Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

You mean in the same way Labour supporters are lining up to condemn this administration? Yes, but I don’t get your point as obviously they cancel each other out, don’t they?

he’s a key member of the Brexit squad, Brexit isn’t over. He also obviously has skills and talent, too much to throw away on a whim to the Media hounds

. This is nothing, absolutely nothing. A side show and distraction which has actually taken a lot of heat off the Government. From other issues.

This will be forgotten about in days, not weeks.

Steamer will gain no advantage, Brexit is still unfinished that is where Starmer will battle Johnson......and Johnson will want his man next to him.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

The debate was - would an apology have shut the story down. Not whether one was required by us.

My belief - which I understand is shared by many Conservative MPs - is that it would have done.

A lack of an apology meant the story dragged over into the weekend. It also led to the Rose Garden press briefing. This increased interest in the story again as we saw a behind-the-scenes adviser speak, which is unusual. Then we heard the Barnard Castle explanation. This fuelled interest even more as the public reacted adversely.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

I think this is a bit naive. This is a story that people noticed and it'll leave a sour taste in the mouth. Every pollster that has polled on this has found people are unhappy about it and they think he broke the rules. The Government's polling collapse over the weekend has been dramatic: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/poli...-a4451501.html

This is something people noticed, this is something they were upset about.

The polling will likely recover but it won't be completely forgotten. Governments are rarely critically harmed by a single scandal but they can only get so many before the cumulative effect begins to tell. People are less willing to give the benefit of the doubt later, people remember the previous ones when another one pops up, their image of the party takes a hit in their minds.

As hits go, this was a bad one to take. You rarely get something as powerful as this which has as big as an impact as this did in the poll. As I said the number will ease over time but it's far from 'a sideshow' which has taken heat from the Government. Johnson paid the price to keep Cummings.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

He obviously doesn't 'owe' anyone an apology.

However, fundamentally he's part of a Government that has broken it's bond of trust with the people. That's why 52% - a clear majority if I recall - of Leave voters think he should resign and it's only the politicised Conservative voter base (who understand his importance to the party) resisting the public majority.

That trust is bought, and lost, through being honest with people and delivering on promises.

The Government asked the public to act in good faith, adhering to behaviours it did not mandate in regulations but only in guidance. Cummings clearly has acted in bad faith, in contravention of the guidance and pushed the limit (or exceeded) the 'reasonableness' in legislation.

Either because he thinks rules should not apply to him, or because he made an error of judgement. One of those two scenarios plays out better with the public than the other, I'm amazed such an amazing political strategist has gone for the wrong one.

Edit: separate comment I'm enjoying Seph's patriotism with blue and red test on white backgrounds.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

No chance, only a resignation or public flogging would do.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

For some yes, but I doubt all of the 52% of leave voters, and 46% of Conservative voters.

It suits Conservatives (and those who don't identify as Conservative, but leap to their defence at every opportunity) to portray this as a polarising issue though and wave the Brexit flag. A lazy, ill-considered response hoping the dog whistle will come to the rescue.

I don't consider the Daily Mail, Isabel Oakeshott and Julia Hartley-Brewer as a bunch of left leaning remainers.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

Polling is pretty irrelevant right now.

it’s transient. In the long game come 2024, this will not be an issue in the campaign, I am sure of it. But only my opinion obvs.

If this happened in 2023 or later I would agree. But now.....nah.

There is so much to be done now, Brexit, the economy after covid etc. The Cummings fiasco will be long forgotten, there are major issues ahead.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

You falsely assume politics is governed by the electoral cycle. Johnson's leadership could easily be called into question before then, in which case the Cummings debacle, plus inept Coronavirus response, will enter the game far sooner than 2024.

The Tories love a good knifing of a leader. Will it be Gove, Sunak, Raab? All leaders in waiting watching Boris flounder.

Over 60 Tory MPs on the record calling for DC to go. Easily a higher number off the record.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

How I don’t care how many times you refer to this not being about Brexit when it so clear is.

Insignificant polls mean jack shit. Polls have been wrong and are not reliable factor for accuracy measure of public mood. Isabel Oakshott, last time I saw her tweet had accepted DC’s explanation and suggested the country move forward, I concur.

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

I’ve mentioned this before the fact that the media haven’t got their head on a plate is wrecking their heads.

And oh my god listening to question time................

The Stephen Kinnock scenario was brought up, in relation to the Cummings situation, and the Bruce immediately jumped in and justified it because he was doing “shopping” for his dad. Whereas the care of a 4 year old Is far less important.

Even the several of the public participants on QT have said we’re not interested, Move on.......

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

Ooer look at the time. Nighty night. :zzz:

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

Re: Dominic Cummings visited parents during lockdown measures
 

I do think their poll ratings will recover if there are no other set-backs. I just think this is a setback and these types of scandals accumulate over time impacting the general perception of the Government.