To think it really doesn't matter what the rules are now?

[Ultrasoft]

No-one's going to follow them.

I am a real rule follower. I've done everything by the book since day one and despite all the hysteria about people breaking rules, so has almost everyone I know.

But when the man who effectively runs the country and wrote the rules makes it clear they don't matter I feel like something of a mug for having been so "good".

I haven't seen my parents or been anywhere outside my town in weeks but he was fine with travelling all that distance with symptoms to see his.

AIBU to think whatever the next/current phase rules are it will be very difficult to get the public to comply?

When I think of the tiny, meagre funerals I've been unable to attend, the help and comfort people I love have gone without, the sacrifices people continue to make, yes, this makes me fucking angry. I'm not likely to be influenced by the behaviour of some arrogant government puppet-master. My life doesn't really allow for much in the way of travel and socialising anyway. But I can see people who've suffered as a result of restrictions wanting to shove a big Fuck You up Number Ten's arse.
Have they never heard of leading by example?

Prince Charles did come in for a lot of criticism at the time.

Here's the No. 10 statement

"Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.

"His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed.

"His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside.

"At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported.

"His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally."

Strange that Durham Police issued a statement saying otherwise. No idea how legitimate it was.

I do not understand. At the time... and we have to remember we were inching towards the peak of the virus... we were told not to travel if we had symptoms, but to self isolate at home.

Here's the No. 10 statement ... which carefully omits any reference to the wife travelling with him and the child.

And yet she managed to produce an article for The Spectator outlining how they both bravely suffered together whilst looking after their child.

It’s not like government instructions were for the whole family to self isolate if anyone got symptoms or anything like that.

^^ stay at home and self isolate

I bloody hope it's Little Matty Hancock doing the press briefing today... the man who publicly said he was 'appalled' with Neil Ferguson and his actions....
I want to hear his 'appalled' with Cummings

OK, with petrol you could do a 'self service pay by credit card' type pump and use gloves. I drive 360 miles regularly and still have half a tank left. It's all just speculation. They should get rid of him but Rishi Sunak has just tweeted in support

How many of you can take a five year old on a 250 mile journey without at least one pee stop? Unless you travel overnight, maybe?

Sunak, Gove and Raab are all Tweeting from the No 10 script.

Or, as it’s also known, gaslighting the nation.

I will follow them.

How many of you can take a five year old on a 250 mile journey without at least one pee stop?

Forget the 5 year old, I'd need a loo stop!

Here are the Govt clear instructions... and this is out of BoJo's mouth...
"Children should not be left with older GPs or older relatives who may be particularly vulnerable"

@Olordysugarandspice, please troll them!

Do we know how old Cumming's parents are?

Mid 70s I understand

Exactly @ brecon! I cant get past this imagine, it broke my heart at the time and now i am furious! Dont want to upset anyone but link here.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-52150141

The government is steadfastly defending Cummings. Bugger the lot of them, I'm going to do what I want from now on, they can stuff the lockdown, I've been stuck in a room for 2 months.

Can't stand Cummings, but I think his behaviour was quite legal.

His dad was born in 1946, so 74.

Splodgetastic - I'm not a troll. I will follow the rules because it's the right thing to do for my own health and for the sake of others.
Have the government fucked this up? Of course they have - at every step. Despite that, is it still sensible to stay 2m away from people, not visit visit friends and family? Yes it is.

but I think his behaviour was quite legal.

Have you read Rousette's post of 12:27? If not, please do and tell us how Cumming's behaviour squares with this advice?

The question is not whether his behaviour was legal, (it's not as though there will be a court case) but whether it was acceptable for somebody who is currently part of government.

The government have told people that they must stay at home and shouldn't see family, even though in some cases that may cause really hardship because family members are relied upon for care and support.

Now it seems that if you are a member of government (with all the resources that would give you) it is fine to travel 250 miles because you are a bit worried about childcare.

If this particular loophole has always existed, why wasn't it made clear to everyone?

Spot on merrymouse

Surely surely he has friends or someone who could shop for him, or he could do what the general public has to do... fight for an online slot.. get the shopping delivered, and self isolate which is the restrictions he engineered in the SAGE meetings.

It's pathetic.

I think if Cummings was on fire he’d remain entirely piss free.