Certain political stories are lethal because they cut through to voters on a personal level while inflaming concerns lurking in people’s minds. The Mirror story about David Cameron’s car taking his shoes to work while he cycled and smiled at the cameras was a prime example
This is the danger for the government in defending Cummings. Clearly his actions were hypocritical & wrong. They must have been known to Downing Street. They anger voters locked up, losing jobs, missing their own families & even funerals in these dark times.
However much they try to spin, this single story exposes arrogant & elitist attitudes behind the populist stance of people in power. It does so with far more force than angry speeches or columns. And it comes after enforced U-turn revealed lack of concern over health & care staff
Conclusion: this is a toxic story for the government. And the longer it takes them to see this, the deeper the damage
