Whether he goes or stays, do you think the damage is done? To Boris (another Cummings thread)

[CarolynMartens]

Whether he apologises or not, or resigns or not. I hope it is, but I’d be interested in everyone’s views.

YABU - no it’s not done
YANBU - yes Boris and government is damaged already

I can't really see how they can turn this around to be honest.

Depends - it seems like some Tory (and or the matter other parties) adherents will try and justify anything if it's done by their "side". Boris was elected with a big majority so he can carry on regardless as long as his own lot stick with him.

You would think so wouldn't you?

I was listening to a really interesting podcast where Greg Jenner, the guy who developed Horrible Histories for TV, was talking about celebrity. His theory was that celebrities can effectively get away with a lot of things politicians can't. Boris and Donald Trump ran as celebrities as opposed to politicians which is why they seem to be almost Teflon coated despite being vile misogynistic lying pricks. The public are so sucked in by the cult of the celebrity that we get the politician we deserve. It was eye opening for me because I cannot imagine anyone telling the public to drink bleach and continuing to be allowed to hold office! Ditto Boris.

I bloody hope he goes. He is a dangerous puppet fuck wit.

Sadly yes. It's nothing to be pleased about even if you are a labour supporter.

The fact is, we are in the middle of a pandemic with an incompetent, cowardly and dishonest Prime Minister.

Poor Britain, you are certainly not Great anymore.

@madroid The fact is, we are in the middle of a pandemic with an incompetent, cowardly and dishonest Prime Minister. THIS

This is a man who lied to the Queen.

He prorogued Parliament.

He's had affairs left, right and centre.

He's been sacked for lying before.

And people will still be foolish enough to vote for him... good old BoJo... giving him affectionate nicknames and all that.

I've been saying since he was mayor of London what a dangerous man he is.

I don't know I was absolutely fuming yesterday and this morning but now I am actually more interested in how the changes to lockdown restrictions will affect me.

So, if they can put out some actual good news in the next few days it might take the heat off. I dont think the MPs will forget the response from constituents though so I dont think he'll get many more chances before he's considered a liability. But Gove is waiting in the wings so I'm not sure it's something to celebrate.

It is appalling that Boris messed it up so badly yesterday the aide had to go out and do it himself.

It's as though a goldfish is in charge, and deeply worrying.

I'm pretty sure Boris said yesterday that although Cummings had been to Durham, he didnt go outside of his family property whilst there.
If so, Boris lied to cover for a friend.
Not good enough.
I've lost a friend and nurse colleague to Covid and very nearly lost another.

The brexit issue unleashed much of this polarisation in politics. Leavers can't bring themselves to criticise the government as they are the chief advocates for it yet 10 -20 years ago bojo and cummings would have been slated universally and probably resigned. With Trump and the advent of populist politics it's as if our moral compass just isn't there anymore, everyone is so entrenched they can't challenge those on their side.

I think Cummings pulled it back from the brink this afternoon tbh. There will be those who continue to froth over it but I think for the majority it will be done with and you'd be amazed how quickly it will be forgotten.

A week is a long time in politics, especially at the moment. By next week the schools will be open and there will be a whole load of new material for the Left to get stuck in to.

Lockdown is lifting anyway and things badly need to get back to normal, so if Cummings make people think 'fuck lockdown' and get out of their homes we might finally see a bit of British bulldog spirit rather than the ninnyish cowering we've seen so far.

Inadvertently if Dominic Cummings has brought lockdown to an end he may be able to take credit for kickstarting the economy again. Which would be pretty ironic.

Ronald Reagan was also a "celebrity" President. I remember him admitting that he sometimes fell asleep during Cabinet meetings and the reaction of many Americans was as though it was their dear old Grandad taking a nap after lunch.

@Noconceptofnormal
if Cummings make people think 'fuck lockdown' and get out of their homes we might finally see a bit of British bulldog spirit rather than the ninnyish cowering we've seen so far.

Ninnyish cowering also known as being responsible and not wanting to catch and spread a deadly virus during a pandemic.

What a strange way to term people looking after themselves and others.

there will be a whole load of new material for the Left to get stuck in to
Left, left, left. It's not just the left who are disappointed by this.

It's gold for comedians. And has helped to create an impression that will be used against Johnson and others.

Lockdown is lifting anyway and things badly need to get back to normal, so if Cummings make people think 'fuck lockdown' and get out of their homes we might finally see a bit of British bulldog spirit rather than the ninnyish cowering we've seen so far.

This is exactly what is wrong with this country and why we are an international laughing-stock. It will also explain why Cummings and BoJo will get away with this.

I think this incident and the response of too many of my fellow citizens has drained the last ounce of care I had for anyone who can think this behaviour is in anyway reasonable.

They dragged out Andrew Bridgen MP onto the C4 news earlier to defend Cummings, although not sure it will have helped as he is almost equally as loathsome. Predictably, he immediately dropped in the idea that this is all a smear campaign by people who don't want Brexit sao this is probably the defensive line they're going for. It's all a conspiracy by bitter Remainers! Probably the next thing they'll say is that it was anti-Brexit protestors gathering outside his house during lockdown which made him flee to Durham for his family's safety.

People are so fed up with the press that they are more likely to give this a pass.

The press have a job, a vital role to play and they're not doing it. They need to stop playing the politics and the person, and start reporting the news.

Left, left, left. It's not just the left who are disappointed by this.

Remember, to these people 'the left' is anyone they disagree with right now.

They need to stop playing the politics and the person, and start reporting the news

I think it's done from the press now.
I think there are questions to be had over the Attorney General's response.

The damage is done though.

@Hopoindown31 So those people who obeyed the lockdown and did not travel to be with a dying parent or to attend the funeral or a loved one are just ninnys and should have just shown more 'British Bulldog spirit'.

They need to stop playing the politics and the person, and start reporting the news.
This is the news.

He has admitted, and described in great detail, that he broke the lockdown rules. He just doesn't think it matters.

DC and BJ are taking us all for mugs.

In the long run I don't think it will make any difference to anything.