So, here’s my take…
Dominic Cummings wants to change the face of Britain
He believes (perhaps rightly) that the Brexit vote & the General Election bolster his views
Everything before #COVID19 was based on that approach
#COVID19 then provided an opportunity not a threat
1/6
Dominic Cummings wants to change the face of Britain
He believes (perhaps rightly) that the Brexit vote & the General Election bolster his views
Everything before #COVID19 was based on that approach
#COVID19 then provided an opportunity not a threat
1/6
Everything we’ve seen since #COVID19 first emerged has been framed by a determination to stand by the plan to make Britain leaner and more commercial
Less worried about scaffolding society and more around reinforcing success
Darwinian politics, if you will
2/6
Less worried about scaffolding society and more around reinforcing success
Darwinian politics, if you will
2/6
Ignoring the tired constraints of process, procedure, precedent or media scrutiny
Replacing the frustrations of consultation, diplomacy and compromise with a compliant Cabinet driven from a powerful centre
@10DowningStreet above Westminster, Holyrood, Senedd and Stormont
3/6
Replacing the frustrations of consultation, diplomacy and compromise with a compliant Cabinet driven from a powerful centre
@10DowningStreet above Westminster, Holyrood, Senedd and Stormont
3/6
Decisions on lockdown, ventilators, PPE, care homes, testing, tracking tracing and reporting can all be seen through this prism
No longer the slow, frustrating politics of democracy & accountability
Now, swift & covert means to shining ends
Fast food politics. #OvenReady
4/6
No longer the slow, frustrating politics of democracy & accountability
Now, swift & covert means to shining ends
Fast food politics. #OvenReady
4/6
Difficult questions and awkward responsibilities must be pushed back
Truths twisted. Guidance rewritten. Committees restructured.
Facts play second-fiddle to presentation
Numbers are there to sustain an argument, not to reflect on actual progress
5/6
Truths twisted. Guidance rewritten. Committees restructured.
Facts play second-fiddle to presentation
Numbers are there to sustain an argument, not to reflect on actual progress
5/6
Of course, they will argue, there will be winners & losers; but please believe, because ultimately Britain will be seen to be a better place
Importantly, there will be those who just don’t understand the importance of the project
Unfortunately, I think I am one of those…
6/6
Importantly, there will be those who just don’t understand the importance of the project
Unfortunately, I think I am one of those…
6/6
https://twitter.com/tortoise/status/1265254118635057153">https://twitter.com/tortoise/...
And keep an eye on this bit of the story
#WaybackMachine
https://twitter.com/jwiechers/status/1264953956758884354?s=21">https://twitter.com/jwiechers... https://twitter.com/jwiechers/status/1264953956758884354">https://twitter.com/jwiechers...
#WaybackMachine
https://twitter.com/jwiechers/status/1264953956758884354?s=21">https://twitter.com/jwiechers... https://twitter.com/jwiechers/status/1264953956758884354">https://twitter.com/jwiechers...
This adds colour to the wider debate about rules and guidelines. https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2020/0525/1141540-dutch-pm-didnt-see-dying-mother-due-to-virus-lockdown/">https://www.rte.ie/news/worl...
Having listened to Ministers (incl. @MichaelGove) I’m beginning to think that, like the Pirate Code, @10DowningStreet are entirely comfortable with “more what you& #39;d call & #39;guidelines& #39; than actual rules… “ https://youtu.be/k9ojK9Q_ARE ">https://youtu.be/k9ojK9Q_A...
… and this, which does appear to present a significant challenge to #Democracy https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/may/23/mps-in-growing-revolt-over-plan-for-2-june-commons-return">https://www.theguardian.com/politics/...
Similarly, presented in context, this appears similarly worrying: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/may/12/uk-national-security-council-has-not-met-since-january">https://www.theguardian.com/politics/...
Even the @DailyMailUK is anxious to report which way the wind of public opinion is blowing
And then there’s @ChurchOfEngland https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/29-may/news/uk/pm-s-support-for-cummings-has-lost-our-trust-say-bishops">https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/...
“in good faith”
The missing piece of the Cummings’ saga.
HT @Douglas4Moray
“I have constituents who didn’t get to say goodbye to loved ones … I cannot in good faith tell them they were all wrong and one senior advisor to the government was right.”
The missing piece of the Cummings’ saga.
HT @Douglas4Moray
“I have constituents who didn’t get to say goodbye to loved ones … I cannot in good faith tell them they were all wrong and one senior advisor to the government was right.”
So, as I suggested at the top of this thread, this is pretty much my take, albeit that here it is presented rather more eloquently
HT @GeorgeMonbiot https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/27/privatisation-uk-disatrous-coronavirus-response-ppe-care-homes-corporate-power-public-policy">https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...
HT @GeorgeMonbiot https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/27/privatisation-uk-disatrous-coronavirus-response-ppe-care-homes-corporate-power-public-policy">https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...