[Politics] Tory meltdown finally arrived [was: incoming]...

[The Clamp]

Thank you, I have been thinking the same.

People getting moved on from park benches whilst No 10 was installing a new wine cooler.

( Not technically at the same time, but **** it. Work bubble, just make it up )

It makes me wonder if all that conflicting information and confused guidelines coming out of No.10 wasn’t a deliberate tactic incase all their rule breaking ever came to light. Or at least to justify it to themselves at the time.

Because they are certainly using all the “interpretations” of rules to their advantage now.

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

I just wish we had a more prominent, vocal worthwhile opposition leader to take him to task, the alternative is pretty weak.

But Christ I think I’d take it now, how just how is Boris not being taken to task by the press and media, it all seems so matter of fact and oh well….

What will it take to get rid of this bumbling buffoon

 

[beorhthelm]

There was never a thing called a "work bubble" under the Covid legislation.

not explicitly, they existed in practice from factories to government offices in the second round of lockdowns. workplaces were effectively exempt from lockdown, as long as risk assesed and limit transmission.

rather a lot more was allowed than we probably realised at the time
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_H...trictions)_(Steps)_(England)_Regulations_2021

 

[The Clamp]

not explicitly, they existed in practice from factories to government offices in the second round of lockdowns. workplaces were effectively exempt from lockdown, as long as risk assesed and limit transmission.

I’d love to see the Downing Street risk assessment. I imagine it focussed more on the risks of getting caught rather than any safety measures for staff or the wider community?

 

[clapham_gull]

not explicitly, they existed in practice from factories to government offices in the second round of lockdowns. workplaces were effectively exempt from lockdown, as long as risk assesed and limit transmission.

They didn't because "bubbles" (as in support bubbles) weren't risk assessed and you didn't need to limit transmission.

"Work bubbles" is a made up term being used retrospectively.

Guidance around workplaces may have changed, but there was no such as a work bubble. Something even the NHS had to reiterate to staff.

 

[The Clamp]

They didn't because "bubbles" (as in support bubbles) weren't risk assessed and you didn't need to limit transmission.

"Work bubbles" is a made up term being used retrospectively.

Quite. Also “bubbles” and the rules around them didn’t just pertain to who you were with in your bubble but who you subsequently mixed with outside of that bubble.

If my working conditions in lockdown were classed as a bubble, I would have been able to pop round my colleagues’ houses or drive in a car with them. That was not the case.

There’s no definition of “bubble” that the socialising at Downing Street adheres to.

 

[Pevenseagull]

3 years since May's tearful farewell.

Almost nostalgic.

Holy shit.

 

[clapham_gull]

There’s no definition of “bubble” that the socialising at Downing Street adheres to.

Except this one:

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

PMQ’s tomorrow; I guarantee you’ll hear this phrase at least 20 times.

“We must wait for the Gray report”.

Then he’ll sit back down on his fat arse, huff and puff and shake his head as charge after charge are detailed to him by Starmer.

Then he’s going to F off for a few weeks while Parliament takes another break.

I guarantee you that will be the last we will hear about it, except possibly a bit of condemnation on the day the Gray report is published.

Who still doesn’t get it? THE TRUTH DOES NOT MATTER ANYMORE.

I will preface my reply by agreeing with you that Johnson is a disgrace and should be removed from public life.

Here is how he will try to dodge it.

Read every Covid edict and you will find it is hamstrung by weasel words:

You are advised - instead of required.
If you are required - there is always an 'unless' codicil.
It is expected - rather than it is required.
'Ordinarily' is used to preface a requirement - meaning that there is always an exception.

Johnson belives in individuals making the right decision - for themselves.

All of this resonates with a large swathe of his supporters.

However.....there WERE requirements because people were fined for violating them. Including Johnson.

Johnson can claim this was an honest mistake because the edicts are so open to interpretation - deliberately so. He cannot lose in law.

Thus, although you and I and my missus and millions of others knew what was expected of them, if you happen to think your needs were more important than the rules/guidance, call them what you will, you can legitimately argue that you made honest mistakes.

The fact is we all know the oaf was taking the piss, surfing his own hubris, shagging the new missus, having a drink and a laugh, like a 15 year old spotty **** on his first away game with his spotty mates.

Being a stickler, early in Covid I went out when my missus thought we should stay at home. I went on lone walks in deserted spots, accessed by car. Never met a soul. I would call that a calculated safe and non piss-taking bit of personal brain care. And if a court deems othewise I will walk the plank. Like Starmer has said he will.

Johnson, on the other hand.....just look at the photos. He is a national disgrace. Just as Max Hastings said, I would trust him neither with my wallet nor my wife.

And all the while, thousands felt compelled to keep their distance, no hugs, no comfort, doing the right thing for others, strangers, the nation, while their friends and relatives died. Alone. Think about that, those of you who are still claiming it is time to move on.

 

[The Clamp]

Except this one:

Haha!

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Work bubble wasn't really a thing though was it ?

Where has this term come from ?

There were support bubbles and advice to schools referred to as bubbles, but nothing referred to as "work bubble".

It appears to have been a term that workplaces started using to help stop people mixing, for example only allowing certain departments in on certain days and keeping rotas constant as possible.

However all the social distancing was enforced, unlike "support bubbles".

There was never a thing called a "work bubble" under the Covid legislation.

Correct, which is why furlough was introduced for those who couldn’t work from home. Essential workers only went to work with very strict regulations.
The roads were completely clear for weeks.

 

[The Clamp]

I will preface my reply by agreeing with you that Johnson is a disgrace and should be removed from public life.

Here is how he will try to dodge it.

Read every Covid edict and you will find it is hamstrung by weasel words:

You are advised - instead of required.
If you are required - there is always an 'unless' codicil.
It is expected - rather than it is required.
'Ordinarily' is used to preface a requirement - meaning that there is always an exception.

Johnson belives in individuals making the right decision - for themselves.

All of this resonates with a large swathe of his supporters.

However.....there WERE requirements because people were fined for violating them. Including Johnson.

Johnson can claim this was an honest mistake because the edicts are so open to interpretation - deliberately so. He cannot lose in law.

Thus, although you and I and my missus and millions of others knew what was expected of them, if you happen to think your needs were more important than the rules/guidance, call them what you will, you can legitimately argue that you made honest mistakes.

The fact is we all know the oaf was taking the piss, surfing his own hubris, shagging the new missus, having a drink and a laugh, like a 15 year old spotty **** on his first away game with his spotty mates.

Being a stickler, early in Covid I went out when my missus thought we should stay at home. I went on lone walks in deserted spots, accessed by car. Never met a soul. I would call that a calculated safe and non piss-taking bit of personal brain care. And if a court deems othewise I will walk the plank. Like Starmer has said he will.

Johnson, on the other hand.....just look at the photos. He is a national disgrace. Just as Max Hastings said, I would trust him neither with my wallet nor my wife.

And all the while, thousands felt compelled to keep their distance, no hugs, no comfort, doing the right thing for others, strangers, the nation, while their friends and relatives died. Alone. Think about that, those of you who are still claiming it is time to move on.

Exactly this. The confused and fuzzy advice coming out of No.10 at the time was very likely devised so that Johnson and his staff could do as they pleased, knowing they could likely talk and swerve their way around their indiscretions should they come to light.

Appalling.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

not explicitly, they existed in practice from factories to government offices in the second round of lockdowns. workplaces were effectively exempt from lockdown, as long as risk assesed and limit transmission.

rather a lot more was allowed than we probably realised at the time
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_H...trictions)_(Steps)_(England)_Regulations_2021

Preciseley. See my post above.

(the only fly inthat ointment being that many have been fined for breaking 'requirements' that, in law, were nothing of he sort.

I expect to see many people appealing their fines, perhaps as a group (like folk made ill by dangerous medicines that the seller knew were unsafe).)

But before that I expect (hope) that decent tories will get shot of Johnson the liar. Decent tories out there - get your fingers out!

 

[clapham_gull]

rather a lot more was allowed than we probably realised at the time
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_H...trictions)_(Steps)_(England)_Regulations_2021

Nothing about "work bubbles" in there, which is the term a number of supportive Conservative MPs are using.

Explicitly nothing about getting so shitfaced with others at work you ended up sleeping there.

Come on man.

 

[The Clamp]

Nothing about "work bubbles" in there, which is the term a number of supportive Conservative MPs are using.

Explicitly nothing about getting so shitfaced with others at work you ended up sleeping there.

Come on man.

I don’t know of any essential workers, certainly in my field, that were in a “work bubble”. They simply did not exist.

 

[clapham_gull]

Two-thirds of voters think that Boris Johnson should quit if he is criticised in Sue Gray’s report on the Partygate scandal that has rocked Westminster.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sue-gray-report-latest-boris-johnson-b2085792.html

 

[Pevenseagull]

3 years since May's tearful farewell.

Almost nostalgic.

Holy shit.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uzq82SHGGE

 

[beorhthelm]

Nothing about "work bubbles" in there, which is the term a number of supportive Conservative MPs are using.

Explicitly nothing about getting so shitfaced with others at work you ended up sleeping there.

Come on man.

i agree with you, and just pointed at the actual rules (in error the later 2021 edition, 2020 isnt significnatly different). in practice bubbles is just how people dealt with the restrictions, mostly unnecessarily.

 

[clapham_gull]

I don’t know of any essential workers, certainly in my field, that were in a “work bubble”. They simply did not exist.

The only thing I can think of is when companies started thinking about rotas and splitting workers into colour coded teams. But that's not a f###### bubble.

The term has now become part of the lexicon of the blindly loyal.

I suspect it originated in schools, but has been usage has been advised by advisors to deflect.

 

[The Clamp]

The only thing I can think of is when companies started thinking about rotas and splitting workers into colour coded teams. But that's not a f###### bubble.

The term has now become part of the lexicon of the blindly loyal.

I suspect it originated in schools, but has been usage has been advised by advisors to deflect.

Also, I’m not sure of the timeline or when the known parties fit in to that line but the concept of “bubbles” wasn’t introduced for any situation for quite some time into lockdown.