AIBU to not understand the outrage over the government’s so-called Christmas party?

[OneRuleForThem]

I feel like this is only an issue if people automatically followed guidelines like robots. We were “told” not to visit our own families over Christmas. Nobody tells me whether I can or can not visit my own family, so I did, and had a lovely and nice normal Christmas last year.

It seems people are up in arms over the fact that Downing Street allegedly (do I have to say allegedly?) had a Christmas party and flounced the “rules” without social distancing. My only reaction is…And? And so? So what? Did anyone expect the government NOT to do something like this? I don’t know why people are up in arms over it tbh. It’s not like this government is brand new to people and they didn’t have prior information that this government backtrack and “do as I say not as i do” ALL THE TIME.

I really don’t get why people are so outraged by this. My main reaction is…why did you listen to them in the first place expecting them to be some kind of moral leaders? AIBU?

[RedHelenB]

YABU

Yes it's no surprise that they ve flouted the rules again but if we'd all have done that many more would have died of Covid and our hcps would have had an even harder time.

[HardbackWriter]

It was the law, not just government advice.

[Sally872]

I am not surprised but I am still angry about it.

[FindingMeno]

YABU
People have made huge sacrifices and they're laughing at us.

[PinkiOcelot]

People are up in arms because the majority of people didn’t flout the rules, unlike you and didn’t spend Christmas with their loved ones. So the fact that the government held parties and spent time with friends, whilst fining people for the same, is a bit of a kick in the teeth. What’s hard to understand about that?!

[Roominmyhouse]

This is exactly the problem, people brush everything they do under the carpet. We should be holding our politicians to much much higher standards not just accepting their behaviour.

[OneRuleForThem]

I think I’m most surprised that so many people actually listened to their advice and did what the government said As if I would watch and listen to Boris Johnson of all people(!) saying “do not visit your family at Christmas” and do what he said!!

[TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum]

Yabu and massively insensitive to those who have lost loved ones or had their lives destroyed by long covid.

[OhWhyNot]

Many listened because they wanted to be responsible towards others and do their best so fewer people ended up in hospital

I know people who were disciplined at work for not following the rules

It’s absolutely disgraceful but I am not one bit surprised

[Kitkatchunkyplease]

Yes it's no surprise, but no it's not okay. I'm surprised that anyone would find their lying acceptable !

[StoneofDestiny]

Just two days before the party on, London had been put into Tier 3 of coronavirus restrictions, which prevented mixing indoors with people not in your household. The party apparently had around 50 people.

Other citizens were fined for hosting or attending such events in their homes. They should all bring a 'class action' to get their fines cancelled and repaid.

A government should lead by example - this government clearly has not, and does not.

[titchy]

@OneRuleForThem

I think I’m most surprised that so many people actually listened to their advice and did what the government said As if I would watch and listen to Boris Johnson of all people(!) saying “do not visit your family at Christmas” and do what he said!!

It was just advice, it was the law at the time. The Gov broke the law.

[titchy]

*wasn't just advice...

[PieMistee]

Why did they lie about it if it didn't matter?

[amymel2016]

If the majority of people had done what you did and hadn’t followed the rules then the NHS would have collapsed.

That’s why people are angry, we listened because we knew it was right and the sensible thing. We know the government is full of arseholes but this is so blatant.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

Was it “the Government”, or was it various No. 10 staff and aides who had most likely been working together in close quarters in the preceding weeks anyway? It doesn’t seem that Boris or any MPs actually attended, and I really can’t get worked up about the latter.

[BonnesVacances]

It's a problem because it shows, yet again, that the people in authority in this country have no control. And sometimes, like in the middle of a pandemic, we need to have people in power that the public will listen to, trust and follow their instructions to protect the people we live alongside. When we are in the position that no one will listen to those in charge, it makes things unstable. That's why this shower of shit in no10 are so dangerous.

[AChickenCalledDaal]

Yes, millions of people had a really shit christmas because they obeyed the law. And some of them were bereaved - in some cases as a direct result of the people that carried on regardless.

[OneRuleForThem]

@StoneofDestiny
A government should lead by example - this government clearly has not, and does not.

And hasn’t done since 2010 that’s kind of my point, I’m surprised that so many people listened and took their words as gospel. I suppose I am perhaps BU though maybe.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Members of the government broke the law. The response to that is to remove them. Not to join them.

Unless you're actually an anarchist I suppose.

[OneRuleForThem]

@titchy
It was just advice, it was the law at the time. The Gov broke the law.

They do this all the time. Ok I guess I am BU. I didn’t know so many people actually listened to them

[goodgollygosh23]

We didn't see our family last Christmas because we wanted to protect them. I had vulnerable family members and dc were in school. None of us were vaccinated. It was the responsible thing to do. Whether or not you did or didn't is your choice but the government set the laws and are supposed to be leading by example.

I have no idea how they keep getting voted in when they show such complete contempt for the general public.

[CSJobseeker]

Most people have broadly tried to comply with the rules at any given time. The fact that the government made the rules for everyone else, and then ignored them, stinks of arrogance and contempt for all us 'little people'.

I had a quiet Christmas, didn't see most of my family, no parties, no social gatherings at all.

[LookNorthbyNorthWest]

OP, you don't see a problem with our leaders being beyond the reach of the law?

[Merryoldgoat]

I’m not surprised but it’s disgusting.

People missed out on their last opportunities to see family members in order to keep them safe.

We’re not talking about a small family Christmas we’re some people decided to take a risk. We’re talking about a big old party that other people are currently being prosecuted for attending the likes of.