Current Affairs

[Gill W]

Why won’t you give an opinion on Hancock?

The apparent reluctance forces me to fill in the gaps.

It is not apparent reluctance. I have stated clearly I am not going to. And you are not forced to fill the gaps.. You choose to do so. It's a shame you're not satisfied stating your own opinion without feeling you need to state mine. On which you frankly haven't a clue.

Gill, I would also add, why do you always seek to persuade us to agree with your point of view. Although I mainly disagree with yours, I would never seek to change your mind, so please stop insisting that we should agree with you.

Where have i ever insisted that you agree with me or even persuaded you to agree with me ? That is frankly, a figment of your imagination. We are having discussions where people give their opinions

In this particular case I don’t even know what you and some others think about Hancock’s behaviour due to the strange reluctance to give an opinion.

I have some thoughts as to the reasons why, but, I’ll keep them to myself

[Gill W]

One doesn't resign over tittle tattle nor matters of the loin heart

It's not tittle tattle - he's caught on camera with his tongue down her throat and his hand on her a*se.

What has that got to do with anybody else, like I said it's tittle tattle.

I can’t even be bothered to reply

[Mervyn and Trish]

It's not tittle tattle - he's caught on camera with his tongue down her throat and his hand on her a*se.

What has that got to do with anybody else, like I said it's tittle tattle.

I can’t even be bothered to reply

You just did. Just saying........

[towny44]

Where have i ever insisted that you agree with me or even persuaded you to agree with me ? That is frankly, a figment of your imagination. We are having discussions where people give their opinions

In this particular case I don’t even know what you and some others think about Hancock’s behaviour due to the strange reluctance to give an opinion.

I have some thoughts as to the reasons why, but, I’ll keep them to myself

You seem to have been insisting that we condemn Hancocks actions as strongly as you, if that is not seeking to have us share your condemnation then I dont know what is.
As for the media accusation that his actions breached covid protocols, and he should resign just as he advocated that Ferguson should, there is an element of double standards here, however things are very different now, both parties in this embrace will have had at least one jab, and Hancock will also have developed antibodies following his covid infection. I accept this will be viewed as a feeble excuse, but things have changed in the last year, and we are now only 3 weeks away from all social distancing being withdrawn and we must start to work out how we live with covid in future, with the least possible constraints on normality.

[Manoverboard]

It's not tittle tattle - he's caught on camera with his tongue down her throat and his hand on her a*se.

What has that got to do with anybody else, like I said it's tittle tattle.

I can’t even be bothered to reply

I'm quite pleased that you didn't

Such trivia as this, is in my opinion, only for small minded people who are judgmental towards everybody else.
.

[Stephen]

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[Onelife]

Gill,

It won’t come as any surprise to forum members that I agree with most of what you say. I won’t question other members moral stance as I believe most of them know that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.

In an environment where future decisions have now been compromised Boris’s babes (not all) are fast becoming an insidious “you watch my back I’ll watch yours” bunch of shallow job creepers.

[towny44]

Gill,

It won’t come as any surprise to forum members that I agree with most of what you say. I won’t question other members moral stance as I believe most of them know that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.

In an environment where future decisions have now been compromised Boris’s babes (not all) are fast becoming an insidious “you watch my back I’ll watch yours” bunch of shallow job creepers.

The main person Boris needs to watch his back for is Theresa May, it seems she is using the Ted Heath ex Prime Minister approach to parliamentary activity.

[Manoverboard]

... I won’t question other members moral stance as I believe most of them know that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable ...

We are talking about consenting adults here and I have no right to decide on their behalf if it is, or is not, acceptable. If there is an issue then Gina should lodge a formal complaint.

I accept there is a Covid violation but that is not the genuine concern in this instance.

[david63]

Can I respectfully request that when replying to posts only the relevant post is quoted and not the entire post and that all replies are in one post and not individual posts for each reply.

[Onelife]

Mob

You might be talking about a couple of consenting adults I however am talking about a man who doesn’t take the action he advocates for others…. When asked by Sky News whether he thought Prof Ferguson should be kept in his position, Mr Hancock replied: "That's just not possible in this circumstance."

I am talking about a man who through his consenting adult activates isn’t now in a position to use the slogan Hands, a*se, Face, and Space…that's if he ever gets to do another briefing.

[Stephen]

Just my own opinion, but going by the image sprawled all over the mail front page today, and probably others I think his days are numbered.

[Onelife]

Towny wrote...

The main person Boris needs to watch his back for is Theresa May, it seems she is using the Ted Heath ex Prime Minister approach to parliamentary activity.


I like to think of her as an overseer of honest politics

[Gill W]

Gill,

It won’t come as any surprise to forum members that I agree with most of what you say. I won’t question other members moral stance as I believe most of them know that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.

In an environment where future decisions have now been compromised Boris’s babes (not all) are fast becoming an insidious “you watch my back I’ll watch yours” bunch of shallow job creepers.

I also believe that most of them know that Hancock’s behaviour is unacceptable on many levels, but what baffles me is that they appear unable to bring themselves to say so in public

[towny44]

Can I respectfully request that when replying to posts only the relevant post is quoted and not the entire post and that all replies are in one post and not individual posts for each reply.

I would willingly do that if using the laptop, but I find deleting unwanted bits is very fiddly on my phone, or even the tablet.
Maybe you could build in an easy deletion feature, the cut/copy/paste option in Android is way too sensitive, especially if you need to scroll up or down the post., and trying to delete sections always ends up going too far unless I delete a letter at a time.

[Gill W]

Where have i ever insisted that you agree with me or even persuaded you to agree with me ? That is frankly, a figment of your imagination. We are having discussions where people give their opinions

In this particular case I don’t even know what you and some others think about Hancock’s behaviour due to the strange reluctance to give an opinion.

I have some thoughts as to the reasons why, but, I’ll keep them to myself

You seem to have been insisting that we condemn Hancocks actions as strongly as you, if that is not seeking to have us share your condemnation then I dont know what is.
As for the media accusation that his actions breached covid protocols, and he should resign just as he advocated that Ferguson should, there is an element of double standards here, however things are very different now, both parties in this embrace will have had at least one jab, and Hancock will also have developed antibodies following his covid infection. I accept this will be viewed as a feeble excuse, but things have changed in the last year, and we are now only 3 weeks away from all social distancing being withdrawn and we must start to work out how we live with covid in future, with the least possible constraints on normality.

No, I’ve been challenging you to give your opinions about Hancock’s behaviour, which some people seem strangely reluctant to do.

If people think he’s done nothing wrong , I suggested they take a close look at themselves - as I think most reasonable people would think that he has not behaved appropriately. That is not ‘seeking you to share my condemnation’.

I understand that this video was recorded on 6th May. ‘Cautious hugging’ was permitted from 17th May. If the date of the video is correct, then he’s breached the rules. (Even if it was after 17th May, it wasn’t what I would call cautious!). So I don’t think there’s a media double standard here.

All of this matters. He’s one of the chief architects of the Covid rules and he’s told us in numerous daily briefings what we should do. And the vast majority of people have done as they have been asked, often involving personal sacrifice ( think of the Queen at her husband’s funeral).

Yet Hancock’s behaviour makes mugs of us all - one rule for us, one rule for them. He’s lost all moral authority- who will take anything he says seriously at the next briefing. Johnson has lost any shred of remaining moral authority by backing him.

This is the most important issue in my view.

The other issue is potential corruption. Was he having an affair with the aide before or after thevjob appointment. The aide’s brother got a PPE contract - that is also something that needs to be looked into - did it breach regulations?

[oldbluefox]

I also believe that most of them know that Hancock’s behaviour is unacceptable on many levels, but what baffles me is that they appear unable to bring themselves to say so in public

I presume when you refer to 'them' and 'they' you mean forum members.
Of course it's unacceptable but I for one do not subscribe to the hysteria which seems to have beset some people. If he resigns, he resigns. If he is sacked, he is sacked. I'm not really bothered either way whether he goes or not. I don't delve into others' marital/extra marital affairs, not my business and I'm really not that interested. He is not the first and he won't be the last and I cannot believe the neurotic paranoia we have seen over the past 24 hours from the holier than thous. My sympathies lie not with Hancock or Gina but with their respective families. The histrionics of some seem to have forgotten them.

[Manoverboard]

Mob

You might be talking about a couple of consenting adults I however am talking about a man who doesn’t take the action he advocates for others…. When asked by Sky News whether he thought Prof Ferguson should be kept in his position, Mr Hancock replied: "That's just not possible in this circumstance."

I am talking about a man who through his consenting adult activates isn’t now in a position to use the slogan Hands, a*se, Face, and Space…that's if he ever gets to do another briefing.

Do as I say rather than do as I do is a given throughout the ages. Statesmen all over the World tell their peoples what to do while getting on with their own lives. I used to tell my kids what to do but it doesn't follow that I will do exactly the same.

Hancock is in a bubble with Gina, both have had the two jabs and neither is spreading the virus as may have been the case during the early days of the pandemic. My assessment is that there are zillions of folk out there ' playing away ' so it should make no difference that one of them happens to work for the Government of the day.

Sorry but I simply cannot get excited about the hysteria that some seem to revel in.

[david63]

Quite honestly I have more important things in my life to worry about at the moment than all of this trivia.

[oldbluefox]

Quite honestly I have more important things in my life to worry about at the moment than all of this trivia.

And so say all of us.

[Ray Scully]

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[Ray Scully]

The list that just grows and grows Jenrick, Patel, Renovation at No 10, Cummings, PM compulsive liar, and now Handcock. Well my right wing reactionary friends have had loads to justify recently.

[Gill W]

I also believe that most of them know that Hancock’s behaviour is unacceptable on many levels, but what baffles me is that they appear unable to bring themselves to say so in public

I presume when you refer to 'them' and 'they' you mean forum members.
Of course it's unacceptable but I for one do not subscribe to the hysteria which seems to have beset some people. If he resigns, he resigns. If he is sacked, he is sacked. I'm not really bothered either way whether he goes or not. I don't delve into others' marital/extra marital affairs, not my business and I'm really not that interested. He is not the first and he won't be the last and I cannot believe the neurotic paranoia we have seen over the past 24 hours from the holier than thous. My sympathies lie not with Hancock or Gina but with their respective families. The histrionics of some seem to have forgotten them.

I quite agree regarding the families - it must be awful for them.

However, there are several issues apart from his infidelity. If that was the sole issue, then it would be his private business

There are numerous other issues

He was doing it in work time.
Was he having an affair with her before she was employed by him on a salary paid by the tax payer.
Has her brother benefited from Hancock's relationship with her regarding the PPE contract that he secured.
Hancock had a key role in making the rules, yet he is not abiding by them
How can he be taken seriously at the daily briefings when his moral authority has evaporated
His hypocrisy (re Neil Ferguson).
How did the images get into the hands of the Sun.

In the same way that Johnson's flat renovation wasn't just about wallpaper, this isn't just about Hancock's infidelity

[Gill W]

The list that just grows and grows Jenrick, Patel, Renovation at No 10, Cummings, PM compulsive liar, and now Handcock. Well my right wing reactionary friends have had loads to justify recently.

It must be completely exhausting to keep trying to justify the unjustifiable.

That's why they end up pretending nothing has happened, and brush it aside as inconsequential

[CaroleF]

Sometimes reading through the posts on this thread I think some people seem to take more interest in challenging what they assume are other people's opinions rather than talking about the issue. This is why I rarely post but just read what others have written, ignoring the swipes some people seem to enjoy taking at other members. I'm interested in reading what people think about a various issues but I'm not interested in reading what they assume are the opinions of others and then criticising those imagined opinions.

I have often thought that in general the many of the population seem to believe that their leaders should be held to a higher standard than themselves. I believe that Matt Hancock will find it difficult to stay in office because the media will replay constantly clips where he has criticised the wrong doing of others. It depends how much he, his family, the other family and probably also Boris is prepared to endure. If he does survive I would think he will find it hard each time he offers advice, or rules because the media will come back with querying why should people do as he says when he can't abide by rules himself.

Carole