Bring Back Boris

[diable rouge]

A reminder that Sunak, economics aside, came out with some batshit stuff during the last leadership election, and if what Steve Baker said earlier re. assurances given to him on the NIP Bill, then big problems lie ahead, even a potential trade war with the EU.

I'd actually prefer Johnson to limp over the 100 line and go to the members and win, because he wouldn't last until Christmas before it all came crashing down and a GE was called.

With Sunak though, I can see him limping on for much longer, although in the background the Tory party will split even further with disgruntled Johnson supporters and Tory members, especially if they haven't been allowed to vote...

[diable rouge]

  Alan Medic said:

  Alan Medic said:

So, if this correct and MP's were honest, there can't be more than 3 contenders. Of course, if some MP's hedged their bets and promised support to more than one potential contender, there could be more than 3. I think I'd like it if there were 4.

 

I think I've missed the point here. I haven't read anywhere how people are formally nominated, but there must be some procedure for that.

 

I've just seen this from journo Tom Newton Dunn...

There’s a problem with this claim. As I understand it, the nominations have to go from MPs to Sir Graham Brady directly, not via campaigns. They remain anonymous. So nobody but him will know Johnson has 100 for sure - even if 100 had publicly declared, which they still haven’t.

Public declarations all part of the gaming of the process, bluffs, double bluffs, create false momentum etc...

[Alan Medic]

So even a journalist isn't sure of the procedure.

Now that Bozo has withdrawn his interest, will his supporters support Mordaunt? I think if this went to the party members, Sunak wouldn't have a chance.

[SpringTime]

I read Owen Jones today and for once agreed with everything he said:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/30/hard-truths-conservatives-boris-johnson-disastrous-leader

[Earl Aelfheah]

The cabinet were fed up with being sent out in front of the media to say stuff that later turned out to be untrue (and known to be untrue at the time they were sent out there). They'd lost all confidence in the PM and the number 10 operation. If you fundamentally doubt any reassurances you are given by your boss, then that makes your job impossible. Whether or not a lot of gullible people liked Johnson's airy, flippant, entitled manner is irrelevant. Being a 'right laugh' in the opinion of some of the electorate, doesn't mean you're capable of leading a major operation, responsible for governing the country.

They did entirely the right thing getting rid of man baby Johnson, regardless of what happens at the next election. The shameful part is that it took them quite so long.

[Spartacus]

Can't help wondering if this is part of an elaborate dance to get Johnson back into power to rally the tory voters again. Desperate people do desperate things. 

BBC News - Simon Clarke's call for Rishi Sunak to go sparks backlash
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68077142

[Sephiroth]

it would indeed be a desperate thing - I'd love them to try

 

 

[diable rouge]

He's no longer an MP, unless the cunning plan is to do 'a Cameron' and make him a Lord.

That would go down well...

[malumbu]

The Johnson documentary on Channel 4 is a painful reminder of what an opportunist he is.  Didn't believe in Brexit, but it furthered his aims.  Didn't believe in ULEZ but ditto.  And both were to take on, and beat, Dave C.

[jazzer]

He's a spent force never to return, the current governing party will get well and truly laundered at the next election when ever that happens, Keep May in the diary. And they won't get back into power for a very, very long time based on the performance over the last 8 years. Thought we may have a coalition but that is unlikely. The only thing that will happen is that Galloway will disrupt the election, targeting Rayner and Starmer and every labour seat with a low majority. He hates Starmer more than Sunak, so it'll be fireworks. 

Don't agree with any of what Galloway stands for but he is an orator of excellence who can make mincemeat in a debate with the current political leaders. The scary thing is after Rayner and Starmer and Sunak in their respective parties who's next to lead, because as soon as Sunak loses their will be another leadership bun fight, ditto in the labour party. So what we have is an exciting time come the next GE. The only one to suffer will be the country and the population. 

Putin is on the war path, if Trump is elected the world will be in an even graver situation and then theirs China and Xi to think about, not forgetting North Korea and their leader. I dread the day when those four powers join forces against the rest of the world, a blood bath in the making.  

[malumbu]

The word on the street is that Farage and Johnson will join forces, in Reform, leading to a mass exodus from the Tories and a few red wall, or former red wall, Labour.  That's the unrepresentative sample on the BBC news.

[Spartacus]

 

[malumbu]

Cripes, wont be able to sleep.  Good to hear that he is making friends with the President of Venezuela a bastion of liberal democracy and human rights. 

[Guest]

indeed!

Edited July 18, 2024 by Neil_R

[Earl Aelfheah]

The Labour leadership believe in a bigger role for the state. But the reality is that to raise money to invest, you have to be able to reassure the markets from which you're looking to borrow. I think you will see them ramp up investment over time. They are not the same as the Tories, either in terms of their values, or the practical, policy decisions that they will make - imo. There is always however, an element of 'realpolitik' that any grown up / serious party cannot entirely ignore (at least if they want to get in to power and then actually land real change).

Edited March 15, 2024 by Earl Aelfheah

[jazzer]

They are two cheeks of the same backside, only looking out for themselves as they are mostly career politicians, party second, country third, honestly the whole lot and system stink. 

And after what Boris did whilst in office he should be kept as far away as possible from al political involvement,i) as he's no longer an MP and ii) as damage limitation. 

Edited March 15, 2024 by jazzer

[Earl Aelfheah]

  On 15/03/2024 at 12:34, jazzer said:

They are two cheeks of the same backside, only looking out for themselves as they are mostly career politicians, party second, country third, honestly the whole lot and system stink. 

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I don't agree (I heard Galloway making that jibe - he really is an egotist / self serving imo); Starmer on the other hand strikes me as a decent man, with solid values and a real sense of public service. I agree that we need systemic changes, but that can only happen by working in the system to bring about reform, or through outright revolution (which I don't favour personally). I think you are much more likely to get reform with a Labour government.

  On 15/03/2024 at 12:34, jazzer said:

And after what Boris did whilst in office he should be kept as far away as possible from al political involvement,i) as he's no longer an MP and ii) as damage limitation. 

Expand  

100% agree with this. Boris should never have been allowed anywhere near government.

[Sephiroth]

calling Labour and Tories the same is to ignore all of the rebuilding that was done under last Labour govt only for Tories to dismantle it over last 14

NHS waiting lists, Sure Start, School buildings - etc etc

They weren't perfect (and no government anywhere can be) and could be criticised for much - but it's simply incorrect to say there is no difference. Whether Starmer's Labour manages to meaningfully improve things (given the headwinds - many self-imposed - hello Brexit) remains to be seen. But it would be criminal to reward this govt with another term