To ask if your essential meetings involve sitting around in the garden with wine and cheese, with your spouse in attendance?

[AlexaShutUp]

So the justification for the pictures of Boris in lockdown is that they were essential work meetings and therefore allowed. The wine and cheese was apparently because people were working long hours. I have seen no explanation of why Carrie was present.

Do you have essential work meetings of this nature? I don't.

AIBU to think that, in the midst of a pandemic, I'd rather that our decision makers stayed off the booze while carrying out their essential functions? And that unelected individuals who are not employed by the government in an official capacity have no business sitting in on such meetings?

'It's like the rest of us don't work hard in our jobs, or weren't working hard at the time. Many keyworkers also spent hours each day with their co-workers, yet despite spending all day with each other (as some have argues on this thread those in the pictures did), they all had to leave at the end of the day to go home.'

Well those pictured in the 'scoop' will have left at the end of the day and gone home too. Despite all the suspense there is no actual evidence yet of all night parties and raves.

I have friends and family who worked throughout and meeting in communal areas (without an essential note pad and pencil case to keep minutes) did happen. The nhs used to frequently order in takeaways where they sat together to eat them! Indoors! I know it is truly shocking isn't it 🙄.

JJ you'll have a few tough and unrewarding months ahead trying to defend the shower in charge. Save your neurons.

It's like the rest of us don't work hard in our jobs, or weren't working hard at the time.

Remember those two girls who got arrested for sitting on a park bench with a coffee? They probably had or were having a hard day too.

@JaniieJones

'I think in the rush to blame Boris and the Conservatives for everything, critical thinking and reading ability seems to have gone out of the window. Didn’t Keir Starmer have drinks after work with people as well. Why no mention of that incident. Drinks were indoors instead of outside'

Exactly.

He was out campaigning and having a meal at the end of the day. He wasn't at home so couldn't pop into the kitchen, he was in Durham which is a fair stretch of the legs from London so presumably he had to eat somewhere and then maybe on overnight stay. He didn't have his wife and children with him as far as we know so it wasn't the same. Plus he didn't make the rules and obviously the one who makes the rules should definitely set an example.

@JaniieJones
The nhs used to frequently order in takeaways where they sat together to eat them! Indoors! I know it is truly shocking isn't it 🙄.
Was there much wine being drunk? Did people people's partners come along too with the baby?

@gogohm

I admit I've been to meetings and drank alcohol, can't remember eating cheese but certainly crisps etc. yes I've been at meetings with my ex (obviously before he was ex) .

I can't get too riled up about this, not like the parties last December

Thanks for your input, very insightful.

@JaniieJones

'I think in the rush to blame Boris and the Conservatives for everything, critical thinking and reading ability seems to have gone out of the window. Didn’t Keir Starmer have drinks after work with people as well. Why no mention of that incident. Drinks were indoors instead of outside'

Exactly.

What is your definition of "critical thinking" - the Tories are great?

'What is your definition of "critical thinking" - the Tories are great?'

Where have I said that! Anywayyy.. that isn't what this thread I'd about is it? ironic that you should mention critical thinking tbh.

The thread is about people at work sitting outdoors. It wasn't a party and I feel sorry for those who think that it constitutes a 'party'.

@JaniieJones

'It's like the rest of us don't work hard in our jobs, or weren't working hard at the time. Many keyworkers also spent hours each day with their co-workers, yet despite spending all day with each other (as some have argues on this thread those in the pictures did), they all had to leave at the end of the day to go home.'

Well those pictured in the 'scoop' will have left at the end of the day and gone home too. Despite all the suspense there is no actual evidence yet of all night parties and raves.

I have friends and family who worked throughout and meeting in communal areas (without an essential note pad and pencil case to keep minutes) did happen. The nhs used to frequently order in takeaways where they sat together to eat them! Indoors! I know it is truly shocking isn't it 🙄.

What about what about what about!!!!!

Give it a rest.

FFS they were not at work. They were in a garden at their workplace, not socially distanced, eating cheese, drinking wine and being sociable. How anyone can honestly honestly think this was a business meeting, god alone knows.
Look at the two sat on the lawn! Look at Carrie plus baby! Look at the body language....
As much as you say 'this wasn't a party'... I agree... no it wasn't. It was a social occasion breaking the restrictions and not a business meeting.

The more some posters defend this, the more ridiculous they are sounding. Please don't feel sorry for those of us with our eyes wide open.

There is a huge difference between an all night rave (let's leave that to Gove shall we?) and a social get together to have a drink, kick back, eat cheese, catch up, relax.

It really doesn't have to be an all night rave to be breaking the restrictions set by those in power.

@JaniieJones

'What is your definition of "critical thinking" - the Tories are great?'

Where have I said that! Anywayyy.. that isn't what this thread I'd about is it? ironic that you should mention critical thinking tbh.

The thread is about people at work sitting outdoors. It wasn't a party and I feel sorry for those who think that it constitutes a 'party'.

They're not at work!!

Nobody's said it was a party, it's just not a work meeting and whatever you want to call it, it was against the rules

'FFS they were not at work. They were in a garden at their workplace'

Calm down! There were work colleagues at their workplace, sorry if that is so very hard to grasp.

There were work colleagues at their workplace, sorry if that is so very hard to grasp.

It seems to be hard for you to grasp the fact that the presence of colleagues in a workplace does not equate to people actually working.

It seems clear from the photos that they were not working, but having a social gathering with colleagues and some family members. The fact that this gathering took place in their workplace does not mean that it was within the rules.

Working my arse. Why was future Mrs J and baby there then? The rules prohibited social gatherings. They made the rules and spouted them on a daily basis at the time. It's inexcusable.

Janiie you do love the 'unclench' and 'calm down' posts... they honestly do you no favours whatsoever!

I can perfectly grasp the situation, thanks. I'm with just about all of the posters on this thread. Maybe you need to grasp the situation if we are going down that route?!
A social occasion. Not a 'work meeting'. Laughable to think otherwise.

@JaniieJones

'What is your definition of "critical thinking" - the Tories are great?'

Where have I said that! Anywayyy.. that isn't what this thread I'd about is it? ironic that you should mention critical thinking tbh.

The thread is about people at work sitting outdoors. It wasn't a party and I feel sorry for those who think that it constitutes a 'party'.

Can you explain what you mean by the term "critical thinking" then instead of just sneering at people you don't think are capable of it? We might get some insight then.

By your reckoning Janiie.... this was a 'business meeting' too! At Tory Party HQ.

After all, they are all work colleagues and they are all at their workplace! (never mind the hot and cold buffet!)

@JaniieJones

'What is your definition of "critical thinking" - the Tories are great?'

Where have I said that! Anywayyy.. that isn't what this thread I'd about is it? ironic that you should mention critical thinking tbh.

The thread is about people at work sitting outdoors. It wasn't a party and I feel sorry for those who think that it constitutes a 'party'.

His now wife then partner/fiancee/girlfriend whatever and baby weren't at work. If there was a work meeting going on she shouldn't have been there because of covid rules and because she has no right to be at govt meetings, if it wasn't a work meeting she could be there with Boris.

@gogohm

I admit I've been to meetings and drank alcohol, can't remember eating cheese but certainly crisps etc. yes I've been at meetings with my ex (obviously before he was ex) .

I can't get too riled up about this, not like the parties last December

Did you go to meetings at govt level? Did you go to them when we were in a lockdown? If not it isn't the same is it.

I think people defending Boris and Co should have a think. Your defense of them is actually making me angrier about it, I bet there are others who feel the same. Ministers telling us rubbish is also making it worse.

The only thing to do in this situation is to put your hands up, admit they were wrong and they should apologise.

I have friends and family who worked throughout and meeting in communal areas (without an essential note pad and pencil case to keep minutes) did happen. The nhs used to frequently order in takeaways where they sat together to eat them! Indoors! I know it is truly shocking isn't it 🙄'

'What about what about what about!!!!!'

'Give it a rest'

'Give it a rest'. Whataboutery. Great debate, well done you!

Look, the whole point of restrictions and guidelines was to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. These people had worked together all day, so sitting in a communal area outdoors discussing work issues was not increasing anyone's risk was it?!

It isn't 'Whataboutery' to point this out. Work colleagues up and down the country sat indoors and outdoors in communal areas discussing work related issues and this was allowed. Pals in your house? no, because that is socialising. Honestly it's no wonder they had to issue step by step simple guidelines repeatedly is it.

Ahhhh we're 'idiots' now!

I hope you're 'clenched' about the pic I posted! I wonder what was in that hot buffet, hope it was a good curry

It wasn't allowed. The guidelines were no socialising after work. I CBA to find it but I saw it.

"In person meetings should only take place if 'absolutely' necessary"

Think that covers it nicely.

Look, the whole point of restrictions and guidelines was to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. These people had worked together all day, so sitting in a communal area outdoors discussing work issues was not increasing anyone's risk was it?!

Don’t know, one for the medics, but I would have thought that if you are in the company of somebody who is or might be a spreader the disease it’s best to minimize time in their vicinity (am I correct in thinking that at one point there was a time one of the criteria used by T&T).

Frankly I would have thought overall the sensible thing to do if one was required to go to work would be go, get “it” done, then when done get out of Dodge PDQ, not hang around for a “gathering”….

The nhs used to frequently order in takeaways where they sat together to eat them! Indoors! I know it is truly shocking isn't it

Ordering a takeaway to the ward so you can all grab the chance to eat something during your shift isn't the same as having an after work garden party. People have to eat! They don't have to mingle in large groups after work, erect a bloody drinks table, invite their wives/partners, so they can all knock back the wine at taxpayers expense and have the brass neck to call it "work"!