Would it have been better if Cummings had been sacked and re-hired in a year?

Ok. An interesting couple of days. In terms of what Cummings did in fleeing up to Durham, I can see why it looks bad. But my understanding is that one of his kids is autistic meaning that if they did need to be looked after then it is far better for that person to be somebody they are used to be around.

However, if this was a case focusing on a prominent Remoaner/leftie then I cannot pretend I would be so understanding. I try to be as honest as possible in terms of the hypocrisy that many of us are guilty of when it comes to this kind of political argy-bargy.

What interests me is the story run by the Mirror/Guardian. The supposed killing blow. Because if the claims about a second visit to Durham and/or the visit to Barnard Castle are true then Cummings will have to go. No ifs or buts. And to be honest, I expected the smoking gun to be produced but so far, nothing. Because despite the hype last night, very little meat on the bone. A claim about a number plate being typed into Google and that is about it. Nothing else. If a source is not willing to be named then it means less than tittle-tattle. Gossip essentially.

I suspect, and it is a hunch, that they might have taken a bait deliberately laid. A classic diversionary tactic. Throw in that tweet from the official Civil Service account as well this evening and you have a classic example of changing the narrative. A pretty standard and effective spin tactic.

The definites are the initial drive up to Durham with all that entails. And it being known about. Seen enough lefties claim to have been in on the loop already to write that confidently. But muddying the waters with these other claims? With the Mirror and the Guardian leading the attack?

Cummings could still be done for. But number 10 seemed utterly confident about dismissing the seconadary claims.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Personally I view Cummings as more important than Johnson even though officially he's only an adviser.

Johnson doesn't actually really believe in much other than neo liberalism......which he's just spent three months destroying.

Edited by Stirlingsays (24 May 2020 9.59pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

The Daily Mail are digging into Boris and DC. I’m a bit surprised because I thought they’d back Boris if he came out deflecting it. But I think this might be because the mail are pissed off with this 7 month economy crippling lockdown with a bit of tapering off towards the end.

I’ve read that only 3 on tory backbenchers Whatsapp group back Boris.

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COYP

Sounds very plausible. But today I did see two tweets from 2 people dated 10th May I think, spotting DC in Durham. Could be bollox again, and if I wanted to sting DC I’d take a video on my phone. If you can use Twitter you can use a camera phone.

Edited by Rudi Hedman (24 May 2020 10.28pm)

COYP

My understanding is that 7 Tory MP's have backed sacking Cummings with another 1 retweeting a message. So 8, tops. And of those it is only Steve Baker of any note.

As to the Mail, when Dacre stepped down they became far more anti-Tory and specifically far more pro-remain. Newspapers are doubling down on this because this is potentially the tipping point for the Print Media in its entirety. Up until recently if this many editorials called for a sacking it would have happened. Now? No. Balance of power has been changing for a while now and this could well be the Waterloo.

If the Mirror and the Guardian can come up with a verifiable smoking gun then Cummings is done for. And I was expecting it today. Instead, nothing. These secondary claims are as weak as a super-market value can of bitter. In and of themselves absolutely froth.

With number 10 absolutely definite in terms of their refuting the claims. This time last night I would have put Cummings chances of survival at about 30-70, purely because I could not see why the Mirror and the Guardian would make the claims they did without substantive proof.

And they might still have it but if they have, then today would have been the time to put it out there. Right after that Press Conference which Johnson chose to take. He was not scheduled to do so.

If Cummings is still in post by the end of next week then we have seen a fundamental changing of the goalposts in British politics. It cannot be underestimated. A potentially fatal blow to the traditional print media.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.