Dominic Cummings

The evidence for what needed to be done was in front of their eyes. It's not just hindsight. It was blindingly obvious what needed to be done.

It's all smoke and mirrors in a den of thieves.

I'm waiting for the film.

icanhandthemback

I wouldn't believe everything Dominic Cummings said, nor what any Government said. There was a lack of "evidence", a "no, I am not letting you see the messages," and an agenda to put the knife into his enemies. Somehow, by lack of information, we are to believe that Mr Gove was innocent of all the accusations (anybody smell a rat) and that with all the concern DC had, he was happy to break the rules with his trip to Durham Castle.
There were lots of accusations which, as part of a conversation and in context, would be perfectly acceptable. Anybody in charge of an economy might ask whether we should lock everything down when it was a specific part of the population who was affected. That would not mean I wasn't going to protect the ones who would be disproportionately affected.
In the early days, I was more dismissive of the affects of the virus because we had heard of so many potentially life threatening viral infections before which had come to nothing. There is no doubt we were complacent but I have seen little to suggest that any other Government would have done differently.
Hindsight is such a wonderful thing so I am more inclined to wait for a proper wide reaching inquiry to get a balanced version of events.

The evidence was available towards the end of February with the number of deaths in Italy, hospitals overflowing, bodies in coffins piling up, no travel between cities without good reason and police road blocks.

We should have know and done more back then

Maybe the next question to Cummings should be "Do you watch Blackadder?"

What if this is a careful plan, so that people don't believe what is true, just because Cummings says it is?

Baldrick: I have a cunning plan.
Edmund: Yes, perhaps, but I think I may have a more cunning one.
Baldrick: Well, mine’s pretty cunning, My Lord.
Edmund: Yes, but not cunning enough, I imagine.
Baldrick: Well, that depends how cunning you mean, My Lord.
Edmund: Well, pretty damn cunning. How cunning do you think I mean?
Baldrick: Well, mine’s quite cunning, My Lord.
Edmund: (fed up) Alright, then, let’s hear it! Let’s hear what’s so damn cunning!
Baldrick: Right, well, first of all, you get him to come with you–
Edmund: Oh yes, very cunning. Brilliantly cunning. I ask
him to come with me and then…then stab him, perhaps. How cunning can you get?

“We” haven’t put ourselves up for the job of Prime Minister! BJ et al did unfortunately. If Cummings is a “liar” how about BJ who has been sacked from a few jobs for lying.

Ah well! I'm going to go down a rabbit hole for a moment.

So many people have said they don't believe a word Cummings says, yet much of what he said was true and can be corroborated.

What if this is a careful plan, so that people don't believe what is true, just because Cummings says it is?

katy1950

I wouldn't believe a word he said he's been sacked I'm sure his recollection would have been different had he still had his job

His recollections would probably have been the same, but he would have kept his mouth shut.

Caro57

It’s all very well these people moaning and criticising what was / wasn’t done. It would be interesting to hear what they would have done in the circumstances at that time - not with hindsight

There were plenty of people who were saying what should be done.

MayBee70

I’m sure that Germany had developed good covid tests very early on in the pandemic and thought that they’d offered to share them with us but I’m going from memory here.

Yes I can remember exactly that as well.

I’m sure that Germany had developed good covid tests very early on in the pandemic and thought that they’d offered to share them with us but I’m going from memory here.

Delay in locking down by Johnson has, according to scientists cost up to 33k extra deaths.

It seems Cummings was correct.

You could possibly get away with that argument over the first covid wave, but by the second and subsequent you simply cannot use that argument. Indeed it is a tenuous argument at best even for the first lock down. Johnson had access to the best minds in the world for advice, together with the knowledge of what was happening in other covid hotspots in the world and the success or not with which it was being dealt with.
Much of his comments seemed very much like Trump’s remarks at the time.

There is no evidence that Johnson learnt from his mistakes, indeed, June is looking problematic, as we know that lockdown is anathema to him, regardless of the suffering not locking down might cause and he has been dragged into one, each time against his will.

“Let the bodies pile up”

Hear hear Mollygo ??

Caro57

It’s all very well these people moaning and criticising what was / wasn’t done. It would be interesting to hear what they would have done in the circumstances at that time - not with hindsight

? Never going to happen. Every claim now owes at least a little to hindsight. Even saying at the time, “I wouldn’t have done ‘that’. You should have done ‘this’” was based on actions that had taken place.
I can’t see how hearing someone who lied when it suited him, saying the government is lying suddenly makes him truthful and trustworthy.
Everyone has learnt how to do it better next time.
However, there are aspects of what went on that still need investigation and that’s what I’m waiting for.

Kali2

What about the PM? Now there is a dress code and a half- and his hair! Makes Cummings look very stylish!

I have to admit that was the thought that came to my mind when I saw the criticism. Dress is a funny old thing though, isn't it? I have a feeling DC's style says exactly what he wants it to say.

I watched most of it - can't stand the lying toad. Johnson should have never employed him - makes Johnson look even worse. But given the choice of Corbyn or Johnson there was no alternative and I am disappointed in Keir Starmer's lack of personality - seems dead from the neck up. Let's hope things improve.

It’s all very well these people moaning and criticising what was / wasn’t done. It would be interesting to hear what they would have done in the circumstances at that time - not with hindsight

D.C. is no different from any other politician irrespective of the colour of their banner - why tell the truth when it may hurt you - lies are the tools of the politician's trade!! As someone who broke the rules at the beginning of the lockdown with pathetic excuses, I wouldn't believe him if he told me today was Friday!

What about the PM? Now there is a dress code and a half- and his hair! Makes Cummings look very stylish!

I must have missed something. What was wrong with how he dressed?

Nothing whatsoever
If you're going for a run.

I always thought that the way he dressed was part of a carefully constructed image, so that people did think he was a "baddie".
I wouldn't be surprised if he'd kept a tailored shirt, smart trousers and leather lace ups in a locker at No 10 and just changed clothes for the cameras.
carefully constructed image

growstuff

Kayteetay1

It was the best tv drama in years. Despicable man, despicable ill prepared government. Both as bad as each other.

I don't think Cummings has ever given two hoots whether people like him. You only have to look at how he dressed to realise that he wasn't the slightest bit bothered about how people judged him. I always thought that the way he dressed was part of a carefully constructed image, so that people did think he was a "baddie".

The issue is how much of what he claimed is true - I actually think much of it was.

I must have missed something. What was wrong with how he dressed?

Shame he didn't do this before the last election!! People might have thought twice about where they cast their vote. He obviously has his own agenda but I wouldn't mind betting that at least half of what he's said is true. I don't know why but I've never liked Hancock he gives me the impression of being very sly. I'm sure there's a lot more to come.

I wouldn't believe a word he said he's been sacked I'm sure his recollection would have been different had he still had his job

This made me laugh (and cry) today- no idea who wrote it

THE NEWS THIS WEEK.

A liar has accused liars of lying. The liars responded by lying and said the liar was lying. This news was brought to you by liars who have lied about the liars and the liar, but please keep reading our lies, voting for the liars and above all, keep believing the lies.