O/T Disgrace Cummings

[WanChaiMiller]

Right wingers on here leading with Coogan but no separate thread to slate Cummings - who committed far greater offence.

One rule for one Tory hardliner. And the party and its supporters making excuses.

[Exiletyke]

Right wingers on here leading with Coogan but no separate thread to slate Cummings - who committed far greater offence.

One rule for one Tory hardliner. And the party and its supporters making excuses.

Exactly

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Oddly folks seem surprised by this fool's antics.

[rolymiller]

Exactly

Sort of proves my point that I made on the other thread. We can only assume that the usual right wing crew on here agree with what Cummings has done unless they tell us any different which they won't of course. Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.. Howsa about about a bit of condemnation eh?

Shhhhhh!

At least they wont be able to moan about at me if i do summat similar eh..?

Just noticed Grist's comment not a condemnation but as near as you will get from him I suppose so thanks for that.

I have a little note in my head what the other replies will be (or not). I would be a very rich man if I could bet on my predictions...

[WanChaiMiller]

Oddly folks seem surprised by this fool's antics.

Or distancing themselves.

Hes one of your finest. You should be proud of his achievements on Brexit and the Governments response to Covid 19.

[Exiletyke]

Sort of proves my point that I made on the other thread. We can only assume that the usual right wing crew on here agree with what Cummings has done unless they tell us any different which they won't of course. Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.. Howsa about about a bit of condemnation eh?

Shhhhhh!

At least they wont be able to moan about at me if i do summat similar eh..?

Just noticed Grist's comment not a condemnation but as near as you will get from him I suppose so thanks for that.

I have a little note in my head what the other replies will be (or not). I would be a very rich man if I could bet on my predictions...

Sort of proves my point that I made on the other thread. We can only assume that the usual right wing crew on here agree with what Cummings has done unless they tell us any different which they won't of course. Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.. Howsa about about a bit of condemnation eh?


Where is he these days?

[great_fire]

Right wingers on here leading with Coogan but no separate thread to slate Cummings - who committed far greater offence.

One rule for one Tory hardliner. And the party and its supporters making excuses.

Missed your thread on Stephen Kinnock.

It's not about what he did or didn't do but who he is.

[the_idiotb_stardson]

Just laughing at this binary left and right nonsense.

Ridiculous to see contemporary politics from such a limited perspective.

Sometimes you have to refer to left or right. There maybe various but minimal shades of difference.


But really left and right, cmon....it's over.

[WanChaiMiller]

Missed your thread on Stephen Kinnock.

It's not about what he did or didn't do but who he is.

Was he sitting in on SAGE meetings and breaking the very rules they created?

[WanChaiMiller]

Just laughing at this binary left and right nonsense.

Ridiculous to see contemporary politics from such a limited perspective.

Lol, the point of this post is lost on you Idiot.

[mellowmiller]

Hypocrisy runs deep on this board as well as in politics and society in general.
For what it's worth I think what both Cummings and Kinnock are alleged to have done was certainly against the guidance but maybe understandable given their personal family circumstances. Of course there may be more unsavoury details to come out yet.
What no-one seems to have commented on is the hypocrisy of the media pack assembled outside Cummings house who clambered all over each other in their desperation to get a "story" totally ignoring the social distancing rules.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Seems simple to me.

He's a government adviser whose judgement has been shown to be flawed.

A complete lack of common sense mixed with pure arrogance.

Sack him and move on.

[animallittle3]

If this fecker wasn't such a danger to the country I'd say keep him on .

It's the classic Hitler situation , more value keeping him alive and taking down the Third Reich from the inside than assassinating him .

However we have four more years of these right wing nut jobs to get through and this loose cannon is capable of anything .

What I will say is this , he's not a tory , not even a party member and he knows stuff , cut this fecker loose and anything could come out about the government from the handling of brexit to the pandemic .

There's little wonder Johnson's inner circle are defending him .

[Exiletyke]

Seems simple to me.

He's a government adviser whose judgement has been shown to be flawed.

A complete lack of common sense mixed with pure arrogance.

Sack him and move on.

1 down 7 to go roly

[Shark27]

Sort of proves my point that I made on the other thread. We can only assume that the usual right wing crew on here agree with what Cummings has done unless they tell us any different which they won't of course. Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.. Howsa about about a bit of condemnation eh?

Shhhhhh!

At least they wont be able to moan about at me if i do summat similar eh..?

Just noticed Grist's comment not a condemnation but as near as you will get from him I suppose so thanks for that.

I have a little note in my head what the other replies will be (or not). I would be a very rich man if I could bet on my predictions...

What did I say about Steve Coogan? I'll save you the trouble of checking. I didn't say anything. So not sure why you want me to comment on this?

[great_fire]

If this fecker wasn't such a danger to the country I'd say keep him on .

It's the classic Hitler situation , more value keeping him alive and taking down the Third Reich from the inside than assassinating him .

However we have four more years of these right wing nut jobs to get through and this loose cannon is capable of anything .

What I will say is this , he's not a tory , not even a party member and he knows stuff , cut this fecker loose and anything could come out about the government from the handling of brexit to the pandemic .

There's little wonder Johnson's inner circle are defending him .

"Hitler" "right-wing" which world are you living in?

So far this has been the most socialist government since the 1945-50 one!

[rolymiller]

What did I say about Steve Coogan? I'll save you the trouble of checking. I didn't say anything. So not sure why you want me to comment on this?

Never said you said owt about Coogan. Anyway whats your view on the Cummings affair?

[rolymiller]

"Hitler" "right-wing" which world are you living in?

So far this has been the most socialist government since the 1945-50 one!

...and your views on the Cummings affair?...so far you are true to type... you did have summat to say about Coogan...

[great_fire]

Never said you said owt about Coogan. Anyway whats your view on the Cummings affair?

If it's found that he broke the lockdown rules then he will have to go, but I think it's a shame as he was the only one likely to shake up Whitehall, now it looks like the status quo will continue.

And I doubt he will be allowed to make a comeback like establishment favourites Mandelson and Rudd. Still he should be able to get a good job in the private sector where they're more open to innovation.

[Shark27]

Never said you said owt about Coogan. Anyway whats your view on the Cummings affair?

I'll have to read about it and let you know. I saw the headline on the BBC website but it didn't look interesting enough for me to open it. First I read about Steve Coogan was on here too.

[Yak]

Does it matter what political party he belongs to?
He has done wrong and needs the correct action taking.
It’s like a school playground on here.

[Shark27]

Never said you said owt about Coogan. Anyway whats your view on the Cummings affair?

Just looking at this thread Roly. You've not even shared your own view on the Cummings affair. All you've done is moan that some people haven't mentioned it.

[millertop]

Sort of proves my point that I made on the other thread. We can only assume that the usual right wing crew on here agree with what Cummings has done unless they tell us any different which they won't of course. Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.. Howsa about about a bit of condemnation eh?

Shhhhhh!

At least they wont be able to moan about at me if i do summat similar eh..?

Just noticed Grist's comment not a condemnation but as near as you will get from him I suppose so thanks for that.

I have a little note in my head what the other replies will be (or not). I would be a very rich man if I could bet on my predictions...
I’ve had a say on both of them.

Grow the **** up

[Scum-Triumphant]

Is it ok to think they have both been dickheads?

Just checking.

[Scum-Triumphant]

one of his mates is defending him on sky news saying he went there cos he needed childcare. If he’s got so many mates sticking up for him why didn’t one of them look after his kid for him?
When he first drove to his mums it just so happened to be her birthday. When he went to the castle with his wife it just so happened to be her birthday.

What are the odds?

[millertop]

Is it ok to think they have both been dickheads?

Just checking.
Yes but you can only slate one in certain eyes

[millertop]

Missed your thread on Stephen Kinnock.

It's not about what he did or didn't do but who he is.

Yes he went to a birthday party but let’s not go there

[mellowmiller]

Does it matter what political party he belongs to?
He has done wrong and needs the correct action taking.
It’s like a school playground on here.

Well said Yak.
The first non-politically biased suggestion.

[rolymiller]

Just looking at this thread Roly. You've not even shared your own view on the Cummings affair. All you've done is moan that some people haven't mentioned it.

I'm happy to do that Shark. He should be sacked.

[rolymiller]

I’ve had a say on both of them.

Grow the **** up

What's it got to do with growing up pudding? And no need for the abuse. You remind me of some other posters on here who get nasty because they don't agree with what you are saying.

I haven't seen you comment on this topic on this thread. I will have a look and am happy to apologise if you have...

Erm no still can't find it....

[millertop]

What's it got to do with growing up pudding? And no need for the abuse. I haven't seen you comment on this topic on this thread. I will have a look and am happy to apologise if you have...
Because you fetched me into this when there was no need whatsoever.
I don’t need your apologies
Don’t fetch me into your ****.

[caytonmiller]

Sort of proves my point that I made on the other thread. We can only assume that the usual right wing crew on here agree with what Cummings has done unless they tell us any different which they won't of course. Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.. Howsa about about a bit of condemnation eh?

Shhhhhh!

At least they wont be able to moan about at me if i do summat similar eh..?

Just noticed Grist's comment not a condemnation but as near as you will get from him I suppose so thanks for that.

I have a little note in my head what the other replies will be (or not). I would be a very rich man if I could bet on my predictions...

Don't drag me into your twisted world.
Omg I tug your chain in one thread and now you think we're fk biddies..
🙈🙊🙉

[rolymiller]

I just asked for your opinion. If you don't want to give me one that's up to you. Ignore my post. I guessed you would not reply or become abusive. Do you have an opinion on the matter while you are here?

[rolymiller]

Don't drag me into your twisted world.
Omg I tug your chain in one thread and now you think we're fk biddies..
������

Another one true to form...its a simple question. Maybe you can answer it while you are here. If you dont want to thats up to you. I will have to draw my own conclusions why you don't if you don't.

Its strange how the right wingers on here though become abusive when Tories are criticised on here. Must be a trait they have and can't help themselves...

[millertop]

I just asked for your opinion. If you don't want to give me one that's up to you. Ignore my post. I guessed you would not reply or become abusive. Do you have an opinion on the matter while you are here?

Really? I suggest you read your own post

[Shark27]

I'm happy to do that Shark. He should be sacked.

Did you post on the Kyle Walker thread (another one that I didn't post on sorry). What are your thoughts on that one?

[Stovicmiller]

Roly I'm not a right winger. Never was. I was a left winger then moved into midfield then later on fullback. On cummings he should be sacked. So should all politician's who think they can flout the rules. By the way exile won't talk to me on another thread, is it because he carnt talk with his tongue up Yr arse. 😛

[mellowmiller]

Roly, as an outsider looking in, you do give the impression that only left wing views are valid or acceptable whereas anyone who may have different views is somehow morally corrupt or just plain wrong.
Maybe you need to accept that people should be allowed an opinion without being automatically deemed as being wrong.
Life isn't that simple.

[gm_gm]

If the report is true, He should resign or be sacked

[rolymiller]

Roly I'm not a right winger. Never was. I was a left winger then moved into midfield then later on fullback. On cummings he should be sacked. So should all politician's who think they can flout the rules. By the way exile won't talk to me on another thread, is it because he carnt talk with his tongue up Yr arse. ��

Fair enough. Thanks for your opinion Stovic. One which I agree with by the way. (And abuse free which I appreciate. Some others don't seem to be able to reply without it! >;) )

Exys ok by the way. He dunt always agree with me by the way. Nor me him...

[rolymiller]

Roly, as an outsider looking in, you do give the impression that only left wing views are valid or acceptable whereas anyone who may have different views is somehow morally corrupt or just plain wrong.
Maybe you need to accept that people should be allowed an opinion without being automatically deemed as being wrong.
Life isn't that simple.

Of course they are mellow. On this thread I was merely asking for a bit of balance after the rightful criticism of Coogan in my opinion. You know you will get a left wing slant from me but I appreciate anybody who gives fair and reasonable views on here which includes yourself. Reading the replies so far on here I would agree with all of the posters who have taken the time to give an opinion. Does that make them all left wing then or me right wing?

Gm a leftie? Nah...;D

[millertop]

Of course they are mellow. On this thread I was merely asking for a bit of balance after the rightful criticism of Coogan in my opinion. You know you will get a left wing slant from me but I appreciate anybody who gives fair and reasonable views on here which includes yourself. Reading the replies so far on here I would agree with all of the posters who have taken the time to give an opinion. Does that make them all left wing then or me right wing?

Gm a leftie? Nah...;D

Why bring me into it then?

[animallittle3]

"Hitler" "right-wing" which world are you living in?

So far this has been the most socialist government since the 1945-50 one!

I never said Hitler was right wing , I was giving an example of someone who could have been taken out but it was smarter to leave him be and let him destroy himself and so aid the allies .

Never interrupt the enemy whilst he's making mistakes .

The government aren't promoting socialism Fire , they are using funds to save capitalism of which the taxpayer will have the huge task of paying back .

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

1 down 7 to go roly

Hmmm......does that mean everything has to be black and white, left or right no matter what the circumstances are?

Just judge on merit ( or demerit) as issues arise.

[rolymiller]

Why bring me into it then?

I didn't you posted. You could have ignored it. In fact you should have because you have not given an opinion yet.

[animallittle3]

This is serious political damage for the Tory government .

Cummings actually only forms part of it , the real damage here is Johnson's inner circle defending him .

They are defending the indefensible and any credibility they may have goes out of the window .

What they are saying in effect to defend this loathsome creature is that there's one rule for one and one for ordinary citizens .

The smart political move would have been to hang this fecker out to dry and stand united behind that decision .

They would have gained a tremendous amount of good will amongst the electorate .

Just about one of the most dumbest political moves I've seen .

Then again it's no surprise given the level of intelligence amongst this shower of shyte governing the country .

[Stovicmiller]

I never said Hitler was right wing , I was giving an example of someone who could have been taken out but it was smarter to leave him be and let him destroy himself and so aid the allies .

Never interrupt the enemy whilst he's making mistakes .

The government aren't promoting socialism Fire , they are using funds to save capitalism of which the taxpayer will have the huge task of paying back .. Don't you think animal tho that had Hitler been killed earlier hundreds of thousands if not millions of life's would have been safe on all sides.

[Stovicmiller]

Should have said saved.

[millertop]

I didn't you posted. You could have ignored it. In fact you should have because you have not given an opinion yet.

deliberate baiting now lying.

Read your post which fetched me into it when I had not posted.
I’ve already gave my opinion on Cummings like I’ve already said.

[mygiddypant]

Can you imagine the furore on this board expressed by the cap-doffing, self-righteous right wingers if Diane Abbott had been accused of driving to Durham?

[Stovicmiller]

Can you imagine the furore on this board expressed by the cap-doffing, self-righteous right wingers if Diane Abbott had been accused of driving to Durham?. Can she drive? I'd be impressed if she found her way to Durham.

[animallittle3]

. Don't you think animal tho that had Hitler been killed earlier hundreds of thousands if not millions of life's would have been safe on all sides.

I couldn't answer that question with any real accuracy mate .

Only thing I would say is that there were plenty of psychos behind him ready to take over so who knows .

[mellowmiller]

This is serious political damage for the Tory government .

Cummings actually only forms part of it , the real damage here is Johnson's inner circle defending him .

They are defending the indefensible and any credibility they may have goes out of the window .

What they are saying in effect to defend this loathsome creature is that there's one rule for one and one for ordinary citizens .

The smart political move would have been to hang this fecker out to dry and stand united behind that decision .

They would have gained a tremendous amount of good will amongst the electorate .

Just about one of the most dumbest political moves I've seen .

Then again it's no surprise given the level of intelligence amongst this shower of shyte governing the country .

I agree with your general sentiment Animal.
Shame about the vitriol though but not surprising given your political persuasion 😉🙂.

[Exiletyke]

. Can she drive? I'd be impressed if she found her way to Durham.

I think your point is made giddy

[animallittle3]

I agree with your general sentiment Animal.
Shame about the vitriol though but not surprising given your political persuasion 😉🙂.

The Tories tend to bring that out of me Mellow , if I'd been an MP I'd have got slung out of the house more than Skinner .

[mellowmiller]

The Tories tend to bring that out of me Mellow , if I'd been an MP I'd have got slung out of the house more than Skinner .

😀😀

[millertop]

The Tories tend to bring that out of me Mellow , if I'd been an MP I'd have got slung out of the house more than Skinner .
Think quite a few on here would have been thrown out whoever you support, myself wouldn’t have even go through the door

[great_fire]

We're about to enter a second great depression and the Remainer media is obsessed with Cummings.

[rolymiller]

deliberate baiting now lying.

Read your post which fetched me into it when I had not posted.
I’ve already gave my opinion on Cummings like I’ve already said.

Think I've found it. Is it the one posted after you said you had already posted. And I'm the liar?

[great_fire]

This is serious political damage for the Tory government .

Cummings actually only forms part of it , the real damage here is Johnson's inner circle defending him .

They are defending the indefensible and any credibility they may have goes out of the window .

What they are saying in effect to defend this loathsome creature is that there's one rule for one and one for ordinary citizens .

The smart political move would have been to hang this fecker out to dry and stand united behind that decision .

They would have gained a tremendous amount of good will amongst the electorate .

Just about one of the most dumbest political moves I've seen .

Then again it's no surprise given the level of intelligence amongst this shower of shyte governing the country .

He's at No 10 right now so looks like he is about to be sacked.

And the civil servants who tried to extend the EU transition period when Johnson and him were ill therefore win, the Blairite establishment are still determined to make sure that we leave the EU in name only.

[millertop]

Think I've found it. Is it the one posted after you said you had already posted. And I'm the liar?

Ok I’m done, get help Roly you need it

Just noticed you’ve edited post 30, quite laughable

[John2]

And the civil servants who tried to extend the EU transition period when Johnson and him were ill therefore win, the Blairite establishment are still determined to make sure that we leave the EU in name only.

lol, yes, it is the fault of civil servants that Dominic Cummings drove to Durham against his government's lockdown orders. Twice. They finally 'won'.

[rolymiller]

Ok I’m done, get help Roly you need it

Just noticed you’ve edited post 30, quite laughable

Whaaat ?? And I need help? :P

[howdydoo]

If true, he should go. ****ing disgrace.

Every reporter and photographer swarming round him and his car should be fined the maximum and cautioned.

Seems the press, like politicians, don’t practise what they preach.

[great_fire]

lol, yes, it is the fault of civil servants that Dominic Cummings drove to Durham against his government's lockdown orders. Twice. They finally 'won'.

Arch-Remainer Stephen Kinnock did the same thing, drove from Wales to London to see his Dad, not even a kid involved in this case, must have missed your contribution on that one.

Yet you say you're not a Blairite supporter of the establishment and the status quo.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

I think Cummins has demonstrated a serious lack of judgement and deserves to be brought to task over his actions.

However has he broken a “rule” or just ignored “government advice” ?

Either way is it the same type of indiscretion as Jeremy Corbyn ignoring the advice/rule about over 70s requiring self isolation and attending Parliament and going there via a chauffeur driven car?

Or is it arrogance in both Cummins and Corbyn? The rules are for the plebs but not for me?

[mellowmiller]

I think Cummins has demonstrated a serious lack of judgement and deserves to be brought to task over his actions.

However has he broken a “rule” or just ignored “government advice” ?

Either way is it the same type of indiscretion as Jeremy Corbyn ignoring the advice/rule about over 70s requiring self isolation and attending Parliament and going there via a chauffeur driven car?

Or is it arrogance in both Cummins and Corbyn? The rules are for the plebs but not for me?

No-one could deny the arrogance of those two regardless of pandemic rules. It's just an inherent part of their characters.

[great_fire]

Oh dear, looks like the Remainer media will have to wait a bit longer for their revenge.

[Shark27]

I didn't you posted. You could have ignored it. In fact you should have because you have not given an opinion yet.

You did bring him into it Roly and he had already posted on the subject.

[John2]

Arch-Remainer Stephen Kinnock did the same thing, drove from Wales to London to see his Dad, not even a kid involved in this case, must have missed your contribution on that one.

Yet you say you're not a Blairite supporter of the establishment and the status quo.

LOL, you think my not commenting on a case I hadn't heard about until you mentioned it in some way makes me a Blairite!? What actual planet are you on?

Kinnock is in opposition, he did not create the rules that he was breaking (to a much lesser degree too), its a huge distinction.

[rolymiller]

You did bring him into it Roly and he had already posted on the subject.

Genuinely can't see it shark. Gimme the number post please

[rolymiller]

Was it on another thread?

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Then again there’s the “special circumstances” of Labour MP Tahir Ali

“Tahir Ali was also criticised as "totally irresponsible" by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson.
Mr Ali, elected to represent Birmingham Hall Green in December, issued an apology over the funeral on Wednesday.
He said he was at the Sutton Coldfield gathering only as an "observer".
Mr Ali reportedly attended two services that day, but has said he will "not be attending any other similar gatherings".
Gatherings in public of more than two people who do not share a household have been banned under coronavirus lockdown measures”


Not that much different than Cummins, arguably worse considering the numbers that attended the funerals

[Stovicmiller]

I think your point is made giddy. There you are, I was getting worried. I thought you had your tongue up rolys arse but I was wrong it's up giddys arse. Your tongue doesn't half get about. Have you been up ****chans arse? I think you probably have. X

[flourbasher]

What about if someone has no particular political allegiance, I assume they are welcome to condemn all three although I'm not aware of what Kinnock has done wrong apart from being from a Welsh background.

From what I can see it's 2-1 misdemeanours by Labour so doesn't that undermine the extreme lefty regulars who come on here on here such as Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin

It,s not much of a defence for Coogan but I did find his Partridge character funny and still do. Each to their own

[Shark27]

Was it on another thread?

Yep. Coronavirus thread.

[animallittle3]

Never seen anything like it in my life , what a car crash of a performance from Johnson .

He never answered one question directly .

He's just made an absolute howler of a decision here to back Cummins , this could well be the longest suicide note in political history .

Every job Johnson's had he's left a trail of destruction all the way to PM .

Well it's the end of the road now Johnson , only one way you can go now and that's down old boy .

Probably sooner than you think .

[gm_gm]

Looks like that’s cleared up then, time to draw a line under the matter and move on.

[Back of the net]

Sort of proves my point that I made on the other thread. We can only assume that the usual right wing crew on here agree with what Cummings has done unless they tell us any different which they won't of course. Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.. Howsa about about a bit of condemnation eh?

Shhhhhh!

At least they wont be able to moan about at me if i do summat similar eh..?

Just noticed Grist's comment not a condemnation but as near as you will get from him I suppose so thanks for that.

I have a little note in my head what the other replies will be (or not). I would be a very rich man if I could bet on my predictions...

Nothing to see here move on. 😊

[rolymiller]

Yep. Coronavirus thread.

Flippin eck Ive not read that for ages. He dint tell me it was on that thread so how am I supposed to know?

Thanks for finding it.

[great_fire]

The BBC is a worse virus than Covid-19 and harder to get rid of.

I didn't think they could go much lower but they continue to surprise.

The government, PHE, NHS management all have questions to answer but the media has performed worst during this crisis IMO, all clickbait, "gotchas" and hearsay, journalism is almost dead.

[animallittle3]

Looks like that’s cleared up then, time to draw a line under the matter and move on.

To tell the truth gm you should be thinking the opposite .

He's losing your party support pal and causing rifts within it .

Just how much material do you want to hand to Starmer on a plate ?

He will eat Johnson for breakfast whilst you keep this bloke on .

If I were a Tory I'd want him gone .

It's a win - win for Labour gm , absolute win - win .

[Shark27]

Flippin eck Ive not read that for ages. He dint tell me it was on that thread so how am I supposed to know?

Thanks for finding it.

I suppose if your interpretation of ages is yesterday then yeah, I guess you haven't read it for ages 😂😉

[animallittle3]

Well Johnson has managed to convince working people he's on their side .

You've just made an absolute colossal error here and blown your cover Johnson .

Monumental error .

[Nardendee]

Forget the politics of it. The Prime Ministers disgraceful performance today means to me that you cannot trust anything that comes out of his mouth. Not only did he defend the indefensible and insulted everyone who obeyed the lockdown, he is also restated his intention to ease things to phase 2, but not once was track & trace mentioned. Not in place. People now will make their own minds up and ignore any advice which gives a major risk of an infection increase. Yes it is reducing but it is still there.
Ok to start football? 36,000+ deaths say otherwise.

Ok for your precious young kids to go to school? Well..... I wouldn’t send mine.

Absolutely disgraceful.

[ragingpup]

Looks like that’s cleared up then, time to draw a line under the matter and move on.

:D;)

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Well Johnson has managed to convince working people he's on their side .

You've just made an absolute colossal error here and blown your cover Johnson .

Monumental error .

As is often the case in politics, Cummins knows where the skeletons are buried

[millertop]

I suppose if your interpretation of ages is yesterday then yeah, I guess you haven't read it for ages 😂😉

He’s not a liar though.

[great_fire]

As is often the case in politics, Cummins knows where the skeletons are buried

The skeletons are in the closet, the bodies are buried >;)

[great_fire]

I hope he lasts long enough to shake up Whitehall, can't take on China and the rest of the world when we have this cosy Blairite consensus, need some dynamism.

[Scum-Triumphant]

As is often the case in politics, Cummins knows where the skeletons are buried

DC’s wife worked for Boris at the spectator. You’re not wrong.

[rolymiller]

I suppose if your interpretation of ages is yesterday then yeah, I guess you haven't read it for ages 😂😉

Not that particular post I aint

[Exiletyke]

DC’s wife worked for Boris at the spectator. You’re not wrong.

Couldn't help but smile at old Blow Jobs comment at his tv appearance today regarding Cummings & I quote

"I think he was following the instincts of every father"

Oh dear,oh dear

[rolymiller]

He’s not a liar though.

Not seen it. I've still not seen it yet. What did you say on it anyway out of interest . I'm glad you can see things thru my eyes by the way very talented....

[rolymiller]

It might be a good thing if you did your blinkers would be removed then. Just a thought

[Shark27]

Not that particular post I aint

I know you didn't read that post.

[mygiddypant]

. There you are, I was getting worried. I thought you had your tongue up rolys arse but I was wrong it's up giddys arse. Your tongue doesn't half get about. Have you been up ****chans arse? I think you probably have. X

Have you got a fixation on my arse Stovic? I wouldn't blame you - I've had it a long time but it still does me proud.

[rolymiller]

Agreeing with someone on here dunt mean you have a tongue up somebody's a rse . Sometimes folks agree with each other.sometimes they don't.

[great_fire]

Disgrace Guardian hack?

[mygiddypant]

The BBC is a worse virus than Covid-19 and harder to get rid of.

I didn't think they could go much lower but they continue to surprise.

The government, PHE, NHS management all have questions to answer but the media has performed worst during this crisis IMO, all clickbait, "gotchas" and hearsay, journalism is almost dead.

You've definitely got a fixation on the media gf. There's a three page Insight report in today's Sunday Times lambasting Johnson for the delay in imposing lockdown, with the consequence that the delay resulted in the unnecessary loss of (conservatively) hundreds of lives.

As you say "journalism is almost dead."

[Exiletyke]

He's at No 10 right now so looks like he is about to be sacked.

And the civil servants who tried to extend the EU transition period when Johnson and him were ill therefore win, the Blairite establishment are still determined to make sure that we leave the EU in name only.

How wrong can you be

[great_fire]

How wrong can you be

Which part?

Peston tweeted that he was about to be sacked too.

Serves me right for believing the BBC.

[ragingpup]

I hope he lasts long enough to shake up Whitehall, can't take on China and the rest of the world when we have this cosy Blairite consensus, need some dynamism.

I would agree with you that a shake up may not necessarily be a bad thing. But this would depend on what the changes will be and who will benefit from it? Who do you think will be the beneficiaries of Cummings plans? In fact, can you tell me clearly what his ultimate plans are? You seem to have so much confidence in him. On what basis?

[animallittle3]

Even the Mail are turning on Johnson over this .

You know your in the shyte when that happens .

[CASPER-64-FRANK]

Even the Mail are turning on Johnson over this .

You know your in the shyte when that happens .

Express are backing him though with their online vote...
They won’t be moving him on just yet..
He can always go and work for his partner at the ‘ Spectator ‘ ..😂

[ragingpup]

Even the Mail are turning on Johnson over this .

You know your in the shyte when that happens .

Being a tad cynical, there's probably an element of them just riding the scandal to sell their rag, as they all do. This is mainly just a skirmish within the establishment and media will feed off it to sell their copy. If it was a genuine threat to the establishment, they would unite against it quicker than...a very quick thing. On speed. Greased.

[great_fire]

Being a tad cynical, there's probably an element of them just riding the scandal to sell their rag, as they all do. This is mainly just a skirmish within the establishment and media will feed off it to sell their copy. If it was a genuine threat to the establishment, they would unite against it quicker than...a very quick thing. On speed. Greased.

It's the establishment who are trying to get rid of Cummings, the backbenchers, the civil service, the media, the whole Remainer lot of them.

Cummings is anti-establishment, he wants fresh ideas, new people.

[animallittle3]

It's the establishment who are trying to get rid of Cummings, the backbenchers, the civil service, the media, the whole Remainer lot of them.

Cummings is anti-establishment, he wants fresh ideas, new people.

I think you'll need more than a PM who consists of Spittle , Pyss and Mud plus a psycho side kick to pull that of Fire .

But good luck anyway .

[crashbang]

Cant wait for labour to get back in.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Never gonna happen.

[crashbang]

So you can spout your bile all you want.

[great_fire]

I think you'll need more than a PM who consists of Spittle , Pyss and Mud plus a psycho side kick to pull that of Fire .

But good luck anyway .

How is he a psycho? He's just a bit odd, since his kid has autism he might have some of that himself, people with autism think differently, nothing wrong with that.

[crashbang]

I think you'll need more than a PM who consists of Spittle , Pyss and Mud plus a psycho side kick to pull that of Fire .

But good luck anyway .

Labour voters voted for boris.😚😚😕😚
How do you explain that?

[crashbang]

Because they are not dinosaurs like you

[Scum-Triumphant]

Which part?

Peston tweeted that he was about to be sacked too.

Serves me right for believing the BBC.

Robert Peston works for ITV.

[KerrAvon]

Never seen anything like it in my life , what a car crash of a performance from Johnson .

He never answered one question directly .

He's just made an absolute howler of a decision here to back Cummins , this could well be the longest suicide note in political history .

Every job Johnson's had he's left a trail of destruction all the way to PM .

Well it's the end of the road now Johnson , only one way you can go now and that's down old boy .

Probably sooner than you think .
I’m not convinced that this will have a major impact upon the government and most people knew what they were getting when they voted Johnson into office.

Hard core remainers dislike Cummings because he was a major player in delivering the Leave vote, Labour supporters dislike him, because he came up with ‘Get Brexit Done’ (against which free internet and a policy of having no policy looked pretty lame), the media dislike him because he doesn’t give them soundbites and some Tories dislike him, because people who cross him tend to get their egos trampled on. Beyond that relatively small bubble, very few people give a damn.

Something like this can add to other factors to create a ‘mood’ against a government, but by itself it is largely insignificant and will be largely forgotten by 2024.

Eid Mubarak to all.

[ragingpup]

It's the establishment who are trying to get rid of Cummings, the backbenchers, the civil service, the media, the whole Remainer lot of them.

Cummings is anti-establishment, he wants fresh ideas, new people.

Yes, but what are these new ideas in which you have so much faith? And why has he been taken so closely into the heart of the establishment with zero sign of impact?

Seems to me he's an extremely talented ad man who the establishment conservatives want to use to make them palatable to a very gullible public. Unless you've seen an idea of his? In which case, do share? (And please God don't say he backed Brexit - an idea can't be anti-establishment when backed by the owners of the Times, Sun, Mail, Express, Telegraph etc. They are the establishment.)

[Exiletyke]

Which part?

Peston tweeted that he was about to be sacked too.

Serves me right for believing the BBC.

All of it
Peston hasn't worked for the BBC for years & your uninformed bias could not be better illustrated
Getting your info from tweets is a recipe for disaster
You'll be listening to Trump next

[gm_gm]

CAM. May be worth pulling this thread now as its descended into the usual mud throwing, in any event the matter has been dealt with by the PM

[great_fire]

Robert Peston works for ITV.

True, he used to work for them though, and he's a Common Purpose graduate.

[great_fire]

All of it
Peston hasn't worked for the BBC for years & your uninformed bias could not be better illustrated
Getting your info from tweets is a recipe for disaster
You'll be listening to Trump next

No I got the info from the Political Editor of ITV News.

Pretty much all of the Remainer media thought he was about to be sacked and got egg on their face and subsequently me too.

Glad to know you don't think they should be trusted.

(P.S. I said "looks like he is about to be sacked" anyway).

[howdydoo]

Everyone in this photo and the plonker in the car should be reprimanded, suspended or fired. Where are the police?

All should apologize to our frontline staff and key workers. Scumbags.

15865

[gm_gm]

Everyone in this photo and the plonker in the car should be reprimanded, suspended or fired. Where are the police?

All should apologize to our frontline staff and key workers. Scumbags.

15865

Or should they all resign?

[Exiletyke]

CAM. May be worth pulling this thread now as its descended into the usual mud throwing, in any event the matter has been dealt with by the PM

My word how things have changed & all within a few weeks
Remember this gm & I quote

"You really are a prick, and when people say “you wouldn’t say that to my face” ..I would say it to you no problem"
One rule for you eh?

[howdydoo]

Or should they all resign?

By all means.

[great_fire]

Or should they all resign?

Like a Monty Python sketch.

The media are a joke, grooming gangs, illegal immigrants being ferried across the channel daily, no interest at all.

[flourbasher]

The photo is very ironic isn't it.
It's ok to persecute one type of person (a well known individual, not necessarily a Tory) but not others ( front line journalists and photographers just trying to do their jobs)

Aren't those people breaking the law in a number of ways
One of the ironies being that the TV companies and newspapers are happy to encourage and endorse their staff or pay freelancers to act in this way and then use the footage to criticise others

Maybe the people in the photograph, owners of the newspapers and heads of the TV companies should also resign

Yes, the Conservatives should get rid of him. It's a PR and public trust disaster

[millertop]

Why do we think one is lying over the other/s?
Do any of them have prove he’s lying/they’re lying?
If there was 100% prove in your face would you accept it or still believe there’s lying?

This is the world we live in.

Clearly we can all see that pic of hypocrites or is it fame?

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Like a Monty Python sketch.

The media are a joke, grooming gangs, illegal immigrants being ferried across the channel daily, no interest at all.

He who pays the piper......

[animallittle3]

I’m not convinced that this will have a major impact upon the government and most people knew what they were getting when they voted Johnson into office.

Hard core remainers dislike Cummings because he was a major player in delivering the Leave vote, Labour supporters dislike him, because he came up with ‘Get Brexit Done’ (against which free internet and a policy of having no policy looked pretty lame), the media dislike him because he doesn’t give them soundbites and some Tories dislike him, because people who cross him tend to get their egos trampled on. Beyond that relatively small bubble, very few people give a damn.

Something like this can add to other factors to create a ‘mood’ against a government, but by itself it is largely insignificant and will be largely forgotten by 2024.

Eid Mubarak to all.

There's a lot of enemies getting made here Kerr plus those Johnson's made along the way to Downing Street .

I think his position following this is starting to become shaky .

Eyebrows were already starting to get raised before this weekend , his handling of the pandemic and the way Starmer is taking him apart in the HOC .

The government won't fall that's for sure but in my opinion Johnson will .

He's the rest of the year to steady his position for me which means getting everyone back to work safely , a massive recession to manage and the small matter of a trade deal to secure with the EU .

It's some itinerary to pull off for any PM never mind this one .

Gove and Sunak waiting in the wings .

[KerrAvon]

There's a lot of enemies getting made here Kerr plus those Johnson's made along the way to Downing Street .

I think his position following this is starting to become shaky .

Eyebrows were already starting to get raised before this weekend , his handling of the pandemic and the way Starmer is taking him apart in the HOC .

The government won't fall that's for sure but in my opinion Johnson will .

He's the rest of the year to steady his position for me which means getting everyone back to work safely , a massive recession to manage and the small matter of a trade deal to secure with the EU .

It's some itinerary to pull off for any PM never mind this one .

Gove and Sunak waiting in the wings .
Johnson has made lots of enemies getting to where he is, but he still walked the leadership election. It may be a bit like the Corbyn scenario; he may be disliked by the parliamentary party, but it's the votes of the membership that holds the whip hand.

As for Starmer, I think you may be seeing him through the eyes of someone who wants to believe. He is forensically excellent, but if Spitting Image were still going, they would have to re-use the John Major grey character.

[animallittle3]

Or should they all resign?

That's just ridiculous and needs sorting out , gather together in a street like that as a citizen and you are looking at a fine .

Hypocrisy .

[ragingpup]

Everyone in this photo and the plonker in the car should be reprimanded, suspended or fired. Where are the police?

All should apologize to our frontline staff and key workers. Scumbags.

15865

Agree with that. Ridiculous

[animallittle3]

Johnson has made lots of enemies getting to where he is, but he still walked the leadership election. It may be a bit like the Corbyn scenario; he may be disliked by the parliamentary party, but it's the votes of the membership that holds the whip hand.

As for Starmer, I think you may be seeing him through the eyes of someone who wants to believe. He is forensically excellent, but if Spitting Image were still going, they would have to re-use the John Major grey character.

I'm hopeful competence , credibility and policies are judged rather more than a celebrity personality in the next four years kerr .

The country may well be ready for it .

[great_fire]

Starmer's record at the CPS was appalling and I'm sure when the next election comes around everyone will have been made well aware of it.

But since the economy is bust and won't have been fixed by then he's probably still favourite to win.

[animallittle3]

Starmer's record at the CPS was appalling and I'm sure when the next election comes around everyone will have been made well aware of it.

But since the economy is bust and won't have been fixed by then he's probably still favourite to win.

How was it appalling ?

You forget to mention the " Great Brexit Betrayal " amongst the governments problems .

Just my opinion but I see that one happening too .

Far too weak a man Johnson to front this one out when push comes to shove in December .

He'll capitulate .

[mellowmiller]

Yes, but what are these new ideas in which you have so much faith? And why has he been taken so closely into the heart of the establishment with zero sign of impact?

Seems to me he's an extremely talented ad man who the establishment conservatives want to use to make them palatable to a very gullible public. Unless you've seen an idea of his? In which case, do share? (And please God don't say he backed Brexit - an idea can't be anti-establishment when backed by the owners of the Times, Sun, Mail, Express, Telegraph etc. They are the establishment.)

"A very gullible public"....what an arrogant statement! Presumably you think you know best then?

[mellowmiller]

I'm hopeful competence , credibility and policies are judged rather more than a celebrity personality in the next four years kerr .

The country may well be ready for it .

Just to stir the pot Animal, you can hardly claim that Labour had "competence, credibility and policies" last time. If they did have they might have stood a chance.

[KerrAvon]

I'm hopeful competence , credibility and policies are judged rather more than a celebrity personality in the next four years kerr .

The country may well be ready for it .
I agree, but what happened to the animal who cooed about how 'cool' Corbyn was after he got down with the kids at Glastonbury? And what about the animal who used to refer to Teresa May as 'Maybot'?

[KerrAvon]

"A very gullible public"....what an arrogant statement! Presumably you think you know best then?
He explained a couple of weeks ago how the electorate didn't understand and have the insight into Socialism in the way that he did. It's the new Labour strategy - labelling anyone who doesn't agree with them as thick. It's a daring policy that I don't think will work.

[rolymiller]

He explained a couple of weeks ago how the electorate didn't understand and have the insight into Socialism in the way that he did. It's the new Labour strategy - labelling anyone who doesn't agree with them as thick. It's a daring policy that I don't think will work.

Barrister or Solicitor Kerr?

I'll save the other question you aint answered for later because you seem to be struggling with this one my learned friend...

[ragingpup]

He explained a couple of weeks ago how the electorate didn't understand and have the insight into Socialism in the way that he did. It's the new Labour strategy - labelling anyone who doesn't agree with them as thick. It's a daring policy that I don't think will work.

There are many lessons from history Kerr where the political leaders and media have colluded to carry out dreadful actions with the agreement of the public and even against the interests of their own public. No? Why are we any different?

Are you still maintaining that the general public have a thorough understanding of the history of socialism, and understand it just as well as people who have studied it in more depth?

[ragingpup]

"A very gullible public"....what an arrogant statement! Presumably you think you know best then?

You don't think the general public are gullible? I do. I include myself in that.

[rolymiller]

People are fed a lot of crap by the media. Most people will see through it but unfortunately a significant amount of people wont. Don't underestimate the power of the media Mellow. Some people read and hear stuff and don't question it. Its the easy option aint it. It probably dunt make em particularly gullible but its a kind of laziness because they can't be arsed to check its authenticity.

We tend to trust what people are telling us but we don't think that some people have motives behind what they are saying to us. On a simple level we see it all the time in advertising. The choice of language/ images etc influences us to buy a product. Read some books on sociology and you will understand what I am getting at...

[WanChaiMiller]

Barrister or Solicitor Kerr?..

Barista with access to wiki according to Grist.

[rolymiller]

I'd like to hear it from the horses mouth though Wanchai...>;)

[Silly-miller]

I’m not going to defend Cummings but I will say it’s a bit rich media hounding Cummings then gathering like flies around his house then around him when he comes out of his house, also breaking social distancing rules.

Will that be on news will it @@@@

Have we learned nothing from Caroline flacks death.

Media are a bloody joke

[howdydoo]

People are fed a lot of crap by the media. Most people will see through it but unfortunately a significant amount of people wont. Don't underestimate the power of the media Mellow. Some people read and hear stuff and don't question it. Its the easy option aint it. It probably dunt make em particularly gullible but its a kind of laziness because they can't be arsed to check its authenticity.

We tend to trust what people are telling us but we don't think that some people have motives behind what they are saying to us. On a simple level we see it all the time in advertising. The choice of language/ images etc influences us to buy a product. Read some books on sociology and you will understand what I am getting at...

15866

[rolymiller]

You ?
Anyway I thought you'd been banned on here?

Didn't you even get a warning about your behaviour on here?

You were lucky if you didn't...

I wouldn't want you banning personally because I think you have quite an amusing character...saving businesses?XD

(Wotcha language...)

Tip for you though. Read some proper books and get ya sen educated owd lad...you could make something of yourself yet...

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Barista with access to wiki according to Grist.

One does take aways the other does fake aways

[John2]

I’m not going to defend Cummings but I will say it’s a bit rich media hounding Cummings then gathering like flies around his house then around him when he comes out of his house

With all due respect, it's not. The point is Cummings is a key decision maker within the government that created these rules.

That's hugely significant. It makes people reasonably question "why should we follow the rules if the people who created them don't even bother". Those journalists could raise that same point if they deem it in their 'better judgement' that they get the story and answers needed in a democracy.

[ragingpup]

Feel for the poor coppers that are having to deal work the public all along, now having to deal with the "well he did it, so I'm doing it so **** you" line.

[flourbasher]

Feel for the poor coppers that are having to deal work the public all along, now having to deal with the "well he did it, so I'm doing it so **** you" line.

This is the real issue. Not whether someone thinks that they can do what the like.
Yes it s the Police having to deal with it but also if large sections of the public ignore the government s directives we,re in line for a second wave which could be catastrophic.
The consequences of this issue can be potentially very far reaching

[Silly-miller]

With all due respect, it's not. The point is Cummings is a key decision maker within the government that created these rules.

That's hugely significant. It makes people reasonably question "why should we follow the rules if the people who created them don't even bother". Those journalists could raise that same point if they deem it in their 'better judgement' that they get the story and answers needed in a democracy.

I’m not defending Cummings I think he’s a tool

As far as I’m aware the story’s already been reported on he was found out breaking safety guidance he helped create, so what could he possibly say in the street he can’t say via FaceTime or zoom?

With all due respect mate the way I see it it’s like a robber nicking stuff from a house then you go breaking into robbers house to take photos of what he’s nicked

15867

Look mate no social distancing themselves

I don’t get why they feel the need to stop outside someones house there’s Never as far as I know been one good bit of information that’s ever come from the doorstep

[millertop]

Feel for the poor coppers that are having to deal work the public all along, now having to deal with the "well he did it, so I'm doing it so **** you" line.

Really? Only idiots who have been flaunting lockdown rules from day one would use this excuse.

[millertop]

I’m not defending Cummings I think he’s a tool

As far as I’m aware the story’s already been reported on he was found out breaking safety guidance he helped create, so what could he possibly say in the street he can’t say via FaceTime or zoom?

With all due respect mate the way I see it it’s like a robber nicking stuff from a house then you go breaking into robbers house to take photos of what he’s nicked

15867

Look mate no social distancing themselves

I don’t get why they feel the need to stop outside someones house there’s Never as far as I know been one good bit of information that’s ever come from the doorstep

All over him, if they want to play games then he should report the lot.

[John2]

I’m not defending Cummings I think he’s a tool

As far as I’m aware the story’s already been reported on he was found out breaking safety guidance he helped create, so what could he possibly say in the street he can’t say via FaceTime or zoom?

With all due respect mate the way I see it it’s like a robber nicking stuff from a house then you go breaking into robbers house to take photos of what he’s nicked

15867

Look mate no social distancing themselves

I don’t get why they feel the need to stop outside someones house there’s Never as far as I know been one good bit of information that’s ever come from the doorstep

Good luck in your journalism career if you think asking people like Cummings for a Zoom call so you can call them out on their hypocrisy will get you anywhere.

They have provided important footage - I had been suspicious that his alleged trip to Barnard Castle has been made up - but seeing journalists ask him point blank to deny it and him refuse has helped inform my opinion.

I think they should do a better job of social distancing themselves, but their job is not to be squeaky clean, its to bring us the news.

In your example, the robber is the person who made robbing illegal in the first place.

[ragingpup]

Really? Only idiots who have been flaunting lockdown rules from day one would use this excuse.

Nonsense. The lockdown was much tighter at first but only natural that people will weaken, and look for excuses to break it.

[rolymiller]

I think they should do a better job of social distancing themselves, but their job is not to be squeaky clean, its to bring us the news.

In your example, the robber is the person who made robbing illegal in the first place.

Think this point will be lost on millertop. The fact that Cummings will have been involved in setting up social distancing policies for the rest of us dunt matter.

(Abuse ready...)

[Silly-miller]

Good luck in your journalism career if you think asking people like Cummings for a Zoom call so you can call them out on their hypocrisy will get you anywhere.

They have provided important footage - I had been suspicious that his alleged trip to Barnard Castle has been made up - but seeing journalists ask him point blank to deny it and him refuse has helped inform my opinion.

I think they should do a better job of social distancing themselves, but their job is not to be squeaky clean, its to bring us the news.

In your example, the robber is the person who made robbing illegal in the first place.

So ignoring someone who sticks a camera up your nose as soon as you walk out the door makes you guilty? Wow corbyn must have been the devil then he did it on a weekly basis.

Of course Cummings is guilty there’s proof of what he did from actual professional journalists (someone with a mobile phone 😂)

Look at that video of kier Starmer clapping for nhs he asks are we done and media posted it everywhere like he was a monster, we don’t know how long he was clapping for, how many takes it took to get his good side. He could be wanting to know how long he had been stood there for.

The mainstream media are that dirty you can smell them before you see them

[Silly-miller]

Nonsense. The lockdown was much tighter at first but only natural that people will weaken, and look for excuses to break it.

This is true people have been looking for reasons to go out around here for past 2 week they keep talking about photos of people on beach my own grandma who’s 81 said “look at all them on beach why can I not go out when they are I’m 81 me I should be enjoying myself at my age not wasting away here with this fake illness”

They see stuff on news and start to think if it’s all a conspiracy ffs

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

This is true people have been looking for reasons to go out around here for past 2 week they keep talking about photos of people on beach my own grandma who’s 81 said “look at all them on beach why can I not go out when they are I’m 81 me I should be enjoying myself at my age not wasting away here with this fake illness”

They see stuff on news and start to think if it’s all a conspiracy ffs

Talking of news just heard 3 o'clock news on BBC radio 2

Lead story they were all over it like a rash but they didn't comment one way or the other. Instead they had a sound bite from the political editor of the Sun.

No bias of course.

[KerrAvon]

Good luck in your journalism career if you think asking people like Cummings for a Zoom call so you can call them out on their hypocrisy will get you anywhere.

They have provided important footage - I had been suspicious that his alleged trip to Barnard Castle has been made up - but seeing journalists ask him point blank to deny it and him refuse has helped inform my opinion.

I think they should do a better job of social distancing themselves, but their job is not to be squeaky clean, its to bring us the news.

In your example, the robber is the person who made robbing illegal in the first place.
Important footage? Important in what way? To give your confirmation bias free rein?

The trip made by Cummings may or may not have exposed members of his family to the risk of infection but, if it did, the number of people involved was probably low. Compare that to the number of people involved in the media scrum that you seem to want to turn a blind eye to and everyone else they then associate with. I’m surprised that you could bring yourself to type such twaddle.

[rolymiller]

Important footage? Important in what way? To give your confirmation bias free rein?

The trip made by Cummings may or may not have exposed members of his family to the risk of infection but, if it did, the number of people involved was probably low. Compare that to the number of people involved in the media scrum that you seem to want to turn a blind eye to and everyone else they then associate with. I’m surprised that you could bring yourself to type such twaddle.

tic toc.

How can I send some potential business your way if you don't tell me what you do?

[Nardendee]

Fed up with this to be honest. I am afraid this is detracting from the main issue. He should have walked yesterday. He is doing a press conference at 4pm in the ROSE GARDEN on DOWNING Street (live on Sky)
His breaking of the lockdown is an insult to the intelligence of those who have died and family members not allowed at funerals. A lot of people have children with autism and I sympathise with that. However if Jo Public did it they would get fined.
He breached the lockdown and in his position he should have gone.
I hope that he has called this to announce his resignation.
Unfortunately any credibility that our PM had has gone so why should we believe anything that comes out of his mouth. And this is coming from someone who voted for him.

[ragingpup]

Important footage? Important in what way? To give your confirmation bias free rein?

The trip made by Cummings may or may not have exposed members of his family to the risk of infection but, if it did, the number of people involved was probably low. Compare that to the number of people involved in the media scrum that you seem to want to turn a blind eye to and everyone else they then associate with. I’m surprised that you could bring yourself to type such twaddle.

Exposed just his family? What about the emergency services if they had had an accident en route and they needed to treat at least one patient suffering with Covid. Isn't that a factor? The number involved was probably low? That's OK then!

Agree about the press pack, as said earlier. Can't use that to deflect Cummings' actions though.

I'm not pushing for him to be sacked by the way. Just an acknowledgement and apology from him that he made a huge mistake/poor choice whilst many suffered by keeping to the rules and a suitable admonishment from No. 10. Instead, no apology and a rewriting of the rules. Let's all now follow our "instincts" guys!

[WanChaiMiller]

Really? Only idiots who have been flaunting lockdown rules from day one would use this excuse.

Lol. Can they all go cap in hand to Boris to be absolved of all wrong doing?

[Silly-miller]

Agree about the press pack, as said earlier. Can't use that to deflect Cummings' actions though.

I'm not pushing for him to be sacked by the way. Just an acknowledgement and apology from him that he made a huge mistake/poor choice whilst many suffered by keeping to the rules!

I agree with puppy both media and Cummings are in the wrong it’s no use trying to say ones ok and ones not both were in the wrong and I expect Cummings and media will never apologise because they are arrogant

[rolymiller]

Interested to hear your views on these stories Mr Top as an old pal.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52798032

Just wondering like...what would you say to these people yourself?

(Just thought you might be looking in on this thread as you were on earlier so not trying to drag you in)

Also please notice that this comes under "uk politics" before you say it aint political this.

Hoping of a reply but not expecting it by the way

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Interested to hear your views on these stories Mr Top.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52798032

Balanced and unbiased my arse

[rolymiller]

Balanced and unbiased my arse

???

Which bit is unbalanced/ biased? Looks pretty factual to me. Real life/ death stories.

Are you saying these are false stories?

[great_fire]

There might be 5 million people unemployed shortly, there's much more important things going on than this Remainer revenge bull****.

[rolymiller]

When can you get it into your strange noggin that Brexit is far from the minds of people at the moment.

[WanChaiMiller]

Love the way right wingers are deflecting this to the press.

[great_fire]

When can you get it into your strange noggin that Brexit is far from the minds of people at the moment.

This is all about Brexit, otherwise Stephen Kinnock and the other Labour MP who went to two funerals in one day would also be catching ****.

Mountain out of a molehill.

[KerrAvon]

Exposed just his family? What about the emergency services if they had had an accident en route and they needed to treat at least one patient suffering with Covid. Isn't that a factor? The number involved was probably low? That's OK then!

Agree about the press pack, as said earlier. Can't use that to deflect Cummings' actions though.

I'm not pushing for him to be sacked by the way. Just an acknowledgement and apology from him that he made a huge mistake/poor choice whilst many suffered by keeping to the rules and a suitable admonishment from No. 10. Instead, no apology and a rewriting of the rules. Let's all now follow our "instincts" guys!
What are the odds in him having an accident that required the attendance of the emergency services?

I feel like I have wandered into a weird game of crap posts Top Trumps where you have just played the top scoring 'Desperation' card to take the game from John.

I'm sure that Cummings is relieved to hear that you are not calling for him to be sacked. He"s probably been on tenter hooks waiting for your position to be made clear.

[rolymiller]

This is all about Brexit, otherwise Stephen Kinnock and the other Labour MP who went to two funerals in one day would also be catching ****.

Mountain out of a molehill.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52798032

Molehill? These aren't remainer politicians saying this and probably not even remainer voters...

[WanChaiMiller]

What are the odds in him having an accident that required the attendance of the emergency services?

I feel like I have wandered into a weird game of crap posts Top Trumps where you have just played the top scoring 'Desperation' card to take the game from John.

I'm sure that Cummings is relieved to hear that you are not calling for him to be sacked. He"s probably been on tenter hooks waiting for your position to be made clear.

I think you wondered into the realms of bullshine with your post on probability ("The trip made by Cummings may or may not have exposed members of his family to the risk of infection but, if it did, the number of people involved was probably low. Compare that to the number of people involved in the media scrum that you seem to want to turn a blind eye to and everyone else they then associate with. I’m surprised that you could bring yourself to type such twaddle.")

More bullshine...What are the odds of any of photographers having the virus? And if none of them had it there is zero chance of it being passed on within the media scrum.

[the_idiotb_stardson]

Cummings is not the story.

Wake up!

[rolymiller]

I think you wondered into the realms of bullshine with your post on probability ("The trip made by Cummings may or may not have exposed members of his family to the risk of infection but, if it did, the number of people involved was probably low. Compare that to the number of people involved in the media scrum that you seem to want to turn a blind eye to and everyone else they then associate with. I’m surprised that you could bring yourself to type such twaddle.")

More bullshine...What are the odds of any of photographers having the virus? And if none of them had it there is zero chance of it being passed on within the media scrum.

Take no notice he is in full wind up mode atm (as befits). All a bit tasteless though...

Before you reply tho Mr Kerr Id appreciate it if you could answer my other question

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Cummings is not the story.

Wake up!

It's well known that counting sheep puts you to sleep

Mind you sheep can only concentrate on one thing at a time so pointing out other breaches of lock down procedures is too much for them to handle.

[wrinkly]

What are the odds in him having an accident that required the attendance of the emergency services?

.

Really surprised me with that comment.
Suggests that "stay at home" was erroneous advice. Can everyone say "what's the odds?"

[millertop]

Cummings statement live now, absolutely embarrassing from media.

Get daily briefing on ffs

[Silly-miller]

What was with that horn in the background was that a key worker too? Wtf is wrong with this country

[ragingpup]

Wow. He took a 1 hour round trip to Barnard Castle "to see if my eyes were OK to drive home the next day". Just wow!

In doing so, he breached the lock down for this one hour drive, when the journey (which by sounds of it may have been hazardous to other drivers) was not necessary? Ffs, why didn't he/government have him and his family safely taken home in a taxi?

Didn't want him sacked before, but this part of the story does sound sackable

[wrinkly]

Cummings' show today was much more polished than Boris's car crash yesterday. No wonder Boris needs him so desperately. Had to come clean on the Barnard Castle jaunt though and the idea of going for a test drive to see just how dodgy his eyesight was is a bit farcical

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Wow. He took a 1 hour round trip to Barnard Castle "to see if my eyes were OK to drive home the next day". Just wow!

In doing so, he breached the lock down for this one hour drive, when the journey (which by sounds of it may have been hazardous to other drivers) was not necessary? Ffs, why didn't he/government have him and his family safely taken home in a taxi?

Didn't want him sacked before, but this part of the story does sound sackable

Those eyes, he needs a shotgun between them

What a complete tool

[ragingpup]

What are the odds in him having an accident that required the attendance of the emergency services?

I feel like I have wandered into a weird game of crap posts Top Trumps where you have just played the top scoring 'Desperation' card to take the game from John.

I'm sure that Cummings is relieved to hear that you are not calling for him to be sacked. He"s probably been on tenter hooks waiting for your position to be made clear.

Blimey. I'm astonished to hear you say that. One of the whole points of the lockdown and only taking essential journeys was to protect emergency services. No? His wife had Covid, and he suspected he might have it also. Yet he still decided to undertake a 4 hour journey, to say nothing about taking a one hour journey 2 weeks later to see if he felt safe to drive back to London.

It's been discussed on here frequently about how nob heads are driving around in early lock down days, risking emergency services. If inferior MM brains can get their heads around the risk of unnecessary journeys, I'm surprised your superior intellect can't! 😉

[rolymiller]

Cummings statement live now, absolutely embarrassing from media.

Get daily briefing on ffs

embarrassing media?...but not Cummings?

Get daily briefing on? What do you mean?

Sweep Cummings misdemeanours under the carpet as if they are irrelevant. You get worse...

You are getting into a minority on here even with card carrying tories...

[flourbasher]

Surely if you are in any doubt about the quality of your eyesight you shouldn't be driving. Another reason not to drive to Durham let alone B Castle.
Isn't that a danger to other road users and passengers.
Whilst there might be less traffic on the road, because people are adhering to the stay at home rule, there's been more cyclists on the road.
More NHS workers and front line staff trying alternative methods to get to work .....to save lives

Astonishing

[kentmillerman]

What was with that horn in the background was that a key worker too? Wtf is wrong with this country

That was rolymiller farting in the next street to drown him out. Seriously thought he handled it well. Domenic of course.

[rolymiller]

Blimey. I'm astonished to hear you say that. One of the whole points of the lockdown and only taking essential journeys was to protect emergency services. No? His wife had Covid, and he suspected he might have it also. Yet he still decided to undertake a 4 hour journey, to say nothing about taking a one hour journey 2 weeks later to see if he felt safe to drive back to London.

It's been discussed on here frequently about how nob heads are driving around in early lock down days, risking emergency services. If inferior MM brains can get their heads around the risk of unnecessary journeys, I'm surprised your superior intellect can't! ��

He's plainly on a wind up Pup. A bit of a sick one tho. He would defend the actions of this moron if he had gone round eating grandmothers...What would he have said on here if you or Rolymiller had admitted to doing exactly the same thing in the same circumstances? Hmm...

[animallittle3]

Just to stir the pot Animal, you can hardly claim that Labour had "competence, credibility and policies" last time. If they did have they might have stood a chance.

They didn't and were trashed mellow , I'm not going to suggest otherwise .

[animallittle3]

I agree, but what happened to the animal who cooed about how 'cool' Corbyn was after he got down with the kids at Glastonbury? And what about the animal who used to refer to Teresa May as 'Maybot'?

Well we are all more than informed on what you personally don't like .

It's a challenge but I'll ask anyway .

What is it that Kerr is for ?

[millertop]

embarrassing media?...but not Cummings?

Get daily briefing on? What do you mean?

Sweep Cummings misdemeanours under the carpet as if they are irrelevant. You get worse...

You are getting into a minority on here even with card carrying tories...

It’s means get daily briefing on,what else would it mean.

Laughable as usual, I’d say same whichever party was running government 100% but I’d put money on your stories would be totally different.

Goodnight.

[WanChaiMiller]

There's the consequense. Southend Seafront. Johnson has lost credibility and has no comeback.

F*cking annoyed.

[animallittle3]

There's the consequense. Southend Seafront. Johnson has lost credibility and has no comeback.

F*cking annoyed.

Every cloud WanChai every cloud mate .

[WanChaiMiller]

I hope the public has more integrity than our morally corrupt government.

[WanChaiMiller]

Every cloud WanChai every cloud mate .

I know its your bigger picture Animal from our debates on the Brexit threads. Never thought it would unravel this quick.

[rolymiller]

I know its your bigger picture Animal from our debates on the Brexit threads. Never thought it would unravel this quick.

It'll unravel alright.

All the usual tory MPs defending the undefendable as well. What does that tell you about this lot?

Shyte houses from top to bottom and this is only the tip of the iceberg...

[ragingpup]

He's plainly on a wind up Pup. A bit of a sick one tho. He would defend the actions of this moron if he had gone round eating grandmothers...What would he have said on here if you or Rolymiller had admitted to doing exactly the same thing in the same circumstances? Hmm...

Don't think he is Roly. I would agree with not hanging Cummings out to dry for choosing to take the journey alone. I find it hard to believe that, as a multi millionaire government leader, he felt he had no other child care option but to risk driving up North, but as we weren't there at the time of those conversations between him and his wife, and can't demonstrate that he absolutely had no other options, I don't think that decision is sackable, even if it was dubious. But the new info about his drive around a local beauty spot, breaking lockdown for no justifiable reason, that by his own admission, he may not have been fit to drive and therefore endangering others (im sure Kerr will again argue that this was a small risk!) and in any case, he could hire another driver to drive back down south, I think he may have just sacked himself. If not, I dont think Johnson has a choice with this new information.

This them leads to the question that if Johnson already knew Cummings had broken lockdown a 2nd time, what does that say about Johnson's judgement in backing him yesterday??

[animallittle3]

It'll unravel alright.

All the usual tory MPs defending the undefendable as well. What does that tell you about this lot?

Shyte houses from top to bottom and this is only the tip of the iceberg...

Same as I said earlier in the thread Roly , it's totally fine if they keep this idiot on , the political damage is done now whether he stays or goes .

The so called people's PM has unraveled himself to be nothing of the sort .

They could have easily nipped this one in the bud 2 days ago and gained some momentum back from many of the electorate who were starting to question how well they were handling the pandemic .

Those who voted Tory for the first time last December won't be impressed , proper rubbed their noses in it to protect the career of one of their own .

The new Tory voters possibly lent them their vote last December and then looked to see how that played out during this term .

Within 6 months they have had the answer in my opinion .

[mygiddypant]

Like a Monty Python sketch.

The media are a joke, grooming gangs, illegal immigrants being ferried across the channel daily, no interest at all.

There aren't 36,000 illegal immigrants lying at the bottom of the Channel. Grooming gangs have had considerable coverage in the media.

[animallittle3]

I know its your bigger picture Animal from our debates on the Brexit threads. Never thought it would unravel this quick.

Well history tells you that anybody they enter in to a partnership with to help them out nearly always end up getting shyte on .

From the Notts Miners , Lib Dems and SNP in relatively modern times .

[rolymiller]

Same as I said earlier in the thread Roly , it's totally fine if they keep this idiot on , the political damage is done now whether he stays or goes .

The so called people's PM has unraveled himself to be nothing of the sort .

They could have easily nipped this one in the bud 2 days ago and gained some momentum back from many of the electorate who were starting to question how well they were handling the pandemic .

Those who voted Tory for the first time last December won't be impressed , proper rubbed their noses in it to protect the career of one of their own .

The new Tory voters possibly lent them their vote last December and then looked to see how that played out during this term .

Within 6 months they have had the answer in my opinion .

Always maintained the same. Worrever anyone thinks of Labour and their shortcomings it is folly to trust the tories. They are resorting to form now and it wont get better.Labour might be shyte houses to some but the tories will always be shyte houses x 100. They are not some sort of credible alternative to Labour despite what some may think.

Even on millersmad you can see that many first time tory voters are already getting pissed off with them and rightly so.

Wait till they balls up Brexit then the sh it will really hit the fan...

[flourbasher]

I do agree with D Cummings that there's been confusion over the last few days.
But neither Dom or Boz have cleared this up in today's briefings.

So it would be helpful if they could clarify which members of society these rules don't apply.
Is it just his aides or does it include others

[mygiddypant]

Mary : Dom?

Dom: Yes, my sweet?

Mary: It's my birthday today. Have you anything special planned?

Dom: Well, no. Being lock downed in Durham has put the kibosh on everything.

Mary: I'd quite like to take a look at Barnard Castle while we are here. Could we drive there to test your eyes?

Dom: Now why didn't I think of that?.....

(Allegedly)

[ragingpup]

Also, I want Cummings' car. It drove 260 miles plus a one hour round trip and then part of the journey back down the motorway before needing a fuel change. And from what he has said, he couldn't have filled it up before he set off as he knew he was likely to already have Covid so would have endangered others, which he said he didn't do.

Also, nobody asked if his wife could drive??

[John2]

I feel like I have wandered into a weird game of crap posts Top Trumps where you have just played the top scoring 'Desperation' card to take the game from John.

Oh come on, I'm not really defending the media distancing, I said it's wrong, I'm saying we shouldn't hold the press to the same standard of account as those who make our laws and then violate them, surely that's not controversial?

[great_fire]

Same as I said earlier in the thread Roly , it's totally fine if they keep this idiot on , the political damage is done now whether he stays or goes .

The so called people's PM has unraveled himself to be nothing of the sort .

They could have easily nipped this one in the bud 2 days ago and gained some momentum back from many of the electorate who were starting to question how well they were handling the pandemic .

Those who voted Tory for the first time last December won't be impressed , proper rubbed their noses in it to protect the career of one of their own .

The new Tory voters possibly lent them their vote last December and then looked to see how that played out during this term .

Within 6 months they have had the answer in my opinion .

Have you spoken to anyone else about this?

Everyone I've spoken to said the media were making a mountain out of a molehill.

IMO the media is out of touch with the public again like they were with Brexit.

[flourbasher]

Of course as well as Dom being exempt there,s Kyle Walker

[animallittle3]

Have you spoken to anyone else about this?

Everyone I've spoken to said the media were making a mountain out of a molehill.

IMO the media is out of touch with the public again like they were with Brexit.

Quite a number of people on my partners side , relatives and friends voted for Johnson last December and are outraged .

Lads who I work with who voted for Johnson and other than one of them are also outraged .

I would imagine there's plenty of relatives and friends of people of the 36k equally unimpressed to say the least .

Stories that dominate the media coverage for 3 days tend not to be molehills .

But as Johnson told you tonight , you make your own mind up .

[animallittle3]

Have you spoken to anyone else about this?

Everyone I've spoken to said the media were making a mountain out of a molehill.

IMO the media is out of touch with the public again like they were with Brexit.

This is pretty powerful stuff and gets to the heart of why people are outraged .

I think you will find that Johnson and his sidekick are the ones out of touch .

https://mobile.twitter.com/tug/status/1264815080132182016

[great_fire]

This is pretty powerful stuff and gets to the heart of why people are outraged .

I think you will find that Johnson and his sidekick are the ones out of touch .

https://mobile.twitter.com/tug/status/1264815080132182016

Twitter is very much a bubble, with a strong bias to the young, urban left.

If only people on Twitter were allowed to vote Corbyn would have won in a landslide.

[animallittle3]

Twitter is very much a bubble, with a strong bias to the young, urban left.

If only people on Twitter were allowed to vote Corbyn would have won in a landslide.

Well there's over half a million signatures on a petition asking for Cummings to be sacked , it was going at a rate of 1000 every five minutes this evening according to what I've read tonight .

I take the point petitions are about as useful as tyts on a fish but I was merely pointing out the depth of feeling to this thing .

I'm only responding to you Fire , you've clearly made your own mind up on the matter .

[great_fire]

I think most people have been breaking the rules and visiting relatives and talking to them in the garden or over the fence so they're not going to be hypocritical about it.

The people who weren't allowed to visit their children or parents on their deathbeds will be angry but that should never have happened and will no doubt be covered in the inevitable Coronavirus enquiry.

[pip_y]

I’m amazed with the so called “social distancing” being adopted by the paparazzi. Even if Cummings was wrong they wouldnt move back to let him get in the car! Shades of Princess Diana and Paris.

[crashbang]

They travelled to his house. Not essential travel.
And not social distancing. Sack them all.

[KerrAvon]

Really surprised me with that comment.
Suggests that "stay at home" was erroneous advice. Can everyone say "what's the odds?"

You need to consider the context of my comment, which was in response to the apparent view of some that Cummings’ behaviour was more reprehensible than that of the press pack who door-stepped him.

No, the stay at home advice is not erroneous. It is about reducing the rate at which the virus spread by restricting the opportunities for it to do so. My observation was that the opportunity for the virus to be spread by Cummings’ trip was small and that relying, as raging did, upon the vanishingly small risk that he would be involved in an accident that required the attendance of the emergency services smacked of desperation to try to find an argument.

Everybody assesses their own risks, or at least they should do.

[KerrAvon]

Oh come on, I'm not really defending the media distancing, I said it's wrong, I'm saying we shouldn't hold the press to the same standard of account as those who make our laws and then violate them, surely that's not controversial?
You were suggesting that the reporters were performing an important job, which on examination appears to be allowing you to watch a media scrum and convince yourself that something that you wanted to believe was true. That is a pretty powerful card in the Top Trump crap post deck.

Surely the important argument here is that everyone is equal under the law and Covic guidance? You seem to have decided that you will tolerate lower standards from the media than from people who are on the current hate list for Labour Party members.

[KerrAvon]

Blimey. I'm astonished to hear you say that. One of the whole points of the lockdown and only taking essential journeys was to protect emergency services. No? His wife had Covid, and he suspected he might have it also. Yet he still decided to undertake a 4 hour journey, to say nothing about taking a one hour journey 2 weeks later to see if he felt safe to drive back to London.

It's been discussed on here frequently about how nob heads are driving around in early lock down days, risking emergency services. If inferior MM brains can get their heads around the risk of unnecessary journeys, I'm surprised your superior intellect can't! ��
The lockdown is about maths. It’s about reducing the risk of transmission. If it was about reducing the risk of contact with the emergency services, they would be better off banning DIY and garden trampolines.

If I were a Labour Party member, I would be asking for an inquiry in to how Labour has been reduced from being a credible political party into one that seems only capable of running hate campaigns. In the 2019 GE, you splashed resources up the wall on pointless vanity projects like trying to unseat Duncan-Smith and Raab and since then you’ve had campaigns against Patel and even Labour Party employees. You now apparently think it is a good idea to have a campaign against a bloke who made a decision in difficult circumstances about how best to look after his five year old child. It’s pathetic and sad.

[KerrAvon]

Over to you Grist, Gfire, Howdy,Cayton, Kerr, Monty, Millertop, Shark, Stovic etc. Love to hear your opinions on it.


Take no notice he is in full wind up mode atm .

Make your mind up. Or am I only allowed to agree with you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmTahAali90

[millertop]

What makes me laugh me laugh is this starts from end March/beginning of April but no one was interested but now the death rates are falling/lockdown slowly being eased they now decide to find something else to be negative about.
Sporting events like Cheltenham which some of us agreed shouldn’t have gone ahead will be news now I suppose.

Media love negative and will break the laws constantly but that’s ok :blue:

[Exiletyke]

You were suggesting that the reporters were performing an important job, which on examination appears to be allowing you to watch a media scrum and convince yourself that something that you wanted to believe was true. That is a pretty powerful card in the Top Trump crap post deck.

Surely the important argument here is that everyone is equal under the law and Covic guidance? You seem to have decided that you will tolerate lower standards from the media than from people who are on the current hate list for Labour Party members.

I think you'll find it's far far more than Labour Party members who have expressed their feelings re Cummings but as usual you cannot resist referring in hate terms to the Labour Party It's in your genes
Do you believe Cummings explanation on his visit to Barnard Castle to "test his eyesight"
I hope the press continue digging to expose the truth This media you refer to will include all shades of political persusion but if we go on press bias the ratio will be about 70%/30% right wing
You obviously watched the "scrum" but of course you can watch it but tell others they are at fault for doing so

[John2]

You were suggesting that the reporters were performing an important job, which on examination appears to be allowing you to watch a media scrum and convince yourself that something that you wanted to believe was true. That is a pretty powerful card in the Top Trump crap post deck.

I'm surprised by the level of straw manning.

I have pointed out that having journalists ask difficult questions of political figures is an important job. I think we would both agree on that.

I have said that I personally found the footage of journalists asking Cummings if he had been to Bernard Castle helpful important in informing my opinion that this probably did happen and wasn't just a malicious accusation. This did turn out to be true - it did happen. At that point we had no way of knowing he would admit to it. I will acknowledge that my coming to the conclusion that this was important was subjective, if you disagree that's fine, but I value a media asking difficult questions of political figures.

Here's the straw man though, I have at no stage said I believe the collective behaviour of those was appropriate or defended the behaviour. In fact I said "I think they should do a better job of social distancing themselves". I believe they could have achieved the same result from a 2m distance.


Surely the important argument here is that everyone is equal under the law and Covic guidance? You seem to have decided that you will tolerate lower standards from the media than from people who are on the current hate list for Labour Party members.

No. That's another misrepresentation of my position, a common trend recently. Maybe I'm not articulating clearly. I'm not condoning the behaviour of anyone breaking social distancing for any reason - can you show me where I have done this? I'm saying that when the people who create the rules do not follow them it is different because it undermines the entire government message with potentially lethal consequences which make such an act 'worse' than if anyone else does it. Do you think this position is unreasonable?

[Scum-Triumphant]

I’ve woke up this morning and my eyesight is bad. I’m going to check how bad by taking a young family out for a drive.

Seems reasonable.

[WanChaiMiller]

They travelled to his house. Not essential travel.
And not social distancing. Sack them all.

They were travelling to work. It is allowed under the new regs.

[howdydoo]

They were travelling to work. It is allowed under the new regs.

Wow, just wow. Gutter press. End of.


Cummings should have resigned. Like many before him, he'd have been back within 9 months. The 'poorly eyes' story will do for him. Might just have got away it with an apology. Dipstick.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Focus on the Cummings media scrum, let's not question how the Government is handling the crisis nor how they got things wrong or right.

Plus an added bonus that it's a good time to bury bad news if any type.

You may be also get junior ministers who aren't up to the job using it as a reason to resign.

[animallittle3]

Whilst the Cummings story is dominating the media space there's another aspect to this that's a little under the radar .

It brings in to question that if a PM is prepared to lose so much political credit with the electorate , create a division within his own party , a minister has resigned this morning over the affair then what's that say about Johnson's ability to do the job without him .

Tail wagging the dog ? .

Bear in mind Johnson's an 80 seat majority and a cabinet full of brexit admirers .

Just exactly how weak and insecure can you be ? .

He's an advisor , nothing more than that .

Just remember

Stay Elite

Save Lives

Protect The NHS

[millersrus]

I’ve been laying low and not following too closely news happenings this last week but was aware of this furore. So yesterday evening I decided to watch the explanation given by the bloke himself. I have to say I thought he gave a reasonable explanation of the events and his thinking.
I would say that if I had found myself in a similar situation I could well see myself doing the same to help protect my family and minimise effects to others.
What I do find sad but unfortunately not surprising is the response to this whipped up hysteria created by all sides of the political and media establishment.
I new little of him previously so did a bit of reading up. Well it turns out that pretty much that he is disliked by lots of tories, labour and the press. Pretty much sees things and says it as it is. Sees through the lot of them. It Explains the witch-hunt.
Think we’d be better off with more people like him at the centre of power, at least trying to help keep politicians honest. Might help improve the political stock.
He might be the key to getting through the Brexit mess to come.

[John2]

I would say that if I had found myself in a similar situation I could well see myself doing the same to help protect my family and minimise effects to others.

If you were concerned you had vision problems you would make a 30 minute drive with your wife and young child in the car 'just to be safe'?

Good grief.

[Silly-miller]

If you were concerned you had vision problems you would make a 30 minute drive with your wife and young child in the car 'just to be safe'?

Good grief.

That did sound a bit thick didn’t it lol

Can I just point out that sacking Cummings will do naff all though oh some people may get some deluded jolly’s, but he’s an advisor he can be sacked one day then paid off the books making him still employed but no one will know about it and a fine to someone so loaded is laughable. I think boris threw him to the media as a punishment (boris looked p off didn’t he) now Cummings looks like a big fool and is dealing with the media’s pent up anger that’s been brewing for months now.

Starmer has right idea keep out of it, it’s making him look a reasonable sympathetic opponent

[ragingpup]

The lockdown is about maths. It’s about reducing the risk of transmission. If it was about reducing the risk of contact with the emergency services, they would be better off banning DIY and garden trampolines.

If I were a Labour Party member, I would be asking for an inquiry in to how Labour has been reduced from being a credible political party into one that seems only capable of running hate campaigns. In the 2019 GE, you splashed resources up the wall on pointless vanity projects like trying to unseat Duncan-Smith and Raab and since then you’ve had campaigns against Patel and even Labour Party employees. You now apparently think it is a good idea to have a campaign against a bloke who made a decision in difficult circumstances about how best to look after his five year old child. It’s pathetic and sad.

Once again, you aim to deflect from the issue by ranting about the failings of the Labour Party. The Labour Party are not instrumental in criticising Cummings' narrative. It is coming from the tory press, his own party and scientists instrumental in advising Government policy.

I’ve already said that if Cummings’ only bad choice was to travel up North as he felt, despite him being a multui millionaire Government leader with all of the resource that this affords, that he discussed with his wife and concluded that there was a genuine risk to his kid and travelling up North was the safest thing to do for all concerned, then I would say that in absence of evidence to prove he had options, the public would have accepted that. At this point Johnson should have admonished, apologised and I think that the public would have moved on.

But what has happened was that he has been found out taking an unnecessary journey for nothing other than leisure, a visit and walk around in a beauty spot on his wife’s birthday. Now the real problem here is that towards the end of last week, the Government heard that the press had evidence of this but tried to cover up and hope that the evidence wasn’t secure. Therefore the Government denied that this trip happened, or any awareness of it, despite their ability to ask Cummings outright. In short our Government lied to us over this, or at least took Cummings word and story as fact. You may well feel that this is acceptable, that Cummings was justified in taking the 60 mile trip to check his eyesight was good enough for a longer trip in the height of lock down, but the majority of the public, probably with the exception of the hardcore Brexiteers that are worried about capitulating without Cummings, are rightfully angry and want him held to account.

Clearly then, the story could not be contained and the hope from Cummings and the Gov’t was that they could write a well crafted story and explain it away. What they didn’t anticipate was how poor this cover up for his 1 hour+ drive around was, and how badly he explained in his response to questions on it “I was still feeling poorly, had eye problems, - so I went for a 60 mile round trip”! These are the facts that are his undoing – whilst the rest of us stayed in (and I had my wife in tears on her birthday) he felt able to not only take an unnecessary journey out, but if he is to be believed, and had dodgy eyesight, then he risked his family’s safety also!

Yet, you maintain that “The lockdown is about maths. It’s about reducing the risk of transmission”. How is this decision, from the man who was at the forefront of the campaign to get us to stay at home, necessitate people following the rules to miss deaths of loved ones, signalling to us – at the hight of lockdown, that this sacrifice is what we all should be doing?

Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the Government’s advisory group on behavioural science, sums it up well, not just angry about the hypocrisy and double standards that I and many are angry about (and that you are defending), but the implications on messaging and the likelihood of it leading to further death:

“One of the central messages that we gave to Government, one of the central points that we made was that the way we have gotten through this pandemic to date is by acting together, by thinking in terms of ‘we’, of what’s good for the community. Millions of people up and down the country have done precisely that in very difficult circumstances, agonising circumstances around their families and thought ‘What is good for us as a community?’ I think the real problem here is that not simply in what Mr Cummings did but in the messaging that the Prime Minister put out. The lesson was, forget about the ‘we’, it’s about ‘I’. The thing that really concerned me yesterday was everything was about ‘I’, everything was about what it means for me, there was no consideration at all of what it means to the community. Now, thank God, the public at large didn’t take that attitude, the public at large, as I say, made those major sacrifices, but it threatens to undermine that sense of community if a figure as prominent as Dominic Cummings and if the Prime Minister himself starts undermining that ‘we’ message and starts talking about ‘I’.”

[millersrus]

If you were concerned you had vision problems you would make a 30 minute drive with your wife and young child in the car 'just to be safe'?

Good grief.

A test drive following serious illness to check if ok before embarking on a longer journey....quite reasonable, actually quite sensible for any right mind person. The right thing to do for me.

[flourbasher]

I would have thought that if someone had doubts about their eye sight they would sit in the passenger seat and thereby 'test' their vision without endangering others
Let someone else drive or maybe his wife did drive as this hasn't been clarified but don't put passengers and other road users at risk.
Cyclists wouldnt stand a chance against tonnes of metal coming at them at even 30mph. Cyclists on their way to work 12 hours at a hospital perhaps.

From what I can gather the trip to B CAstle was on the same day as his wife's birthday. So was it really to test his eyes or go out on a jolly. The public has to make their own decision on that one

[great_fire]

You really think Stephen Kinnock was delivering medicine to his Dad on his birthday?

The difference is that they're the UK's biggest Euro-troughing family so the Remainer press left them alone.

[ragingpup]

You really think Stephen Kinnock was delivering medicine to his Dad on his birthday?

The difference is that they're the UK's biggest Euro-troughing family so the Remainer press left them alone.

As keep getting pointed out, the vast majority of the press explicitly pushed for Brexit - by that, I mean actively campaigned for it.

[Silly-miller]

A test drive following serious illness to check if ok before embarking on a longer journey....quite reasonable, actually quite sensible for any right mind person. The right thing to do for me.

Really your eyesight needs testing so instead of pining up a made up wall chart you go driving?

Do me a favour please let me know when you do this so I can stay off road.

Cheers

[Exiletyke]

Really your eyesight needs testing so instead of pining up a made up wall chart you go driving?

Do me a favour please let me know when you do this so I can stay off road.

Cheers

Imagine the scene at No 10

Boris....come in Dom
now it was a bit daft to drive that distance but I know there are no child care facilities in the largest city in the country but to drive another 30 miles to Barnard Castle is going to take some explaining.....any thoughts?
Dom.....I could say I had serious trouble with my eyesight & needed to test it so I thought driving to Barnard Castle & of course having concern for my son's welfare I took him & my wife with me What do you think Boris?
Boris....... brilliant Dom the thick british public will never suspect that we [sorry you] just made it up as it is so outlandish that it must be true
Now get out there & give it to em oph & don't forget to say sorry
Dom .......sorry for my piss poor judgement?
Boris...... no you pillock sorry for keeping everyone waiting
Dom....leave it to me Boss

[Silly-miller]

Imagine the scene at No 10

Boris....come in Dom
now it was a bit daft to drive that distance but I know there are no child care facilities in the largest city in the country but to drive another 30 miles to Barnard Castle is going to take some explaining.....any thoughts?
Dom.....I could say I had serious trouble with my eyesight & needed to test it so I thought driving to Barnard Castle & of course having concern for my son's welfare I took him & my wife with me What do you think Boris?
Boris....... brilliant Dom the thick british public will never suspect that we [sorry you] just made it up as it is so outlandish that it must be true
Now get out there & give it to em oph & don't forget to say sorry
Dom .......sorry for my piss poor judgement?
Boris...... no you pillock sorry for keeping everyone waiting
Dom....leave it to me Boss

I’d imagine it’s like this

Dom: “yo bojo how’s it going”

Boris: “Im good thanks I just completed my new this morning puzzle Phil Sent me last week.”

Dom: “that’s great I’m glad your in a good mood because Iv cocked up again mate.”

Boris opening his new jigsaw half listening: “hmm hmm that’s nice Dom let me hear all about it while I find my corner pieces.“

Dom: “yeah listen boris I panicked went home wanted peace and quite away from press so I made some BS up but the problem is my wife dragged me out to a park for a change of scenery now press is pushing for an answer and the best I got is I wanted to test my eyes, can you help?”

Boris: “now Dom you know Iv got all the time for you but this Big Ben puzzle won’t sort itself you know my times very precious these days, il tell you what you got yourself into this mess go clean it up yourself press conference is at 4 do try and keep em waiting they are nicer that way, oh Iv sorted all sides out”

[caytonmiller]

Just for Roly.
I never listen to the media. Watched Cummings recollection of the 2 week in question.
What a load of bull sht. Sack the feker.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Meanwhile Junior minister Douglas Ross has resigned in disgust.

As a junior minister he's been seen in or around Westminster attending parliament and going to meetings.

However now he's resigned there's no need for him to do that so he can go home and be s constituency MP

He's the MP for Moray. I wonder how he will get there?

[millertop]

Meanwhile Junior minister Douglas Ross has resigned in disgust.

As a junior minister he's been seen in or around Westminster attending parliament and going to meetings.

However now he's resigned there's no need for him to do that so he can go home and be s constituency MP

He's the MP for Moray. I wonder how he will get there?
Why would you resign over this? Hidden agenda? What an idiot if not

[John2]

Meanwhile Junior minister Douglas Ross has resigned in disgust.

As a junior minister he's been seen in or around Westminster attending parliament and going to meetings.

However now he's resigned there's no need for him to do that so he can go home and be s constituency MP

He's the MP for Moray. I wonder how he will get there?

What on earth are you on about?

It seems you've somehow managed to get upset about nothing more than where the MP happens to be from, as though its his fault and should be factored into his decision making.

Also, did you have any recommended sources to get news please? Bit hypocritical to criticise where I get my news from (despite not actually knowing), but fail to provide alternatives when genuinely asked.

[LincsMiller]

I remember the Nuremberg trials shortly after WW2 and I can honestly say that Goring and Eichman didn't get as much air time for being partly responsible for the deaths of 6.000.000 souls as Cummings is getting for driving up the A1 , bring back hanging !

[gm_gm]

Some of the media today were appalling, they heard news of PPE their recent obsession..not interested, they hear news on a drug treatment that could aid recovery...not interested.

Having not being able to lay a glove on DC during Brexit they are now fixated, but they the press are losing their grip completely. Absolutely pathetic a new low for our press

[CASPER-64-FRANK]

I remember the Nuremberg trials shortly after WW2 and I can honestly say that Goring and Eichman didn't get as much air time for being partly responsible for the deaths of 6.000.000 souls as Cummings is getting for driving up the A1 , bring back hanging !

Or CASTRATION....:P

Approx 30 Conservative MPs none too happy about our Dom....

[LincsMiller]

Or CASTRATION....:P

Approx 30 Conservative MPs none too happy about our Dom....

Yet to see a happy MP yet CF ;)

[Exiletyke]

Some of the media today were appalling, they heard news of PPE their recent obsession..not interested, they hear news on a drug treatment that could aid recovery...not interested.

Having not being able to lay a glove on DC during Brexit they are now fixated, but they the press are losing their grip completely. Absolutely pathetic a new low for our press



Any idea which newsagencies /newspapers were in the press "mob" outside DC's house
And as for not being able to "lay a glove" on him it might be that he usually operated in the shadows

[rolymiller]

Just for Roly.
I never listen to the media. Watched Cummings recollection of the 2 week in question.
What a load of bull sht. Sack the feker.

Thanks for your reply Cayton and to the others who made the effort for me. Shows we do have summat in common!>;)