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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not understand the outrage at Dominic Cummings?

999 replies

Wow123 · 25/05/2020 08:08

Please don’t flame me for this. I’m not posting this to be controversial. I am someone who always tries to see the good in people which has been to my detriment at time’s in the past so I’m very well aware that maybe I’m missing something here and being too kind when he possibly doesn’t deserve it.

My understanding is that Dominic Cummings is saying that he only returned to Durham on one occasion which was because he had fears about potentially being unable to look after his child if him and his wife both ended up too unwell with Covid. I can understand the logic in that.

I appreciate the government advice at that stage was to stay home but if he genuinely didn’t have anyone to help with his son, then I can understand his fears and that he was trying to put his child first as any parent would.

My understanding is that a matter of days after, the government did clarify that travelling in the event of needing support with children if you had caught covid was an exceptional circumstance and that travel in that instance was acceptable.

I personally live hundreds of miles from family and don’t have anyone I could ask for help in the local area was I to become unwell with Covid so this does resonate with me.

I understand that there were sightings of Dominic Cummings on other dates in Durham which indicate that he travelled back up there. If this is true, I definitely agree that he needs to be sacked, but at this stage, there is no proof of this.

Am I missing something here?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
lilgreen · 25/05/2020 18:01

Would you give him a job as strategy adviser?

lilgreen · 25/05/2020 18:01

Yes @LumaLou

SharonasCorona · 25/05/2020 18:02

And what's all the nonsense about 'well he broke the rules so other people think they should/can too' about? That's akin to our parents saying say 'well if X jumped off the cliff does that mean you will too'.

Except the police, who are endorsing the restrictions, have said that this debacle is making their job harder because people will break the rules now.

nokidshere · 25/05/2020 18:02

Did they also help think up ‘stay home’ mantra?

Why does that matter? 90% of us staying home was the right thing to do, just because a few idiots, including him, don't, doesn't mean it was the wrong message.

That's like a Dr telling his patients to stop smoking and then nipping out for a fag

nokidshere · 25/05/2020 18:03

Except the police, who are endorsing the restrictions, have said that this debacle is making their job harder because people will break the rules now.

Well to be fair it's not his fault the British public are stupid

SharonasCorona · 25/05/2020 18:04

@nokidshere because if you implement laws to punish people for breaking the rules then you need adhere to them much more closely than the average joe. This is basic governance.

SharonasCorona · 25/05/2020 18:05

@nokidshere so if the public is stupid then you need to even more whiter than white.

ITonyah · 25/05/2020 18:05

The British public have been breaking the rules all the way along. Still can't get worked up about DC, I'd have probably done the same.

MarshaBradyo · 25/05/2020 18:05

Would you give him a job as strategy adviser?

If I wanted to win the seemingly un-winnable I would.

I have no doubt he’s good at his job, he isn’t media polished but I thought it was better for that. I know not many on here think that though.

SharonasCorona · 25/05/2020 18:05

@ITonyah and yet you’ve been posting in threads in support of rural people putting up signs telling Londoners and others do stay away.

sleepingpup · 25/05/2020 18:06

Well to be fair it's not his fault the British public are stupid

yeh, cos he's special and can interpret rules as well as write them......

nokidshere · 25/05/2020 18:07

nokidshere because if you implement laws to punish people for breaking the rules then you need adhere to them much more closely than the average joe. This is basic governance

Of course. But it's human nature to break rules if you think you can get away with it. And he thought he coulda get away with it.

ITonyah · 25/05/2020 18:08

Yes and noone has listened to them Grin we have had second home owners here every weekend and have the whole way through lockdown. Not isolating either, but going to the local supermarket and having their mates over for bbqs. So forgive me if I can't get worked up over a bloke with an important job staying on his own somewhere and not breaking the rules anyway.

SharonasCorona · 25/05/2020 18:08

@nokidshere all the more reason for him to go.

Ulver · 25/05/2020 18:09

Oh yeah cummings thinks that the people who voted for Boris are thick chavs. Easily manipulated idiots.
Beneath him.

Hopoindown31 · 25/05/2020 18:09

@ITonyah and yet you’ve been posting in threads in support of rural people putting up signs telling Londoners and others do stay away.

Yes well it is different when the great Tory Messiah does it for rural Tories like @ITonyah.

SharonasCorona · 25/05/2020 18:10

@ITonyah

I think he has broken the rules. Driving to a Beaty spot to test his eye sight? Pfft. Sorry the second homers are still coming, twats!

The80sweregreat · 25/05/2020 18:10

Tonya, he did break rules.

Peregrina · 25/05/2020 18:12

Those who were breaking the rules will carry on, but now they have a good excuse - " I thought it was OK." Those who were treating the rules with respect probably won't change their behaviour very much, although they will certain question things like not visiting grandparents, especially if they are nearby.

ShinyS1 · 25/05/2020 18:12

"if he'd come out earlier and said, "sorry I thought it was for the best but I now see I shouldn't have travelled" it would all have blown over"

Highly unlikely. The remainers, lefties and people he's pissed off want his head on a plate, it wouldn't matter whether he fessed up earlier or not, or apologised or not.

ITonyah · 25/05/2020 18:13

If you have a young child the rules are open to interpretation. That is the law! 🤷‍♀️

sleepingpup · 25/05/2020 18:15

Highly unlikely. The remainers, lefties and people he's pissed off want his head on a plate, it wouldn't matter whether he fessed up earlier or not, or apologised or not.*

yeah. because it's everyone else's problem. it's nothing he's done. Hmm

Ulver · 25/05/2020 18:16

I find it unbelievable the absolute shambles he portrays? He didn’t inform Boris or security services. He didn’t Take any advice or employ any measures to minimise Risks of Spreading the virus. He didn’t inform Durham Police or hospitals? He didn’t employ any Care or nursing staff or get tested?
He was doing everything off the hoof which confirmed everything I suspected about how this govt operates. Utter disgrace.

The80sweregreat · 25/05/2020 18:16

There was wriggle room nobody else knew about only him!!

ypestis · 25/05/2020 18:18

If you have a young child the rules are open to interpretation. That is the law!

Yes lets be a bit more nuanced about this. It is clear that a sensible interpretation of the rules allows for a 60 mile round trip to test your eyesight but only if you have a child!