Gift Politics

From Daily NK we hear

With general participants in the Eighth Party Congress reportedly receiving little in the way of gifts, Daily NK has learned that top-ranking cadres were given watches engraved with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s name, as well as televisions.

In a phone conversation, a source in North Korea told Daily NK on Monday that the authorities gave key cadres watches after the conclusion of the party congress. “The watches are engraved with the signature of Kim Jong Un,” he said…

It seems Kim, who is beset by external and internal difficulties due to international sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues, is encouraging solidarity among key cadres through “gift politics.”

There’s an idea. Maybe Boris will give out holiday vouchers – permission to take a holiday for those who manage to complete a course of five vaccinations or some other indicator of lockdown loyalty. Holidays in a designated location of course.