Thread by @fascinatorfun

“Taking responsibility” in Johnson’s book seems to be a slippery business
He knew they were occurring
He went to some & knew they were parties
He appeared to dismiss concerns raised by others

He set the tone & culture

None of that is admitted
That isn’t taking responsibility

https://twitter.com/pippacrerar/status/1482652016216358912

@BorisJohnson and @OliverDowden ‘s version of taking responsibility seems nominal and untruthful AND WILL NOT WASH.

“I didn’t know there were parties in breach of the law and guidance, but I am PM but as the poor victim I will take nominal responsibility whilst sacking and discipline everyone else”

Thin gruel and unbelievable.

thetimes.co.uk/article/live-b…

Should each take personal responsibility for their part? Sure.

But if the PM and law MAKER gave the appearance AND REALITY of saying this sort of event was fine then that is where prime responsibility lies.

Indeed he has repeatedly asserted they were within the rules.

HE SAID EVEN IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS EVEN THOUGH IT TURNS OUT HE WAS PRESENT AT SOME…and at a time when he and ministerial colleagues were spelling out to the public that they could not do things far FAR less than these events.

He hasn’t taken responsibility at all.

More than anything else he has failed to take responsibility that HE (not his staff or the civil service) played fast and loose with the rules whilst at the same time asserting powers over others that caused great anguish…and knowing that they did.
Then lied about it.

Responsibility my arse.

Neither he nor Dowden appear to understand the meaning of the word.

But all those who lived by the rules - the law and guidance DID take their PERSONAL responsibilities seriously. Lived by them mostly without resentment for the greater good.

So Johnson and Dowden’s thin gruel nominal responsibility won’t cut it.

And the constant slippery eel display - only going to the minimum point they hope to “get away with” until more revelations gainsay it just underline the deep character flaws in both of them.

They think we are mugs

https://twitter.com/paulbranditv/status/1482646706693062656

The first thing he has to admit is that he misled the House and did so deliberately in an attempt to cover up the scale of the partying and his part in the culture.

That is taking responsibility.

Not the untruthful “I didn’t know”.

The second thing the Tory Party as a whole have to square up to (& this is right within Dowden’s job as Chairman) is they have failed right from the point of selecting a leader to put the interests of the country as a whole at the centre of their decision making.

Everything is based on a calculation of what is best for the Tory Party regardless of whether the actions and choices drives ever greater rifts within the country. Complete absence of statecraft.

And that is why they elected a leader THEY KNEW TO BE A LAZY CHANCER AND A LIAR.

It was not because they thought he would unite the country. It was obvious he would not.

It was because they CALCULATED he would win an election. Who cares about the subsequent damage.

And they have left him in place despite 176k Covid deaths.

Despite deep economic harm.

Despite now numerous examples of him lying to the house. Failing to uphold the Ministerial code.

Despite lying to the Queen.

Despite an unlawful prorogation of Parliament.

Despite running a coach and horses through our constitution.

The current Tory Party elected a chancer and has left him in place despite all this because they too are chancers.

Can we get away with it.

They too need a “Come to Jesus” moment

And not a Rees-Mogg/ Steve Baker version of Jesus either

Because they are destroying our country

As Chris Bryant points out. Sacking the more junior staff when the head proponent set the tone gave permission, overt or implied by his presence and encouragement is about as despicable as he gets.

If he (& Oliver Dowden & his Party) don’t get that then they are despicable too.