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Original poster

Do you feel sorry for Boris?

999 replies

User133847 · 27/01/2021 12:56

Seeing the headlines in the papers today and there seems a lot of sympathy for him. The front pages see him looking really forlorn and sorrow regarding the death toll.

When you think a year ago he was planning on ushering in what he deemed as a golden age of Britain. Now 12 months later it's in tatters.

I can understand the sympathy, but wonder whether a Labour PM would be offered the same.

OP posts:
Carlislemumof4 · 27/01/2021 23:00

@NoWordForFluffy

It's the government's job to balance health and the economy, looking back I think it's true to say they probably did their best with the info they had at the time.

If you think that then there's no hope for you.

I utterly despair of people who are so hell bent on supporting BoZo that they're disregarding fact.

Actually I see enormous hope for both myself and my family. Because we're lucky enough to live in a country which is among those at the forefront of research in to the virus and vaccine development.

The government could have made different lockdown decisions. The virus would still have mutated, there would still have been a big wave through this winter period. Harder and longer lockdowns would have meant financial hardship for many more individuals and families. Generally, the people I know who offer this criticism are financially secure, either professionals working in the public sector or with large amounts of assets/savings or retired on comfortable pensions. With comfortable homes and gardens to lockdown in.

Msmcc1212 · 27/01/2021 23:08

No. No. And no.

He wanted to be PM, not because of any core values or desire to lead. It was for power and prestige. He was never fit for the job - his previous employers said as much.

He ruffles his hair and shirt before getting off planes because he wants to appear like ‘the common man’. His words as he gets off the plane are ‘show time!’. He is putting on a show now too. Acting like he gives a &@:% about anyone other than himself.

I agree with PP that he’s starting to pave the way to resign because he’s got what he wanted for himself and now can’t hack the stress and wants an easy life again. Selfish runs through him like a stick of rock. His actions as a parent tell you all you need to know. I can feel empathy for pretty much anyone but not him. He deserves nothing from us.

NoWordForFluffy · 27/01/2021 23:08

Maybe the government has done its best. Its best is fucking piss poor and they should be ashamed of their collective incompetence.

inquietant · 27/01/2021 23:12

The government could have made different lockdown decisions. The virus would still have mutated, there would still have been a big wave through this winter period.

This is incorrect, the mutation was likely a result of the poor decisions - mutations have occured in Brazil, SA and UK - all countries that have not tried to control transmission.

The lockdown we are in now is the result of the choice the government made not to control transmission.

Whatwouldnanado · 27/01/2021 23:16

No. He is a dangerous egomaniacal fool and a coward to boot. The sooner he goes the better.

mouldygrapes · 27/01/2021 23:22

“This is incorrect, the mutation was likely a result of the poor decisions - mutations have occured in Brazil, SA and UK - all countries that have not tried to control transmission.
The lockdown we are in now is the result of the choice the government made not to control transmission”

100% agree with this ☝🏼. And no, I don’t feel even the tiniest bit of sympathy for Johnson. He needs to be responsible and accountable and OWN his (repeated) failures

Carlislemumof4 · 27/01/2021 23:27

@inquietant

The government could have made different lockdown decisions. The virus would still have mutated, there would still have been a big wave through this winter period.

This is incorrect, the mutation was likely a result of the poor decisions - mutations have occured in Brazil, SA and UK - all countries that have not tried to control transmission.

The lockdown we are in now is the result of the choice the government made not to control transmission.

We and SA do a greater amount of genome sequencing. There will be unidentified variants everywhere.
IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 27/01/2021 23:32

@Hawkins001

The bottom line, Boris is one person, and we have all seen on different shows , eg commander in chief, the west wing, the good wife, ect and the various power plays from various different sources and groups, then imagine trying to guide the general public on trying to keep them safe, ect with those and other factors I've probably missed, you imagine your self in Boris, shoes, then ask yourself whether you think you could better ?
Yup I'd have done better by listening to scientists about lockdown and not giving all the PPE funding to my pals.

Just those two things would have made a massive difference.

Let's not pretend he tried his best eh? Waste of time for all of us.

IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 27/01/2021 23:34

This is the FT's take on his efforts.

Do you feel sorry for Boris?
Tunnocksmallow · 27/01/2021 23:40

Do I fuck as like

ForeverInADay · 27/01/2021 23:41

No. I have absolutely no sympathy for that arrogant man.

His inertia in February and March last year is totally unforgivable. They knew we had increasing numbers of cases yet he was on tv telling people going to large events (including in stadiums) was fine. A week later we are locked down and apparently have an estimated 100,000 cases a day 2 weeks after that!

Then, even worse, when it became apparent numbers were rising again late last year, he left it to the last point to make a decision to lockdown. Both times his inability to make a decision even when being given good 'scientific' advice meant he left it until there was only one decision to make. The ridiculously slow reaction led to more deaths and a much longer lockdown (and hence impact on the economy, children, etc) TWICE!

And don't get me started on PPE procurement craziness, building hospitals we can't actually staff (good PR I assume), lack of closing borders last year, inadequate border protection now,....I could go on!

WildHorsesRunInMe · 27/01/2021 23:42

Absolutely not. He's massively incompetent amongst other things.

inquietant · 27/01/2021 23:43

We and SA do a greater amount of genome sequencing. There will be unidentified variants everywhere.

The science I read suggests the variants are much more common in the countries that didn't try to control transmission - but yes, expect variants in USA, Mexico etc. I don't know about Europe.

But there won't be variants in places with very low rates.

Yohoheaveho · 27/01/2021 23:44

A bit because I would hate to be in that position
but I know I shouldn't

inquietant · 27/01/2021 23:46

@IncludeWomenInTheSequel

This is the FT's take on his efforts.
I think this basically accurate. Plenty of people will still support him - they are conservatives, or pro-brexit, or just like him. But he has handled this pandemic very very badly and shown himself to be pretty much devoid of leadership skills.
Raaaaaaarr · 27/01/2021 23:47

No!! He is awful

Starsky82 · 27/01/2021 23:48

Yes, as ultimately he’s a human being and I know I certainly wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. I actually wonder how much say he has in these big decisions, I get the impression he’s railroaded and has to do what he’s told 🤷🏽‍♀️ This doesn’t mean I’m at all happy with the way the country is being run at present!

inquietant · 27/01/2021 23:50

I get the impression he’s railroaded and has to do what he’s told

Confused by whom?? He's the Prime Minister

Have heard this from focus groups 'oh he's just the figurehead' 'he has to do what they say'... a new theory every day.

AllegedlyChaos · 27/01/2021 23:51

He pushed Theresa May out for this, so he deserves it.

Hawkins001 · 27/01/2021 23:56

@inquietant

I get the impression he’s railroaded and has to do what he’s told

Confused by whom?? He's the Prime Minister

Have heard this from focus groups 'oh he's just the figurehead' 'he has to do what they say'... a new theory every day.

Just because your prime minister, do you believe, that suddenly having the title, makes everyone obey ?
ohfourfoxache · 27/01/2021 23:57

It’s probably an appropriate time to post this quote from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy....

“ It is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”

Hawkins001 · 27/01/2021 23:58

I understand your perspectives, but I never said he did his best.

inquietant · 28/01/2021 00:00

Just because your prime minister, do you believe, that suddenly having the title, makes everyone obey ?

Who do you think is in charge then? A shadowy conspiracy?

People don't 'obey' but he's the prime minister, he is in charge of the machinery of state.

Yohoheaveho · 28/01/2021 00:01

I feel he is one element of a 'perfect storm' which has led to us being so badly hit
It is extremely bad luck to have this happen on his watch and at the start of it, especially as he seems to be the wrong personality type for this kind of situation, not to excuse his errors but it's not his fault that he is not the right man for this crisis
...the 'hour' cameth to and was foisted upon the man, rather than the man responding to the calling.

I don't know, who would have been better?
what past leaders can we assemble to make up a dream team🤔

Yohoheaveho · 28/01/2021 00:03

he is in charge of the machinery of state
Even so there will be constraints on his power? it's not like he has complete free rein 🤔