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Being fair to Cummings: a thread.
I had quite a day yesterday, full of ire at the #dominiccummimgs situation. I like to think that I am a fair person and so I have constantly questioned my assumptions and prejudices since this story broke.
*Was I angry because Cummings ...
1/n
I had quite a day yesterday, full of ire at the #dominiccummimgs situation. I like to think that I am a fair person and so I have constantly questioned my assumptions and prejudices since this story broke.
*Was I angry because Cummings ...
1/n
...works for a Tory government?
*Am I judging him more harshly than I would judge a friend, or someone with my political views?
*Is his general arrogance a factor in the response to this story?
*Had I misunderstood the guidance?
So I took a step back this morning and ...
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*Am I judging him more harshly than I would judge a friend, or someone with my political views?
*Is his general arrogance a factor in the response to this story?
*Had I misunderstood the guidance?
So I took a step back this morning and ...
2/n
...tried to look at the story with fresh eyes.
1) Am I sympathetic to his situation?
Honestly? Yes. If it were me, and my partner was ill and I was worried for myself and my child I would want to do the best I could for my family. If I felt that travelling to be closer to..
3/n
1) Am I sympathetic to his situation?
Honestly? Yes. If it were me, and my partner was ill and I was worried for myself and my child I would want to do the best I could for my family. If I felt that travelling to be closer to..
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...extended family was the best option for all of us I would take it. I know people who have gone to live with family since this began. You have to do the right thing for you.
BUT
2) Did he break the rules?
I think he did. At best he severely bent them. You can..
4/n
BUT
2) Did he break the rules?
I think he did. At best he severely bent them. You can..
4/n
...travel in exceptional circumstances, so the most sympathetic reading of the situation is that he was being prepared and travelling in advance of really needing that extra support to protect his child. Sensible, but not to the letter of the guidance.
....
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....
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...The other side of that argument, though, is that we were all clearly told to minimise travel because of the risk associated with that travel. He transported an infected person across the country. What precautions did they take?
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6/n
How many people did they come into contact with en route? It was very risky, and to a certain extent quite selfish, but aren't we all really?
So did he break the rules? I would say yes, but I would also say it was quite a human response to an extreme situation.
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So did he break the rules? I would say yes, but I would also say it was quite a human response to an extreme situation.
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So why am I still angry, and critical of Dominic Cummings?
1) He should have known better. He has worked very closely with the government on this. If the rules aren't fit for purpose for him then they're not fit for purpose for any of us. If they are then choosing to ignore
8/n
1) He should have known better. He has worked very closely with the government on this. If the rules aren't fit for purpose for him then they're not fit for purpose for any of us. If they are then choosing to ignore
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...them is a privileged response.
2) He could have just held his hands up and said he knew he had acted against government guidance but that it was the best thing for his family. He didn't. He has doubled down and claimed no wrong was done.
9/n
2) He could have just held his hands up and said he knew he had acted against government guidance but that it was the best thing for his family. He didn't. He has doubled down and claimed no wrong was done.
9/n
3) The government also know that rules have been broken, but instead of reinforcing the mesage that all of us heard back then they are now pushing the 'safeguarding' exceptions much more loudly than they ever have previously, and almost rewriting the messages to fit his actions.
Again, had the government said that he had acted in a way that was dangerous and not in the spirit of their rules, had they adopted a tone that was understanding but critical, I think this may have had a chance of blowing over.
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11/n
But no. They have supported Cummings' actions unreservedly.
That's it. That's all I have.
I'm going to wait for more evidence on the additional trips, but if true they would blow the safeguarding defence out of the water...
12/12.
That's it. That's all I have.
I'm going to wait for more evidence on the additional trips, but if true they would blow the safeguarding defence out of the water...
12/12.
