This article was written by Seimer.

Tommy1Boys was recently elected Leader of the Clibs

Tommy1Boys has been the political centre of gravity for the past week, as stunning leaks revealed in the Telegraph showed accusations of inner government fighting, and allegations of blackmail and kompromat gathering by the now former Foreign Secretary. Just days after this, he would be elected Leader of the Classical Liberals, and be appointed Deputy Prime Minister. Now, in an exclusive first interview with the new Leader, he addresses his new role, his actions as Foreign Secretary and the growing scandal facing his political career.

Interview

Seimer: So firstly, congratulations on your victory. What is your major goal in terms of your new post that you hope to achieve?

Tommy: Thank you. I want to use my new position of giving a voice and delivering for those who rely on the government, but often don’t feel connected to it. The Government is already making strides on that front such as workers rights legislation, and I want us to make that at the heart of every legislation, statement, white paper and action that this government takes.

Seimer: Now, before discussing you work as foreign secretary I would like to ask you about the story everyone’s talking about, the CountBrandenburg leaks. Do you believe that your approach to the First Minister and Executive was as the First Minister put it, “tantamount to black mail”?

Tommy: No I obviously don’t. I made the fair point that if we are asked in Ministers Questions about meetings with the NI Executive, we would be honest that the NI Secretary had asked for meetings and none had yet happened. More broadly, I am disappointed the First Minister abused his position as a confident and yes a friend to score political points with out of context screenshots and a coordinated attempt with his colleagues in Northern Ireland to go after those he did not like.

Seimer: So you view this as the Executive scoring political points against the government?

Tommy: I think the First Minister abused his position in the Executive to go after those he does not like, that being apparently myself and Twisted. I do not think the majority of the Executive wanted to or would use it against the Westminster Government, for whom some members have privately expressed confidence in, for example, the NI Secretary. Although what they say privately and publicly is different, which is not a surprise.

Seimer: You said earlier that the leaks by the First Minister were out of context, he strenuously denies that, which leaks in particular do you view as misleading or out of context as you put it?

Tommy: So let me take the shipyards. I at no point defended nationalisation of it. It was brought to my attention that the NI executive did not support nationalisation, a suggestion floated by the Chancellor. I spoke with the Chancellor straight away and he made clear once the NI Executive rejected it, that it would not happen. Indeed the Chancellor openly told the NI Executive he would not “force” things onto them if they disapproved. Instead, they accused him of trying to do just that. Brandy came to me with a concern, and I worked to ensure that concern was dealt with and the Ni Executive were listened to. Apparently that constitutes ignoring the NI Executive?

Seimer: Did you believe the plan to nationalise H+W from the Chancellor was a good or serious proposal?

Tommy: I am not personally knowledgeable enough on the specific place in question. Haven spoken to the Chancellor, it is clear it was made as a suggestion which was removed once it became clear the NI Executive would not support it. The chancellor did what he should have done, put forward a suggestion, had a discussion, and listened to the NI Executive. Exactly the opposite of what those in the NI Executive are saying happened.

Seimer: So you say those leaks were misleading, does that mean the leaks regarding your dislike of leadership opponent Star, your dislike of the Executive, your description of Twisted as a “fuckwit” and Labour as “fucking fucks” and the kompromat document you said you were keeping on Saunders were all accurate representations of what was said?

Tommy: The government has recognised some of the past issues and communication is an issue dealt with long before these leaks.

Seimer: Iran has been the issue which has largely defined your term so far, is it still the British view that a return to the JCPOA is a likely goal?

Tommy: So. Yes the Government is working hard on a JCPOA deal. We strongly believe it is in the national interest, and the interest of international security, for Iran, the US and others to be inside the JCPOA. Obviously negotiating between different partners is difficult and high stakes stuff, but I am pleased of the progress we are making at the G7 although the Kurdish situation has overtaken the agenda right now for obvious reasons.

Seimer: The Kurdish situation, seeing as you brought it up, what is the governments view on the American decision to pull their 1000 troops in the area out?

Tommy: The Government has spoken with President Trump and has secured a commitment to halt the withdrawal of troops in the area. There will then be a transition to a coalition of the willing forces in the region to protect the Kurds. As we speak the Foreign Secretary is preparing to talk to the Kurds to inform them. France and the US have so far committed to this coalition, and talks at the G7 will continue in my role as Deputy Prime Minister to secure support from other countries.

Seimer: That’s quite a dramatic shift, is this coalition committed to preventing a Turkish invasion into the region, as we have seen in the past days?

Tommy: Yes. The Kurds lost thousands in the fight against Daesh. We cannot allow a NATO member to do this. The Kurds are an aly of the UK, we are clear on that front. We are not prepared to abandon them now. This information will all be laid before the Commons in the coming 24 hours.

Seimer: Do you intend to build cross party support including the opposition on this policy?

Tommy: Yes. I shall be briefing my counterparts in the House tonight if possible. I hope that opposition parties will realise this move is in the national interest, and will support our efforts in this regard.

Seimer: Now, I’d like to finally discuss some of the governmental changes that took place today. You are no longer foreign secretary obviously, with willem taking the post, should we expect a continuation of government policy on Iran, Hong Kong and now Kurdistan with the new foreign secretary?

Tommy: I am really pleased to see Willem succeed me in the post of Foreign Secretary. The Government has not changed however, and yes I believe a continuation of government policy on a range of matters will be the case, although obviously with a new person comes a new style..

Seimer: And the big story that appears to be coming out of this reshuffle is changes in CCLG. Does Rhys leaving his post indicate a change in policy regarding the National Culture Day?

Tommy: We recognise that we made a mistake, and we are setting about to rectify that. A change in policy will occur yes.

Seimer: Alright, that’s us, thanks for doing this Tommy

Tommy: No problem