A few replies to my tweet about @MattHancock’s ‘upbeat’ attitude at yesterday’s press briefing have said ‘but people need hope’. Yes, they do. But how do they get hope? (Short thread)

They get hope by getting the impression that the government are serious, taking this major disaster seriously. They get hope by feeling that the government are not only taking it seriously but *capable* of dealing with it. 2/n

They *lose* hope when they get the feeling that people like Hancock don’t really understand or even care about other people - except their own friends and colleagues. If Boris Johnson’s recovery - which I’m very happy about - outweighs nearly 1,000 deaths, that’s hard 3/n

...to swallow. There has to be a way to be serious here, and to understand, without faux levity - or even real levity. We have to be able to show proper respect to those who have died - and to those who are risking their lives to try to help. 4/n

So, yes, I want hope, and no, I don’t expect what someone called a ‘morose sermon’ at the press briefings. What I expect and want is seriousness, professionalism, genuine answers to the questions, and at least some taking of responsibility. 5/n

I want honesty and admissions when things haven’t gone well. I *don’t* want lies and dissembling, pretence that things that we know have happened haven’t actually happened. We *know* this is a bloody difficult job for government. We *don’t* expect perfection. 6/n

But some responsibility, some honesty, some seriousness, and some respect would do a world of good. /ends