Tory Cabinet Minister says "badgers are moving the goalposts"

Congratulations to Owen Patterson, the Secretary of State for DEFRA, who has come out with one of the all time great nonsense quotes of our time (via Patrick Wintour):

“I am not moving the goalposts. The badgers are moving the goalposts.”

Damn those crafty goalpost shifting badgers…

Tags: Owen Patterson / Badgers /

Stella Tsantekidou column: ‘We have forgotten how to do politics’

What is it about Labour MPs that turns them into the anguished mother in Solomon’s parable whenever a…

Stella Tsantekidou

21st May, 2026, 6:00 am

Comment

‘Security, opportunity, pride, growth and hope for every part of Britain’

This is a serious moment for Britain. Our politics is fractured. Our communities are struggling. Wars are raging.…

John Healey MP

21st May, 2026, 6:00 am

Comment

‘The Assisted Dying Bill raised more questions than it answered. These haven’t gone away.’

The Assisted Dying Bill ran out of parliamentary time last month. I attended almost every minute of debate…

Baroness Luciana Berger

21st May, 2026, 6:00 am

Tory Cabinet Minister says “badgers are moving the goalposts”

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Stella Tsantekidou column: ‘We have forgotten how to do politics’

‘Security, opportunity, pride, growth and hope for every part of Britain’

‘The Assisted Dying Bill raised more questions than it answered. These haven’t gone away.’