Why now???

We did abide by the rules in lockdown so did all our family and friends as did most of the population. Some people may have broken the rules and probably got away with it. The government should not break the rules they dictate to the public. It might be a while ago but their behaviour should not be brushed under carpet just because of the passage of time.

There is a big division in our country between the people who abided by the rules, wore masks (and many still do) to protect others and those who never kept to the rules because they thought that the rules did not apply to them and they didn't give a toss for anyone else.

And we all know which group Johnson falls into, don't we?

On 25th April 2020 I hugged my grandson. I couldn't help it. We'd met up on a walk and all kept our distance but it was DH's birthday and DD and the DGSs ambushed us with presents and balloons. We had to stand far apart. But I couldn't not hug the wee lad. Felt so guilty and naughty about this transgression. That's what I'm thinking about now.
Boris must go.

Varian I really did keep to the rules and still do but that one time sticks in my memory as I felt so bad about it.

The Why now question fascinates me.

However, even more intriguing - how come more Tories didn’t get COVID, get hospitalised and/or die of it, given the obviously massive disregard for rules that were deemed the only things to keep us safe before vaccines?

Did I miss the reporting of the serious consequences of those actions?

What fascinates me is that people still think that the rules were to "keep us safe". The rules were not to keep you and me safe, they were to stop us all getting ill at the one time. And you'll remember that for a while members of the government were dropping like flies, and we don't get to hear about the civil servants.

Are there any figures for MPs etc you’re aware of Alegrias?

I remember checking aircrew at the time and their figures were pretty low considering the close proximity/time conditions under which they work.

Aveline

Varian I really did keep to the rules and still do but that one time sticks in my memory as I felt so bad about it.

Feel a bit bad, but don't beat yourself up about it, especially where a child is concerned.
If it helps I too skirted the rules on a couple of family occasions. One like you was totally unforeseen.
I also exercised more than the allowed once a day by taking the dog on two walks, but I put no one in harm's way.

Pantglas2

Are there any figures for MPs etc you’re aware of Alegrias?

I remember checking aircrew at the time and their figures were pretty low considering the close proximity/time conditions under which they work.

Not that I'm aware of Pantglas2. I've got to go and do something but I'll have a look later.

And many of us adhered to the rules, however difficult...

But the scumbag in Downing Street never thought the rules applied to him or his friends

100% we did not break any rules whatsoever. We lost a family member during lockdown as did many others. I will never accept BJ and his feeble apology. He turns my stomach.

Our family, like so many others, kept to the rules 100%

How can I ever get rid of the feeling that Boris Johnson and his friends were just laughing at us for obeying the rules that he spelled out but totally ignored>?

Alegrias1

What fascinates me is that people still think that the rules were to "keep us safe". The rules were not to keep you and me safe, they were to stop us all getting ill at the one time. And you'll remember that for a while members of the government were dropping like flies, and we don't get to hear about the civil servants.

I agree with Alegrias1 comment.

it was to stop the hospitals being overwhelmed so to stop us all getting ill at the same time!

Dominic Cummings….. Takes one to know one.

it was to stop the hospitals being overwhelmed so to stop us all getting ill at the same time!

"Three weeks to flatten the curve", they said.

Why now? Dominic Cummings.

They really aren't 'reading' the country are they? MPs must be getting a bit worried about how their constituents are taking this. Surely they'll see the need to get rid of Boris.

Sorry for the rushed ending to my OP. Got the dreaded request from DD to pick DGD up from school as she had tummy ache.

Elaine 1 . So I would be allowed to sit in a stuffy small office next to A, B and C from 9.00 til 12.00 and 1.00 til 5.00, but not sit in the fresh air next to them from 12.00 til 1.00? That is not how I saw the rules. We weren't in a public park, nor meeting friends purely to have lunch. I know that as some of our meeting rooms are so small with no windows, some meetings were actually held outside to keep everyone safe.

I won't tell you about our birthday cake event, but we did have one.

However , I really didn't want this post to result in the inevitable, and by now very tedious, slaging match about BJ's ineptitude. We all know that! My question still remains, WHY NOW? If those in the know, and I include the press in this, had spoken up after the Christmas event, all this would have been stopped straight away and last summer's garden gatherings would not have happened.

I’ve posted this on a similar thread. I think the original poster of this thread has described a different environment and activities to those investigated by Sue Gray.

I have no particular party political axe to grind.
And I certainly find the alleged conduct of people in No.10 to be utterly lacking in rules/guidance observance and in empathy with the people they are supposed to serve.
I have worked in positions where the leader of the organisation was brilliant but flawed. The brilliance achieved things that many people enjoy today that they/we wouldn’t otherwise. The flaws were managed and mitigated by an effective team surrounding and inspired by the leader.
Politics aside, BJ has some notable achievements as PM; there were an awful lot of very senior civil servants and politicians in Team Downing Street; and I just wonder whether we should throw the baby out with the bath water?
I haven’t made my mind up yet. I will be really interested to see the full report, as this taster from Sue Gray (and I’m only commenting on the news reports not from a reading of it) appears to be objective. I’m going to wait for the full report before I reach my personal judgment.



So you don’t think the PM knew about the party that actually took place in his own flat that is in the part of the report that has been released?

MayBee70

So you don’t think the PM knew about the party that actually took place in his own flat that is in the part of the report that has been released?

Sorry , is that to me?

AviaParva

I’ve posted this on a similar thread. I think the original poster of this thread has described a different environment and activities to those investigated by Sue Gray.

I have no particular party political axe to grind.
And I certainly find the alleged conduct of people in No.10 to be utterly lacking in rules/guidance observance and in empathy with the people they are supposed to serve.
I have worked in positions where the leader of the organisation was brilliant but flawed. The brilliance achieved things that many people enjoy today that they/we wouldn’t otherwise. The flaws were managed and mitigated by an effective team surrounding and inspired by the leader.
Politics aside, BJ has some notable achievements as PM; there were an awful lot of very senior civil servants and politicians in Team Downing Street; and I just wonder whether we should throw the baby out with the bath water?
I haven’t made my mind up yet. I will be really interested to see the full report, as this taster from Sue Gray (and I’m only commenting on the news reports not from a reading of it) appears to be objective. I’m going to wait for the full report before I reach my personal judgment.



So. Do you think Johnson knew about the party that took place in his flat that was mentioned in the part of the report that has been released? And, if you do believe it do you think it was right given that other people weren’t allowed to have parties?

MayBee70

AviaParva

I’ve posted this on a similar thread. I think the original poster of this thread has described a different environment and activities to those investigated by Sue Gray.

I have no particular party political axe to grind.
And I certainly find the alleged conduct of people in No.10 to be utterly lacking in rules/guidance observance and in empathy with the people they are supposed to serve.
I have worked in positions where the leader of the organisation was brilliant but flawed. The brilliance achieved things that many people enjoy today that they/we wouldn’t otherwise. The flaws were managed and mitigated by an effective team surrounding and inspired by the leader.
Politics aside, BJ has some notable achievements as PM; there were an awful lot of very senior civil servants and politicians in Team Downing Street; and I just wonder whether we should throw the baby out with the bath water?
I haven’t made my mind up yet. I will be really interested to see the full report, as this taster from Sue Gray (and I’m only commenting on the news reports not from a reading of it) appears to be objective. I’m going to wait for the full report before I reach my personal judgment.



So. Do you think Johnson knew about the party that took place in his flat that was mentioned in the part of the report that has been released? And, if you do believe it do you think it was right given that other people weren’t allowed to have parties?

Maybe you should read my post ? See in particular (to your question); my reference to “the alleged conduct of people in no.10” and my final paragraph.