No 10 rule breaking gatherings during 2020.

[brad465]

I'm sure others have seen the reports that at least one Christmas party took place at no.10 in mid-December last year, while London and many other areas were in Tier 3 lockdown, that is believed to have been against the rules at the time (or at least very immoral). First reported in the Mirror, it became a hot topic in PMQs for both Starmer and Blackford:

PMQs: PM under fire over No 10 lockdown Christmas parties

Boris Johnson says all Covid guidance was followed after reports of parties last year in Downing Street.

www.bbc.co.uk

Boris Johnson says no Covid rules were broken after reports Christmas parties were held in Downing Street at the height of last year's lockdown.
The BBC has spoken to a source who attended a Downing Street gathering on 18 December, as first reported in the Mirror newspaper.
They said "several dozen" people were at the event, where party games were played and food and drink served.
The PM did not deny parties were held but said "all guidance was followed".
The source at the 18 December gathering said it had gone on past midnight, and that the "mood was down", with concern building about the new Kent variant of coronavirus.
Downing Street was asked for a comment about the source's claim but declined to add to what it had said earlier about all guidelines being followed.

London was placed under Tier 3 lockdown restrictions on 14 December last year, after which time people were not allowed to mix indoors with anyone outside their household or support bubble.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of hypocrisy for flouting the rules he had ordered the rest of the country to follow.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said: "Does the prime minister really expect the country to believe that while people were banned from seeing their loved ones at Christmas last year, it was fine for him and his friends to throw a boozy party in Downing Street?"
He accused the PM of "taking the British public for fools".
Mr Johnson said all Covid rules had been followed in Downing Street and he took a swipe at Sir Keir's reported disagreements with Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner.
"Can I recommend to (him) that he does the same with his own Christmas party, which is advertised for 15 December, to which unaccountably he's failed to invite the deputy leader," said the PM.

I don't know how and when the Mirror found this out, but given it's an anti-Tory newspaper one would think they wouldn't wait to release it, but have reported on it nearly a year after it happened. My instinct is either they weren't able to complete an investigation until recently, or they waited until this year's Christmas got close enough that it could resonate with the population more easily.

As a result of this I think it's likely that any notable Christmas restrictions either won't happen, or if they do they'll be very easily ignored, with this story being used as an excuse, especially as enforcement is getting weaker in general.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Well given No.10 has a hefty police presence they should have enforced the law of the land but presumably people on that detail are selected to keep there mouths shut.

 

[Bungle73]

So exactly why should we follow any of these silly rules if he can't bothered? I suggest everyone goes mask free on the trains tomorrow, accompanied by a copy of this front page.

 

[21C101]

So exactly why should we follow any of these silly rules if he can't bothered? I suggest everyone goes mask free on the trains tomorrow, accompanied by a copy of this front page.

While its just gossip, it wouldn't surprise me because all the indications are that Johnson is implementing a lot of this through gritted teeth.

I suspect if we had someone correct and proper who believes nanny knows best and enthusiastically wears the things (like Starmer or Sturgeon) we would be having to wear the tbings outside as well and would have had to get a permit to go to the shops as happened in France.

To quote CS Lewis:

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

 

[stevetay3]

He’s outside No 10 tonight with school kids not a mask in sight.Why would anyone want to obey this brainless twit

 

[D6130]

I suggest everyone goes mask free on the trains tomorrow, accompanied by a copy of this front page.

Judging by my experience on the Calder Valley Line, very few people were wearing them today. The conductors, although wearing masks themselves, were making no attempts to enforce the rules....and who can blame them? As usual, it's one law for us and another for them. Do as I say, not as I do!

 

[Bikeman78]

I'm sure others have seen the reports that at least one Christmas party took place at no.10 in mid-December last year, while London and many other areas were in Tier 3 lockdown, that is believed to have been against the rules at the time (or at least very immoral). First reported in the Mirror, it became a hot topic in PMQs for both Starmer and Blackford:

View attachment 106382

PMQs: PM under fire over No 10 lockdown Christmas parties

Boris Johnson says all Covid guidance was followed after reports of parties last year in Downing Street.

www.bbc.co.uk

I don't know how and when the Mirror found this out, but given it's an anti-Tory newspaper one would think they wouldn't wait to release it, but have reported on it nearly a year after it happened. My instinct is either they weren't able to complete an investigation until recently, or they waited until this year's Christmas got close enough that it could resonate with the population more easily.

As a result of this I think it's likely that any notable Christmas restrictions either won't happen, or if they do they'll be very easily ignored, with this story being used as an excuse, especially as enforcement is getting weaker in general.

I've said this a few times. Do as I say, not as I do. It was obvious that this was happening out of sight.

 

[Andyh82]

Another thread that seems to have turned into a discussion about masks

This is supposed to be about an alleged party, not whether anyone was or wasn’t or should or shouldn’t be wearing a mask

 

[Bungle73]

Another thread that seems to have turned into a discussion about masks

This is supposed to be about an alleged party, not whether anyone was or wasn’t or should or shouldn’t be wearing a mask

Well that's the main rule in town atm, and it's quite clear that Boris doesn't give a damn, so why should anyone else?

 

[Cdd89]

What annoys me about these stories is that they’re always presented as “other people made the sacrifices, it’s not fair that they didn’t”.

Whereas actually, I don’t care that they did it; I care that they created such ridiculous inhuman rules which even they are unable to follow.

 

[stevetay3]

Another thread that seems to have turned into a discussion about masks

This is supposed to be about an alleged party, not whether anyone was or wasn’t or should or shouldn’t be wearing a mask

There is no alleged about it Boris admitted to it when questioned by kier at pms questions today live on tv for all to see
Why should we do anything he orders

 

[stuartl]

He’s outside No 10 tonight with school kids not a mask in sight.Why would anyone want to obey this brainless twit

Aren't masks only compulsory on transport and in shops ?

 

[stevetay3]

Aren't masks only compulsory on transport and in shops ?

Yes that’s correct but if you are him it does not matter where he is, hospitals for example he needs to learn to lead by example.

 

[Kez]

So, the condescending, naughty schoolboy with a smirk routine in Parliament suggests that this did take place and the lack of a straight answer puts two fingers up at the voting public.

We (collectively) have been taken for mugs.

Anyone who voted for this government should be ashamed of themselves. Get some self-respect ... you deserve better.

 

[Cdd89]

Anyone who voted for this government should be ashamed of themselves. Get some self-respect ... you deserve better

I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I complained about their party, given that I (completely legally) spent last Christmas partying indoors with 30 people.

As above, I couldn’t care less that he “broke the rules”. I care that rules were made that even they couldn’t follow. The people who need to get self-respect are the ones who ‘obeyed the rules’ but are now upset that our leaders didn’t.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I complained about their party, given that I (completely legally) spent last Christmas partying indoors with 30 people.

As above, I couldn’t care less that he “broke the rules”. I care that rules were made that even they couldn’t follow. The people who need to get self-respect are the ones who ‘obeyed the rules’ but are now upset that our leaders didn’t.

It's not that they couldn't follow them, it's that they (presumably) consciously decided not to do so, in the (presumbly) full knowledge that the details would become public knowledge, that they would suffer no consequencies as a result of either action, and that if there were they can easily afford to brush off the 'fine'. That is, a Harvey Smith Salute to the rest of you peasants.

 

[greyman42]

Yes that’s correct but if you are him it does not matter where he is, hospitals for example he needs to learn to lead by example.

I can make decisions for myself without looking to Boris or anyone else for that matter so i don't see why he has to set an example. Anyone who needs to look to Boris for an example needs to learn to think for themselves.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2021 ==

I've said this a few times. Do as I say, not as I do. It was obvious that this was happening out of sight.

This was true of every street in the land including mine and i could not care less whether they were legal or not, so good luck to him and everyone else who was enjoying themselves.

 

[stevetay3]

I can make decisions for myself without looking to Boris or anyone else for that matter so i don't see why he has to set an example. Anyone who needs to look to Boris for an example needs to learn to think for themselves.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2021 ==


This was true of every street in the land including mine and i could not care less whether they were legal or not, so good luck to him and everyone else who was enjoying themselves.

He is the PM people will copy him , if.he can do it so can I

 

[brad465]

I can make decisions for myself without looking to Boris or anyone else for that matter so i don't see why he has to set an example. Anyone who needs to look to Boris for an example needs to learn to think for themselves.

When a critical mass of the population must be unable to think for themselves in order to keep the current economic model afloat, and/or to vote in Governments they wouldn't vote in if they had better thinking skills/knowledge, then it's no surprise people can't think for themselves when a crisis comes along. It's no good faulting parts of the population when the systems/education they experience enable them to behave as they do.

 

[greyman42]

He is the PM people will copy him , if.he can do it so can I

I have more faith that people can make decisions for themselves.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2021 ==

When a critical mass of the population must be unable to think for themselves in order to keep the current economic model afloat, and/or to vote in Governments they wouldn't vote in if they had better thinking skills/knowledge, then it's no surprise people can't think for themselves when a crisis comes along. It's no good faulting parts of the population when the systems/education they experience enable them to behave as they do.

So are you saying that people who voted Conservative are stupid?
What makes you think people cannot think for themselves?

 

[stevetay3]

I have more faith that people can make decisions for themselves.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2021 ==


So are you saying that people who voted Conservative are stupid?
What makes you think people cannot think for themselves?

Not stupid but insane who would vote for tax rises, cuts to the nhs , privatisation of nhs , cuts in policing , HS2 scrapped , corruption, contracts to mates endless lies, I could go on and on the list is endless. Let’s hope the good people of Bexley can now see what they voted for and today hit them where it hurts most in the ballot box.

 

[bramling]

Not stupid but insane who would vote for tax rises, cuts to the nhs , privatisation of nhs , cuts in policing , HS2 scrapped , corruption, contracts to mates endless lies, I could go on and on the list is endless. Let’s hope the good people of Bexley can now see what they voted for and today hit them where it hurts most in the ballot box.

It will certainly be an interesting result.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2021 ==

I can make decisions for myself without looking to Boris or anyone else for that matter so i don't see why he has to set an example. Anyone who needs to look to Boris for an example needs to learn to think for themselves.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2021 ==


This was true of every street in the land including mine and i could not care less whether they were legal or not, so good luck to him and everyone else who was enjoying themselves.

I wonder if the cynical reason for this appearing now is the Bexley by-election going ahead, so timed to potentially stoke up a bit of anger just in time for people going out to vote.

As ever, it’s a tough one, as to give the government a kicking could well involve voting for a more pro-restriction party. A pretty ghastly choice to have to make really.

 

[brad465]

So are you saying that people who voted Conservative are stupid?
What makes you think people cannot think for themselves?

Depends on how you define stupid, but in any case not all voters of any particular party are stupid. Nobody is ever born with full knowledge of how they should behave, they have to be taught it. The main channels of learning are upbringing, education and media influences; if people can't think for themselves then something's wrong with one or a combination of these channels. I think the main problem is we don't teach critical thinking widely enough in this country, and in some other countries as well. Someone could be very knowledgeable in specific subjects but still lack critical thinking, but if they don't have that skill that's not always their fault, but the fault of whoever has deprived them of that skill and/or the opportunity to learn it.

I wonder if the cynical reason for this appearing now is the Bexley by-election going ahead, so timed to potentially stoke up a bit of anger just in time for people going out to vote.

As ever, it’s a tough one, as to give the government a kicking could well involve voting for a more pro-restriction party. A pretty ghastly choice to have to make really.

I think there is a certain possibility Johnson needed something to help him out with this by-election: it's a safe seat and an almost impossible swing, but Johnson and other senior Tories have visited the constituency, a sign they're somewhat worried. Even holding the seat but only just would cause him problems. This story about last Christmas in Downing Street certainly won't be helping Johnson, and the fact it came out the day before the polls opened means there's not a lot he can do to reverse any losses that might result from it.

 

[stevetay3]

It will certainly be an interesting result.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Dec 2021 ==



I wonder if the cynical reason for this appearing now is the Bexley by-election going ahead, so timed to potentially stoke up a bit of anger just in time for people going out to vote.

As ever, it’s a tough one, as to give the government a kicking could well involve voting for a more pro-restriction party. A pretty ghastly choice to have to make really.

It’s exactly why this has come up now and it will keep coming up at future by-elections as long as the p**t keeps providing the ammunition

 

[bramling]

Depends on how you define stupid, but in any case not all voters of any particular party are stupid. Nobody is ever born with full knowledge of how they should behave, they have to be taught it. The main channels of learning are upbringing, education and media influences; if people can't think for themselves then something's wrong with one or a combination of these channels. I think the main problem is we don't teach critical thinking widely enough in this country, and in some other countries as well. Someone could be very knowledgeable in specific subjects but still lack critical thinking, but if they don't have that skill that's not always their fault, but the fault of whoever has deprived them of that skill and/or the opportunity to learn it.


I think there is a certain possibility Johnson needed something to help him out with this by-election: it's a safe seat and an almost impossible swing, but Johnson and other senior Tories have visited the constituency, a sign they're somewhat worried. Even holding the seat but only just would cause him problems. This story about last Christmas in Downing Street certainly won't be helping Johnson, and the fact it came out the day before the polls opened means there's not a lot he can do to reverse any losses that might result from it.

I’d say the best result in Bexley is probably Conservatives holding on with a slashed majority.

That I think would put Johnson under pressure, and could just wake him up to the longer term consequences of the other game that’s going on - the willy-waving contest between him and Khan. I cannot imagine London Conservative voters are impressed with being collateral damage in Johnson’s games.

 

[stevetay3]

Depends on how you define stupid, but in any case not all voters of any particular party are stupid. Nobody is ever born with full knowledge of how they should behave, they have to be taught it. The main channels of learning are upbringing, education and media influences; if people can't think for themselves then something's wrong with one or a combination of these channels. I think the main problem is we don't teach critical thinking widely enough in this country, and in some other countries as well. Someone could be very knowledgeable in specific subjects but still lack critical thinking, but if they don't have that skill that's not always their fault, but the fault of whoever has deprived them of that skill and/or the opportunity to learn it.


I think there is a certain possibility Johnson needed something to help him out with this by-election: it's a safe seat and an almost impossible swing, but Johnson and other senior Tories have visited the constituency, a sign they're somewhat worried. Even holding the seat but only just would cause him problems. This story about last Christmas in Downing Street certainly won't be helping Johnson, and the fact it came out the day before the polls opened means there's not a lot he can do to reverse any losses that might result from it.

A big enough swing might make him take notice

 

[greyman42]

Anyone voting Labour is voting for more restrictions and lockdowns.

 

[bramling]

Anyone voting Labour is voting for more restrictions and lockdowns.

And this is a problem.

Vote Conservative and we get this constant drip-drip-drip of restrictions according to which way the wind is blowing, rubbish like the Khan games, and a leader who is simply not fit for office.

Vote Labour and simply get nothingness spruced up with a bit of extra restriction here and there, and a leader who seems to have more integrity but questionable competence.

Do you want your left leg or right leg cut off?

How do we give Johnson a kicking without voting Labour?

 

[greyman42]

Vote Conservative and we get this constant drip-drip-drip of restrictions according to which way the wind is blowing,

The latest restrictions are not being enforced so if you don't like them, which i don't, you just ignore them.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

The latest restrictions are not being enforced so if you don't like them, which i don't, you just ignore them.

Do you have a list of which laws you believe in and which you willfully ignore?

I'm looking for a new DVD and TV, perhaps I could pop round and nick yours seeing as you're so free and easy about obeying the law.