Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Matt Hancock Crying

209 replies

alfieum · 08/12/2020 14:48

I just watched the clip and I thought rather then crying it looked like he was laughing. Anyone else think it was weird. I was expecting him to be quietly emotional after this shit show of a year But no, it looked like he was covering up the giggles. Anyone else think this or am I on my own.

OP posts:
OutwiththeOutCrowd · 08/12/2020 15:51

I think he might be playing into the hands of Spitting Image but wouldn't blame him at all for getting emotional at this juncture.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 08/12/2020 15:53

I think 'a gentle push on buttered stairs' might just be my new favourite phrase Grin

MrsMiaWallis · 08/12/2020 15:56

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit

I think 'a gentle push on buttered stairs' might just be my new favourite phrase Grin
It's amazing
Rabbitholebonkers · 08/12/2020 16:00

I have laughed a lot at funerals and I feel absolutely terrible for doing it. It’s embarrassing, and mortifying. I often don’t make a bee line for grieving people now in case I do it. I think it’s something to do with having an abusive father as a child. I was never allowed to cry. Obviously I’m not saying that’s what’s happened to Hancock but it’s definitely got something to do with it for me.

tara66 · 08/12/2020 16:03

I did not see him crying. I don't think cabinet ministers have ever been seen crying on TV and I prefer it like that. Stiff upper lip; leadership; backbone and all that.

BillMasen · 08/12/2020 16:05

@tara66

I did not see him crying. I don't think cabinet ministers have ever been seen crying on TV and I prefer it like that. Stiff upper lip; leadership; backbone and all that.
Is this part of the narrative that men shouldn’t cry, or do you feel the same about female ministers showing emotion?
jessstan1 · 08/12/2020 16:08

I haven't seen it but he has worked hard towards this so reacting with tears is a natural reaction. I doubt he will be happy about it being public later on and will probably say he had something in his eye :-). He probably was both laughing and crying.

yetanothernamitynamechange · 08/12/2020 16:09

I think he was emotional. I dont think he is the most competant person out there, but I think he has probably been working very hard trying his best, which is something I can sympathise with and is therefore exhausted. I have simiilar feelings to him as to Theresa May.

yetanothernamitynamechange · 08/12/2020 16:11

@tara66

I did not see him crying. I don't think cabinet ministers have ever been seen crying on TV and I prefer it like that. Stiff upper lip; leadership; backbone and all that.
I think he was trying very hard not to cry, thats why it looked quite strange. If he was American it would have been much more of an open cry. For some reason, people trying not to cry and failing/almost failing (especially men) makes me way more emotional than people just crying.
tara66 · 08/12/2020 16:11

Bill - Is that pedantic? I'm not sure. I think ''cabinet ministers'' is not a sex.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 08/12/2020 16:11

He's a crocodile.

Tears are neither unknown, nor a sign of grief.

category12 · 08/12/2020 16:13

Seemed like he was laughing to me too.

Original poster
alfieum · 08/12/2020 16:14

A mixed bag of responses here. I am still not sure how I feel. Laughed quite hard at the tweet NaturesEnd posted though.

OP posts:
Redcrayons · 08/12/2020 16:15

Call me a cynical old witch bit looked a bit fake to me.

Looked like he was kind of smiling at William Shakespeare and leaned into ‘you're a bit emotional’.

Fair play to him though, he’s has a tough job in a really Shit year.

TheSexFaceOfEddieRoxy · 08/12/2020 16:18

I'm not keen on him but he's had a hell of a year. No one could have predicted this shitshow, and he's the one who will be hung out to dry when Bozo needs to shift the blame. As the person responsible for H&S at my job I've had to become very knowledgeable about public health this year, it was just a given that I would be the responsible person and it's been terrifying. I'll be cutting him some slack for his reaction.

FatCatThinCat · 08/12/2020 16:18

I thought it was the first bit of honesty he's shown us. He's shit at his job, he's been in the spotlight all year so that everyone can see that he's shit at his job. Now finally he has a slither of hope that he can slip back into being a run of the mill, mediocre politician. I'm not surprised he's emotional.

BillMasen · 08/12/2020 16:23

@tara66

Bill - Is that pedantic? I'm not sure. I think ''cabinet ministers'' is not a sex.
No it’s not, clearly

I was just wondering as the “must not show emotion, stiff upper lip” thing is often applied to men.

category12 · 08/12/2020 16:25

Personally I think he was have a bit of a giggle to himself about William Shakespeare, got caught and feigned being teary.

Applesonthelawn · 08/12/2020 16:25

Slightly awkward but I'm prepared to totally give him the benefit of the doubt. It's been an awful year, he's worked extremely hard, it's unprecedented, he's been ill, he lost a family member, and more than any of that, the relentless feeling of responsibility and obligation must have been almost overwhelming. I'm sure Sunak feels the same. It's been a thankless task for them all and I think we should recognise that. Anyone could all let emotion get the better of them after all that.

yetanothernamitynamechange · 08/12/2020 16:27

The line between laughing and crying is very very fine. Its entirely possible even he didnt know which he was doing.

VinylDetective · 08/12/2020 16:27

You know that saying about not knowing whether to laugh or cry? He epitomised it. It was one of the most honest and human responses I’ve ever seen a politician make. I detest this government and everyone in it but Hancock earned my grudging respect when I saw that.

DailyCandy · 08/12/2020 16:28

His poor wife.

MarshaBradyo · 08/12/2020 16:29

Just watched it. It’s just pure relief. Not crying but relief laughter which is close.

Listening to Kate Bingham this morning, who was excellent, she had a little moment of relief laughter on a line. Not as much but it’s true the pressure has been immense for people having to deal with solving it all.

sticksticks · 08/12/2020 16:30

@alfieum

I just watched the clip and I thought rather then crying it looked like he was laughing. Anyone else think it was weird. I was expecting him to be quietly emotional after this shit show of a year But no, it looked like he was covering up the giggles. Anyone else think this or am I on my own.
Laughing can be an emotional, nervous response in the same way that crying can be.