Video emerges of Tory Party HQ Party during lockdown

Hear, hear, eloethan.

I think what is far more offensive than a person using a word that some feel uncomfortable with is the absolute disregard those making the rules had for keeping them.

I wasn't particularly careful about sticking to the rules, as I thought many of them were stupid - like fining young men for having a snowball fight. However, I didn't make the rules, whereas the government did - and scared people half to death to the point that they were frightened to open their front doors.

NanaDana

Good post, Dickens, and spot on. We're not talking about Joe Smith of 32b Railway Cuttings, Anytown, here. We're talking about those who were in power and were actually laying down the rules for us to live by, who then not only knowingly broke those rules, but then cynically lied about doing so. "Get over it?" Not on my watch..

The "get over it" sneer is a cynical attempt to invalidate someone's concerns, to minimise them. Whatever the issue. And it's rather juvenile too IMO.

And it's usually because the listener or reader is bored or frustrated with the argument. Which is their problem - they can always opt out.

As I read somewhere, no one gets to tell anyone else to “get over it.

Absolutely Dickens.

Good post, Dickens, and spot on. We're not talking about Joe Smith of 32b Railway Cuttings, Anytown, here. We're talking about those who were in power and were actually laying down the rules for us to live by, who then not only knowingly broke those rules, but then cynically lied about doing so. "Get over it?" Not on my watch..

silvercollie

For Heavens sake! Did no-one else at all, break any rules??
No-one from the other Political Parties?
Give it a rest, people! This is just a nice big stick to whack the Conservatives.
So get over it! Please?

Yes - we've already acknowledged that various other people broke the rules. Maybe some from other political parties that we've yet to hear about - who knows?

Of course some are enjoying seeing the Tories being whacked with big sticks - in the same way Tories would enjoy seeing other parties, especially Labour, being given the same treatment.

But this isn't about slagging off the Tories just for the sake of it. Even tho' I'm not a Tory supporter, I'd still defend a Tory from attack if I believed they were being unjustly targeted (as indeed, I have)... hell, I'd even defend Johnson if he were being accused of an offence for which he was clearly innocent! And this is the point - it's not about parties... it's about lying and deception. If we cannot hold politicians accountable - then what price Democracy?

So, no - I will not "get over it". If you're happy with politicians lying, cheating and deceiving Parliament, then that's your choice. But don't expect others to be so ready to accommodate it.

Well said Callistemon21 . I believe it was the strict distancing rules that allowed Wayne Couzens to stop Sarah Everard
when she was walking home and persuade her she was breaking the rules. Tragically she believed him because he was a policeman and because everyone was supposed to be following the rules. That video makes me sick - there's no excuse.

👍

I said I didn’t condone what happened.

Germanshepherdsmum

Good post Casdon. I don’t for one moment condone the rule breaking we have witnessed but I am so tired of seeing people wheeled out on tv saying that while this went on they couldn’t see their dying relatives. The partying didn’t cause or change that. I reported my neighbour who was breaking the rules. The police couldn’t have been less interested. I know a lot of people broke the rules. As a result of following the rules to the letter neither I nor my husband have has covid and I’m very thankful for that. It is, as silverlining says, now a convenient stick to whack the Tories with. I’m not defending what happened but I’m heartily sick of it now.

I agree that we needed rules but it was one lot of rules for us and another for those who made them, that is what makes people 🤬
Then to lie about it in Parliament proves exactly what kind of man he is.

silvercollie

For Heavens sake! Did no-one else at all, break any rules??
No-one from the other Political Parties?
Give it a rest, people! This is just a nice big stick to whack the Conservatives.
So get over it! Please?

No, we didn't.

People died alone in hospital without any loved ones beside the, nurses doing their best to comfort them, wearing their full PPE gear because of the rules. Not allowed to visit scared elderly relatives in care homes with dementia. Only a couple of people allowed at their funerals. People didn't see loved ones, some for years if they lived overseas. Not allowed to even sit on a park bench for a breather when out on the permitted daily walk. People threatened with fines by the police for driving two miles to a nearby wood to take their dogs for a walk. Weddings cancelled. Businesses closed down.

All because of the rules made by people supposedly in charge who then brazenly ignored the rules they made and then lied about it in the seat of so-called British democracy.

No, we won't get over it.

When Tory supporters can no longer defend the tndefensible they resort to saying they're all the same

They are not and there is no evidence that they are anything like ascorrupt and immoral as the Tory party.

Good post Casdon. I don’t for one moment condone the rule breaking we have witnessed but I am so tired of seeing people wheeled out on tv saying that while this went on they couldn’t see their dying relatives. The partying didn’t cause or change that. I reported my neighbour who was breaking the rules. The police couldn’t have been less interested. I know a lot of people broke the rules. As a result of following the rules to the letter neither I nor my husband have has covid and I’m very thankful for that. It is, as silverlining says, now a convenient stick to whack the Tories with. I’m not defending what happened but I’m heartily sick of it now.

Why would we silvercollie. They broke the rules they set. Their leader set the tone then lied to parliament. Don’t yiu think that matters? It’s shameful

Not to mention the dreadful impact on our public services of the last 13 years

For Heavens sake! Did no-one else at all, break any rules??
No-one from the other Political Parties?
Give it a rest, people! This is just a nice big stick to whack the Conservatives.
So get over it! Please?

Maddyone,

You have certainty had an awful time. I am so sorry to hear you lost your mother and that your daughter is so far away. New Zealand seems as though it is as far away than other countries. I keep in touch with my children and grandchildren and now great grandchildren via What’s App individual and family groups. Now I depend on them visiting here sometimes. It is hard for you given your daughter’s circumstances. Sending a friendly hug and I apologise if I upset you.

maddyone

Thank you for your kind words Casdon. I didn’t know you were working in a hospital during that horrible time. I’m wondering if you were a doctor or were nursing. I have the greatest respect and appreciation of all that was done to help all of those of us who were in hospital during that awful time.

I understand that you find it difficult to understand why I feel ambivalent towards those people in Downing Street who were supposed to be working and following the rules and clearly weren’t doing so. I think I was overtaken by everything else going on in my life at that time and since. Whilst I was recovering at home we learnt that my daughter and our grandchildren were going to emigrate to New Zealand for two years. I felt shattered by this as we always had a huge amount to do with her and the children, but we were aware that her husband had tried to persuade her to emigrate to Canada, Australia, and finally New Zealand since the early days of their marriage and finally Covid achieved what he could not. It was a two year placement but we knew he would never let her return. They are now getting a divorce but she cannot return although she says she wants to because she cannot leave her children. We were quite devastated by this but eagerly awaited the opening of NZ’s borders, and last winter we spent two months out there with them. As well as all this going on, my elderly mother was deteriorating and had several falls and hospitalisations and we cared for her as best we could. My equally elderly mother in law became ill and died, and my own mother died last year, followed by my father in law last month. Three deaths in eighteen months along with all the illness, hospital visits, stress and grief. Also I’ve got some ongoing health concerns probably caused or related to Covid. So a lot has been going on and there’s more besides but basically everything that happened two years ago in Downing Street just feels low priority in my world. But I understand not everyone feels that way.

I can well see why your priorities lay with your own personal life. So much trauma all happening at the same time - it's going to take some time to recover from everything you've experienced.

My son and his family emigrated to South Africa - permanently, so I really sympathise with your situation.

Thank you for your kind words Casdon. I didn’t know you were working in a hospital during that horrible time. I’m wondering if you were a doctor or were nursing. I have the greatest respect and appreciation of all that was done to help all of those of us who were in hospital during that awful time.

I understand that you find it difficult to understand why I feel ambivalent towards those people in Downing Street who were supposed to be working and following the rules and clearly weren’t doing so. I think I was overtaken by everything else going on in my life at that time and since. Whilst I was recovering at home we learnt that my daughter and our grandchildren were going to emigrate to New Zealand for two years. I felt shattered by this as we always had a huge amount to do with her and the children, but we were aware that her husband had tried to persuade her to emigrate to Canada, Australia, and finally New Zealand since the early days of their marriage and finally Covid achieved what he could not. It was a two year placement but we knew he would never let her return. They are now getting a divorce but she cannot return although she says she wants to because she cannot leave her children. We were quite devastated by this but eagerly awaited the opening of NZ’s borders, and last winter we spent two months out there with them. As well as all this going on, my elderly mother was deteriorating and had several falls and hospitalisations and we cared for her as best we could. My equally elderly mother in law became ill and died, and my own mother died last year, followed by my father in law last month. Three deaths in eighteen months along with all the illness, hospital visits, stress and grief. Also I’ve got some ongoing health concerns probably caused or related to Covid. So a lot has been going on and there’s more besides but basically everything that happened two years ago in Downing Street just feels low priority in my world. But I understand not everyone feels that way.

Well, at least we will never have to pay any attention the next time anyone tries to lock us down.

And remember, the left wanted more, harder and longer Lockdown. And so did many of the public.

I lost my Christmas with my loved ones and it was very hard but the lesson I take is that governments will always abuse any power they are given without being held to account. And that the querulous public, like the babushkas in Russia, will always support repression for a loaf of bread.

Iam64,

Point well taken. It was only once but Labour had such a holier than thou attitude and I confess I look forward to their election because as a party member I feel let down by the current crop of some Tory MPs. This would never have happened under Margaret Thatcher. Sir Keir is a decent person, but already backtracking on recent pronouncements. And as a feminist, I wish he could recognise the biological difference between men and women. Let Trans people live their lives without being constantly in the news…but that is not todays topic!

Anniel, the meeting that included Starmer and Raynor was investigated by the police . Their conclusion was it was a work event, no breach of guidance.
So far, it’s an isolated incident. Unlike the numerous breaches of guidance in downing street

maddyone

Casdon
It didn’t matter to me what others were doing. I got Covid because my elderly mother fell and sustained two bleeds to her brain. She got Covid in hospital but was discharged apparently Covid free, after two tests. Actually she did have Covid and as we were in a bubble with her, which was allowed, we both got it too. I ended up in hospital and whatever anyone else was doing would not have made any difference to me. I spent Christmas Day that year lying on the sofa, feeling absolutely dreadful. I didn’t eat anything, nor open a Christmas present from under the tree as I felt so ill. I deteriorated over the next week, I was in bed and having difficulty breathing. My oxygen sats fell to 82 and the ambulance was sent to take me to hospital. It was New Year’s Day. Whatever you, the rest of my family, or anyone else was doing was of no consequence to me. My X-rays showed I had pneumonia and that was when I wondered if I would actually recover. Thanks to the care I received I did recover and I went home some twelve days later. It took about 3/4 months to recover properly. It didn’t matter to me what others were doing, it didn’t affect me. I became ill because my mother was admitted to hospital and contracted Covid there, not because I was in shops (we only did Click and Collect) or went to parties, or mixed with others. My mother and others became ill because a probably man made virus was accidentally released from a laboratory in China and unleashed a world wide pandemic. Even the WHO are finally and belatedly in my opinion, suggesting this is the most likely source of the infection. Blame the Chinese if you want something or someone to blame.

I do feel for you maddyone, it must have been a terrifying experience, and I know that sadly many people had similar experiences, as I was working in the NHS myself at that time so saw the effects directly.
. I would have expected though that your own experience would have made you more inclined to want the rules to be followed. This was the part of your post that I didn’t, and still don’t understand.

‘The rules re socialising were brought in to protect me and you. Whatever others were doing didn’t really affect you. If they wanted to put themselves into danger then that was up to them.’

Anniel

paddyann54

Anniel Nicola Sturgeon is still at work in Holyrood .There is no evidence that suggests she ,her husband OR their accountant did any wrong .
IN FACT the accounts were passed BY westminster and cleared and the usual payment made to Scotland as to the other devolved nations .
Perhaps you might consider this IS a witch hunt ,MS Sturgeon has worked her wee socks off for the people who ELECTED her for more than half her life .
The tories on the other hand are crooks liars and thieves and its all been done in plain sight and provable

Paddyann 54 I thought that she is now just like any other member of the SNP? She has no official post in the party. I quoted your post because of your inclusion of ALL TORIES in your statement as being crooks and liars. That includes all MPs, All party members like me and voters who are just instinctively conservative ( no party affiliation). I find that comment extremely insulting and displays hatred. Strong beliefs are fine. But such language does not belong in any civilised discussion. I am sorry you hate me so much.

I'm sure paddyann54 can speak for herself - but it didn't come across to me that she was including everyone who votes Tory or party members... "and its all been done in plain sight and provable" indicates to me that she's talking about the government. ???

Would anyone on GN ever accuse every single person of any political persuasion of being crooks, liars and thieves? I don't think so!

Casdon
It didn’t matter to me what others were doing. I got Covid because my elderly mother fell and sustained two bleeds to her brain. She got Covid in hospital but was discharged apparently Covid free, after two tests. Actually she did have Covid and as we were in a bubble with her, which was allowed, we both got it too. I ended up in hospital and whatever anyone else was doing would not have made any difference to me. I spent Christmas Day that year lying on the sofa, feeling absolutely dreadful. I didn’t eat anything, nor open a Christmas present from under the tree as I felt so ill. I deteriorated over the next week, I was in bed and having difficulty breathing. My oxygen sats fell to 82 and the ambulance was sent to take me to hospital. It was New Year’s Day. Whatever you, the rest of my family, or anyone else was doing was of no consequence to me. My X-rays showed I had pneumonia and that was when I wondered if I would actually recover. Thanks to the care I received I did recover and I went home some twelve days later. It took about 3/4 months to recover properly. It didn’t matter to me what others were doing, it didn’t affect me. I became ill because my mother was admitted to hospital and contracted Covid there, not because I was in shops (we only did Click and Collect) or went to parties, or mixed with others. My mother and others became ill because a probably man made virus was accidentally released from a laboratory in China and unleashed a world wide pandemic. Even the WHO are finally and belatedly in my opinion, suggesting this is the most likely source of the infection. Blame the Chinese if you want something or someone to blame.

paddyann54

Anniel Nicola Sturgeon is still at work in Holyrood .There is no evidence that suggests she ,her husband OR their accountant did any wrong .
IN FACT the accounts were passed BY westminster and cleared and the usual payment made to Scotland as to the other devolved nations .
Perhaps you might consider this IS a witch hunt ,MS Sturgeon has worked her wee socks off for the people who ELECTED her for more than half her life .
The tories on the other hand are crooks liars and thieves and its all been done in plain sight and provable

Paddyann 54 I thought that she is now just like any other member of the SNP? She has no official post in the party. I quoted your post because of your inclusion of ALL TORIES in your statement as being crooks and liars. That includes all MPs, All party members like me and voters who are just instinctively conservative ( no party affiliation). I find that comment extremely insulting and displays hatred. Strong beliefs are fine. But such language does not belong in any civilised discussion. I am sorry you hate me so much.