Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

At least two Tory MPs now:
https://twitter.com/Simon4NDorset/status/1264468010196258817

I think Hoare makes a good point, much of this is about tone, if he'd been contrite he could have been forgiven but I think/hope it's too late now.

I don't think so. This Guardian timeline suggests what I thought, which was that he self-isolated at No. 10, went to hospital, then went to Chequers after being discharged to recuperate.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/boris-johnson-and-coronavirus-inside-story-illness

I can't imagine he thinks much of Dom's behaviour to be fair, having gone as far as ICU. But like many I suspect he fears he can't rule without him. There are some real parallels with Cromwell!

Thinking more about the "who replaces Cummings" element - what if he's the only thing holding the ship together, and without him the crew under Captain Johnson become uncontrollable factions, battling each other for their own goals? The ERG's Libertarians vs (at a guess) Sunak etc? The government at the moment is both cruel and incompetent - the ultimate expression of the team that delivered an EU customs border within the UK. But maybe this is the high water mark for them, and that without Cummings they will just be paralysed.

Boris needs Cummings to stay if for no other reason than as long as he is still there the focus is on Dom, as soon as he sacks Dom the spotlight swings on to our invisible leader and how long did he know, why didn't he act sooner, why did he turn a blind eye to guidance breaking etc. and a level a scrutiny he wants no part of

Another Tory MP having a dig:
https://twitter.com/DamianCollins/status/1264473525395623938?

Guess they have been plotting over night how to play it

Guess it is this playing out:
https://twitter.com/SebastianEPayne/status/1264465698849513472

^The collapse into factional infighting, maybe?

Johnson wants the title but not the role, so whoever succeeds Dom is the power in the land.

Poor Shapps, all he wants to do is talk about dualing the A66 and for some reason Marr wants to discuss Durham Dom

God - is he doing Marr as well as Ridge and last night's presser? Glutton for punishment there.

He has exciting news about a new train station and dual carriageway to share so wanted to get the word out....

And Marr says we ran out of time, have to discuss tranport some other time, ahahahaha what a stich up

And Marr says we ran out of time, have to discuss tranport some other time, ahahahaha what a stich up

#savage

Classic Marr. So eloquently put. Shapps’ glance to camera was so awkward.

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^ lol

https://thecritic.co.uk/boris-must-take-back-control/

One of the lowest tactics. "People are more interested in...". No, they clearly aren't right now.

Think BJ advocated visiting his mum for Mother's Day. But that was back when the guidance was shaking as many hands as you could find.

Cummings has just gone into no 10.

It's tough having to go into your office on a Sunday.

To fire Johnson?

Ha

So painful to watch. To think he just spread himself out on the griddle having been told what he´d be asked. It´s as if he was there to defend the head of government.

A (slightly random) thought about this:

Imagine if Dom had needed to use breakdown assistances during his family outing - with that car absolutely teaming with C19.

Christmas bonus for the (guv) breakdown vehicle.

Why did he go to Durham?
What's there?
Clarice?

It's got a lovely cathedral.