Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Covid-19

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People are so exercised about it as it is a clear breach of the guidelines the government issued. Yes, Cummings isn’t an MP ,but it seems he has more influence on government than most of the ruling party MP’s. It is therefor imperative that he keeps, and is seen to keep, the government guidelines. If he doesn’t grasp the importance of this in its influence on the populace then his judgement is so flawed that he should have no influence whatever on government policy or guidelines.

Mind you, if Boris can’t see this either, then perhaps he should go too!!

I think Cummings is a target because of his privileged position without accountability. He is portrayed in the press as arrogant, and dismissing any hint of criticism.

Arrogance can be such a weakness, especially when considered by that person to be a strength. There are countless examples of politicians who have fallen as a result of arrogance, and more recently, those senior advisers, who simply don't think guidance applies to them.

With not much else going on apart from the obvious......he's a prime target. If he hangs on then all Boris will get is this.

It was inevitable that the cost to the country of the current crisis would be compared to big spend projects such as HS2 and it is right that the value of such a project should be scrutinised. However, the headlines are always about speed when, in fact the 'business' case is about all sorts of other things too. The journey-time benefits are an element but the broader economic benefits over longer periods of time and over the country as a whole are also factored into the case. It is also important to see the project in the context of massive growth in demand - beyond the capacity of existing routes - and the need to switch travel to a more sustainable form of transport and away from roads and planes. This is where the higher speeds are seen to be an advantage in a competitive market. It seems to me that If the provision of a new rail route was publicised as providing much needed capacity and helping the country to meet ever tightening sustainability targets it would not have attracted so much hostile opposition. The project title doesn't help in the respect.
OK, I'll own up to the fact that I worked in the rail industry for 40 years and I am probably biased - although not at the business end I may add!

Rob, unlike you I did not work in the rail industry, thus have no bias in that direction though might be tempted to think that the HS2 project could be in some ways comparable with the Hoover Dam in the US built during the great depression, in terms of providing work for many of those who may face unemployment due to the Covid situation..?

Just thinking in type and claiming zero expertise..

This was deleted really quickly but once it’s out there, it’s out there

https://mobile.twitter.com/beardedgenius/status/1264602026769514497?s=21

Funny

I can just imagine the conversation earlier this week:

Deputy PM Boris: I'm going to get a hammering at the Corona updates this week.

PM Joseph G Cummings: Leave it with me.....

Well spotted Neptune - nothing to add to that is there..

Perhaps it would be beneficial if the government, opposition and press were to focus a bit more on

(1) Rolling out antibody Testing

(2) Vaccine development

(3) Preparation for a second wave

(4) Rebuilding the economy

These political situations end up as an all consuming game where everyone takes their eye off the real ball

Pigs still don't fly though !