Missing in-action

Boris missing in action- what’s new? He’s taking all the advantages with none of the responsibilities. Has government come to a standstill with lots of legislation put on hold? Whilst the Tory leadership candidates concentrate on self promotion and trashing opponents junior ministers are running the show. Why do we have a deputy Prime Minister if not to step up in this sort of situation.

Well said Dickens.

Doodledog

Zonne

But COBRA’s role is not to issue warnings. It is to decide on actions at a national level.

Indeed.

I don't know if people are missing the point or just determined to defend Johnson even in the face of such an obvious snub to the people of the country he's supposed to be leading.

I don't know if people are missing the point or just determined to defend Johnson even in the face of such an obvious snub to the people of the country he's supposed to be leading.

I think there's a lot of missing-the-point. Whether we agree with the decision or not the government have declared a national emergency and having done that are obliged to co-ordinate a response of the various agencies and services should this be necessary. And Johnson, even if he doesn't contribute much, needs to know what's going on, at least, and be satisfied that everything's in hand. I mean, it is his job isn't it to be informed, and make decisions about the country he's running on behalf of the people who voted for his party (and those who didn't)? I just don't understand why some don't get that.

I'm pretty sure - should there be a crisis that has been mismanaged during this particular heatwave - some of those complaining about being 'nannied' would be among the first to ask questions as to why the government didn't do this, that or the other.

I'm also sure that Johnson probably doesn't essentially need to be physically present and that he can be briefed after the meeting BUT, having missed too many other previous COBRA meetings during a crisis, his laissez faire approach to this one simply comes across as uncaring and indifferent. Had he not missed the previous ones (5 in all I think) he could probably have avoided this one without much notice or comment.

Yet somehow, we're being unreasonable and having a 'hate-Johnson fest' for pointing out the fact that the man just isn't doing the job that his party elected him to do, and which the taxpayer is paying him to do!

Maybe we're all 'oh-Jeremy-Corbyn' leftie-wokes determined to bully the man out of office ?

Personally, as much as I dislike this current Tory government and their PM - I think they made the right decision to decide this was a national emergency and feel that they are damned because they did and would quite likely be damned if they didn't. So in this instance, I will defend the government's decision, because I'm not out to attack them purely for the sake of it. They are not 'nannying' us, nor trying to 'control' us (as some on FB believe), they are simply and sensibly being pragmatic. Like Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts, they are being Prepared.

I don't hate him I just don't rate him. I find the relish with which Boris is bashed amusing really. As previously stated most don't have a good word to say for him yet seem to insist that he has to be seen to be doing, well, anything. He's history. He's not the only one in government there are many ministers and there is a legion of civil servants to keep the show on the road. Don't panic!

Aveline

Yes

Do you think, then, that he is actually doing any of his job?

And if not, should he be forced to leave now?

Criticism of the PM is usually dismissed as Boris Bashing. I find myself dismissing the apologies made for him in the same way. I can't call it bashing but then I can't think of a catchy alternative. Johnson Jingoism? Boris Bragging?
Why would he be interested in a COBRA meeting? He never did learn that the devil is in the detail, did he?

Aveline

Yes

So why call other posters “haters”?

Kit Malthouse has just said that it is actually his job to chair COBRA meetings.

Yes

Yes, he should chair it. He should have enough oversight of government functions to have asked, when this was first mooted, relevant departments to bring recommendations to COBRA. Then he should be informed enough to either quickly and decisively sign off on what his ministers consider key actions., or have a clear rationale for rejecting some or all of them.

He should have broad budgetary oversight, too, and be liaising with the Treasury, via the Chancellor, on the cost implications of his decisions.

And he should be able to brief Parliament, and, if necessary, the country on what is being done, by whom, when, and why.

Are those of you who don’t think he should have been there suggesting.he isn’t capable of these fairly basic parts of his job?

Actually Dickens said it much better !

He’s still PM. Aveline, do you think he should get to just do nothing ? What could he contribute to cobra meeting ? I don’t know any more than I know what the other participants could contribute, but he should attend.

Aveline

My point yet again is what do think he'd actually contribute to this meeting? It's a meeting. Waffly words like 'leadership' aren't specific enough. Do you mean he should chair the meeting? Do you think he'd be a good chair? I don't. Do you want a photo op showing his attendance? If he had attended most of you would scoff and say, 'What good would that fat buffoon contribute?'

Perhaps you’d like to explain what exactly you think his role is in this interim period if you don’t think it’s to attend meetings about an unprecedented emergency serious enough to warrant an urgent COBRA meeting and make the necessary decisions for the country *Aveline? Is that less important than his Chequers party?

My point yet again is what do think he'd actually contribute to this meeting? It's a meeting. Waffly words like 'leadership' aren't specific enough. Do you mean he should chair the meeting? Do you think he'd be a good chair? I don't. Do you want a photo op showing his attendance? If he had attended most of you would scoff and say, 'What good would that fat buffoon contribute?'

Quite. I’m baffled by the idea that people think shirking and skiving are okay.

Zonne

But COBRA’s role is not to issue warnings. It is to decide on actions at a national level.

Indeed.

I don't know if people are missing the point or just determined to defend Johnson even in the face of such an obvious snub to the people of the country he's supposed to be leading.

But COBRA’s role is not to issue warnings. It is to decide on actions at a national level.

Yes I did see where the hottest weather is expected to be Chestnut, but my point was that it’s only predicted to last a couple of days, so doesn’t necessitate the PM to say or do anything as the Met office has already given out all the necessary warnings.

JenniferEccles

Can very hot weather lasting just a couple of days really be called a national emergency, requiring the PM’s undivided attention?
Honestly?
According to my weather app the temperature is due to drop by about 15 degrees on Wednesday at home in the south east and by Tuesday here in the south west where we are on holiday.
In fact rain is forecast Tuesday.

Look at the weather map. The south west, Wales, and even the south east are not the hot spots. It's the centre of the country, London northwards which are going to get the high temperatures.

Aveline

Good leaders know when others are better informed and more appropriate to attend.
I don't know why I'm arguing on his behalf! None of you have any faith in him so why would you want him there? You all just want another excuse to slag him off. Look. He's history. Yesterday's man. Look to the future. Who will you be hating next? It's so exciting!

Aveline

You all just want another excuse to slag him off. Look. He's history. Yesterday's man. Look to the future. Who will you be hating next? It's so exciting!

If you're convinced that this is all about "hating" and think there's no justification in holding Johnson to account - then any rational debate is impossible. And the idea that we (who are critical of Johnson) are automatically going to 'hate' the next incumbent indicates that you are just annoyed that the consensus of opinion goes against him.

This is not a hate-fest. The country is facing some real problems, and we need a PM who takes these problems to heart and takes them seriously enough to fulfil the role that he was elected to do. The very least he could've done was to make an appearance at the COBRA meeting - he possibly didn't need to even sit through the whole session, simply assure himself that everything was in hand - and then he could have left. It really doesn't look like he cares, and that is what is annoying and aggravating people.

But you can't see it can you? Would you be so forgiving if this was a Labour party we were talking about, and Starmer had excused himself on so many occasions from such meetings?

Don't think you can tell me about how good leaders behave Aveline. Just don't presume to do that. Especially when we're talking about Johnson.

The man who thinks he should stay on as PM out of duty but goes to a party instead of confronting the problems of tomorrow.

He’s not, of course, a good leader..

And neither, for as long as the lazy toad is being paid to be Prime Minister, is he history.

Good leaders know when others are better informed and more appropriate to attend.
I don't know why I'm arguing on his behalf! None of you have any faith in him so why would you want him there? You all just want another excuse to slag him off. Look. He's history. Yesterday's man. Look to the future. Who will you be hating next? It's so exciting!

Aveline

volver good leaders delegate. Presenteeism isn't always necessary. It would be more useful to have Baggs there by the sound of it!

What a ridiculous excuse. Presenteeism, for goodness sake. Good leaders lead.

Aveline

volver good leaders delegate. Presenteeism isn't always necessary. It would be more useful to have Baggs there by the sound of it!

Why does have to delegate ? Couldn’t he just turn up for once ?