I know I should have "moved on" but Cummings...

[1stV45]

I do think the government's handling of that sorry business is, in large part, responsible for where we are now.

I know there were always rumblings of complaints about "others" not following the rules but ever since we were told people must do what's right for their families it seems widespread. Before that the majority were complying and there was a general feeling of at least wanting to be seen to do the right thing. Even now with tightening restrictions, lots of people just simply seem to be saying they're not prepared to do it. People who want to stick to things to the letter face derision.

I don't understand why he didn't just say "I made a poor decision, I was wrong" which would have enabled him to stay in his job and everyone to move on, instead of that ridiculous justification which lead everyone to question why they had been stupid enough to follow the rules.

I get the feeling, from taking to colleagues and what's going in on SM, that it doesn't matter what the restrictions are, there won't be enough people sticking to them to make a difference. And I do think Cummings was the turning point.

[Figmentofmyimagination]

I think it’s true that that is when the cynicism set in for many people - remember the Daily Star’s Cummings face-mask. He made it all feel like a bad joke in which we’d all been had. I’m sure it was hugely damaging.

[Gingerkittykat]

I agree, his behaviour has really emphasised there was one rule for him and one rule for the rest of us. He should have went, as every person in a high profile government role who broke the rules.

There are still Barnard Castle jokes several months on and jokey questions on SM asking if Cummings is subject to the new lockdown.

[Fleabagster]

Despite not voting Tory, I was supportive of the Government and had sympathy for there position until that point. It all went out of the window from then. I was furious.

[MushMonster]

Yes, I think that him and some other politicians failing to follow the rules have not helped. But specially him, because he could not even apologise for it, and was defended at all costs.
They were told at the time that this would have a negative effect, but God Cummings is SO important!
Other thing is all the ever changing, all over the places rules. If we could have one guidance that relates to the spread of the virus figures, and so we keep checking our local authorities for the final rules, that would be better. But this, you have one guidance, this part of the border other, then we change, then..... it is just a mess, andd people get confused.
Clear messages would help, they can be MORE than 3 words, and can be delivered by the PMs, no need to leak to the papers.

[Bouncycastle12]

We were all in it together, and then Cummings.

[ASchuylerSister]

Yes, I think that was the turning point for most people. He just took the piss out of everyone in that press conference. How he kept a straight face during it I don’t know.

Ordinary people weren’t seeing family, missed births, deaths etc yet he drove 200+ miles with a symptomatic family member in the car and then had to use NHS services up north, where there weren’t many cases at the time, for his son.

Don’t even get me started on the fucking eye test drive.

As you can probably tell I’m still not over it

[Youandmeareluckytobeus]

What rubbish. If people have started to behave irresponsibly it is because they are fundamentally irresponsible. Just because one Govt advisor travelled when he shouldn't have done does not make sensible people do the same. Otherwise they'd all be copying the stupid former SNP MP who travelled on a train after testing positive for Covid. People are just using his behaviour as an excuse for theirs.

[Bouncycastle12]

It also changed the way I thought about mental health care and childcare support. Before he did that, I would have used only in absolute extremis. Now, I’d be much more relaxed.

[pjani]

Totally agree with you.

[gamerchick]

I thought the same thing. It all started to slide downhill from that moment. He totally took the piss, rubbed everyone's noses in it and got off with it.

What was the punishment for the daft SNP lass who went on the train out of interest? Did she get away with it as well?

[VaggieMight]

I'm still angry about Cummings, it was a complete insult to suggest that we had all misunderstood the rules. I can't imagine how people who lost loved ones or missed really important events felt. BJ is clueless and a very weak leader which is why he couldn't let Cummings go.

I don't think as many people will comply this time but I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make as pubs etc are closed and most people will still comply. The streets won't be empty this time though.

[Whatatoodoodle]

I still maintain that it served the government very well as before that point the restrictions had worked too well and lots of people were genuinely scared to go out and they needed to get people spending again (whether that was the right thing to do is debatable but I’m convinced that was why they didn’t make him apologise etc)

[Polkadotties]

I agree. This was someone who has access to all the data and information and still thought it was ok to break the rules.

[formerbabe]

I think what he did was nothing compared to Margaret Ferrier. I also think he got a much worse time from the media than she did.

[OudRose]

Yep, I agree!
He made a mockery of the entire thing and made everyone who had struggled in difficult circumstances feel a fool.

If he can do what's 'best' for his family, then why can't I?

[ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing]

I have been compliant and so have most people I know (as far as I can tell) but this makes me very angry still. It was insulting and offensive. I don’t think anyone should use it as an excuse for not complying but of course some people will.

[LookatMeLookatMeLookatMuiii]

100% agree on this.

It absolutely was a turning point in public spirit and compliance.

The insulting response was a further kick.

Don't think I've ever felt such vitriol towards a person as that dumbwit.

[MRex]

He behaved like an arrogant arsehole. I'm not really sure why people want to emulate him to be honest. I've no intention of behaving like an arrogant arsehole any more than I want to copy the behaviour of any other type of idiot, criminal or narcissistic wanker.

[1stV45]

@Youandmeareluckytobeus

What rubbish. If people have started to behave irresponsibly it is because they are fundamentally irresponsible. Just because one Govt advisor travelled when he shouldn't have done does not make sensible people do the same. Otherwise they'd all be copying the stupid former SNP MP who travelled on a train after testing positive for Covid. People are just using his behaviour as an excuse for theirs.

I'm not saying his actions were the turning point but the way the government allowed him that press conference and defended him with everything they had, rather than saying he got it wrong. I still don't know why they felt the need to do that.

[JacobReesMogadishu]

Margaret ferrier was booted out of the snp. As far as I know their hands are tied for further action. She can't be sacked as an MP and she chooses not to resign.

Cummings could have been sacked. I also think it's worse because he helped draw up the guidelines which he then ignored.

[FlouncerInDenial]

Funnily enough, I was looking at a thread slightly earlier where the OP was asking if it was ok th go and stay in a remote barn (or something) and I nearly posted "what would dominic do?"
But didn't cos I thought I was the only one left still annoyed about it

[1stV45]

@ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing

I have been compliant and so have most people I know (as far as I can tell) but this makes me very angry still. It was insulting and offensive. I don’t think anyone should use it as an excuse for not complying but of course some people will.

I think it's more subtle than people using it as an excuse. It marks a general change in attitude, which many people probably don't even realise is connected.

[HarryLimeFoxtrot]

His justification was ludicrous. And his logic (which the government defended) meant that people who had Covid symptoms had more freedom under the lockdown rules than those who didn’t.

I agree that it was a significant tipping point with regard to compliance. The “what would Dominic Cummings do?” question is frequently rolled out to excuse all sorts of behaviour.

[UnaOfStormhold]

I think the way it was defended made it so much worse. It would have been bad enough if it had been "it was a mistake, he's apologised, he's staying". But the public health messages were totally undermined when they trotted out all that stuff about it being justified due to "exceptional" circumstances when people up and down the country had been sticking to the rules in far worse situations no matter what it cost them.

[MirandaMarple]

I wholeheartedly agree.