a break for his own mental health? His mother passed away recently and he took no time to grieve but no mention of that.
@Kathy-Davy Wright: I agree and I am sure he gets a lot more than just daily updates. For some a holiday means not thinking of work, but for others they still get all the updates. The job is very stressful but Boris never looks stressed, but it takes it’s toll on all world leaders, not just Boris. Maybe the term “break” should be applied rather than “holiday” as he is not taking a holiday from the roll of UK prime minister
Everyone has the right to a holiday and atleast he took his holidays whilst the restrictions in his country were better. On a funnier note I’d pay to see him saying HoLa or GrAcIaS, great memes out of him.
He should come over here head south to Kerry or Cork it would do him the world of good and he’d be more than welcome. Fill him up with proper local fish & chips, beer & bread.
@Peter B: No.
Be better if he immigrated altogether but then I wouldn’t wish him on any country – I’d say he even lied on his locator form!
I agree important for the country and even more important that he doesn’t come back ha
have your say