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?

[Mojoj]

I couldn't agree more. I still can't believe all the people who didn't see their parents/friends/families etc because the Government told them not to. WTF?. Mind you, these are probably the same people that are happy for the Government to tell you what you have to put into your bodies. Wake up!!

[SickAndTiredAgain]

I said this on the other thread, it’s not even the party specifically that pisses me off the most.
Its them all standing there, lying, again and again. And we know they’re lying. They know we know that. Everyone knows, but they’ll just keep lying until it goes away. It’s the outright arrogance. “We all know I’m lying, but I’m going to keep repeating that all guidelines were followed until you all get back in your box and stop daring to question me”

[Twilight7777]

YABU they broke their own law. And clearly found it funny judging by that press conference 🤨

[Unmerited]

@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!!

People died alone. Did you miss that?

[89redballoons]

OP, you admit yourself that we don't have the kind of government we can trust to provide good leadership, and we can't trust them to follow the rules they make themselves. That is something to be upset and angry about in itself. Practically and philosophically, it's a bad thing for any country.

I think that the government breaking the law is worse than OP breaking the same law. In the government's case it's hypocritical, whereas at least OP isn't telling anyone else to follow the law.

[Littlescottiedog]

@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 wasn't advice, it was illegal. The Tier 3 restrictions made it illegal to meet in gatherings of two or more people who weren't from your household or support bubble, except for the slight relaxing of rules for the two or three days over Christmas (when you could have, I think, eight people from 3 households? I forget now).

Just the day before the party, a wedding had been broken up by the Met police and people fined for gathering together. Then Downing Street had a party of around 40-50 people and a few days later they were laughing about it.

That's why people are pissed off.

[Iwantmyoldnameback]

Op you do know that people died alone because of the rules, laws, guidelines, call them what you want. My conscience is clear although I suspect yours is too.

[OneRuleForThem]

I just feel like people are angry because they feel personally cheated out of a Christmas last year when the people setting the rules had a nice one and my only response is…WHY did you listen to them expecting moral high ground from the government, and Boris Johnson, of all people!

[PinkiOcelot]

Not maybe. Definitely!

[AssassinatedBeauty]

The vast majority of people are lawful and usually obey the law. That shouldn't be surprising in a civilised society. Not to mention that many people have jobs where breaking the law would have consequences for them. And also bearing in mind that some of us have clinically vulnerable relatives and most wholeheartedly didn't want to risk giving them covid at Christmas.

Then there's the matter of principle and some basic human decency. These are the people who are passing emergency legislation to make these covid restrictions law. They are prepared to lie endlessly to cover up that they couldn't care less about following their own laws, whilst endlessly exhorting everyone else to follow them. It's just amoral at a very basic level.

[Sandsnake]

I didn’t listen to Boris et al, I listed to Chris Whitty and the scientists. I listened to them because I understood how much of an issue Delta was, and that we were living in a pre-vaccine world where the shit was hitting the fan regarding Covid. I listened because I knew how serious it was and I couldn’t live with myself if I knew that I was part of the problem.

I sacrificed my Christmas with my family. So did everyone that I know in my area (we were tier 4). We were helping people not to get Covid. I was not ‘robotically following guidance’.

[OneRuleForThem]

@Mojoj

I couldn't agree more. I still can't believe all the people who didn't see their parents/friends/families etc because the Government told them not to. WTF?. Mind you, these are probably the same people that are happy for the Government to tell you what you have to put into your bodies. Wake up!!

This is exactly how I feel. And the people mostly admonishing are the people who loudly criticise the government anyway for any other given situation. So my opinion is: WHY did you listen to them? I think the government is a joke so I certainly didn’t listen to their advice and allow myself to be a punchline

[MoonriseKingdom]

I’m in no way surprised but certainly disgusted. Just prior to that many people had to close their businesses for most of November at what is peak time for a lot of retail. Just a couple of weeks later our children had to stay home from school for months. This wasn’t a last opportunity to see an elderly relative, it was a Christmas piss up and watching Allegra Stratton giggling about it shows how little regard they have for ordinary people.

[Blueemeraldagain]

My anger isn’t so much about events (like visiting family on Xmas day) where, as you say, people did have an element of choice but about events where we truly had no choice. I had to pick and choose a tiny group of people who were allowed to attend my mother’s funeral because there were restrictions in place that there were no getting around. She died was than 10 days after this party.

[MasterBeth]

Fucking hell, OP, the reason I didn’t break the rules last Christmas wasn’t because I’m some gullible goody-two-shoes desperate to follow government rules like you appear to suggest, but because the new Covid variant was spiralling out of control, with a direct threat to tens of thousands of lives.

Yes, I am FUCKING INCENSED that the government set the rules and broke the rules and I am angry , if not surprised, that people like you were happily breaking the rules too, breezily unconcerned if you had Covid or spread Covid, as long as you had a lovely family Christmas.

[Kitkatchunkyplease]

Well good for you.

I don't care about Christmas but I do care that my mum recently died alone because we were following the rules, and yet time and again the government don't need to follow rules that they put in place. It's the lying as well that is the worst bit. Like we are all stupid.

[Ifartglitterybaubles]

We lost my sister to Covid, she was 47. We couldn't go to the funeral because we were following the rules at that time. My mum watched her daughters funeral on facetime because she couldn't travel the 300 miles as she was shielding. She died of Cancer 6 weeks later. WE followed the rules this Government set whilst they threw parties and laughed about it. If you honestly can't understand why this is an issue or why people are angry then I don't know what else to say.

I can't even... I am beyond angry.

[madroid]

What are you talking about OP? FFS!!

Your Prime Minister - whose only power and status comes from the fact that the majority of people voted for him to take up the role of PM - LIED to you.

This is the man making decisions that affect everyone in the UK - almost 70 million people. AND HE'S A BLATANT LIAR.

If you're okay with that then you need help.

Boris Johnson has to resign. He's lied to parliament and the electorate. He must go.

[Skysblue]

You’re surprised that people think the leaders should be leaders? I’m not sure you under how leadership is supposed to work.

Yes, it does matter if the leader of a country creates a law that students get fined £10,00 each for breaking, then breaks it himself (while the police permanently stationed on his doorstep look the other way). Yes, it does matter if the leader of the country routinely breaks the law and lies about it. No, everyone does not behave like this. British politicians, pre-BJ, did not behave like this. No British Prime Minister ever in the entire history of the country has treated the country’s laws and citizens with the contempt that Boris Johnson routinely displays.

And no, everyone did not ignore the lockdown laws like you did. If they had, there would be thousands more dead bodies in the ground.

But you carry on congratulating yourself.

[longwayoff]

You have not, presumably, had to pay a hefty fine for breaking guidance or waved your last farewells to a relative whose funeral you were not permitted to attend. Good for you. Thousands did and are mightily pissed off. Hope that helps you discover some empathy.

[AutumnLeaves21]

I work for the nhs. It was the law, not a suggestion, and I’d have been risking my job if I’d have flouted there rules. I worked Christmas Day, the one day rules were ever so slightly relaxed, and didn’t see my family or Friends at all over christmas. I’m absolutely disgusted in this shameful government. I am outraged by the lack of repercussions for those involved.

[goodgollygosh23]

People didn't do it 'just because Boris told them not to.' They went on the advice of government and scientists who are supposedly the experts and made their own responsible choices to try and protect their loved ones.

Would you still have this attitude if someone in your family had died after contracting covid at Christmas last year?

It's wasn't a case of blindly following rules, at least not for me. We were trying to do the right thing and protect each other.

Boris et al having a party after fining others for having gatherings is disgusting but nothing less than what I'd expect of this corrupt Tory government.

[MollyBloomYes]

Thing is though it wasn't just a case of 'oh don't listen to them and do what you want' (although I would and did follow the rules anyway because it was the right thing to do for trying to not overwhelm the nhs). Booked events were cancelled. Including my son's 5th birthday event. Cancelled the day before we were meant to go. I sobbed after telling him because he was so fucking brave and resigned about it and no bloody 5 year old should have to be that resigned and that used to their exciting plans being cancelled. Meanwhile adults decades older than him who should have known better, who made the fucking rules in the first place decided they shouldn't have to go without. A 5 year old was better able to handle the disappointment of not having his party go ahead than the leaders of our country. That's outrageous and shouldn't be dismissed as one of those things

[Blueemeraldagain]

@Blueemeraldagain

My anger isn’t so much about events (like visiting family on Xmas day) where, as you say, people did have an element of choice but about events where we truly had no choice. I had to pick and choose a tiny group of people who were allowed to attend my mother’s funeral because there were restrictions in place that there were no getting around. She died was than 10 days after this party.

Sorry.

less than 10 days after this party.

[FOJN]

I didn’t know so many people actually listened to them

We weren't looking to them as role models we were obeying the law, clearly you think they don't apply to you.