News / Politics
Tory mayoral candidate: ‘Cummings should continue to serve the country’
Bristol’s Tory mayoral candidate has said that “no good” would be served by the resignation of Dominic Cummings.
By midday on Sunday, seven Conservative Party MPs had called for Boris Johnson’s adviser to resign following newspaper reports that he had travelled from London to Durham at the height of the lockdown and was later seen at a beauty spot 30 miles from his parents’ home.
Samuel Williams, however, defended Cummings, saying that he had attempted to “adhere to guidelines”, despite those government guidelines saying that “people must remain in their primary residence”.
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Williams, who lives in Windmill Hill, was due to stand as the Tory candidate for Bristol mayor on May 7 until the elections were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He told Bristol24/7: “It appears Mr Cummings made a grave error of judgement, and whilst it is reasonable that the public receive explanation and apology, no good is served through his resignation.
“We have all had to pull together, make extraordinarily difficult decisions for the safety of family, friends and communities and when people in positions of power and influence adopt a ‘do what I say not what I do’ attitude it is simply unacceptable.
“Which, I am sure is how this situation feels to many of us who have been in similar situations over the past weeks.
“Those in public leadership are judged on their character and integrity. Whilst we all make mistakes and poor judgements in times of crisis, a true test of character is one’s ability to take responsibility, respond with transparency, apologise if necessary and then get on with the job you have been appointed to do.
“Dominic is a controversial figure which will inevitably shape people’s response to this in an attempt to win political points. but at the heart of this situation we have a father trying to care for his family, adhere to guidelines, and continue to serve the country and prime minister during one of the most significant moments in recent history.”
Bristol24/7 has also asked for comment from Mark Weston, leader of the Conservative group of councillors at City Hall, and Tim Bowles, West of England metro mayor.
Main photo: Conservative Party
Read more: Samuel Williams: ‘It is high time that all Bristol’s communities are listened to and served’
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