Boris Johnson obviously can't do the daily coronavirus press conference, so the Health secretary Matt Hancock is down to do it instead, except that now *he* has tested positive as well.
All those images of a packed HoC earlier this month really don't look too clever now (Angela Rayner went down with it this morning as well).
This could become a real picture postcard of how slow the response to the crisis was at the beginning now there's a cluster in government.
Interesting that Bernie is still in the race and hasn't dropped out. He's been very visible on the Covid issue and clearly thinks there's a chance Biden goes full Devon Loch on the home straight.
It's interesting watching Boris here - this is the most serious announcement he's had to make in his political career, yet he is still utterly incapable of gravitas - still bumbling, lots of 'er, er, look here now'.
If you are focussing on his deliver right now, you need to have a word with yourself.
These are massive commitments for a government of any colour, I think it was along the lines of what John McDonnell was asking for.
He is the PM - one of his key responsibilities in a time of national crisis is to act as an inspiration for people - be someone who calms the nation and makes people think 'everything's going to be ok, because this guy is calling the shots'
Being his usual bumbling self does not do this, giving the impression of someone who is making decisions eventually, after a week of being told that not enough is being done - he is failing a key part of the job.
I watched the press conference. His style can often look like he is playing the clown but he looked pretty sober and serious to me.
Whether you like him or not, he does have charisma that is lacking in previous leaders like May.
I don’t think anyone (other than the likes of you and momentum nut jobs) can criticise him today.
I notice that you didn’t criticise the policy announcement which was a massive financial commitment to help ordinary workers.
Your comments look petty and ill judged at a time like this.
'He has more charisma than Theresa May' is not the strongest of endorsements for Boris.
The financial policy announcements as they are are fine - they still don't do much for people who are self-employed or for people who are renting - but are a good start. They are also far more in line with an economic policy that would be suggested by a chancellor who was a 'momentum nut job'. Glad to hear you're seeing the light Rick - keep the red flag flying high.
Well I did smile.
I suppose extreme circumstances need extreme actions, unfortunately McDonnell thinks extreme actions in normal economic times are acceptable.
I saw McDonnell suggesting this policy this morning, so I thought he’d be happy.
A friend just texted me to say McDonnell is now moaning that it’s not enough and they should be doing more to stimulate the economy (haven’t seen it personally). It’s pretty hard to do that when everyone is sat at home ffs.
As you say, the reason extreme measures are needed is because it’s a very serious situation for everyone. However, even in normal economic times, it’s a very serious, life or death situation for many people every day, and the purposes of a McDonnell budget would be to help alleviate things for those people, in the same way that Sunak has tried to do for everyone today.
It's interesting watching Boris here - this is the most serious announcement he's had to make in his political career, yet he is still utterly incapable of gravitas - still bumbling, lots of 'er, er, look here now'.
If you are focussing on his deliver right now, you need to have a word with yourself.
These are massive commitments for a government of any colour, I think it was along the lines of what John McDonnell was asking for.
He is the PM - one of his key responsibilities in a time of national crisis is to act as an inspiration for people - be someone who calms the nation and makes people think 'everything's going to be ok, because this guy is calling the shots'
Being his usual bumbling self does not do this, giving the impression of someone who is making decisions eventually, after a week of being told that not enough is being done - he is failing a key part of the job.
I watched the press conference. His style can often look like he is playing the clown but he looked pretty sober and serious to me.
Whether you like him or not, he does have charisma that is lacking in previous leaders like May.
I don’t think anyone (other than the likes of you and momentum nut jobs) can criticise him today.
I notice that you didn’t criticise the policy announcement which was a massive financial commitment to help ordinary workers.
Your comments look petty and ill judged at a time like this.
'He has more charisma than Theresa May' is not the strongest of endorsements for Boris.
The financial policy announcements as they are are fine - they still don't do much for people who are self-employed or for people who are renting - but are a good start. They are also far more in line with an economic policy that would be suggested by a chancellor who was a 'momentum nut job'. Glad to hear you're seeing the light Rick - keep the red flag flying high.
Compare Boris' performance to that of Rishi Sunak - someone who is, rightly, getting a lot of praise from people for the way in which he is communicating important decisions.
The absolute gold standard of a person in a position of power and responsibility providing clear, calming and reassuring leadership at a time of huge national uncertainty was the governor of the Bank of England speaking just after the Brexit referendum result - compare and contrast this with Boris.
It's interesting watching Boris here - this is the most serious announcement he's had to make in his political career, yet he is still utterly incapable of gravitas - still bumbling, lots of 'er, er, look here now'.
If you are focussing on his deliver right now, you need to have a word with yourself.
These are massive commitments for a government of any colour, I think it was along the lines of what John McDonnell was asking for.
He is the PM - one of his key responsibilities in a time of national crisis is to act as an inspiration for people - be someone who calms the nation and makes people think 'everything's going to be ok, because this guy is calling the shots'
Being his usual bumbling self does not do this, giving the impression of someone who is making decisions eventually, after a week of being told that not enough is being done - he is failing a key part of the job.
It's interesting watching Boris here - this is the most serious announcement he's had to make in his political career, yet he is still utterly incapable of gravitas - still bumbling, lots of 'er, er, look here now'.
Honestly, can’t you just find it within yourself to say well done Boris rather than looking for something to criticise?
Because he's shit - he was shown up last week by Leo Varadkar in Ireland, someone who's only an acting leader as he lost the election but still was able to make the tough decisions when needed.
Boris is not, in any meaningful way, leading the country - he is completely out of his depth and was even just shown up by Rishi Sunak - someone who's been a top-level politician for about 5 minutes.
This week's delay of inaction will lead to many extra deaths.
There'll no doubt be lots of 'the sky is falling' comments tonight from people, but the UK is a week behind Ireland in terms of pubs/restaurants closing and it's been fine here.
Went to the supermarket earlier today and there was a one-in, one-out policy - people queuing up outside a few feet apart from each other. Whilst a lot of restaurants have closed completely, others have switched to a takeaway service - kitchen still open, with customers collecting from the front door.
If Ireland can close pubs in St Patrick's week then anything is possible.
It's interesting watching Boris here - this is the most serious announcement he's had to make in his political career, yet he is still utterly incapable of gravitas - still bumbling, lots of 'er, er, look here now'.
Here in Dublin it's a bit of a ghost town. Offices that could have employees work from home all shut down on Friday. Pubs are closed, as are most restaurants. Schools have also all been shut for a week. This is all with us still only having 2 deaths.
Reports coming in of London being under military lockdown by the weekend troops are already being deployed not sure how much truth in this
Who is it that starts these stupid Whatsapp/Facebook stories? Surely by now everyone knows they are bullshit. We had the same thing in Ireland last week - 'the Army will be on the streets by the weekend' etc.