Coronavirus

[Baleforce]

These are smart political tacticians, this is being done for a reason.

I’m gonna stop you there, anyone with any intelligence or humanity was hounded out of the party, it’s a hollow shell of sycophants, a kakistocracy.

It’s every man or woman for themselves today, the damage is long done though, they’ve all enabled Johnson’s rudderless cruise down this river of death.

 

[Favour]

From The BBC.

In a Twitter post, Essex MP Robert Halfon had said of the criticism, , whilst backing Cummings - "Is this really the kind of country we are?"

But in a Facebook post he has now said: “The tweet was wrong because many thousands of people in Harlow and across the country have suffered and struggled enormously during the coronavirus. It has caused significant pain and hardship. My tweet did not recognise that. I am sorry."

He added that "No one – whoever they are – should be above the regulations or the rule of law" and that if any rule had been breached then "there should be serious consequences".

 

[Favour]

Boris is leading today's briefing.

Big news coming???

 

[scaramanga]

I’m basing this on the high standards people are setting and Obviously living by.

People are arguing it can’t be be one rule for Cummings and one rule for the rest well that works both ways or it’s a broken theory.

It’s a shame the country in all this has turned into a nation of curtain twitchers

One of the very worst parts about all of this.

Whatever happened to "Snitches get stitches?"

 

[Grays_1890]

One of the very worst parts about all of this.

Whatever happened to "Snitches get stitches?"

It’s insane, I hate it.

Also this hierarchical scale people apply to punishments is so anti Labour who in my years of support was we are all equal and taught compassion, give people a second chance. Seems that no longer applies which is one reason I didn’t vote labour in the last election for the first time in many years. It’s turned into a militant mob rule.

It’s not for me

 

[scaramanga]

From The BBC.

In a Twitter post, Essex MP Robert Halfon had said of the criticism, , whilst backing Cummings - "Is this really the kind of country we are?"

But in a Facebook post he has now said: “The tweet was wrong because many thousands of people in Harlow and across the country have suffered and struggled enormously during the coronavirus. It has caused significant pain and hardship. My tweet did not recognise that. I am sorry."

He added that "No one – whoever they are – should be above the regulations or the rule of law" and that if any rule had been breached then "there should be serious consequences".

He was right in his initial tweet.

Since when did we make such a fuss about someone breaking a pointless, minor rule that doesn't hurt anyone at all?

 

[monkeybarry]

As did everyone in the cabinet.

Was it definitely everyone? I thought it was only 5/6 - making those that did clearly putting their position on the mast. I may be mistaken - I only saw 5/6 support tweets

 

[monkeybarry]

I’m gonna stop you there, anyone with any intelligence or humanity was hounded out of the party, it’s a hollow shell of sycophants, a kakistocracy.

It’s every man or woman for themselves today, the damage is long done though, they’ve all enabled Johnson’s rudderless cruise down this river of death.

Remove those with actual intelligence and eventually you become the intelligent one.

 

[monkeybarry]

I’m gonna stop you there, anyone with any intelligence or humanity was hounded out of the party, it’s a hollow shell of sycophants, a kakistocracy.

It’s every man or woman for themselves today, the damage is long done though, they’ve all enabled Johnson’s rudderless cruise down this river of death.

Also, Kakistocracy - great word! That was a new one for me.

 

[Favour]

Was it definitely everyone? I thought it was only 5/6 - making those that did clearly putting their position on the mast. I may be mistaken - I only saw 5/6 support tweets

Raab and Gove have hugely supported him, which according to you is a barrier to taking over even though you've said they may do exactly that?

 

[Glenda's Legs]

it’s politics and it’s the ones that claim to be non political that are using it most.

No one asking for Cummings to be sacked jumped up and down for Grealish or Walker to be sacked even though their rule breaking was blatant and in Grealish more likely to cause accident as he was drunk driving.

For me that’s double standards driven by politics as in my book the crimes should punished by the same standard not by who the person is.

I don’t think it’s double standards in the way you suggest. Although not an MP or cabinet minister, Cummings is part of the government machine and it’s generally known that he wields a lot of influence over policies and, in the case of Covid, has attended SAGE meetings in (at least) an observational capacity on behalf of the government. He is also believed to have been part of the machinery putting together the advice/guidance/rules to the public around the lockdown. So given all of that, IF he is then found to have acted contrary to the advice/guidance/rules then I think charges of hypocrisy and pressure for him to resign are understandable. I think Cummings is in a different situation to Walker and Grealish, who whilst clearly dingdongheads in their actions, and probably subject to their respective club disciplinary procedures, aren’t the architects of the very rules they have broken.

IF Cummings has truly driven all the way to Durham just in case he got ill in parallel with his wife and if there really was no closer alternative for childcare, then he probably shouldn’t be sacked (I find it a little difficult to believe but in fairness I don’t know hIs family/friends set up). IF it transpires that The above is not the case, or if he went back again or was visiting a beauty spot or whatever, then he should resign/be sacked.

What we have now is another day when the government is not going to be questioned about its progress on the key things like testing and track and trace.

 

[Grays_1890]

. Cummings is in a different situation to Walker and Grealish, who whilst clearly dingdongheads in their actions, and probably subject to their respective club disciplinary procedures, aren’t the architects of the very rules they have broken.

I agree to an extent but there is a level of that just being technicality. The law of the land should apply to all on the same level not based as I’ve said previously on some idealistic hierarchical system where it slides all over the place because on the reverse of everyone’s point why example does it set that multi million pound footballers that fudged brasses are held accountable by a different standard than someone who went to ensure the welfare of his kids. That’s a dangerous route to go down for me.

One point maybe being overlooked here too, I doubt Government we’re not informed of his movements, someone summoned to number 10 regular would have to make them aware of his intention to be however far away he would be. On that reason alone regardless of what side You fall on if government had full disclosure he can’t be sacked

 

[Grays_1890]

Worse case he made an error in judgement I don’t seem very Christian of people to jump up and down demanding people to be sacked. It’s actually quiet sad

 

[jts1882]

I agree that the original story probably shouldn't be a sacking offence. If he thought that the best option for his family he should apologise and admit he made a misjudgement and violated the lockdown regulations. This pretence that he acted within the guidelines is dishonest and politically stupid.

If the new witness accounts are true he has to go. Three violations, two with no excuse, is not a mistake, it's contempt for the regulations. That said both witnesses say they saw him and don't seem to have any supporting evidence. Given Boris is coming out of hiding to present the daily show I suspect something else happened, either extra evidence or a Cummings admission.

 

[Baleforce]

I agree to an extent but there is a level of that just being technicality. The law of the land should apply to all on the same level not based as I’ve said previously on some idealistic hierarchical system where it slides all over the place because on the reverse of everyone’s point why example does it set that multi million pound footballers that fudged brasses are held accountable by a different standard than someone who went to ensure the welfare of his kids. That’s a dangerous route to go down for me.

do you believe that?

his bluebell jaunt suggests he actually just went on holiday

 

[Grays_1890]

do you believe that?

his bluebell jaunt suggests he actually just went on holiday

I don’t have anything else to suggest it wasn’t, the “jaunts” are speculation with what proof?

I don’t take cynicism as fact either.

Also I find it cynical that people overlook nature of the fact he is a father and a son and he feels less about those emotions and parts of his life because of who he is. That’s ultimately what’s being alluded to.

I work with a girl who mid lockdown decided to travel to Hampshire to isolate with her parents based on she felt that it was better for her mental health. In no world would I think she deserved to be sacked and the company had full disclosure and acknowledged it was a good idea.

 

[Rorschach]

I’m gonna stop you there, anyone with any intelligence or humanity was hounded out of the party, it’s a hollow shell of sycophants, a kakistocracy.

It’s every man or woman for themselves today, the damage is long done though, they’ve all enabled Johnson’s rudderless cruise down this river of death.

Spot on. It was loyalty above competence.

 

[Grays_1890]

Boris showing strength in the noise that’s come out. Good man

 

[Baleforce]

I don’t have anything else to suggest it wasn’t, the “jaunts” are speculation with what proof?

I don’t take cynicism as fact either.

Also I find it cynical that people overlook nature of the fact he is a father and a son and he feels less about those emotions and parts of his life because of who he is. That’s ultimately what’s being alluded to.

I work with a girl who mid lockdown decided to travel to Hampshire to isolate with her parents based on she felt that it was better for her mental health. In no world would I think she deserved to be sacked and the company had full disclosure and acknowledged it was a good idea.

it’s not the single act, it’s the doublespeak and abuse of power since the story broke, the lack of contrition or apology, instead he had his minions tweet storm that the government advice was always that you could exercise common sense, you didn’t really have to stay at home the whole time, that you were a bad parent or child if you didn’t break the lockdown for “good reason”

I assume your colleague wasn’t showing symptoms of the virus though, different situation

 

[Grays_1890]

it’s not the single act, it’s the doublespeak and abuse of power since the story broke, the lack of contrition or apology, instead he had his minions tweet storm that the government advice was always that you could exercise common sense, you didn’t really have to stay at home the whole time, that you were a bad parent or child if you didn’t break the lockdown for “good reason”

I assume your colleague wasn’t showing symptoms of the virus though, different situation

She didn’t have the welfare of her kids to consider though. Your argument is on the assumption of a lie which is not proven and TBH I don’t believe he has used his kids as a pawn in this.

Like I say Government were likely to have full disclosure and complicit in his actions.

You expect him to apologise when having the press shout in his face outside his home? I don’t expect that anymore than I expected Corbyn to when he was hounded on numerous occasions.

If it’s proven that Cummings has contributed to allegations 2 and 3 I expect him to stand down and apologise doing so but I don’t expect it if it’s just a wave of unproven speculation and I wouldn’t want that for anyone.