Boris Johnson 8pm televised address - official match thread

[Neville's Breakfast]

My condolences and best wishes. People are being hit left right and centre, whether it be distressed kids, dead relatives, or death itself.

We are not pulling together as a country owing to dithering, venal, spiv leadership. It is a disgrace.

The next GE is a long way away; where are the Tory Grandees, now, the ones who told Maggie her game was up? Have they all been replaced by spivs? Judging by the pathetic weaselry exemplified by the likes of our NSC 'pig in a blue rosette is great by me' contingent, I fear the answer is yes

But Harry, who is this ‘NSC pig in a blue rosette is great by me contingent ?’ I don’t see even one post that could be construed that way. I do see quite a bit of vitriolic abuse from anti Boris posters and responses from others pointing out the difficulties of managing through this crisis but accepting mistakes have been made. Nobody knows how well the opposition would have managed this crisis so to claim it would have been better or worse as fact is simply playing politics with the virus.

 

[Jim in the West]

Both equally culpable in that regard. Starmer was calling for schools to remain open until late yesterday. It doesn’t matter though; as long as we get through this

He called for a national lockdown on Sunday, and that most schools should close (with exceptions for children of front-line workers, etc) - but asked that the government properly plan it. But, as you say, it doesn't really matter as long as we get through it. And Starmer was pretty clear yesterday that he supported the PM's announcement - he wanted to bring the country together. Decent statesmanship, I thought.

 

[Guinness Boy]

The majority should suffer because of the minority then. I wouldn't consider inviting anyone to watch my TV and don't know anyone else who would

This. I will be watching with my lad and only with him. We're not even meeting up with our bubble this time.

Being stuck at home is bad enough. Being stuck at home with endless repeats of Pawn Stars and socially distanced panel games isn't even worth thinking about.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

He called for a national lockdown on Sunday, and that most schools should close (with exceptions for children of front-line workers, etc) - but asked that the government properly plan it. But, as you say, it doesn't really matter as long as we get through it. And Starmer was pretty clear yesterday that he supported the PM's announcement - he wanted to bring the country together. Decent statesmanship, I thought.

Saturday, Sunday it doesn’t matter. Nothing changed over the weekend so Starmer was behind the curve just like the PM. As recently as yesterday he was stonewalling very straight questions from Sky on whether schools should re-open today. I am not criticizing him. My instinct tells me that he would likely be a better leader than Boris. I am simply not giving him the free pass he gets on NSC because I am realistic enough to know he would have made many mistakes as well.

 

[nicko31]

Boris, the Tories and their supporters have blood on their hands. That is the truth. All while making sure them and their friends get richer. All part of the plan, and it is working a charm.

Sending 3-4 millions kids back to school yesterday only to lockdown a few hours later was beyond negligent.

Yet millions still cheer him, I just don't get it....

 

[Guinness Boy]

Sending 3-4 millions kids back to school yesterday only to lockdown a few hours later was beyond negligent.

Yet millions still cheer him, I just don't get it....

Where did you get those figures from out of interest?

Only those in exam years were supposed to go into secondary schools and Primaries were closed throughout the South East, including my daughter's school. Then very many had inset days planned anyway to either create the online learning plan or prepare further for the testing they were being asked to do. I'd suggest a lot of schools were closed. Brighton was shut.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

But frankly, I'd rather approach things in this manner than be a snide cynic to everything that comes my way. Life's too short to be like that IMO.

True. But other approaches to the two offered are available.

 

[dazzer6666]

I’m sure that the people who work working CAMHS do some very fine work, however it doesn’t change that the system as a whole is horrifically broken and from my own experiences with them over 10 years they have been largely the cause of more issues than solutions.

Whilst I’m aware the people within the system are doing their upmost to help people the lack of funding means they can’t touch half the people who desperately need their help.

Absolutely our experience too. CAMHS was somewhere between useless and actually causing further damage.

 

[Randy McNob]

Sending 3-4 millions kids back to school yesterday only to lockdown a few hours later was beyond negligent.

Yet millions still cheer him, I just don't get it....

It is quite incredible people question Starmer's role when the schools minister was threatening legal action against schools! Teachers went against government advice and threatened strikes. So gaslit

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Absolutely this with bells on. Couldn't have said it better myself.

How anyone can vote for these ****ing self serving, evil infested c*nts is beyond me. Never liked the Tories, but absolutely despise them now. Handing out dodgy contracts to mates and rushing through Brexit without much scrutiny, taking advantage of a crisis, is criminal. I really hope this blows up in their faces soon.

I think they'll get crushed at the next GE once this is over, I really really REALLY hope they do.

In the meantime, Nadhim Zahawi (claims parliamentary expenses for heating his stables) gets the gig for distribution of vaccines.

His wife and two sons set up a brand new company Warren Medical Company Ltd. Conflict of interest?

https://bylinetimes.com/2021/01/04/vaccine-minister-nadhim-zahawi-family-set-up-medical-company/

 

[atomised]

Absolutely our experience too. CAMHS was somewhere between useless and actually causing further damage.

I have an ongoing battle with CAMHS at the moment about my oldest. They do good work when you get to that point but are so stretched

 

[darkwolf666]

Can I very gently point out that you are basing your view on very limited data. In my professional life I have seen some very different outcomes from the work done by CAMHS.

Woah Tiger, I am not doubting the work that CAMHS have done or are doing. I was simply pointing out, in a personal experience way, that they are seriously underfunded and have to set a high bar for assistance, as their resources are stretched, their words to me...

The self harming story I told was an indication of such triggers that need to be met before they will consider offering help!

And that was before the current crisis

 

[amexer]

I have many contacts in France and Germany and can assure you both governments face continual criticism including why was UK able to start vacinating before them. I am of view this has been an unprecedented situation and whoever was in government would have done some things better and some things worse. Every likely hood they would have been taking advice from same people.
Who knows when this will be over but Government will then be judged on how they deal with post covid and get people back to work and businesses going. At next election If we have come through this and NHS coped it will be a plus for government. Those of you out there who will, whatever the situation will never vote Tory or Labour but these votes dont win or lose elections. Huge problems for next government on how to repay this huge debt and creating tax income from individuals and businesses to do this. The party that is deemed best to do this will win election

 

[blockhseagull]

Absolutely our experience too. CAMHS was somewhere between useless and actually causing further damage.

I have an ongoing battle with CAMHS at the moment about my oldest. They do good work when you get to that point but are so stretched

Seems to be the theme for most who deal with them, IF you are able to get to the help then the system can deliver some results.

However I wonder how many never get through to the right help, or even more shockingly have to give up because their child just can’t deal with the stress of the process. Certainly my experience that the waiting times, cancelled appointments, starting from the beginning again and again caused more harm.

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

Looks like life as normal in Central Hove this morning. Can't actually think what these new measures will change in the local area than what we had previously in Tier 4 (which wasn't working). Yes I know schools are now shut, but they've been closed the past 2 or 3 weeks for Christmas holidays and cases were still rising. I'm struggling to see how these new measures will make any difference in the spread around here, unless I'm missing something.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

The similarities between the leadership in the UK and the US are becoming more and more apparent

Populist leader who is completely out of his depth .... Check
Inability to take tough decisions .... Check
Members of ruling party who should be providing checks and balances but who have in fact become enablers .... Check
Lining the pockets of their supporters and buddies .... Check

At least they've got rid of their clown, we've got to put up with ours and the fallout for another four years

 

[darkwolf666]

Looks like life as normal in Central Hove this morning. Can't actually think what these new measures will change in the local area than what we had previously in Tier 4 (which wasn't working). Yes I know schools are now shut, but they've been closed the past 2 or 3 weeks for Christmas holidays and cases were still rising. I'm struggling to see how these new measures will make any difference in the spread around here, unless I'm missing something.

Agree, despite the commentators saying it, this is nothing like the March shutdown!

Clearly all hopes are pinned on the vaccine roll out and a return to schools after the February half term, by which time we, as a family, will have been shielding for just about a year - as we went into lockdown early, before Boris announced, as we could see that there was too much differing, even at that early stage.

 

[Guinness Boy]

The only people still supporting a pig an a particular coloured rosette at the moment seem to be the Boris supporters. Suggesting 'whatabout people preferring Starmer just because he has a red rosette' is crass. I support Starmer but I never supported the wanker Corbyn Tories opposed to Boris, however, are thin on the ground. I can't see Bozza et al cutting Corbyn any slack if he were (heaven forfend) in charge now. Rightly so. But I can't see them cutting Starmer any slack either. Fancy that

Bottom line, Boris has failed, failed and failed again over Covid, while enriching his pals, and that's why we are top of the charts in the race to disease and death.

There's a big, big difference between supporting Boris per se and supporting the measures brought in last night. I fully support what he has done last night and, guess what, so do Starmer (and Krankie) because they were also suggesting / doing it.

If anything I agree that it was all a day late and should have been done before ANY kids went back but people stating there were four millions kids in yesterday without backing it up with any evidence whatsoever seem to be the ones using hyperbole, rather than government supporters.

All that said, at the risk of going down a rabbit hole, I do wonder what it was that Boris had on his mind until midnight on 31 December.

 

[timbha]

Sending 3-4 millions kids back to school yesterday only to lockdown a few hours later was beyond negligent.

t....

Is that a made up figure?

Sorry GB, just seen your post!

 

[Me and my Monkey]

I have many contacts in France and Germany and can assure you both governments face continual criticism including why was UK able to start vacinating before them. I am of view this has been an unprecedented situation and whoever was in government would have done some things better and some things worse. Every likely hood they would have been taking advice from same people.
Who knows when this will be over but Government will then be judged on how they deal with post covid and get people back to work and businesses going. At next election If we have come through this and NHS coped it will be a plus for government. Those of you out there who will, whatever the situation will never vote Tory or Labour but these votes dont win or lose elections. Huge problems for next government on how to repay this huge debt and creating tax income from individuals and businesses to do this. The party that is deemed best to do this will win election

Wise, considered words. This thread is becoming more and more a political slagging match and must surely be due demotion to the Bear Pit, or at least a sideways move to the Coronavirus thread. Or maybe I'll just put it on my Ignore List. Yes, I'll do that.