The Tories face a new police probe as an exclusive video shows officials joking about their rule-bending Christmas bash at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London during lockdown
And sadly, on average each day over the past week 420 deaths have been reported
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we must act now
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We should never lose sight of our own role in this – our personal responsibility.
Each and every one of us to respect the rules where you are don’t ease up on those simple steps that keep us safe: like hands, face, and space. The social distancing that we need. And to come forward and get a test.
This moment is a salutary warning for the whole country – this isn’t over yet.
Please play your part and do all you can to stop the spread of this disease.
People will make retrospective arguments about what others were doing. But the fact that we have to trust these people and they prove themselves to be hypocrites time and time again means they should not be working in some of the most senior, influential roles in public office.
What is so striking, every time one of these videos leaks, is that the people in it clearly knew they were breaking the rules but thought this was a far more frivolous matter than the rest of us. Whether it's Allegra Stratton joking about the Downing Street leaving drinks not being socially distanced, or the guy here joking that they shouldn't stream that they're 'like, bending the rules hahaha' - it's so brazen. The dancers in this video are even twirling past a sign telling them to social distance!
It's because anyone involved in making the rules, or tbh with even any exposure to the reality of dealing with COVID on the ground knew the rules were stupid. They were put in place purely because the government reasoned the public needed something clear and concise to follow because they're morons who are incapable of appreciating complex topics or showing any discretion.
It features Ben Mallet – awarded an OBE in Mr Johnson’s list. Mr Mallet, filmed holding a glass of red wine and wearing festive braces, was the Tories’ campaign director for the 2021 London mayoral election.
He now runs the campaign of Moz Hossain, who wants to stand in next year’s mayoral race
Just in case anyone was wondering if this is all just a matter for the history books.
No party has come back from so far back in the polls to win an election at this stage. Also the tories are hopelessly divided - everything they feel like they're "getting somewhere" their divisions come to the for again.
On top of all that, the mortgage timebomb alongside the inflation problems are looking like they're lasting longer than expected/hoped. I'd expect much of next year to be dominated with stories about families struggling to cope with the high mortgage rates, being forced to sell their homes and the property market being a mess. It's not a good situation to be in but I can't see how the Tories can see that out.