Cabinet Office job ad backfires as today was definitely not the day

We’ll not go through the laundry list of reasons why most people who must thole the Tory government are more than a little bit angry, but basically, they were partying while everyone else was following their rules.

The most recent revelation came in the form of “wine-time Friday” which is not – as you may expect – a cheap drinks night at a university union, but a chance for Downing Street staff to “let off steam” at the end of a working week.

They even bought a special fridge for the occasion – what fun.

To be fair, you’d likely need to let off quite a lot of hot air if you had to work within a 50-metre radius of Boris Johnson, but let us possibly maybe not do it while in the office, during a global pandemic and in breach of the rules you all wrote, huh chaps?

READ MORE: Boris Johnson ‘encouraged’ No 10 staff to drink every week during restrictions

Alex Aiken, the executive director for the UK Government’s communication team, tweeted out a job posting for a “head of news and external affairs” role within the Cabinet Office.

“It’s a high profile role,” Aiken says, “covering a range of issues from our Covid response to cyber security and government efficiency”.

The job ad – which offers a hefty salary of up to £117,800 – includes the essential skill of being able to work “in an environment that is subject to intense media attention and public scrutiny”.

We don’t expect that will die down anytime soon so The Jouker would recommend negotiating for the higher end of the salary.

Unsurprisingly, Twitter took to the ad with the clear sense of irony needed.

Cameron McNeish said what everyone was thinking, replying: “A great job if you enjoy boozy parties. Bring your own bottle.”

A great job if you enjoy boozy parties. Bring your own bottle.

— Cameron McNeish (@CameronMcNeish) January 15, 2022

And one genuinely interested party enquired with Aiken about some unincluded requirements that anyone who has watched the news will likely expect to have to do.

Ali Watt wrote: “Before I decide to apply: does the post holder have to be pished every Friday and absolutely blootered before making any decisions? I have my own back teeth through which I can lie. Am I qualified?”

READ MORE: Downing Street staff used ‘puppy gate’ to control ‘big dog’ Boris Johnson

Another added: “Benefits include a generous pension and annual leave, a personal mini-bar and a unique opportunity to live by a completely separate set of rules than ordinary people.”

One other prospective applicant said they drink “Gin and Tonic in a pint glass” and suggested that a CV probably wouldn’t be required.

They likely meet most of the requirements, for a Friday shift at least, but one other applicant may have secured the role from a gif alone …

Please see attached my CV in Gif format

Kind regards https://t.co/FMwanEKh9p pic.twitter.com/XcDDXOrx5Z

— Manny (@manny_efc) January 15, 2022

Many picked up on the fact Downing Street staff were said to have stocked up on booze using a suitcase…