It’s all over now

[pontypridd]

How can anyone take this lockdown seriously anymore?

Our prime minister has just told the nation it’s fine to break the rules so long as you’re being a good parent.

[OutOfHours]

It was all over anyway

[WickedlyPetite]

There's a definite sense from what I'm seeing on my social media, that many people won't be taking this lockdown seriously any more, or at least won't be so blindly "following the rules" to the letter from now on.

[Fedupwiththemedia]

I find it hard to get my head around in that there are millions already flouting the rules anyway, even on this site. Hypocrisy all round if you ask me, even though the general public aren't in the public eye.

[pontypridd]

Well at least the government won’t be able to blame the public (as they were hoping to) for breaking the rules.

[pontypridd]

Making us responsible for the second wave.

[Jellybellykelly25]

Speechless. They are utterly despicable.

[MintyMabel]

there are millions already flouting the rules anyway

If that were anywhere near true, the number of cases wouldn’t have come down.

[SpookyNoise]

I think lots of people will give up now, and that could lead to another spike.

[ToffeeYoghurt]

Only if you're a member of The Cummings Fanclub and desperate to emulate him.

[Freddiefox]

It’s this the idea though?
We are so reluctant to leave our houses, the economy is in a nose dive. Being told we can go back to work isn’t working, because we are so worried.

It is smoke screen to get us all so angry we disregard lockdown and achieve herd immunity?
The population as a whole will get sick, we will lose a few on the way but the way of life for some is protected.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Cummings is the one who wanted herd immunity and made those horrible comments in the meeting at the beginning (total sociopath)

This is what they wanted ALL ALONG

A chance to blame the British people for dying

[RainbowFlowers]

If he just apologised and was given a fine like anyone else, I would be OK with him keeping his job. But him giving a pathetic excuse and all these politicians backing him is crazy.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Boris was clearly pissed off, it was quite enjoyable watching him squirm like the lying idiot that he is. Cummings is clearly pulling the strings here.

[LanaDelBoy]

He's not really said that, unless you take him at his word, in which case you're a fool

He's just said whatever words he thinks he needs to to justify not sacking Cummings. That is his goal, not clarifying or changing or announcing anything to do with lockdown guidelines, as any half-competent leader would attempt to do.

[Badassmama]

It’s an absolute PT. Dominic Cummings is a disgrace, it makes me wonder what he has on BJ as no unelected aide should have the power he does. Meanwhile there’s still absolutely no move on allowing us all to see our families or even any indication of when we might know more.

[ToffeeYoghurt]

I think you're right Freddie
Shame they choose this shortsighted approach instead of taking the simple measures other countries have done to protect the economy and lives from a bad second wave. More PPE for frontline staff, test, track and trace, early treatment, masks for the public.

So now we face a slower more difficult economic recovery. And countless more avoidable deaths.

They picked a popular public figure, somebody lots of people look up to and want to be like. Clever move. If they'd chosen somebody disliked by the public, it wouldn't work because nobody would want to copy them.

[Notmyrealname855]

Very very very true about lack of responsibility...

They’ll make us responsible for the second wave. Bojo will blame it on us I’m sure

[ToffeeYoghurt]

The herd immunity is a load of rubbish however.
Experts think immunity might only last around six months. It's still too early to know.

[Whoknowswhocares]

There seem to be 2 possible options

1. It’s a plan hatched to infuriate the minions back to work so the economy (ie big business) can get back to the important job of earning profit and paying no tax on it
   
2. Boris and Co are incompetent ,arrogant w@nkers who think they can do whatever they please

[B0bbin]

What a bunch of absolute wankers

[B0bbin]

Tory government, I mean, not posters on this thread

[MilkTrayLimeBarrel]

Do what you want to, but some of us will still be staying at home, not going out unless absolutely necessary and keeping miles away from other people. I could not care less if I never hug anyone (apart from DH) ever again.

[SusieOwl4]

If you read the rules it says if you have children it may be difficult to adhere to the guidance ( or words to that affect)

The press are saying he broke the spirit of the lockdown not the rules .,

He did not mix with the other household .

He did self isolate

I can’t stand the guy but this does sound like a witch hunt .

[SusieOwl4]

The press were all round his house breaking social distancing rules .

Even Cummings did not do that .

[YounghillKang]

I'm not risking my vulnerable friends and relatives because someone else was too arrogant or too stupid to follow the rules. It's like the old saying about jumping off a cliff just because someone else did! But I do think Cummings should be fired and a public apology issued. Lots of doctors and nurses on Twitter talking about how Cummings' actions and Johnson's response demonstrate exactly the kind of attitude that puts them at risk, must be particularly galling when so many have had to leave their own family homes because of the risk of spreading the virus.