So, so shortsighted from Johnson.
If he had fired Cummings immediately, he would've gotten a big boost of popularity from both his party and the wider country - a leader being bold and strong, doing the right thing by the people. The people and the press would've moved on much more quickly, and the focus would be on the further easing of lockdown on 1st June.
He has completely invited the coming shitstorm on himself.
Hancock's ignore list will soon be as long as yours.
Tomorrow PM?
They really should be careful about denying Police contacts. If it happened it will be logged.
He didn't even have to fire him to be honest. Johnson could have come out, said what Cummings did was absolutely wrong, that Johnson took out very seriously, slapped him down vigorously, said he was being given an official warning in his job and removed from the Sage committee. Or something similar. It would have shown that Johnson was in charge and I think the public would accept that on the whole. Calls to fire Cummings would continue but they wouldn't have the same vigour.
Instead this defence of him is pathetic, has occupied the entire cabinet and undermined all messaging. Fools.
I’m now of the opinion; Don’t resign and don’t sack him. Let them complete their mistake.
The story was different yesterday though. Boris wasn't planned to do the press conference and then knowing all the questions were going to be about Cummings they stood them down so they weren't asked questions.
I'd be very very surprised these two senior scientists would refuse to appear and would have handled the questions.
I think part of me seeing all these appear via twitter, rather than being reported following investigation by journalists, are these a tactic to muddy the waters? Someone on Dom's side make spurious claims that will be picked up and spread and then revealed to be false, giving them and their supporters a chance to say 'can we even trust the reports he went there?' - I know there has been varying degrees of confessions, but there's also been stories changed, and editing of months old blogs, and people who want to support Cummings or Johnson will cling to it if they can.
You mean for the benefit of the electorate in 4.5 years (or sooner)?
I don't think the country could take it. I'd rather have a tory coup and a moderate tory in next week, myself.
Apologies if I misunderstand.
So, so shortsighted from Johnson.
If he had fired Cummings immediately, he would've gotten a big boost of popularity from both his party and the wider country - a leader being bold and strong, doing the right thing by the people. The people and the press would've moved on much more quickly, and the focus would be on the further easing of lockdown on 1st June.
He has completely invited the coming shitstorm on himself.