No. 10's screeching U-turn on food for low-income kids over the summer will not do the government or ministers serious harm with the wider public. That doesnt mean its not a problem.
First, the public. They are not on Twitter. This fact cannot be repeated enough around Westminster. In a finding that should be tattooed on the flesh of every politician and journalist in and around Westminster, the latest Reuters digital news report finds that only 14 per cent of the UK population say they get news from Twitter.
The hours of Twitter frenzy that precede the U-turn will have gone largely unnoticed by most people. The BBC (including its website) is still, by a mile, the biggest news source in Britain.And quite a lot of those people will first hear about this story as 'government backs nice footballers campaign to be nice to poor kids'. That may even play quite well with some voters, not least since that (remarkably impressive) footballer is being impressively gracious about the change of direction. As I write this, the BBCs home page is leading with this story, with a sub-head: 'The Manchester United star praises the move'
Despite the excitement they generate in the village, U-turns can be sensible and popular. Do not be surprised if this one does the governments standing no harm and even a little good among the public. But that doesnt mean this is a cost-free move. Far from it. It burns goodwill among friends and allies, and just fuels doubts about the effectiveness and judgement of the No. 10 operation.
For a lot of people, including Conservative MPs, the question is: why on earth did No. 10 dig in and fight what looked to everyone else like an unwinnable fight with a smart and popular star over what is, by current standards, a modest sum of money? For a smaller group, made up of ministers and backbench loyalists, the question is: why on earth do I go out on the airwaves and defend this lot when they just end up folding anyway?
Just about any No. 10 operation can instil some fear in ministers, SpAd and MPs the PM still has the power to hire and fire, and sometimes, deselect. And this is a PM with a majority of 80 and more than four years until the next election. But fear is not the same thing as respect, and respect is a far more powerful management tool. Thats whats at stake here.
Chattering about 'the No. 10 operation' is a perennial Westminster parlour game, of no interest anywhere beyond the village. But this stuff does matter to the functioning of government. Even in normal times, the success or failure of a government depends rather too much on how effective and competent the centre is. And these are not normal times.
Team Johnson has decided to run the coronavirus response not though cabinet but a smaller group, with the No. 10 machine at its heart. The Rashford surrender is, in isolation, small beer, but it has not happened in isolation. It comes against a backdrop of growing doubt among Conservative MPs and senior officials about how well No. 10 is gripping the business in hand, and what, if anything, the strategy driven from the centre is.
When I was a Lobby hack, I must have written dozens of stories about 'the No. 10 machine', so I know precisely how little such chatter really matters beyond SW1A. But if I was still doing that job, Id currently be tasting blood in the water, and anticipating more to come.
So look out for the next steps in the time-honoured ritual of political coverage, to be played out in the next couple of weeks:
Some wounds are so small you barely feel them. But they still bleed. Caving in to Marcus Rashford wont do Boris Johnson and his team any harm. Not yet, anyway.
Go here to read the rest:
Free school meals and the anatomy of a U-turn - Spectator.co.uk
- 'Grey's Anatomy': Deceit Rocks Grey Sloan, Link and Jo Make a Big Decision and Meredith Faces the Wrath of Richard - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo won't let 10-year-old watch Grey's Anatomy , isn't ready for her to see her in her underwear on TV - Entertainment Weekly News - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals Why She Doesn't Want Her 10-Year-Old Daughter Sienna to Watch Grey's Anatomy - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- How to watch Greys Anatomy' online for FREE without cable - PennLive - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Forget Marry Me Chicken: Links Insane Greys Anatomy Breakfast Sandwich Is the Real Deal-Closer - TVLine - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Original Grey's Anatomy Cast in Photos: Then and Now - Good Housekeeping - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Why Ellen Pompeo Wont Let Her 10-year-old Daughter Watch Greys Anatomy - Hollywood Reporter - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo's Good American Family Promos Airing During ABC's Grey's Anatomy Night Is Kind Of Trippy, But Her New Hulu Show Has Me Intrigued -... - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo explains why she doesnt want her 10-year-old daughter watching Greys Anatomy - New York Post - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 10 Review: I'm So Glad Meredith Is Back In A Refreshing Return To Form For The ABC Show - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Showrunner Weighs In On The Pitt's Success & The Competition In Medical Drama - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo on Stepping Back From 'Grey's Anatomy' to Take on Natalia Grace's Story (Exclusive) - Entertainment Tonight - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals Hilarious Reason She Wont Let Her Daughter Watch Greys Anatomy - E! Online - E! NEWS - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- 10 of the Biggest Feuds in Greys Anatomy History - Shondaland.com - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Anatomy of a Recession Update: Consumer confidence | Franklin Templeton - Beyond Bulls & Bears - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Says 'Grey's Anatomy' Fans Will Be Shocked By Her Role as Natalia Grace's Adoptive Mom - Access Hollywood - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- A Guide to Security Investments: The Anatomy of a Cyberattack - SecurityWeek - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Noah Wyle Says His Kids Have Watched More Greys Anatomy Than ER : Its a Point of Contention (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Welcome from Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience - News | University College Cork - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Showrunner Reveals Whether Ellen Pompeo Will Return for Season 22 - Collider - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Sneakily Continues A Key Station 19 Story A Year After ABC Canceled The Spinoff - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Anatomy of the average American paycheck - Floyd Chronicle & Times - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Showrunner Addresses Whether There Could Be A Future Without Any Meredith Grey - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Actor Jason George Explains What Its Like Filming Amidst Schmitt And Yasudas Departure - CinemaBlend - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- The Magic Behind 'Grey's Anatomy': CGI, Medical Expertise, and Hollywood Tricks - Collider - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Canadians and Wayne Gretzky: Anatomy of a Relationship on Thin Ice - The New York Times - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Spits & Suds: The Anatomy of how trade deadline deals get done in the NHL - 105.3 The Fan - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Kate Walsh Shares Healthy Habits for Cancer Prevention - Healthline - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- The Anatomy of Fear: Tips on Scoring a Body Horror Movie - No Film School - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Go-to anatomy atlas featuring corpses of Nazi victims revamped by UCLA cardiologist - The Times of Israel - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals Which Viral Scene from Greys Anatomy Made Her Oldest Daughter Cry (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- In Karnataka, the anatomy of three riot-like situations - The Hindu - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals The Grey's Anatomy's Episode That Made Her Oldest Daughter Cry - Screen Rant - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Heres Whats New on TV This Week Including Grey's Anatomy American Idol, The Righteous Gemstones, and More - Collider - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy cast members who have spoken out about their own serious health conditions - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Returns: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the Midseason Premiere - TVLine - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- All the Lingering Questions We Need Answered When Greys Anatomy Comes Back - Shondaland.com - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy star Kate Walsh shares important message after being diagnosed with brain tumour - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- 'I Couldn't Hold It Together': Ellen Pompeo Recalls Grey's Anatomy Moment That Brought Her and Her Daughter to Tears - CBR - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy star Kate Walsh reveals very subtle warning sign ahead of brain tumour diagnosis - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy season 21 part 1 recap: All to remember before part 2 arrives - Sportskeeda - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 9: Release date & time, what to expect, and more - Sportskeeda - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- The Splendour of Life, Starring Anatomy of a Fall Actor Camille Rutherford, Picked Up by H264 (EXCLUSIVE) - Variety - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Sneak Peek: Its Tears for Fears in Your First Look at the Midseason Premiere - TVLine - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Can a Longtime Greys Anatomy Stan Learn to Love the Grim Medical Reality of The Pitt? - Vogue - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Is Coming Back Next MonthHeres What We Know About That Cliff-Hanger - Glamour - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- New Extremity Box Set Collects 'High Tension,' 'Anatomy of Hell,' 'Frontier(s),' 'Martyrs' on Blu-ray - Bloody Disgusting - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- When Does 'Grey's Anatomy' Return With New Episodes? - TV Insider - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Books of Discovery Expands Access to Premier Anatomy and Physiology Textbooks for Educators and Students - EIN News - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- 10 Scenes That Made Grey's Anatomy Fans Quit the Show (& Never Look Back) - CBR - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Leonardo da Vincis incredible studies of human anatomy still dont get the recognition they deserve - The Conversation - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- The anatomy of a transfer as told by those who make a deal happen - The Athletic - The Athletic - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Nvidia plunge on DeepSeek news illustrates the anatomy of a bubble bursting - Axios - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- How Sarah Drew Turned Her 'Grey's Anatomy' Firing Into a Teachable Moment for Her Kids (Exclusive) - Entertainment Tonight - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Anatomy of a retraction: When cleaning up the literature takes six years - Retraction Watch - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- 2024s Most-Streamed Series Revealed: Bluey, Greys Anatomy, Family Guy and More - Variety - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Sarah Drew Explains How Her Son Micah, 13, Helped Her Get Over the 'Pain' of Leaving Grey's Anatomy - PEOPLE - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Who is Henry in Grey's Anatomy? - Soap Central - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Who is the Director of Grey's Anatomy? - Soap Central - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Is Grey's Anatomy over? - Soap Central - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Beaten by Beloved Animated Series as 2024's Most-Streamed TV Show - CBR - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Here's When Grey's Anatomy Will Return In 2025 (Confirmed) - The Direct - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- 10 Greys Anatomy Episodes to Revisit While We Wait for Season 21 to Return - Shondaland.com - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Charlies Beat: Learning the Anatomy of a Song - Madison Courier - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Anatomy of a Thriller: The Story of UMass 3OT Win Over Fordham - A10Talk - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Anatomy of a Wrestler: What Makes J'den Cox a Powerhouse on the Matt? - Olympics - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Former Grey's Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch, who faked cancer, slammed for soliciting donations during L.A. fires - Entertainment Weekly News - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Bitwig Connect 4/12, audio/MIDI interface makes a bridge between software and external gear - Synth Anatomy - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Anatomy of a fall: How Bangladesh's local government was left crippled - The Business Standard - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Meredith's Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Dilemma Exposed 1 Original Character's Overlooked Flaw - Screen Rant - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- KV331 Audio Synthmaster 3, new update 3.1.1 with drum part layer and more for NAMM 2025 - Synth Anatomy - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy writer who faked cancer accused of new scam - NJ.com - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Former Grey's Anatomy writer slammed for soliciting donations during LA fires - Daily Express US - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Melbourne Instruments will showcase a motorized MIDI controller at NAMM 2025 - Synth Anatomy - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Achieve 17/20 On This Anatomy Quiz And Prove You're No Skeletal Simpleton - BuzzFeed - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Insane MRI images: How one couple redefined anatomy with science - New Zealand Herald - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Bringing Back 1 Forgotten Doctor Can Give A Proper Ending To An Unfair Plot - Screen Rant - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- ABC's Big Thursday Night Change Hasn't Been Good For Grey's Anatomy, So What Does The Ratings Dip Mean For 2025? - CinemaBlend - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- The complex anatomy of the bronchial arteries: a meta-analysis with potential implications for thoracic surgery and hemoptysis treatment - Nature.com - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Is Throwing Back To Derek And Meredith's First Meeting To Celebrate The New Year, And I'm McDreaming Of How It All Began - CinemaBlend - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]