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Coronavirus - political views - supporting or otherwise...

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We have got to a stage that we trust footy players more than MPs - on either side of the floor.. that is the travesty rather than calling out Labour or the opposition
And we have a H&SC secretary telling us this morning that the PM has made the right decision - to change his mind. Well - they got to the correct place eventually. we can be grateful for that.

But that then means that Hancock and/or the PM knew that what was previously announced (and that was defended vigorously by various ministers) was simply wrong. And as usual there is absolutely no acceptance of that by the government or most of it's supporters. That Hancock goes on to praise Rashford for the way he put the case? All Rashford did was state the bleedin' obvious about how free meal vouchers help the poorest. Rashford did not show brilliant insight and a completely new angle on the question - he simply stated the obvious - and he could do it from personal experience.

Yet the government was unable to see that which was obvious - or rather they chose to not see the obvious. And so they change their mind - not because of what Rashford said - but I suspect more on how the electorate got what Rashford said. And when the government spotted the public view - only then did they change their mind. So much for the vigorous case previously made against it. And then the wind changed direction.

What a bunch. Sorry. I, and others, are accused of looking for holes in everything the government do. But frankly that it isn't very difficult if you care to look (though it seems that many choose to look away or ignore them as they are thrust in our faces). Many of the problems and U-turns the government experiences are nothing directly driven by the uncertainties around the pandemic. Of course these will cause difficulties in measures to be taken and when - I absolutely get that. But many problems and issues simply come about as a result of the government's chosen response to an issue arising and then how they sell it, and in that it is so often found to be wanting.

You might choose to defend the government to the hilt, but when we take an honest look at much of what has gone on I believe that most will find such things as are pointed out to be not quite as great as those defending Johnson and his government would themselves like to believe.
 
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Starmer didnt do a very good job of convincing him then.

While I'm replying, you want to look at your posting style, its becoming very aggressive.

Do you seriously expect the PM to change his mind on something because of what the Leader of the Opposition has to say? If you really think that is a likely scenario, then why not provide some examples from, say, the last 20 years, when that has happened? Bet you can't.

Rashford didn't change his mind either. He changed his mind because his normally loyal newspapers got behind it, and then a groundswell of Tory MPs started calling for it.

Not sure why you found my previous reply "aggressive', there was no threat in it, I merely stated you were talking drivel, which you were if you really expected Starmer to be able to change Johnson's mind.
 
On the Beeb this morning they reported that BJ changed his mind after speaking to Rashford on the phone.

Do you believe everything the BBC says?

Here's Johnson's pet newspaper's take on it

More than a million school children will be given vouchers for free meals over the summer following pressure from cross-party MPs and footballer Marcus Rashford.
The Government has announced a new "Covid summer food fund" to cover the six-week summer holiday for children who qualify for free school meals, fending off a looming Tory MP rebellion which was expected in a vote on Tuesday.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politic...-therese-coffey-tackles-marcus-rashford-free/
 
I suppose the extra £60 million given to councils for summer schools and activities a week ago to assist disadvantaged children is being lost in all the noise.

A welcome gesture, but one well known issue with things like summer schools/after school clubs is that they tend to be used by the more affluent kids and the disadvantaged kids don't use them as much. May be these will be targeted specifically at disadvantaged kids which will be useful. If they'd of done the free school meals first then this it would have been such an easy PR victory for the government.
 
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Do you seriously expect the PM to change his mind on something because of what the Leader of the Opposition has to say? If you really think that is a likely scenario, then why not provide some examples from, say, the last 20 years, when that has happened? Bet you can't.

Rashford didn't change his mind either. He changed his mind because his normally loyal newspapers got behind it, and then a groundswell of Tory MPs started calling for it.

Not sure why you found my previous reply "aggressive', there was no threat in it, I merely stated you were talking drivel, which you were if you really expected Starmer to be able to change Johnson's mind.
Do you normally accuse people of talking drivel when face to face, probably not as it would be taken as an insult and with some unfortunate outcomes. You no doubt keep it for the keyboard where you feel safe. Please try a little harder to be polite even if someone has a different view.
 
Who mentioned anything about blame.

Do you normally accuse people of talking drivel when face to face, probably not as it would be taken as an insult and with some unfortunate outcomes. You no doubt keep it for the keyboard where you feel safe. Please try a little harder to be polite even if someone has a different view.
If that's all he is accusing you of take it from me that's polite for him. Never been called a racist before he decided I was one.
 
Do you normally accuse people of talking drivel when face to face, probably not as it would be taken as an insult and with some unfortunate outcomes. You no doubt keep it for the keyboard where you feel safe. Please try a little harder to be polite even if someone has a different view.

Oh the irony, pretty rich given the number of snide remarks you come out with. Iirc, it's not that long since you had your knuckles rapped for that very thing.

Still, I guess it's easier for you to play the man rather than the ball. I won't hold my breath waiting for you to come up with an example of a PM changing his mind after listening to a Leader of the Opposition.
 
You know what, I knew you were going to come back with that. Tbh I don't really care how and why they changed their mind, I'm just happy they did.
Some people would whinge if BJ became a doctor and cured cancer "yeah but the tax payer paid for all his courses so ner ner"....

I'm pleased he changed his mind as well, but it was pure political expediency as reported widely this morning, not a conversion on the road to Damascus after speaking to Rashford.
 
Oh the irony, pretty rich given the number of snide remarks you come out with. Iirc, it's not that long since you had your knuckles rapped for that very thing.

Still, I guess it's easier for you to play the man rather than the ball. I won't hold my breath waiting for you to come up with an example of a PM changing his mind after listening to a Leader of the Opposition.
You accuse me of talking 'Drivel' and then say I'm playing the man and not the ball :rolleyes:
 
You accuse me of talking 'Drivel' and then say I'm playing the man and not the ball :rolleyes:

And? I explained quite clearly why the point you were trying to make was nonsensical. You haven't attempted to prove me wrong, all you do is call me aggressive, and come out with the old 'hiding behind a keyboard' cliché.

I'm all for having a discussion about the issues.

But I've made a mental note that you consider 'drivel' to be highly offensive so I won't use it again. Is 'rubbish' OK?
 
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