BS: UK thread, Politics and political

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 24 May 20 - 03:32 PM

"because enough dismayed conservatives are already doing it themselves..."
Not Really PFR - more likely because he's another Blair in sheep's clothing
Beware of knights bearing gifts
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 May 20 - 04:20 PM

right now even Blair would be better than boris... [..sigh of despair..]...

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Raggytash
Date: 24 May 20 - 04:52 PM

You may remember the course of action that Catherine Calderwood, Chief Medical Officer of Scotland, took when she flouted the guidelines.

She apologised "I am deeply sorry for my actions and the mistakes I have made" and resigned.

She had not been in a household with someone already infected, she was not infected herself.

Cummings was in a household with an infection person, was beginning to show signs of infection himself, and chose to drive 260 miles to the home of elderly people.

Just how much rope does it take.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Raggytash
Date: 24 May 20 - 05:13 PM

From today press (my capitals)

"Three members of SPI-B, the Sage subcommittee providing advice from behavioural scientists to government on how the public might respond to lockdown measures, reacted with disdain to Johnson’s defence of Cummings.
Prof Stephen Reicher, of St Andrews University, tweeted: “I can say that in a few short minutes tonight, Boris Johnson has TRASHED all the advice we have given on how to build trust and secure adherence to the measures necessary to control Covid-19.
“Be open and honest, we said. TRASHED. Respect the public, we said. TRASHED. Ensure equity, so everyone is treated the same, we said. TRASHED. Be consistent we said. TRASHED. Make clear ‘we are all in it together’. TRASHED.
“It is very hard to provide scientific advice to a government which doesn’t want to listen to science. I hope, however, that the public will read our papers … and continue to make up for this bad government with their own good sense.”
He was backed by Prof Susan Michie and Prof Robert West

Can Cummings survive this?

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 24 May 20 - 05:19 PM

I've said on other platforms that if the end result is that if other people follow Cummings example and the infection rate starts going up exponentially again, the 10s or 100s of thousands of deaths would be Johnson's problem, nobody else's.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 24 May 20 - 05:27 PM

So will Michie and West take public health seriously and send copies of their papers to every household, or aren't we entitled to be treated with respect?

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 24 May 20 - 05:46 PM

So will Michie and West take public health seriously and send copies of their papers to every household, or aren't we entitled to be treated with respect?

I hope they make them publicly accessible at least. Of course, I am sure there are confidentiality clauses, but I bet Keir Starmer can brief them (or arrange an independent lawyer to brief them) on the relevant whistleblower protections.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 May 20 - 07:32 PM

Even if cummings is booted out,
he'd still remain an essential influencer in Boris's close social circle...

All he'd be deprived of is the formal job title..

If he loses a salary, he's bound to still have his nose in many other lucrative troughs...

The pair of them are either too arrogantly stubborn, and thick,
if they think they can fool us all and weather the storm..
Or maybe there is something fishier going on...???

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 May 20 - 11:18 PM

And, as always, the brilliant John Crace puts his finger fairly, squarely, and firmly on the button.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 25 May 20 - 01:42 AM

Laura Kuenssberg summarises the position quite neatly, I think.

"Did the prime minister manage to shut this mess down today? Not even close."

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 25 May 20 - 02:03 AM

In the best of circumstances in the film 1917, Benedict Cumberpatch playing a colonel, told the lance corporal to fuck off. Now, in the worst of circumstances johnson should tell cummings to do the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 May 20 - 02:26 AM

And the country should tell Johnson precisely the same.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 25 May 20 - 02:29 AM

The country will have its chance to do that at the next generous erection!!

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 25 May 20 - 02:37 AM

I think come the next press conference there will be a lot of questions to the scientists of the form "How you answer this puts your scientific integrity on the line: Has the ability to interpret the childcare clause based on convenience rather than necessity put the strategy at risk, as some SPI-B members are claiming?"

Of course, the journalists will be able to phrase the questions better, but something along those lines seems very likely.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 25 May 20 - 05:27 AM

Says it all really

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 25 May 20 - 06:03 AM

What is being said to every British parent is to feel free to avoid the safety advice at the risk of everybody's safety - lethal message added to chaos
Some of his leading ministers are turning on him, some demanding an enquiry into the mishandling of the whole crisis
In the slim likelihood of that happening, Johnson will, no doubt resort to the Trumpish tactic (now being used by Netanyahu in his corruption trial) of claiming there is an establishment plot to unseat him
Entertaining if nothing else
Keep safe
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 25 May 20 - 06:12 AM

The SNP have tweeted:

I will be putting in an Early Day Motion tomorrow. 7 words. 'This House believes Dominic Cummings must go'.

OK, with an 80 majority the PM is unlikely to lose, but the MPs will be well aware that their vote will be referenced come the next election. They will find themselves somewhat torn, having seen their own emails from constituents and reading that a "Good Morning" poll says 79% of people think Cummings should go.

I am sure most will back the PM, but they will all be very uncomfortable about where that could end up for them personally.

The most entertaining would be if Johnson lost the vote, but ignored it, as he is entitled to under the rules.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 May 20 - 06:49 AM

If he had any self respect at all Cummings would fall on his sword for Boris. Of course that would leave bozzer without a puppet master.

Sunak for PM anyone?

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 25 May 20 - 07:02 AM

If back-benchers put party before people, opposition parties need to make sure that the lackeys' contributions to the debate are not forgotten by constituents. Hansard can be quite handy for this.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 25 May 20 - 07:10 AM

Before we forget that we pay Cumming's wages.

https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/dominic-cummings-salary-revealed-as-spending-on-special-advisers-rises

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Shug Hanlan
Date: 25 May 20 - 07:27 AM

MICE AND MEN

The riverside has two new mice
we released them just today
they'd moved in during lockdown
but we couldn't let them stay.

We hope that they'll be safe
and stay away from cats
that's more than I can say
for certain Tory rats.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 May 20 - 11:01 AM

Run Rat Boy, run...

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 May 20 - 11:03 AM

Some young wazzock from Guido Fawkes on BBC News just now, wittering and whingeing on about how ‘unfair’ it is that Cummings has been ‘hounded’ by the media about his Road Trips. Funny thing - Guido didn’t think it was ‘unfair’ when Corbyn was being hounded by the media about complaints of anti-semitism brought by a pro-Israel/anti-Palestine group over the past year or two.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 25 May 20 - 12:36 PM

Courtesy of James O'Brien (slightly modified)

(q) What has 730 arms, 730 legs and 16 backbones?

(A) The parliamentary conservative party.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Raggytash
Date: 25 May 20 - 12:47 PM

You couldn't make this up. Cummings said in his press meeting that his eyesight had been playing up and he did not want to drive to London because he was unsure about it.

He got in his car and drove 30 miles and he wasn't sure about his eyesight.

If I had doubts about my eyesight I won't get behind the ******* wheel in the first place.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: peteglasgow
Date: 25 May 20 - 01:27 PM

did cummings really say about where he was staying 'it isn't a house -it's more a few concrete blocks'? really?- i think we need to see a photo of these blocks

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 25 May 20 - 01:37 PM

Cumings bleated that he did nothing wrong as the rule allow people to use their judgement. Someone in his position of authority and responsibility - not to mention a £99,999 tax payer paid salary need to apply good judgment, otherwise they are failing within the responsibilities related to the job, particularly where it influences national policies that we are all expected to abide by.

I hope that as a result of this dismissal on the grounds failure to apply good judgement will automatic be deemed unfair or wrongful dismal and subject to retrospective reinstatement and compensatory awards.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 May 20 - 01:47 PM

(Look vulnerable in a skinny white shirt...walk across the garden with a stoop...sit down at a trestle table with your nervous, twitchy legs full in view...speak quickly but be hesitant too...make yourself look like a rabbit caught in the headlights...keep wittering about the same thing...mutter about how flawed you are and how many mistakes you've made, but not about this...let your notes flutter in the breeze...don't lose your temper or sound testy whatever you do...avert your eyes nervously as eye-contact isn't a good look...whatever you do you have to look like the exact opposite of the mean-minded, ruthless, power-crazed lying git that you really are...)

"Sorry I'm late..." (the apologies ended there...)

Didn't Vicky do a great fill-in! Give that woman a bonus!

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 May 20 - 01:59 PM

After that convincing heartfelt press conference,
I've changed my mind and shamefully realise how wrong we've always been about him..

Mr Cummings is a noble humanitarian, a self sacrificing hero the nation should be proud of;
and he must be honoured with a knighthood immediately...!!!

The disgraceful treasonous leftist BBC must be replaced with Guido TV...

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 May 20 - 04:00 PM

Where'd he get the petrol ?

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 25 May 20 - 04:06 PM

a magic petrol tree, next to the tory magic money forest...

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 May 20 - 04:16 PM

He was asked about topping up his tank. He bullshitted that he, er, couldn't quite remember (you'd have thought that an arch spin-doctor might have been ready for that one..). In a frugal car he might have just made the return trip on a full tank, but, considering he also did a sixty-mile return trip to Barnard Castle and a hospital trip...

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 26 May 20 - 02:32 AM

There are so many details that sounds odd in combination, even if individually they are plausible, For example the eyesight. I found this on a glaucoma site:


Coronavirus may cause pink eye — but it’s rare
If you see someone with pink eye, don’t panic. It doesn’t mean that person is infected with coronavirus. But health officials believe viral pink eye, or conjunctivitis, develops in about 1% to 3% of people with coronavirus. The virus can spread by touching discharge from an infected person’s eyes.


So lets assume the mid point 2%. One person in 50. Plausible.

But then we hear both he and the Prime Minister had it: as these are independent events, that's now one in 2500. Starting to look dodgy, wouldn't you say?

Then there is the odd detail of the four your old needing the toilet in Barnard Castle (Which I know well: my in-laws lived there for 15 years)

What we always did when the children were small was check if they had been to the toilet before we got in the car, even it was just a trip to the supermarket. You don't want to be stuck in a traffic jam in the middle of a housing estate with a wailing child wanting the toilet. So, as I say, we always ensured they went to the toilet before they left the house and I think all the parents I now did, often after bitter experience. So, they leave the house for a 'short' 30 mile drive and, while there, the child needs the toilet.   A day of so later, they take the child on a 260 mile drive.

Yes, I understand four year olds can be unpredictable in such matters. But it seems far more likely that either there was a lot more than the journey time between the two toilet trips, or else there would be several stops on the 260 mile journey.   So while not impossible, it is a curious detail that doesn't seem too likely.

Incidentally, if you suddenly feel unwell and have to sit and rest after taking 30 mile which was expressly to determine if you were well enough to do the 260 mile one the next day, wouldn't you conclude the answer is 'no'?

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 26 May 20 - 08:00 AM

it is slight pity there is no one to tell us the current approval rating for Johnson and the Government.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 May 20 - 08:00 AM

Posted without comment - none being necessary...

Why did Cummings scuttle off to Barnard Castle? A possible explanation....

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 May 20 - 08:02 AM

it is slight pity there is no one to tell us the current approval rating for Johnson and the Government.

Although I’m usually in complete agreement with you, on this occasion I must differ. This is a very much nicer place without the Tory Party’s Mouthpiece.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 May 20 - 08:09 AM

Perhaps worth mentioning too that, on the same day that GSK announced their deal with Sanofi to produce a vaccine, Idox - the company responsible for the government’s track and trace software - announced the appointment of a new director, someone called Alice Cummings.

Could just be two astonishing co-incidences, I suppose?

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 May 20 - 08:14 AM

First casualty of the Cummings defence - a Tory junior minister resigns - no doubt more to come
How nay feet has this feller got to shoot himself in
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Raggytash
Date: 26 May 20 - 08:22 AM

I think Cummings drives a Range Rover. The fuel capacity of those vehicles is 57 litres or 12.5 gallons.

Now the comsumption figure given by Range Rover for Extra Urban driving is 44.1 miles per gallon. (I've never managed to achieve manufacturers figures in any vehicle)

So 44.1 x 12.5 will give a maximum range of 551.25 miles

London to Durham          269 miles
Durham to London          269 miles
Durham to Barnard Castle 26 miles
Barnard Castle to Durham 26 miles

Total 590 miles ......………….Ooops!

Just one further point if he is unsure whether he filled up is a quick check on his bank statement. Would only take a couple of minutes.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 26 May 20 - 09:12 AM

From: Backwoodsman - PM
Date: 26 May 20 - 08:02 AM etc.

Yes, I agree about my post. Mistakes makes were made, lessons will be learned, I am sorry if you feel any distress.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 May 20 - 09:32 AM

I still discount his 'no alternative' excuse as complete bollocks..
In typical tory 'every man for himself' tradition,
he panicked and fled London in sheer mindless terror...

No alternative...???

What, one of the most powerful well connected men in the nation,
could not make a phone call to his elite inner work and social support circle
to fix up immediate professional emergency childcare cover.. Liar...!!!


Now to his dodgy road trip back to London...

He seriously expects us to believe a still unwell man of his importance to the prime minister
could not have asked to be provided with a driver and safe transport,
arranged at short notice on formal request to his employer...??????????????????????????... Liar...!!!

There was never any need for him to get behind the wheel for such a long drive,
that was his own bizarre arrogant reckless choice...

..reasonable, and integrity...??? double bollocks...!!!

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 May 20 - 11:28 AM

Mary Wakefield, Cummings' missus, can drive. Just thought I'd chuck that one in.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 May 20 - 11:46 AM

.. that's reassuring, two posh pillocks still recovering from serious illness,
sharing long distance driving duties...

.. with a vulnerable child on the back seat..

What responsible parents...

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 May 20 - 11:50 AM

.. Getting back to London urgently to resume important Govt work..

..or maybe sneaking back quietly before the boss discovered
he'd scarpered up north to mummy in panic...???

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 May 20 - 12:16 PM

So the guy with the dodgy eyes experimentally drove 60 miles with a sprog in the back and a missus who could have done the driving...

Mind you, Mrs Steve won't drive me anywhere. She reckons I'm a terrible passenger. Nothing to do, of course, with my noticing the sheer vandalism she inflicts on the transmission...

There's a very amusing post on twitter which I don't know how to link to. It's a photo of a castle with the caption and Specsavers artwork superimposed "Should have gone to Barnard Castle" :-)

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 May 20 - 12:20 PM

Next time I go to Specsavers I'll insist on sitting inside a car simulator as my eye test is carried out. It's the only way to make sure my eyes are working properly. Dom sez so...

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 26 May 20 - 12:31 PM

I have seen a lot of Specsaver jokes: they must be loving the free publicity.

One said they have installed a drive-in eye test centre at Brands Hatch.

It makes sense to me, The top line of the eye chart are dodgems, all the way down to Formula One for the bottom line.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 May 20 - 12:32 PM

Boris's popularity plummets

I suppose we have something to thank Dom for :-)


The Prime Minister now has an approval rating of below that of opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, and the ratings of other senior ministers including Dominic Raab and Matt Hancock have similarly tumbled.

And all this is in the Daily Heil! They will be telling us he is antisemitic soon... :-D

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 May 20 - 01:01 PM

Cummings (now there’s a name to conjure with!) must have some very interesting pics of Johnson.

Subject: RE: BS: UK thread, Politics and political
From: DMcG
Date: 26 May 20 - 01:23 PM

must have some very interesting pics of Johnson.

There's a known condition called 'Imposter Syndrome' where people feel they are in some way a fraud and people will find them out. It is quire common for stage comedians to have a fear that the audience will suddenly realise they are not really funny.

Boris seems, unfortunately, to be very like that. He fears Cummings is the only reason he has got where he is (I can imagine a "I made you - I can break you" conversation) so he fears that without him he would be exposed as an 'imposter'.

I am now sure what the term is for someone with imposter syndrome who really is an imposter.


I am reminded of a Melanie verse:

There was a man who thought to him his friends were all superior.
And this complex he imagined made life drearier and drearier.
Till his analyst assured him that he really was inferior
As the id goes marching on!