Letter: We Are Deeply Disappointed With Our MP’s Support of Cummings

Published on: 25 May, 2020
Updated on: 25 May, 2020

From Brian Creese

Chairman of the Guildford Labour Party

Guildford Labour Party, along with many others in Guildford, are deeply disappointed that our MP, Angela Richardson, has rushed to defend the Prime Minister’s adviser, Dominic Cummings. Her defence was so quickly formulated she clearly didn’t have any time to actually find out the facts of the case for herself; she has simply opted to show her support for the Conservative Party regardless of the circumstances.

Out in the real world, people are genuinely upset, even outraged and bewildered by these developments. We all understand Cummings had difficult decisions to make, but he was not alone. One local resident has contacted us saying: “My wife and I have an 18-month-old daughter. For the first four weeks of the lockdown I was working seven days a week averaging 15 hours a day designing key components as part of the VentilatorChallengeUk consortium.

“During this time my wife was going through the early phase of pregnancy and suffering with debilitating pregnancy sickness which rendered her bed-bound for at least a week. During this entire time my under-65 parents, 70 miles away, were perfectly capable and willing to look after our daughter. But the strong and clear message from the government was we must stay at home. This made for the hardest four weeks of my family’s life, but we got through it for the good of the rest of the country at such a tough time.”

I have seen heart-rending stories from people who have lost parents and other relatives, but been unable to travel to funerals or to visit desperately grieving relatives and siblings all of whom have followed the government advice. Our correspondent above feels “angry, frustrated and disappointed” as do thousands of others who these hard choices.

We accept that Cummings had a hard choice to make; but he made the wrong one and if the Prime Minister still expects the British people to take any notice of his advice, he needs to act now and dismiss his adviser. To do anything else is an insult to all those who have made huge sacrifices for the nation.

As for Ms Richardson, I would suggest that after a period of reflection she might like to offer sympathy and support for her constituents who made the right choices in equally, or even more difficult circumstances.

Responses to Letter: We Are Deeply Disappointed With Our MP’s Support of Cummings

Jim Allen Reply

May 25, 2020 at 5:58 pm

After listening to Dominic Cumming’s’s press conference this afternoon, I have a certain sympathy for him. The only incorrect decision he made was to leave London in the first place without having a proper medical assessment. How did he know he was safe to drive?

As for individuals ‘stuck at home’ stresses, I think it is time to accept that the political versions of individual events put together by paid wordsmiths of the press and opposing political views, do not always hang true. For example, having morning sickness during early pregnancy while a husband is working long hours is a simple fact of life, many mothers just get on with it. After hearing Cumming’s story, I do not believe he acted with his political/public brain in gear, but this simply shows he is more human than most people think.

In short, this tornado in a teacup thrashed into a froth by opposing political views does nothing but cause mistrust and potential virus danger to us all. Some might now, thanks to the press reports, ignore lockdown rules because allegedly someone else did.
- K White Reply
  
  May 26, 2020 at 6:42 pm
  
  His leaving London has nothing to do with his ability to drive. The rules are clear: if you or your household suspect you have symptoms of the virus then the household has to isolate (ie stay at home) for 14 days.
Steve Perkins Reply

May 26, 2020 at 9:33 am

Does anyone really believe he took a 30-mile trip to a beauty spot on his wife’s birthday to “test his eyesight”?
Peta Malthouse Reply

May 26, 2020 at 3:44 pm

I can’t agree with Jim Allen on this occasion. Cummings put over a very sad story but thousands of parents made the right choice and stuck to the guidance. The idea of someone driving 250 miles without a break is ridiculous or dangerous, whatever you believe.

Who cares about the reason his trip to Barnards Castle. A 60 mile round trip with a 4-year-old to test your sight? Incredulity is what I felt.

He broke the rules; he should go like others before him. He is not more human, we are all just human. He shows either poor judgement or a feeling of superiority, or both. All you have to do is look at his written opinions to know it is more likely to be a feeling of superiority.
Jeremy Holt Reply

May 28, 2020 at 7:02 pm

This debate has moved on from Dominic Cummings.

The question is now about the PM’s judgement and actions.

To many voters he is looking as toxic as Jeremy Corbyn was for Labour. There will be doorstep comments that one would vote Conservative but not while Boris Johnson is in charge.
Stuart Barnes Reply

May 29, 2020 at 8:59 am

I suggest that the debate was never about Dominic Cummings. It was and is about a last desperate effort by the usual parties to do anything possible to stop our country escaping from the clutches of the failed EU.

Thank goodness that at last we have a PM with enough moral fibre to ignore them. Boris and the Conservatives will benefit in the long run.