Can Hancock survive? Should he?

[Saracen999]

Probably not, and definitely not.

I am not and never have been a member of any political party and my views on Hancock are in that context.

I think there are a lot of questions to answer about the appointments process that might, on their own, be sufficient to justify either quitting, or being booted out if he won't.

But his grossly negligent, not to mention utterly contemptuous, disregard for Covid rules/guidance that he is responsible for, are certainly enough to be removed from his job, if (as has so far been the case) he doesn't have the integrity to remove himself.

So my reaction is this - if this muppet isn't gone, and soon, I will take to treating Covid rules/guidance with the same respect as is apparently appropriate for our political leaders. i.e. zero. I will take to doing what suits me, like they do.

Moreover, while my politics are more aligned with the Tories than Labour et.al, for me, this has become a litmus test for the Prime Minister too. If Hancockup doesn't have the moral decency to quit, who I vote for (or don't vote for) at the next general election will be decided by whether Boris discovers he has some balls and fire him.

So Boris .... "he's apologised, and that's case closed?" Like hell, BoJo. Dream on, pal. The question now is whether this wrecks Hancock's career, or yours too? If he won't quit, your credibility is on the line too.

Listen to the radio, Boris. Get a feel for what we, the public, think about this. The disdain is not just coming from political opponents. It's coming from supporters, too.

[spacein_vader]

He shouldn't survive, but he just might. There are many (IMO better,) reasons for him to have lost his job in the last 18 months too.

That said, I firmly believe that Boris has kept him in post this long for 1 reason: to take the bullet when the inevitable enquiry comes. As a result he'll do all he can to keep him there now. After all if Hancocks already gone they might look to force his old boss out instead.

One other thought occurs, if he does go who on earth would accept the job after? There are many senior tories who refuse to serve in a Johnson government, and even those loyal to him will either see the job as a downgrade on their current one (Sunak, Patel, arguably Raab,) or will just see it as a poisoned chalice.

I also think the Sun have kept some powder dry, expect further revelations in their Sunday edition which may force Boris hand.

[AGTDenton]

This is turning into an EastEnders Government spin off.
The DM or the Sun have now gone right back through to his Uni days and found the pair were close then.

I believe they're thinking of doing an early cabinet reshuffle.
Perhaps, just maybe they'll employ a Health Secretary that's worked in the medical industry.

[Saracen999]

....

Perhaps, just maybe they'll employ a Health Secretary that's worked in the medical industry.

Wot, a politician that actually knows his you-know-what from a hole in the ground?

Hmmmm.

Nah, no chance of finding someone qualified.

[AGTDenton]

And he's resigned!!!

Wot, a politician that actually knows his you-know-what from a hole in the ground?

Hmmmm.

Nah, no chance of finding someone qualified.

[Kovoet]

So he should. Our politician's as all politicians are so corrupt and hypocritical

[Saracen999]

And he's resigned!!!

....

Oh, shame. Not.

[TeePee]

No. He should be in prison. The damage they've caused over the last year will take decades to recover from.

[Apex]

So like a friend said to me

"So Matt Hancock (UK former health minister) resigns .. over a bloody affair.

Not over screwing up PPE supply to the NHS.
Not over screwing up track and trace.
Not over sending infected care home residents back into carehomes.

Over him being caught on camera snogging an aide during lockdown."

Does that not seem screwy to you ?

[pp05]

This is turning into an EastEnders Government spin off.
The DM or the Sun have now gone right back through to his Uni days and found the pair were close then.

I believe they're thinking of doing an early cabinet reshuffle.
Perhaps, just maybe they'll employ a Health Secretary that's worked in the medical industry.

Hopefully no one with talent.

[Xlucine]

The egg is health secretary
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43947008

[Domestic_Ginger]

Going back to hancock; the times alleges he had been running his office through gmail.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-57626422

[spacein_vader]

Going back to hancock; the times alleges he had been running his office through gmail.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-57626422

This should be a much bigger deal than the affair. Could make it very difficult for the enquiry to find correspondence from those close to Mr Hancock and their subsequent NHS contract awards.

It does not look like an error.

[Corky34]

Is he still going to be an MP?

[Saracen999]

Is he still going to be an MP?

Unless he resigns, or gets a fairly serious criminal conviction, they're nearly imossible to force out.

[Corky34]

I guess he's in a safe seat as well so his untrustworthiness will just be accepted.

Anyone remember when trustworthiness was of utmost importance for MPs, maybe I've got my rose-tinted glasses on.