Oh - Sunak and Johnson are now isolating

[Dustyboots]

How more confusing can this get?

It can get way more confusing as Boris gives us his "freedom" day speech in the midst of a massive surge from his bunker whilst he self isolates 🤣🤣

It beggars belief that no-one around has the strategic foresight to think that the PM and Chancellor avoiding isolation, at a time when public compliance with idolisation is at best sketchy, might just not go down well with the population?

And that making an instant u-turn on that piss poor decision won't fix the damage that has now been done?

I just can't understand it - is it deliberate?

The whole testing / isolating period in different scenarios eg pinged, told by T & T, household contact, positive case, been abroad etc needs a serious overhaul and fast to give people clarity and confidence. Oh yes and save lives.

@ChequerBoard

It beggars belief that no-one around has the strategic foresight to think that the PM and Chancellor avoiding isolation, at a time when public compliance with idolisation is at best sketchy, might just not go down well with the population?

And that making an instant u-turn on that piss poor decision won't fix the damage that has now been done?

I just can't understand it - is it deliberate?

Completely agree. The first thing that sprang to mind with this fiasco was the question of PR and optics. It just looks SO bad and I can’t believe that nobody chipped in and said something.

I can’t believe that nobody chipped in and said something

They’re all too busy sticking their thumbs in the massive holes in all their other policies.

Let’s face it, we’ve given the reins of this country to a bunch of chimpanzees. They don’t know what they’re doing and have no capacity to plan or risk assess unintended consequences. These are the people who were crowing last year that there was absolutely no way anybody could have foreseen an increased demand for PCR testing when the schools returned.

How fortunate that he was at his countryside retreat when he found out he needed to isolate for 10 days

@Lemonmelonsun

It can get way more confusing as Boris gives us his "freedom" day speech in the midst of a massive surge from his bunker whilst he self isolates 🤣🤣

This gives me a sense of schadenfreude if I’m honest. A man so desperate for his shining moment of glory looking like such a hypocritical twit as a result of his own leadership.

@ChequerBoard

It beggars belief that no-one around has the strategic foresight to think that the PM and Chancellor avoiding isolation, at a time when public compliance with idolisation is at best sketchy, might just not go down well with the population?

And that making an instant u-turn on that piss poor decision won't fix the damage that has now been done?

I just can't understand it - is it deliberate?

My guess is that their egos are so big, they think they can get away with things.

@Cornettoninja, I know, you are right - I am just so angry about it all.

Zero respect for Boris and his cronies

It smacks of Boris and co. surrounding themselves with extreme yes men & women. That's so bloody dangerous, the complete lack of self-awareness and any checks and balances on the stupidity is breathtaking. This bunch of clowns are doing the country real lasting damage.

Where is Sir Humphrey? He would never have stood for his PM behaving like this??

(Yes Minister for those not old enough)

Me too @RoseRedRoseBlue. I can’t believe anyone can look at this cabinet and think they’re doing a good job, and at a time most people are reasonable enough to concede this is a particularly turbulent period to govern through.

I’m willing to bet their slavish devotion to easy wins through populist lip service is going to be rebranded as ‘democracy’ and ‘serving the people’. They couldn’t lead a dog never mind a country.

I’m allergic to Blair and Cameron but held up against this lot they look like sterling leaders. At this point I’m almost willing to knock democracy on the head and give the queen a bash.

@ChequerBoard

It smacks of Boris and co. surrounding themselves with extreme yes men & women. That's so bloody dangerous, the complete lack of self-awareness and any checks and balances on the stupidity is breathtaking. This bunch of clowns are doing the country real lasting damage.

Where is Sir Humphrey? He would never have stood for his PM behaving like this??

(Yes Minister for those not old enough)

All whiffs of commun ism.

Cornetto you are speaking my language. This is the worst ‘Government’ in my lifetime by a country mile. It’s just diabolical and they don’t even pretend to give a nod to decency or integrity.

They're an utter shower of shit. I cant believe they thought they could re-brand their rule breaking as a pilot scheme and get away with it.

Well I'm guessing they suddenly realised the whole bollocks of "pilot scheme" was going to get torn to pieces very quickly.

OK so ignoring the batshit and rather random 'communism' comment...

Where are the PR advisors? Why is there seemingly no analysis of optics prior to blundering into the next gaffe? They aren't even learning from their numerous past mistakes.

The disappointment is that it is self-isolation and not solitary confinement in a prison cell awaiting criminal charges.

@ChequerBoard it’s not really that surprising that they’ve managed to surround themselves with people as inept as they are; they’ll be using themselves as a benchmark when building their teams. I’ve seen it numerous times on a smaller scale in workplaces; rot starts from the top down in human hierarchies.

[quote Cornettoninja]@ChequerBoard it’s not really that surprising that they’ve managed to surround themselves with people as inept as they are; they’ll be using themselves as a benchmark when building their teams. I’ve seen it numerous times on a smaller scale in workplaces; rot starts from the top down in human hierarchies.[/quote]

Yes I agree with that for their own inner circle paid for by the Con party.

But where are the impartial career civil servants such as the permanent secretaries with their balanced views and advice? Or why are they being so comprehensively ignored?

@Westfacing

I think the game was up when the editor of The Sun, on the Andrew Marr show this morning, was scathing about them not isolating.

Like it or not that rag is very influential - tomorrow's edition would have been calling for their heads.

Yet another government ruled by newspaper headlines when nobody even reads them anymore.

Boris is so spineless.

Many people on MN quote newspapers so I’m guessing quite a few people read them.

Most of the new COVID plans are leaked to the newspapers before they are announced to see how the public react

It’s a good question @ChequerBoard. The two possibilities I can think of are that we’ve previously had decent layers of leadership to counter any incompetency at that level or they’re being unilaterally ignored and people are stepping away. Would that make the media?

I don’t think I’d want my tenure in those kinds of position linked to this current government. I’d be off.

I agree this is worst government / cabinet ever.
They mostly all weak inexperienced yes men.
I don't know who the advisors are since dom left.
He was meant hire allegra Stratton as us style press secretary to go along with new garish studio.
Is carrie running the show now?

Surprised comments made by Robert this morning I don't like the guy at all but at odds with what government are doing.

I do believe matt Hancock was taken out deliberately to destroy the old health policies.
Javid would sell his granny to get ahead so desperate for a cabinet post hes willing to overlook high profile spat and being sacked by Boris.

Where the feck is having worst education secretary ever.

Goves keeping very low profile for a reason to swoop I maybe when Boris fails.

The only one seems any good is Dominic raab he seems be keeping himself out trouble and being very diplomatic.
Grant at travel seems more confident than the others but still doing a shit job.
Anyway travel corridor won't matter if Europe ban us.

@CrowdedMouse

I do agree with Tony Blair, BJ shouldn't be isolating. He's had 2 jabs and a negative lateral flow test - he should be in Downing Street running the country.

No surprise the nonsense coming out of Blair's mouth. We all know his views on the disabled and ill. Unpleasant to say the least.

Vaccinated people can still be infectious. They are still a risk to other people. Whether it depends on which vaccine as to how much, I don't know. I vaguely remember something about Pfizer studies suggesting that it might reduce transmission. I don't know if that's the case.