If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Of course, in that event there must be a Prime Minister, so getting Raab to just fill in is a non-starter. Now, does Johnson then have to nominate a successor for the Queen to summon, or is that up to the Cabinet?
Legally I don't think either technially has to happen, but in practical terms she would need some way of knowing who had a reasonable chance of commanding the confidence of the Commons. I think the dutiful thing for him to do in the circumstances would be to nominate someone, though if his nomination was clearly a non-starter her people might well reply 'Are you sure about that?'
Not going to happen of course. He's going nowhere. Fast.
Personally I think he might just do a runner one day.
No big resignation announcement, no podium moment, no TV interview or PMQs or whatever. Just one day, no-one can find Boris. All the journos, all the cabinet, everyone just going "where's the PM? He's not turned up for the thing and he missed the last thing".
2 days later and some fax comes in from Outer Mongolia that he's stepped down and X is now in charge. Never to be heard from again.
Or something.
cf. Reggie Perrin? They’ll just find some crumpled clothes and underwear overdue for a wash, on the beach?
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Of course, in that event there must be a Prime Minister, so getting Raab to just fill in is a non-starter. Now, does Johnson then have to nominate a successor for the Queen to summon, or is that up to the Cabinet?
Thatcher was Prime Minister during a leadership contest in 1990 - she remained Prime Minister even after withdrawing from the contest until John Major was confirmed as the winner after the second ballot.
That's how it works - the PM remains in office until going to the Palace and advising the Queen to send for another individual who can command a majority in the Commons (either from their own party or the Opposition after an election).
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
LOL. He was basically selling a bit of extortion by which the government bullies those vaguely involved but with money to cough up £4bn or face punitive taxation. Not a particularly Tory thing to do but highly populist. He’s not to be under estimated.
It’s been a long time coming a policy on this. How realistic and practical was what he said though? As time is of the essence how quickly can the money go to the people who need it saving them from their stress? Could the government itself not do more in the meantime?
The problem is that the developers are not at fault either. This cladding met the regulations of the time.
None of government, leaseholders, freeholders, developers really were to blame, though possibly some of the manufacturers were. In effect Grenfell retrospectively altered building standards.
Yet we have quite a few people out there in our society in a bit of a worrying spot, needing help now.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
Personally I think he might just do a runner one day.
No big resignation announcement, no podium moment, no TV interview or PMQs or whatever. Just one day, no-one can find Boris. All the journos, all the cabinet, everyone just going "where's the PM? He's not turned up for the thing and he missed the last thing".
2 days later and some fax comes in from Outer Mongolia that he's stepped down and X is now in charge. Never to be heard from again.
Since it's now the evening, here's an interesting story: A man climbs the highest mountain in Libya, Bikku Bitti, which no-one had climbed before. It takes him three attempts in two years, during one of which he nearly dies. The mountain is on the Libya/Chad border, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest village (and that is in rebel hands). it is very hot and arid, with few oases.
Total bollocks. The summit had a cairn and there were several other cairns around the nearby secondary summit. Who built those? The fairy folk?
Typical white supremacy tale: no one else has ever been here on a hill in bongo bongo land because you can’t buy a journal of their ascent in the Hampstead branch of WH Smith.
Certainly in Scotland the tradition is that you add 1 stone to the cairn. Not sure about Libya but very probably a lot of local people.
I'm a paid up member (well, would be if there was such a thing) of the cairn destruction society.
A small summit cairn is fine, but sometimes these things are just a menace and an eyesore.
As first world problems go, that’s right up there.
True. Although it rather defeats the object of having wild places.
There have been deaths on Ben Nevis attributed to the proliferation of cairns, although following cairns without checking your bearing is not a winning move in winter.
Well done Flatlander! If I could be arsed climbing any stupid hills in my trainers I’d give you a hand.
Climbing mountains should be taxed. Punitively. Stupidity of the highest order.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Of course, in that event there must be a Prime Minister, so getting Raab to just fill in is a non-starter. Now, does Johnson then have to nominate a successor for the Queen to summon, or is that up to the Cabinet?
Thatcher was Prime Minister during a leadership contest in 1990 - she remained Prime Minister even after withdrawing from the contest until John Major was confirmed as the winner after the second ballot.
That's how it works - the PM remains in office until going to the Palace and advising the Queen to send for another individual who can command a majority in the Commons (either from their own party or the Opposition after an election).
The PM *should* remain in office until a successor is chosen but what the tweet is getting at is if Boris admits to criminality it would be very difficult for him to continue even in a caretaker capacity.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Of course, in that event there must be a Prime Minister, so getting Raab to just fill in is a non-starter. Now, does Johnson then have to nominate a successor for the Queen to summon, or is that up to the Cabinet?
Thatcher was Prime Minister during a leadership contest in 1990 - she remained Prime Minister even after withdrawing from the contest until John Major was confirmed as the winner after the second ballot.
That's how it works - the PM remains in office until going to the Palace and advising the Queen to send for another individual who can command a majority in the Commons (either from their own party or the Opposition after an election).
I agree that this is much the most likely scenario. I just wondered what would happen if he decided to give up and do a bunk rather than see out the caretaker period, as per the earlier suggestion.
Christopher Hope📝 @christopherhope · 6m NEW Strong rumours in Parliament from two Government sources tonight that Boris Johnson will make some sort of statement tomorrow lunchtime about partygate just before Prime Minister's Questions.
It worked the last time round so Boris is going to try it again.
The Speaker should just reject it as it was asked about today..
Unless the statement is "I resign" how does this help?
I was at the party, but didn't inhale...
Surely when we talk about Boris it would be 'but she didn't swallow?'
Oh, pleeeease. I haven't had dinner yet.
Imagine how desperate you’d have to be to let De Pfeffel stick his tongue in your mouth. Jeeez… Surely any sane woman would prefer a vow of chastity.
I'll leave that for the female PBers to assess.
Female, cisgender or otherwise, AND of a heterosexual persuasion I think you mean.
Thank you - I am corrected. Main thing is, they are better judges than I am, which was my intent anyway ...
I have always identified as female, can’t imagine this changing, but no moment in my entire life have I ever fancied a boy. The male nude is 2 parts boring to 3 parts comedy value. A homosexual man can give you a better opinion of Boris snog ability than this female Apologies if I have made it all so complicated 😘
Christopher Hope📝 @christopherhope · 6m NEW Strong rumours in Parliament from two Government sources tonight that Boris Johnson will make some sort of statement tomorrow lunchtime about partygate just before Prime Minister's Questions.
It worked the last time round so Boris is going to try it again.
The Speaker should just reject it as it was asked about today..
Unless the statement is "I resign" how does this help?
I was at the party, but didn't inhale...
I was in the Party, and I was the only Real member.
Personally I think he might just do a runner one day.
No big resignation announcement, no podium moment, no TV interview or PMQs or whatever. Just one day, no-one can find Boris. All the journos, all the cabinet, everyone just going "where's the PM? He's not turned up for the thing and he missed the last thing".
2 days later and some fax comes in from Outer Mongolia that he's stepped down and X is now in charge. Never to be heard from again.
Or something.
cf. Reggie Perrin? They’ll just find some crumpled clothes and underwear overdue for a wash, on the beach?
It's either that or some sort of Alan Partridge mad drive to Dundee in the middle of the night in his bare feet.
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
LOL. He was basically selling a bit of extortion by which the government bullies those vaguely involved but with money to cough up £4bn or face punitive taxation. Not a particularly Tory thing to do but highly populist. He’s not to be under estimated.
It’s been a long time coming a policy on this. How realistic and practical was what he said though? As time is of the essence how quickly can the money go to the people who need it saving them from their stress? Could the government itself not do more in the meantime?
The problem is that the developers are not at fault either. This cladding met the regulations of the time.
None of government, leaseholders, freeholders, developers really were to blame, though possibly some of the manufacturers were. In effect Grenfell retrospectively altered building standards.
Yet we have quite a few people out there in our society in a bit of a worrying spot, needing help now.
Foxy says developers weren’t to blame. But that depends on how you view responsibility. Relying on what’s strictly legal or doing your DD and only using what you think is good enough.
Either way, there’s no role for government if not to act as last resort insurer against just such this kind of retrospectively uninsurable event. A total scandal that there are still people unable to sell or even remortgage their flats they bought in good faith. Equally still no proper debate of how far an SPV’s limited liability status should extend in such circumstances or whether the former directors are fair game in future. Probably all makes me sounds a bit corbynite that.
Since it's now the evening, here's an interesting story: A man climbs the highest mountain in Libya, Bikku Bitti, which no-one had climbed before. It takes him three attempts in two years, during one of which he nearly dies. The mountain is on the Libya/Chad border, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest village (and that is in rebel hands). it is very hot and arid, with few oases.
Total bollocks. The summit had a cairn and there were several other cairns around the nearby secondary summit. Who built those? The fairy folk?
Typical white supremacy tale: no one else has ever been here on a hill in bongo bongo land because you can’t buy a journal of their ascent in the Hampstead branch of WH Smith.
Clearly some Scots had been there if there were cairns ...
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
it was just wrong on so many levels.
That is a truly brilliant pun. It has elevated the conversation.
The Beckhams named their son Brooklyn because that was where he was conceived. Makes you think about people called Otis ...
Since it's now the evening, here's an interesting story: A man climbs the highest mountain in Libya, Bikku Bitti, which no-one had climbed before. It takes him three attempts in two years, during one of which he nearly dies. The mountain is on the Libya/Chad border, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest village (and that is in rebel hands). it is very hot and arid, with few oases.
Total bollocks. The summit had a cairn and there were several other cairns around the nearby secondary summit. Who built those? The fairy folk?
Typical white supremacy tale: no one else has ever been here on a hill in bongo bongo land because you can’t buy a journal of their ascent in the Hampstead branch of WH Smith.
Clearly some Scots had been there if there were cairns ...
This is the traditional spoor of the Scotsman.
I could go one of them!
The wife’s got me on a white month and I’m gasping for a pint already.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Of course, in that event there must be a Prime Minister, so getting Raab to just fill in is a non-starter. Now, does Johnson then have to nominate a successor for the Queen to summon, or is that up to the Cabinet?
Well, if we imagine Johnson nominating, say, Gavin Williamson to be his successor, then I doubt the Cabinet would be happy to follow him, and his position would be untenable, so in practice I think Johnson would have to get Cabinet to agree to a successor.
They may agree to Raab - on the proviso he doesn't run in the contest for the leadership - or it might be that they agree Johnson can stay on as a caretaker while they run a quick contest. If the Cabinet were able to agree on a permanent successor, do you think they would have enough weight to force the rest of the Parliamentary Party not to nominate anyone else for the leadership contest, so that the new PM didn't have to face a vote in the membership?
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
With Eden they did both, of course.
But it's more likely he would remain the nominal PM even if a deputy was actually looking after things, as in 1923 and 1957 (or indeed, in opposition with Heath and Carr in 1975). Only if a PM died in office - which hasn't happened since 1865 - does a new PM need to be appointed at once.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he goes to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor is would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd already have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Of course if they didn't win the content to become Con leader they would be the shortest reigned Prime Minister of all time!
The other problem for BoZo is this rather fucks up his future career.
I know he got sacked twice for writing lies, but if he resigns as PM for telling lies, who will want to read (or print) his crap in the future?
This is imbecilically dumb
His memoir will be fought over tooth and nail. I know you have a lunatic hatred of the man, but the fact is he is big box office, worldwide. And he has been UK Prime Minister for two of the biggest events in recent British history, Brexit and Covid, where the first had a global impact and where the second saw Britain play a pivotal global role (from the vaccine success to the lockdown failure)
And he can write. And he has a gift for personal publicity, like him or not. And he has a "vivid" private history, more than any British PM... ever?
Obviously i’m not against Northern Accents as I’m intending to be the first Gen Z PM! But Rayner doesn’t convince me in her delivery either to camera or in commons.
And she needs a hair cut. There’s only two places for hair that long, on someone half her age, or someone in the Victorian Era. At the least she should wear it up not down the front like that.
Laugh if you want, but if people can’t make the right hair decisions (like I do) how do you trust them with affairs of state?
What is your view of Boris's hair?
We have discussed Boris cut, you obviously missed it, I’ll summarise
I think he was forced into it by increasing baldness meaning days of his trademark winning Love Actually hair are behind him. The new cut isn’t as suited to his face and head as that trademark, someone replying said it made him look more thuggish which summed up very well.
Your hair is 93.4% of your sexual appeal, regardless the sexuality you feel you are. Also, anyone who has been an MP has been told voters are forming opinion of you less on what you are saying more so on your appearance. So hair loss is difficult for male politicians.
Which makes Angela’s crimes all the greater. Unless her values are Victorian she shouldn’t have Victorian hair. Since the Victorian era we have had the 60s. No, forget I said that, her bangs are straight out the sixties. She should simply get a lob, if it’s over the eyes and face like mine so much the sexier, as hiding a bit a away for peek a boo adds to the appeal.
I disagree. I think that hair is only 93.3% of your sexual appeal.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
But he's never taken responsibility for anything properly in his life. There's a first time for everything, I suppose, but I still wonder if he might just try and tough it out ond an on, each time battling on until the next time Cummings pulls a rabbit out of the hat.
Can there possibly be anything more to come out? This feels like the endgame. Either he is toppled (by his own side and the sheer weight of anger) or he endures, and will probably continue until 2024
I agree with the markets that the former is likelier, some time this year, but he is a great survivor
As far as I understood it, there are also reports of yet another info leak lined up for release - another video from the press conference briefing room, this time with Boris's advisers talking about his personal business.
That could be what Cummings has planned as his coup de grace. However, might he not even need it ?
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
You are missing the point. Eden remained nominal PM until the new leader was in place.
The other problem for BoZo is this rather fucks up his future career.
I know he got sacked twice for writing lies, but if he resigns as PM for telling lies, who will want to read (or print) his crap in the future?
This is imbecilically dumb
His memoir will be fought over tooth and nail. I know you have a lunatic hatred of the man, but the fact is he is big box office, worldwide. And he has been UK Prime Minister for two of the biggest events in recent British history, Brexit and Covid, where the first had a global impact and where the second saw Britain play a pivotal global role (from the vaccine success to the lockdown failure)
And he can write. And he has a gift for personal publicity, like him or not. And he has a "vivid" private history, more than any British PM... ever?
He will make many millions, for sure
Hmm, He is just not fashionable any more. The Katie Price of politicians may find that he is about as financially viable as she is.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
it was just wrong on so many levels.
That is a truly brilliant pun. It has elevated the conversation.
The Beckhams named their son Brooklyn because that was where he was conceived. Makes you think about people called Otis ...
The other problem for BoZo is this rather fucks up his future career.
I know he got sacked twice for writing lies, but if he resigns as PM for telling lies, who will want to read (or print) his crap in the future?
This is imbecilically dumb
His memoir will be fought over tooth and nail. I know you have a lunatic hatred of the man, but the fact is he is big box office, worldwide. And he has been UK Prime Minister for two of the biggest events in recent British history, Brexit and Covid, where the first had a global impact and where the second saw Britain play a pivotal global role (from the vaccine success to the lockdown failure)
And he can write. And he has a gift for personal publicity, like him or not. And he has a "vivid" private history, more than any British PM... ever?
He will make many millions, for sure
Hmm, He is just not fashionable any more. The Katie Price of politicians may find that he is about as financially viable as she is.
It's utter bollocks. It's an embarrassing argument
The other problem for BoZo is this rather fucks up his future career.
I know he got sacked twice for writing lies, but if he resigns as PM for telling lies, who will want to read (or print) his crap in the future?
This is imbecilically dumb
His memoir will be fought over tooth and nail. I know you have a lunatic hatred of the man, but the fact is he is big box office, worldwide. And he has been UK Prime Minister for two of the biggest events in recent British history, Brexit and Covid, where the first had a global impact and where the second saw Britain play a pivotal global role (from the vaccine success to the lockdown failure)
And he can write. And he has a gift for personal publicity, like him or not. And he has a "vivid" private history, more than any British PM... ever?
He will make many millions, for sure
Hmm, He is just not fashionable any more. The Katie Price of politicians may find that he is about as financially viable as she is.
No I think Leon is right on this. I may not like the man and think he is the worst PM since... well ever.. but he will indeed make a fortune out of his memoirs and post-PM deals. We may not like it but that is the way of the world.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he goes to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor is would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd already have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Of course if they didn't win the content to become Con leader they would be the shortest reigned Prime Minister of all time!
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
I've bought Cameron, Blair and Obama's books. It'll be a hard pass for Boris I think.
Has anyone ever planted a fig tree? Is it true you need to put bricks in the planting hole for it to fruit? What an extraordinary evolutionary quirk if so.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he goes to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor is would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd already have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Of course if they didn't win the content to become Con leader they would be the shortest reigned Prime Minister of all time!
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
I've bought Cameron, Blair and Obama's books. It'll be a hard pass for Boris I think.
Since it's now the evening, here's an interesting story: A man climbs the highest mountain in Libya, Bikku Bitti, which no-one had climbed before. It takes him three attempts in two years, during one of which he nearly dies. The mountain is on the Libya/Chad border, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest village (and that is in rebel hands). it is very hot and arid, with few oases.
Total bollocks. The summit had a cairn and there were several other cairns around the nearby secondary summit. Who built those? The fairy folk?
Typical white supremacy tale: no one else has ever been here on a hill in bongo bongo land because you can’t buy a journal of their ascent in the Hampstead branch of WH Smith.
Clearly some Scots had been there if there were cairns ...
This is the traditional spoor of the Scotsman.
I could go one of them!
The wife’s got me on a white month and I’m gasping for a pint already.
Not my favourite pint, but a four pack pulled out of a Hebridean burn after an hour or so has its charms..
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
LOL. He was basically selling a bit of extortion by which the government bullies those vaguely involved but with money to cough up £4bn or face punitive taxation. Not a particularly Tory thing to do but highly populist. He’s not to be under estimated.
It’s been a long time coming a policy on this. How realistic and practical was what he said though? As time is of the essence how quickly can the money go to the people who need it saving them from their stress? Could the government itself not do more in the meantime?
The problem is that the developers are not at fault either. This cladding met the regulations of the time.
None of government, leaseholders, freeholders, developers really were to blame, though possibly some of the manufacturers were. In effect Grenfell retrospectively altered building standards.
Yet we have quite a few people out there in our society in a bit of a worrying spot, needing help now.
Foxy says developers weren’t to blame. But that depends on how you view responsibility. Relying on what’s strictly legal or doing your DD and only using what you think is good enough.
Either way, there’s no role for government if not to act as last resort insurer against just such this kind of retrospectively uninsurable event. A total scandal that there are still people unable to sell or even remortgage their flats they bought in good faith. Equally still no proper debate of how far an SPV’s limited liability status should extend in such circumstances or whether the former directors are fair game in future. Probably all makes me sounds a bit corbynite that.
No it just make you sound aware, articulate and caring. The day when one nation conservatism and liberalism can be dismissed as Corbynism will be a bad moment for our country.
The Grenfell Enquiry is taking too long to get the salmon letters out.
Has anyone ever planted a fig tree? Is it true you need to put bricks in the planting hole for it to fruit? What an extraordinary evolutionary quirk if so.
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
it was just wrong on so many levels.
That is a truly brilliant pun. It has elevated the conversation.
The Beckhams named their son Brooklyn because that was where he was conceived. Makes you think about people called Otis ...
The good news out of this is there is absolutely no way Boris has the authority to take an extension of Plan B measures to Parliament before they expire on the 26th.
Much more likely he tries declaring victory over Omicron as a dead cat strategy.
Downing Street staff were advised to clean up their phones by removing information that could suggest lockdown parties were held at No 10, The Independent has been told.
Two sources claim a senior member of staff told them it would be a good idea to remove any messages implying they had attended or were even aware of anything that could “look like a party”.
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
it was just wrong on so many levels.
That is a truly brilliant pun. It has elevated the conversation.
The Beckhams named their son Brooklyn because that was where he was conceived. Makes you think about people called Otis ...
Or Mat.
Or Kenilworth Station.
In the memorable words of Ali G Over the Bins Behind Tesco's.
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
I've bought Cameron, Blair and Obama's books. It'll be a hard pass for Boris I think.
You actually bought Cameron's book?! The excerpts were so cringingly dull. My God.
I haven't read any of them, in toto, to be fair. I imagine Blair's were self serving, vain but thoughtful, Obama's earnest and maybe eloquent?
The best political memoirs tend to be by the close observers rather than the actual players, to my mind. Alistair Campbell's Diaries were superb, ditto Alan Clark's even tho both men have detestable aspects to their characters. Both are natural writers
But that said, international publishers pay huge sums for major memoirs by significant and recognisable leaders, and Boris - loathe him or not - is one of those
Downing Street staff were advised to clean up their phones by removing information that could suggest lockdown parties were held at No 10, The Independent has been told.
Two sources claim a senior member of staff told them it would be a good idea to remove any messages implying they had attended or were even aware of anything that could “look like a party”.
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
I've bought Cameron, Blair and Obama's books. It'll be a hard pass for Boris I think.
You're a glutton for punishment.
I’ve read lots of political biographies and diaries, for a time I binged on them. I like books like that when they get very granular and you can see how they lived, loved and argued. I think the main take out is, I come away not liking a single one of the protagonists. The Blair Diaries by Alistair Campbell is a case in point, almost unreadable btw how much Campbell fancies himself all the way through. Though it’s funny how he makes out Blair wouldn’t even know how to dress himself properly if he wasn’t around 🙂.
There’s a contrast with biographies with religious or creative people. They can come across as full of themselves too, yet still more thoughtful and reflective.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
Yes but ... Johnson has no understanding of the value of money. It will drain away in no time.
For the moment he has a high maintenance wife with the tastes of Viv Nicholson. She doesn't look like the sort to hang around when the freebies wither away.
He better hope that when the money runs out the benefactors remain loyal.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
You miss the point. It's about there being a vacancy immediately and there needing to be a PM.
Has anyone ever planted a fig tree? Is it true you need to put bricks in the planting hole for it to fruit? What an extraordinary evolutionary quirk if so.
I don’t think that is true. Family has one in Yorkshire with fruit on it. It didn’t grow like a tree but like a sprawling bush. Considering how big it was and how big the lovely leaves, it didn’t produce much fruit, and ripened late in the year after everything else it seemed to me
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
I've bought Cameron, Blair and Obama's books. It'll be a hard pass for Boris I think.
You're a glutton for punishment.
I’ve read lots of political biographies and diaries, for a time I binged on them. I like books like that when they get very granular and you can see how they lived, loved and argued. I think the main take out is, I come away not liking a single one of the protagonists. The Blair Diaries by Alistair Campbell is a case in point, almost unreadable btw how much Campbell fancies himself all the way through. Though it’s funny how he makes out Blair wouldn’t even know how to dress himself properly if he wasn’t around 🙂.
There’s a contrast with biographies with religious or creative people. They can come across as full of themselves too, yet still more thoughtful and reflective.
Yet the Campbell Diaries are compulsive reading, no? They have that vivid, fluid and immediate quality. This is a gifted writer and excellent observer writing down his thoughts on the day, just as they come. They are full of fascinating insights on every page
Just one of a billion: the extent of Blair's self centred vanity and thoughtlessness.
Blair emerges from some train in some northern town in driving rain, without a coat or umbrella. A young female aide rushes over with an umbrella and she invites Blair to shelter under it. Shortly after, he takes the umbrella for himself and wanders off, leaving her to get soaked, he doesn't even notice what he's done
It's tiny but telling vignettes like that which makes Diaries sing. Alan Clark's are replete with the same gems, tho Clark is even bitchier
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
it was just wrong on so many levels.
That is a truly brilliant pun. It has elevated the conversation.
The Beckhams named their son Brooklyn because that was where he was conceived. Makes you think about people called Otis ...
I find it hard to believe not a single senior journalist got invited to any of the 7,394 parties held during lockdowns 1, 2 and 3
There must be some worried people in Fleet Street, as well as Downing Street
I think you stumble here upon why the story has been so slow to gather pace.
Precisely
This might also explain why Downing Street have presumed they are safe from this leaking (which is how they have been acting, until now). If senior journalists were present, from the main TV news channels and biggest newspapers, cui bono if it all leaks out?
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
"wiff waff, bloody eurocrats. sheep... shark... me, in a girls dormitory, alone... and you know they can't even bury the sheep... whatever were they thinking?"
Downing Street staff were advised to clean up their phones by removing information that could suggest lockdown parties were held at No 10, The Independent has been told.
Two sources claim a senior member of staff told them it would be a good idea to remove any messages implying they had attended or were even aware of anything that could “look like a party”.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
Yes, there would have to be a leadership contest. If Boris remains as PM while the contest is taking place as is the normal practice then that's fine.
If Boris has to resign as both leader and PM with immediate effect because be admits to criminality it all starts getting messy as HMQ can never be left without a PM - so someone else has to become PM while a formal leadership contest is happening.
The same dilemma would apply if a PM died suddenly in office of course.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
You miss the point. It's about there being a vacancy immediately and there needing to be a PM.
He can remain PM until there is a new leader chosen if he goes
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
You miss the point. It's about there being a vacancy immediately and there needing to be a PM.
He can remain PM until there is a new leader chosen if he goes
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
You miss the point. It's about there being a vacancy immediately and there needing to be a PM.
He can remain PM until there is a new leader chosen if he goes
depends how he goes - if it's because of committing a criminal offence staying may be difficult.
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
I've bought Cameron, Blair and Obama's books. It'll be a hard pass for Boris I think.
You're a glutton for punishment.
I’ve read lots of political biographies and diaries, for a time I binged on them. I like books like that when they get very granular and you can see how they lived, loved and argued. I think the main take out is, I come away not liking a single one of the protagonists. The Blair Diaries by Alistair Campbell is a case in point, almost unreadable btw how much Campbell fancies himself all the way through. Though it’s funny how he makes out Blair wouldn’t even know how to dress himself properly if he wasn’t around 🙂.
There’s a contrast with biographies with religious or creative people. They can come across as full of themselves too, yet still more thoughtful and reflective.
Yet the Campbell Diaries are compulsive reading, no? They have that vivid, fluid and immediate quality. This is a gifted writer and excellent observer writing down his thoughts on the day, just as they come. They are full of fascinating insights on every page
Just one of a billion: the extent of Blair's self centred vanity and thoughtlessness.
Blair emerges from some train in some northern town in driving rain, without a coat or umbrella. A young female aide rushes over with an umbrella and she invites Blair to shelter under it. Shortly after, he takes the umbrella for himself and wanders off, leaving her to get soaked, he doesn't even notice what he's done
It would make a great allegory if the young woman had been called Britannia.
He did to her on a small scale what he did to the rest of the country for ten years.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
You miss the point. It's about there being a vacancy immediately and there needing to be a PM.
He can remain PM until there is a new leader chosen if he goes
depends how he goes - if it's because of committing a criminal offence staying may be difficult.
He is not going to resign by admitting a criminal offence, absurd, even Nixon stayed President until Ford took over
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
Yes, there would have to be a leadership contest. If Boris remains as PM while the contest is taking place as is the normal practice then that's fine.
If Boris has to resign as both leader and PM with immediate effect because be admits to criminality it all starts getting messy as HMQ can never be left without a PM - so someone else has to become PM while a formal leadership content is happening.
The same dilemma would apply if a PM died suddenly in office of course.
The answer is an emergency, stopgap Prime Ministerial SWAT team led by Chris Grayling and Gavin Williamson. They can parachute in, and parachute out.
When there's a crisis, you need the professionals.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he does to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Misleading. Eden was already on sick leave and Butler the acting PM at the time. Moreover, there was no 'leadership election' at that time, or until 1965. The Queen appointed on the advice of the cabinet, including Eden, and also on this occasion Churchill as a respected senior figure, and then the new PM was acclaimed leader at a meeting of the PCP.
Yes I know there was no leadership content. But that was the 1950s.
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
There's a tiny chance that a leading Tory could find themselves as PM without a leadership election. Boris could fall under a Boris bus for example (let's hope not obviously)
Because that has worked so well for Labour with the coronation of Brown, or the Tories with the coronation of Howard, both lost.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
Yes, there would have to be a leadership contest. If Boris remains as PM while the contest is taking place as is the normal practice then that's fine.
If Boris has to resign as both leader and PM with immediate effect because be admits to criminality it all starts getting messy as HMQ can never be left without a PM - so someone else has to become PM while a formal leadership content is happening.
The same dilemma would apply if a PM died suddenly in office of course.
The answer is an emergency, stopgap Prime Ministerial SWAT team led by Chris Grayling and Gavin Williamson. They can parachute in, and parachute out.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he goes to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor is would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd already have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Of course if they didn't win the content to become Con leader they would be the shortest reigned Prime Minister of all time!
And what if he lies about the Cabinet's wishes?
Presumably the cabinet would recommend someone not considered likely to win. Dominic Raab, for example, given that he is supposedly deputy PM.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
But he's never taken responsibility for anything properly in his life. There's a first time for everything, I suppose, but I still wonder if he might just try and tough it out ond an on, each time battling on until the next time Cummings pulls a rabbit out of the hat.
Can there possibly be anything more to come out? This feels like the endgame. Either he is toppled (by his own side and the sheer weight of anger) or he endures, and will probably continue until 2024
I agree with the markets that the former is likelier, some time this year, but he is a great survivor
I can live with the lying. But not the fact he has hung people out to dry in the hope that it would make the story go away, people who worked for him and were loyal to him. This episode, more than any other, has revealed his true nature and he cannot bullshit his way out of it. People have said for many years that he is a nasty piece of work, it seems they were right.
Gove. Hmm. I still very much doubt it, except in caretaker capacity.
Thought he was good this week on Today after the stuck in a lift episode. Particularly skilled at deploying the 1 word answer which gives the interviewer not much to go on.
That lift story ended in a terrible tragedy when somebody let him out.
it was just wrong on so many levels.
That is a truly brilliant pun. It has elevated the conversation.
The Beckhams named their son Brooklyn because that was where he was conceived. Makes you think about people called Otis ...
An apocryphal tale.
A pub version of Mr and Mrs and the missus comes out of whatever place that she’s been held incommunicado while hubby answers intimate questions.
Compère: Ok, finally we asked your husband what is the strangest place you have had sex. To win a £20 Tesco voucher and a free round for your table what is your answer?
Blushing woman: Och, I cannae say!
Compère: Come on now, we’re all grown ups here, was it a bus shelter or a plane or a lift..?
I find it hard to believe not a single senior journalist got invited to any of the 7,394 parties held during lockdowns 1, 2 and 3
There must be some worried people in Fleet Street, as well as Downing Street
The Sun seem consistently uninterested by these parties....
Totally unrelated to the fact Harry Cole, political editor of The Sun, used to be in a relationship with Carrie Symonds.
I thought it was more the fact the Currant Bun rumoured to have a party or two themselves....to be honest, I wouldn't be exactly shocked to find loads of the media were having at very least a few sherbets in the office from time to time.
If the PM admits to breaking the law & he decides to resign (no definite sign this is the plan btw)… it’s very difficult for him to stay in as acting PM while there is a leadership contest https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1481000582156591107
Who would become acting PM in that scenario? Raab? Gove? Sunak?
Never mind acting anything, someone is the Prime Minister or they are not. If Johnson resigns then the Queen has to call for somebody else. Hence my earlier question: I don't know whether it's still down to Johnson to recommend a successor if he resigns in disgrace (I suspect that it might be) or if the Cabinet would have to pick one (as if he had joined the choir celestial.)
This is how Eden to Macmillan worked out:
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he goes to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor is would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd already have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Of course if they didn't win the content to become Con leader they would be the shortest reigned Prime Minister of all time!
And what if he lies about the Cabinet's wishes?
Presumably the cabinet would recommend someone not considered likely to win. Dominic Raab, for example, given that he is supposedly deputy PM.
That's possible.
But I think whoever got the role as nominal PM during any contest would be in pole position in that contest as the title, the office and place has an "elevating" effect... so if it ever comes to it the cabinet choose wisely...
They might offer up JRM or Priti to HMQ thinking they're not going to win the contest only to find they become leader after the office elevates them... wouldn't that be fun haha!
So what's the next step in this saga? Will the letters now go in organically? Will a cabinet minister resign and challenge? Is there a modern equivalent of the stalking horse who could break cover and publicly campaign for the 54 letters?
Excellent question. The foreign office lingering suggests he is a tough it out type of beast. My take is parties don’t finish him, as the only way they can lead to censure is a vonk - and that’s down to the MPs who may not be ready to do that yet. On the one hand, as days pass without revelations, Boris and Conservative poll ratings will recover a bit, so it depends as well on what further revelations the plotters have coordinated to release to keep the fuckmule going. Just as Mike’s thread said Boris is going to need more than vaccine bounce to turn this around I don’t think the improving covid picture is helping Boris or Conservatives very much, the credit for the covid situation is going to omicron for being milder. Which is fair enough I suppose - besides which jabs come in UK bottles not supplied by Tory Party ones, and a lot of covid success in UK has been down to people offering their arms and complying with lockdowns and restrictions.
Also we now have opposition parties keen to keep Boris in number ten, tainting the cabinet, government and whole party. Not in the interest of Opposition parties Boris goes sooner.
I think it’s going to take a different enquiry into something that requires censure, like parliamentary commissioner investigating cash in exchange for a donors pet exhibition, to force a resignation or vonk.
Firstly, thanks to everyone flagging up where I find The Great season 2. I went right through Q looking for it 🤦♀️ So I’ll get started on that now. Especially If as you say it’s as good as first series.
Secondly, to add to my answer above, as the days gone on I don’t think they are going to vonk Boris over parties, I think Boris and his MPs will need their hands forced by a different type of investigation, so I still think wallpapergate, or something technically wrong as an MP needing a sanction most likely to rid us of this turbulent PM.
It’s also got to be considered now the opposition parties won’t want Boris reign to end soon, maybe Starmer asks on fuel bills or cladding tomorrow instead?
Comments
Not going to happen of course. He's going nowhere. Fast.
That's how it works - the PM remains in office until going to the Palace and advising the Queen to send for another individual who can command a majority in the Commons (either from their own party or the Opposition after an election).
Climbing mountains should be taxed. Punitively. Stupidity of the highest order.
The male nude is 2 parts boring to 3 parts comedy value.
A homosexual man can give you a better opinion of Boris snog ability than this female
Apologies if I have made it all so complicated 😘
Which PBer?
I know he got sacked twice for writing lies, but if he resigns as PM for telling lies, who will want to read (or print) his crap in the future?
Either way, there’s no role for government if not to act as last resort insurer against just such this kind of retrospectively uninsurable event. A total scandal that there are still people unable to sell or even remortgage their flats they bought in good faith. Equally still no proper debate of how far an SPV’s limited liability status should extend in such circumstances or whether the former directors are fair game in future. Probably all makes me sounds a bit corbynite that.
Makes you think about people called Otis ...
The wife’s got me on a white month and I’m gasping for a pint already.
They may agree to Raab - on the proviso he doesn't run in the contest for the leadership - or it might be that they agree Johnson can stay on as a caretaker while they run a quick contest. If the Cabinet were able to agree on a permanent successor, do you think they would have enough weight to force the rest of the Parliamentary Party not to nominate anyone else for the leadership contest, so that the new PM didn't have to face a vote in the membership?
But it's more likely he would remain the nominal PM even if a deputy was actually looking after things, as in 1923 and 1957 (or indeed, in opposition with Heath and Carr in 1975). Only if a PM died in office - which hasn't happened since 1865 - does a new PM need to be appointed at once.
"Eden resigned on 9 January 1957, after his doctors warned him his life was at stake if he continued in office. Although the media expected Butler would get the nod as Eden's successor, a survey of the cabinet taken for the Queen showed Macmillan was the nearly unanimous choice, and he became prime minister on 10 January 1957"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Eden#1957_resignation
So Boris would resign as Con leader and PM.
The cabinet would likely choose a successor for the Queen to send to for. Boris would have to relay the Cabinets wishes to the Queen when he goes to visit her for the final time.
Presumably that successor would then join the leadership content that has already been triggered when Johnson resigned as Con leader and PM.
Whoever that successor is would be in pole position as the eventual party leader I think as they'd already have the Prime Ministerial office of state to back up their pitch!
Of course if they didn't win the content to become Con leader they would be the shortest reigned Prime Minister of all time!
His memoir will be fought over tooth and nail. I know you have a lunatic hatred of the man, but the fact is he is big box office, worldwide. And he has been UK Prime Minister for two of the biggest events in recent British history, Brexit and Covid, where the first had a global impact and where the second saw Britain play a pivotal global role (from the vaccine success to the lockdown failure)
And he can write. And he has a gift for personal publicity, like him or not. And he has a "vivid" private history, more than any British PM... ever?
He will make many millions, for sure
That could be what Cummings has planned as his coup de grace. However, might he not even need it ?
As we live in 2022 not 1957 there would have to be a leadership contest or there would be public outrage.
I said career.
Downing Street private office drunk booze and stayed late on the last Friday before Christmas 2020, when group socialising was barred.
Was on Dec 18 (same night as the infamous press party). Martin Reynolds attended. Three sources speak to Tel.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/01/11/pressure-grows-boris-johnsons-private-secretary-amid-claims/
David Cameron got £800,000 for his, from just his UK publisher
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17888934.marianne-taylor-bargain-bin-awaits-david-camerons-candid-memoir/
Blair got £4.7 million, probably for worldwide English language rights
https://www.businessinsider.com/tony-blair-money-millions-2011-09?r=US&IR=T#the-book-deal-1
Even Brown got a rumoured million or so
Boris is easily as bankable as Blair, indeed I would guess much more so in continental Europe and maybe America. Brexit fascinates people abroad, and Boris has the entire story, and he is the man that did it
He should make £10 million from worldwide rights, plus TV and movie deals, maybe more
And if that sounds an insane amount, Barack Obama for $70 - SEVENTY - million
The idea no one will want to read Boris' story is infantile. Unless he actually goes to jail for some awful crime, he will be rich via his memoirs
One source in Downing St that night told us: “Everyone was talking about going to the private office drinks as well.”
https://twitter.com/benrileysmith/status/1481011952948330500
The day when one nation conservatism and liberalism can be dismissed as Corbynism will be a bad moment for our country.
The Grenfell Enquiry is taking too long to get the salmon letters out.
Much more likely he tries declaring victory over Omicron as a dead cat strategy.
Two sources claim a senior member of staff told them it would be a good idea to remove any messages implying they had attended or were even aware of anything that could “look like a party”.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/partygate-phones-clean-up-investigation-sue-gray-b1991055.html
Boris Johnson is the new Richard Nixon.
I haven't read any of them, in toto, to be fair. I imagine Blair's were self serving, vain but thoughtful, Obama's earnest and maybe eloquent?
The best political memoirs tend to be by the close observers rather than the actual players, to my mind. Alistair Campbell's Diaries were superb, ditto Alan Clark's even tho both men have detestable aspects to their characters. Both are natural writers
But that said, international publishers pay huge sums for major memoirs by significant and recognisable leaders, and Boris - loathe him or not - is one of those
There must be some worried people in Fleet Street, as well as Downing Street
The Blair Diaries by Alistair Campbell is a case in point, almost unreadable btw how much Campbell fancies himself all the way through. Though it’s funny how he makes out Blair wouldn’t even know how to dress himself properly if he wasn’t around 🙂.
There’s a contrast with biographies with religious or creative people. They can come across as full of themselves too, yet still more thoughtful and reflective.
Or indeed May not facing a membership vote after Leadsom pulled out. A proper election is a real test of campaigning abilities and how you might handle a general election campaign
Fascinating stuff. He comes across as a total shit though
But they are saying firmly it was not a party. No10 spokes: “A number of private office staff worked late into the evening on the Covid response.”
https://twitter.com/benrileysmith/status/1481015168192688135
For the moment he has a high maintenance wife with the tastes of Viv Nicholson. She doesn't look like the sort to hang around when the freebies wither away.
He better hope that when the money runs out the benefactors remain loyal.
Just one of a billion: the extent of Blair's self centred vanity and thoughtlessness.
Blair emerges from some train in some northern town in driving rain, without a coat or umbrella. A young female aide rushes over with an umbrella and she invites Blair to shelter under it. Shortly after, he takes the umbrella for himself and wanders off, leaving her to get soaked, he doesn't even notice what he's done
It's tiny but telling vignettes like that which makes Diaries sing. Alan Clark's are replete with the same gems, tho Clark is even bitchier
This might also explain why Downing Street have presumed they are safe from this leaking (which is how they have been acting, until now). If senior journalists were present, from the main TV news channels and biggest newspapers, cui bono if it all leaks out?
https://youtu.be/cRv9tyz1XVc?t=12
If Boris has to resign as both leader and PM with immediate effect because be admits to criminality it all starts getting messy as HMQ can never be left without a PM - so someone else has to become PM while a formal leadership contest is happening.
The same dilemma would apply if a PM died suddenly in office of course.
"Reynolds was said to have become “panicky” but concluded cancelling would be worse than pushing ahead because this would draw attention to his email."
@Steven_Swinford @hzeffman
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/inside-the-downing-street-lockdown-party-tesco-rose-and-jokes-about-drones-mb08tpk8v
BoZo announcement tomorrow that Reynolds has been sacked?
He did to her on a small scale what he did to the rest of the country for ten years.
When there's a crisis, you need the professionals.
Lots of politicians, not least Thatcher, have hammered the alcohol in their office and offered a drink to those they're working with.
And drinking in an office during work doesn't have the image of enjoyment.
The garden party is different because it looks like a place where it would nice to have a social drink.
This episode, more than any other, has revealed his true nature and he cannot bullshit his way out of it.
People have said for many years that he is a nasty piece of work, it seems they were right.
A pub version of Mr and Mrs and the missus comes out of whatever place that she’s been held incommunicado while hubby answers intimate questions.
Compère: Ok, finally we asked your husband what is the strangest place you have had sex. To win a £20 Tesco voucher and a free round for your table what is your answer?
Blushing woman: Och, I cannae say!
Compère: Come on now, we’re all grown ups here, was it a bus shelter or a plane or a lift..?
Pub: Say it! Say it!
Blushing woman: Ok then. UP THE ARSE!
Adam Boulton always looks like he enjoys a party
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/12f647da-7314-11ec-aacf-0736e08b15cd?shareToken=c831c184ea6b8768015b52c94b8c4c3c https://twitter.com/SophiaSleigh/status/1481018721149804546/photo/1
The image that is being painted of BoZo's No 10 is Roman debauchery
But I think whoever got the role as nominal PM during any contest would be in pole position in that contest as the title, the office and place has an "elevating" effect... so if it ever comes to it the cabinet choose wisely...
They might offer up JRM or Priti to HMQ thinking they're not going to win the contest only to find they become leader after the office elevates them... wouldn't that be fun haha!
So I’ll get started on that now. Especially If as you say it’s as good as first series.
Secondly, to add to my answer above, as the days gone on I don’t think they are going to vonk Boris over parties, I think Boris and his MPs will need their hands forced by a different type of investigation, so I still think wallpapergate, or something technically wrong as an MP needing a sanction most likely to rid us of this turbulent PM.
It’s also got to be considered now the opposition parties won’t want Boris reign to end soon, maybe Starmer asks on fuel bills or cladding tomorrow instead?