Will he resign?

I can’t see how Johnson will ever get back from this. He is majorly wounded from his actions and decisions.

If I were writing a novel or a film script, I'd let the characters "get Brexit done" - that was the election promise. Then I'd let the main characters resign/be sacked and get the minor characters to pick up the pieces and sort out the ensuing chaos. Meanwhile, I'd be relaxing somewhere, boasting about having done my job and distancing myself from the chaos - and writing my memoirs and laughing at people.

Grandad1943 Keir Starmer made a very powerful and moving live speech yesterday. You can find the recording of the broadcast on Twitter, either on his feed or that of Owen Jones (amongst other).

Maggiemaybe It is my honest belief that playing with people's heart strings is/was the intention. The whole political scene has become like a real life soap opera.

Some of the Conservative backbenchers, including those on the 1922 Committee, have said some strange things. I think they're sussing out what's going on. I just hope they're brave enough and haven't left it too late to act.

But yes growstuff of course he is looking at the bigger picture. It is what a good leader does.

Starmer is not the sort of leader to seek the limelight imo, he quietly does the job he is paid to do with class and dependency.

Yes I think Starmer is playing a long game. He has done well so far.

grandad I don’t think it troubles you at all.

Starmer first let the Tories do all the damage (a well known tactic) and then after the TV debacle he called for Cummings resignation.

If Starmer has any sense (and I think he has), he'll be looking at the wider picture.

I honestly think that public anger and disgust is precisely what the puppet masters want.

Nan0, very early on in this thread I played devil’s advocate and wondered what I would do if desperately worried about the well-being of a 4 year old (with autism, as it turns out) if both parents became seriously ill.

To be honest I would have had sympathy for anyone in this position if that was the true scenario. Including DC if as a public figure he had made a sincere and public apology for breaking lockdown and heading to where he could get support from those who could care for the child.

He hasn’t though. And Johnson has publicly ripped up the rule book for his crony. The sheer arrogance and disdain for the general public displayed by both of them is breathtaking.

I think this is very different to a conservative/labour divide, I have voted labour pretty much all my life, but have never been of the view that Tory equals evil. I don't think Ken clark for example was a bad man ( his views on Europe are closer to my views that Corbyns for example) I dont think Major was an evil man, I didnt agree with his policies but I think he was doing what he thought was the right thing. This government is different, I no longer view them as a conservative government, they are morally bankrupt, and beyond contempt.

For those who seem to believe that this debacle has the potential to being down this government should I feel "get real", for that will not happen. The Tories have a eighty seat majority in which many Tory MPs will in this situation just look to their own political survival, and through that their survival in their parliamentary seats.

To add to the above parliament is not in session at present and will not be for almost another two weeks and therefore no votes can be taken on any issue at present.

Johnson is, I feel, very aware of the foregoing and therefore taken up the stance that he has in regard to Cummings.

However, it may be that Johnson could be brought down as Prime Minister should the Labour party be astute in maintaining this issue in the public discussion over the next two weeks. That stated, the Labour leadership will be required to be much more to the front with the media than they have proved to be since this debacle first came to the publics attention.

By example to the above, all that seemed to come from Kier Starmer yesterday was a written statement read out on the BBC news. He should have been in front of the cameras leading the public disgust and anger immediately following Johnson's statement of support for Cummings.

Although it troubles me to say it, Starmer could have taken a lead and lesson from Tony Blair by way of his actions in times of great public anger, upset and concern. He was always up in front of the media putting into words exactly what was in Joe publics mind.

We're going to be in a pickle if NHS staff start resigning because of this debacle. But who could blame them? It really must feel like they've been "spat in their faces", especially after 10 weeks of being applauded for their selfless efforts.

The thing is you cant have it both ways nano. Either the rules of lockdown were important or they weren't. If they weren't it was this government that imposed them.

Nan0 - it isn't a witch hunt. There is absolutely no comparison between what a public servant, whose salary we pay by the way did in breaking the guidance he helped write. and the desperate plight of 'boat people'. whataboutery never helps an argument and it does nothing to support yours.

I think that what many are beginning to understand, and what many in the Tory party have understood for many years is that Johnson is a deeply flawed character who is utterly dependent on another deeply flawed character - Cummings.

Words fail me Nan0.

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williamsom squirming on the today prog r4 now

Williamson dying on the radio

Gavin Williamson wheeled on this morning. You know the one - sacked for leaking security secrets and then lying about it.

Well said Grannynannywanny. We need to stick with it. Look after ourselves and keep to the original guidelines as far as possible. We mustn't do anything against our own best interests - and the interests of the rest of society.

This whole thing stinks and I think there's more to it than meets the eye at the moment.

An NHS doctor working in a COVID-19 intensive care unit has said he will resign by the end of the week if Dominic Cummings has not done so by then - and said other NHS staff will most likely follow.
Dr Dominic Pimenta, a cardiology registrar, tweeted a picture of himself wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), saying: "This stuff is hot and hard work. Haven't seen my parents since January.

"Frankly, Cummings spits in the face of all our efforts, the whole NHS. If he doesn't resign, I will."

You're welcome NfkDumpling. I think I might be sticking to the classic fairy tales in future. That one has too many holes in it.

Thank you Growstuff for the article.

We all know now that Boris saw fit not to sack him. If he had an one ounce of integrity he would resign. No chance of that happening. Tories old boys' club springs to mind!