[Politics] People who have impressed/surprised you so far through this crisis (and who's been crap)

[LlcoolJ]

I'm in the minority but disagree with all this Starmer bashing. He's not asking for dates just a plan as things stand. Don't forgot we weren't that prepared for this (not working with the EU, ventilators, PPE, closing down travel, closing pubs etc) as well as we could have been and at one point our plan was herd immunity before quite radically shifting course thankfully. Planning for this in 3 weeks/3 months is no bad thing. Also understand the gov's position about sharing too much as it's too early.

I've only seen Starmer actually interviewed (rather than soundbites and subterfuge) by Marr. Which is a tough test.

I thought he was superb.

I think a lot of people are still believing the press hype.

He went out of his way to NOT slag off the government and to point out that they were all working together.

The strapline same day was "Starmer - government should have done more"

And that was the BBC.

 

[Grombleton]

The biggest positives are the NHS workers (which most of us knew already) and the Retail workers - I've heard loads of stories from my friends/ex-colleagues about the struggles and their fears about the situation...but they've always worked with a smile on their face and NO lack of commitment. Proud to know them.

If we're looking at the public eye then another vote for Sunak who has done a really good job in a crisis.

I'm on the fence with Piers Morgan. I agree with much of what he's saying recently, but he just comes across as a bully in his interviews and can't help being a CJTC at times, so he doesn't quite get into 'praise' territory for me...

Losers in this are: Patel (massively needs a software upgrade), Raab (if anyone suggests Starmer is dull then look no further) and the morons who have no idea whats going on, but seem to still be trotted out at any given moment for 'comment'.


Oh, and Lorraine ****ing Kelly.

 

[LlcoolJ]

This BBC regional weather forecaster, working from home, has impressed me greatly!

That's our local weatherman. For Yorkshire, but he's Welsh, and very camp. Imagine.

But he's popular, because he's a sound lad.

Had no idea that he was a class drummer though.

Love it.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I think there’s a very fine line between being impressed with Hancock and feeling pity for how he has essentially been the frontman for the government but done so in a generally empathetic, magnanimous manner.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Which part have you been unimpressed with?

Was it when he was very unwell at Home, but carried on working? Was it when he was in hospital and still working? Were you unimpressed when he was in ICU for 4 days and not bothering to work? Or have you got the right hump with him now for recuperating at Chequers after a week in hospital?

How about when he was too slow in closing everything down. An overly libertarian view meaning that 250,000 congregated at Cheltenham..... oh come on, Boris, old chap, you're not going to scupper the Cheltenham Festival, are you?" I read today an article comparing how we are doing compared to the Irish Republic. They acted a lot more quickly, cancelled all St Patrick's Day celebrations (!!!!) And their death rate is far, far lower than ours.

But fair enough, he couldn't do much when he was ill!!!

 

[pauli cee]

I'd like to nominate myself for being a bit crap.

I was late to the party, along with most, but I was later still.
TBH I'm still a little reserved.
My only daily check is 'coronavirus in my area', for which West Sussex is 'only' 487.
So despite knowing about symptoms/incubation time/transmission I do still have a little voice that is rather mocking of over elaboration of PPE. (My current are those driving alone wearing masks)

But my main source of crapness is:-

I never knew how much of free spirit I am (was) in supermarkets.

I was all over the place throughout the store, touching stuff, studying it, for all I know scratching myself or flossing with a product while deciding if I'm going to

Fortunately I'm not even close to being Alpha enough to carry on as 'normal'.
But it's proving so hard to tow the line I must have been an absolute arse to shop with previously.

Luckily I always had you down as a complete and utter prick

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

The only member of the government who has impressed me is Rishi Sunak.

I am no fan of Johnson, and obviously he has been "out of it", but without him they seem to be like a bunch of headless chickens.

The big winners are the general public and in particular the key workers. The NHS !!!!!!

But I do not understand all the moaning about the press conferences and the political correspondents.
Firstly, it is a deeply unsatisfactory format, particularly with the questioners unavoidably coming in remotely.
But secondly, are they not allowed to question how well the government is doing in certain areas. Their decisions have led to the problems around ppe. They have consistently lied about when things would be available, made promises that have not been kept. Etc etc.

I for one would appreciate more honesty. Macron in his broadcast last week was honest about mistakes that gave been made. With our politicians the daily briefings have always been shot through with the notion that "We are following the scientific advice." Well they didn't at the beginning.

And anyone with any sense has to realise that the end of the lockdown and how it is managed will be mixture of scientific, human and economic decisions.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

I read today an article comparing how we are doing compared to the Irish Republic. They acted a lot more quickly, cancelled all St Patrick's Day celebrations (!!!!) And their death rate is far, far lower than ours.

Ireland doesn't have anywhere near the density of population, London alone has twice the people of the Ireland. Ireland's land mass is 56280 times larger than London. Much less likelihood of meeting someone infected.

 

[Weststander]

Ireland doesn't have anywhere near the density of population, London alone has twice the people of the Ireland. Ireland's land mass is 56280 times larger than London. Much less likelihood of meeting someone infected.

A point repeatedly mentioned by independent epidemiologists, when Ireland are championed, and that they are physically on the outer fringe of Europe like Norway. It’s also mentioned that they got the virus far later than everyone else, so their government’s actions necessarily took effect far earlier in their curve.

 

[Insel affe]

I’ve been unimpressed by my local MP Caroline Lucas, I paid £60.00 (donation) for her to personally come round and bake me a cake over three weeks ago, and I have not heard or seen from her at all.

I am still waiting for my hero Nigella Farage to start his new political party “Covxit”

 

[pastafarian]

On a certain level it is quite impressive how Peston has managed to unite so many people into concluding he has been a Grade A plonker during this.

 

[LlcoolJ]

Amazing that so many people are putting Rishi on a pedestal.

1. No money has come from the government to any employer yet.

2. There's no mechanism to claim the 80% for employers yet.

3. Self employed? Well that depends. No money til June though even if you qualify.

4. How do we actually claim any of this money?

5. Err.

Also be interested to see how many of his fans don't like Tony Blair. Because he IS Tony Blair in mannerism and voice.

He's been thrown in at the deep end, but he's ex GS & he knew that his job was important before he took it.

 

[Mike Small]

I've only seen Starmer actually interviewed (rather than soundbites and subterfuge) by Marr. Which is a tough test.

I thought he was superb.

I think a lot of people are still believing the press hype.

He went out of his way to NOT slag off the government and to point out that they were all working together.

The strapline same day was "Starmer - government should have done more"

And that was the BBC.

Great point. The BBC could do with the Tories out given their threats to the corporation too.

 

[Mike Small]

From the govt Hancock seems like he's genuinely cares and is trying to answer questions .
Alok Sharma on the other hand never seems to know what he's talking about and is completely useless.
On a side note i'e never noticed how much of a personality vacuum Dominic Raab is. How on earth has he got so far in the Tory party

He's a black belt in something tough or other and keeps a pet tarantula in his office.

 

[Taybha]

 

[Mike Small]

I’m not anti Starmer or his wing of the Labour Party.

But it’s a strong suspicion of a ploy by Starmer, to later criticise the government if their exit plan doesn’t come off. In these unique times, the UK government has relative fortune in that it can see what does and doesn’t work for countries well ahead of us on the curve. The Danes, Spanish, parts of Italy and the Austrians are reopening sections of society, whilst others such as the French are taking a firm line.

Everyone is learning on the job. It really is not the time for a set UK strategy to be formulated and handed over to Starmer, as hundreds still die daily. Lets’s first see if that falls and how things are panning out on the continent.

I agree with most of what you say but they plainly don't have any plan whatsoever. Departments planning on their own, ministers fuelling things in the press. I don't think they should have a plan per we right now but could at least articulate the range of measures available while saying now is not the time. We will be underprepared is my best guess. Also, why on earth are they keeping the SAGE group members secretive? Surely we should know which people are giving the advice our government use to make their decisions.

 

[macbeth]

Piers Morgan has impressed me.... pains me to say

Morgan is a spineless reactionist who'll simply say whatever's in the public mood at any given time in order to garner approval and therefore credibility. He'll be back to his old ways the second this is over

 

[Bold Seagull]

Ireland doesn't have anywhere near the density of population, London alone has twice the people of the Ireland. Ireland's land mass is 56280 times larger than London. Much less likelihood of meeting someone infected.

To be sure so it is.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

Amazing that so many people are putting Rishi on a pedestal.

1. No money has come from the government to any employer yet.

2. There's no mechanism to claim the 80% for employers yet.

3. Self employed? Well that depends. No money til June though even if you qualify.

4. How do we actually claim any of this money?

5. Err.

Also be interested to see how many of his fans don't like Tony Blair. Because he IS Tony Blair in mannerism and voice.

He's been thrown in at the deep end, but he's ex GS & he knew that his job was important before he took it.

This.
I've not had an email or nothing saying I'll be getting some help in June! And Universal credit is a waste of time unless you can be bothered to sit on the phone all day to give them your inside leg measurement and be told you're not entitled.

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Amazing that so many people are putting Rishi on a pedestal.

1. No money has come from the government to any employer yet.

2. There's no mechanism to claim the 80% for employers yet.

3. Self employed? Well that depends. No money til June though even if you qualify.

4. How do we actually claim any of this money?

5. Err.

Also be interested to see how many of his fans don't like Tony Blair. Because he IS Tony Blair in mannerism and voice.

He's been thrown in at the deep end, but he's ex GS & he knew that his job was important before he took it.

He’s also backing tracking on his
Original comments about no one going bust etc