I’m confused. Liz said the Uk were going to send ships to the Black Sea, didn’t she? It did seem weird…
And now she’s saying they’re NOT going to scrap the NIP?
The government are all over the place, like a mad woman’s breakfast.
I find it simplest to assume all this governments policy announcements are simply to get favourable headlines in the Mail and Express, and not make the mistake of assuming they will be in line with future government actions.
Yes, but this government has taken the “art” to extreme lengths. It’s literally one bullshit story one day, and a reversal the next.
They are lucky that their mean core voter is senile and literally mistakes his daughter for his long deceased wife.
I’m confused. Liz said the Uk were going to send ships to the Black Sea, didn’t she? It did seem weird…
And now she’s saying they’re NOT going to scrap the NIP?
The government are all over the place, like a mad woman’s breakfast.
I find it simplest to assume all this governments policy announcements are simply to get favourable headlines in the Mail and Express, and not make the mistake of assuming they will be in line with future government actions.
Yes, but this government has taken the “art” to extreme lengths. It’s literally one bullshit story one day, and a reversal the next.
They are lucky that their mean core voter is senile and literally mistakes his daughter for his long deceased wife.
Think of it this way, if they actually put the navy in charge of policing crossings in the channel, then they could not announce they were going to do so a couple of times each year. And if the navy did not improve things they would be held to account and the merits of the policy challenged.
Whereas this way, they get the kudos for their announcement (and the desired opposite reaction from opponents) multiple times without ever being able to fail. It is a kind of weird genius.
So was that it? All the past six months over that? "Meh" sums it up completely.
Time to move on from Partygate, Beergate and all these other trivial and puritanical -gates and concentrate on real issues like the Economy.
And the first thing to do to fix the Economy is the Conservatives should oust Boris Johnson and replace him with someone prepared to trim back the state and cut taxes rather than expand it and raise them.
The report is drily written, it doesn't actually go particularly in depth on lots of issues, but it is clearly damning. There was widespread partying at No. 10 in breach of COVID-19 regulations and senior leadership, including Johnson, bear responsibility.
People, like Lee Cain, were warning that these parties broke the rules. It is hard to see how Johnson can seriously claim that he had no idea of anything dubious going on. He clearly knowingly misled Parliament (and continues to do so).
Ultimately, the question is- do truth and lies matter?
It's clear that for some, truth is secondary to being told what they want to hear, or to top bants. There have probably always been people thinking that way.
But anyone who ever strapped themselves to the Johnson bandwagon knew what they were getting.
I’m confused. Liz said the Uk were going to send ships to the Black Sea, didn’t she? It did seem weird…
And now she’s saying they’re NOT going to scrap the NIP?
The government are all over the place, like a mad woman’s breakfast.
I find it simplest to assume all this governments policy announcements are simply to get favourable headlines in the Mail and Express, and not make the mistake of assuming they will be in line with future government actions.
As I understand it, Truss was backing this proposal -
So was that it? All the past six months over that? "Meh" sums it up completely.
Time to move on from Partygate, Beergate and all these other trivial and puritanical -gates and concentrate on real issues like the Economy.
And the first thing to do to fix the Economy is the Conservatives should oust Boris Johnson and replace him with someone prepared to trim back the state and cut taxes rather than expand it and raise them.
The report is drily written, it doesn't actually go particularly in depth on lots of issues, but it is clearly damning. There was widespread partying at No. 10 in breach of COVID-19 regulations and senior leadership, including Johnson, bear responsibility.
People, like Lee Cain, were warning that these parties broke the rules. It is hard to see how Johnson can seriously claim that he had no idea of anything dubious going on. He clearly knowingly misled Parliament (and continues to do so).
Ultimately, the question is- do truth and lies matter?
It's clear that for some, truth is secondary to being told what they want to hear, or to top bants. There have probably always been people thinking that way.
But anyone who ever strapped themselves to the Johnson bandwagon knew what they were getting.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
One Conservative MP this afternoon: “Today is the day the Prime Minister is safe. Today is also the day the Conservatives lost the next general election .”
Pretty much the "received wisdom".....which I'm usually sceptical about....
It's absolutely ridiculous making assumptions about the course of the next election two years ahead.
Three months ahead you can have a fair idea. Even then, lots can happen as we saw in 2017.
For 'assumptions' about unknowable future events read: 'probabilistic predictions' about the same, and you have the very reason for existence of PB. As in the very article at the head of this thread. It may be completely pointless, but it's what politics wonks do.
However, for the reasons indicated, I think a Tory majority at the next GE is about a 45% chance.
And, BTW, no-one seems to notice that we are not quite at the half way point of this parliament yet.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
Thatcher was under a different system, and Cameron wasn't forced out, he flounced.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
Weren't the rules different then? It was a leadership election for Thatcher, and she didn't get enough of a majority above Heseltine to prevent a second round? Now it would be a simple yes/no vote.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
They didn't have as many mps
I said 'proportion', not arithmetical total. But the matter is answered by others.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
Thatcher was under a different system, and Cameron wasn't forced out, he flounced.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
They didn't have as many mps
Maggie did, didn't she? Conservative majority of about 100 after 1987.
Difference might be that Maggie soon recognised that a bare win under the rules wouldn't be enough. I don't see Johnson having a fraction of that class.
She walked. He will take it to full DRS, if not worse.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
Thatcher was under a different system, and Cameron wasn't forced out, he flounced.
Quite. Mr C did not try to cling on.
Had he stayed, he wouldn't have been "clinging on", he would just have been staying. There was no reason and no significant push for him to quit.
One Conservative MP this afternoon: “Today is the day the Prime Minister is safe. Today is also the day the Conservatives lost the next general election .”
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
Didn't need such a high proportion for Mrs T, as I recall, or Mr C for that matter.
They didn't have as many mps
Maggie did, didn't she? Conservative majority of about 100 after 1987.
Difference might be that Maggie soon recognised that a bare win under the rules wouldn't be enough. I don't see Johnson having a fraction of that class.
She walked. He will take it to full DRS, if not worse.
She was strongly advised she would have to walk. "We fight on. We fight to win!" Was her instinctive reaction.
Voters spent 18 months telling Labour very clearly that they did not want Jeremy Corbyn to be Prime Minister. But Labour thought it knew best and so the Tories got an 80-seat majority in 2019. It's fascinating that it's the Tories that have not learned the lesson this teaches.
It is difficult to watch and his mps must be in turmoil
Is he making a botch of it, Big G?
It's just an absolutely massive pair of bollocks.
The man has no shame.
By any standards he should have announced his resignation
I have no idea how this plays out but the responsibility now is with his mps
It's no secret I don't like Johnson but that press conference was beyond even my lowest expectations of the man. He was taking as through he was a surprised, no shocked, post events observer and not a participant. He used the Gray Report as a shield, yet the report hanged him.
That's not much of a clue. Nor much of an indication of his seat under threat either. If it's a 1k majority, then Big Dog is back. And he'd be wise to be making plans anyways. If it's 9k then it's a big story.
1. Charlie Falconer to finish his speech - 100/1 2. Boris To Resign in 2022 - 5000/1 3. Elvis To Escape The B52 On The Moon - 7/2 4. "Leon" To Reincarnate As Sir Beer Karma - 2/5 Fav 5. Putin To Centrefold In Gay Times - 69/1
Sir Beer Korma is quite witty, although I can’t raise a smile. It’s clear Boris doesn’t do humility.
Personally I don’t think it helps Boris if it sticks, it merely reminds us of the whole Partygate affair in which Boris was caught bang to rights partying and lying about it (according to the vast majority of voters).
It also give Starmer a man of the people image. Bottled lager and a takeaway curry? Shows he isn't such a stuffed shirt after all.
Why is he having a presser? He doesn’t have to. Odd
It means that the reporting will focus on his answers to the questions from the Very Important Journalists - who as we learned from Covid are not the sharpest tools in the box.
1. Charlie Falconer to finish his speech - 100/1 2. Boris To Resign in 2022 - 5000/1 3. Elvis To Escape The B52 On The Moon - 7/2 4. "Leon" To Reincarnate As Sir Beer Karma - 2/5 Fav 5. Putin To Centrefold In Gay Times - 69/1
This all seems like Fair Comment from the BoJo the Bozzmeister
"Boris Johnson is responding to Keir Starmer.
He says that during Covid Starmer was “sniping from the sidelines and veering from one position to the next”.
In his response today, Starmer failed to show “common sense”, he claims. He says Starmer failed to appreciate the context of what happened. He says the boundaries between work and socialisting became blurred.
He accuses Starmer of being “sanctimonious”, and he descibes him as a “gaseous Zeppelin”, saying his pomposity has been punctured.
He goes on:
Sir Beer Korma is currently failing to hold himself to the same high standards he demanded of me.
Johnson says Starmer said that Johnson should resign when he was being investigated by the police. But Starmer is being investigated by the police, and he has not resigned.
Starmer IS a sanctimonious prick. He also wanted to cancel British democracy. Well said, Boris Bojo "Boz-boz" The Bozzington Bozzles Johnson, Bozmeister General
Did Johnson actually say that or have you made it up?
He said it. And, I confess, I laughed out loud
It's the sheer chutzpah of delivering a clever pun (tho not one he made himself) during THIS most solemn of occasions, what an insult to the 7 trillion dead of plague, blah blah whatever
It's puerile ffs. Shape up.
Of all the humourless pricks I expected not to laugh at Boris's deft and superbly funny pun, you are the humourless-est, and the prick-est, so thanks for fulfilling my priors
‘Deft and superbly funny’ ….
AKA pretty lame piece of nose thumbing. It might raise a smile if you’d said it; pitiful from a prime minister.
"Deft and superbly funny" was me trolling PB's very own Pomposity-Monger @kinabalu
"Sir Beer Korma" IS a good pun, tho. The measure of it is: would it make a more memorable Sun front page? And yes, it would. It raises a smile and maybe a chuckle
You need the "Sir" bit tho. That's the funny part. The contrast between the Sir - why the F does this supercilious idiot Starmer have a fucking knighthood anyway, and for what? - and the Beer and Korma is the essence of the tension and thus the humour
Yes, hilarious piece of wit from a PM. Sure.
I preferred Bryant’s line about self-entitled narcissists.
Or alternatively one of @ydoethur ’s less successful efforts.
Chris Bryant of selfie-in-my-underpants fame? Accusing others of narcissism?
I understand the report came out today, but I still think the site overplays partygate, and underplays cost of living.
Looking at the economic runes, I don't see how the coming winter is not the winter from hell for the tories.
I think the vast majority on here think cost of living is much more important than partygate.
But there is a clear and obvious solution to partygate, the resignation of the PM, whereas there are only partial (still very necessary) plasters for the costing of living crisis.
And partygate could all have been avoided with a genuine apology six months ago, but the PM cannot say sorry until he is forced to say so.
It is difficult to watch and his mps must be in turmoil
Is he making a botch of it, Big G?
It's just an absolutely massive pair of bollocks.
The man has no shame.
Unfortunately I now refuse to watch or listen to him, as I know he will be lying and/or incoherent, so I must rely on accounts from PB.
Big G is right. The close it all off presenting context at a prssser has opened up all manner of horrors.
A VONC is definitely likely in my opinion, I disagree with Mike Smithson, the mood of some of them is now call it and see who comes, they’ve nothing to lose now, winning the vonc merely a bonus in some minds now in this position the worst thing is not to try at all.
Although the conference was a car crash for Johnson, and he knew it he couldn’t wait to escape, that bizarre mix of acting humble with borderline contempt and anger made it compulsive viewing.
To go back to Big G post, what are his MPs thinking having endured today knowing their constituents watching same thing? The big take of today is Partygate isn’t over, press clearly got him nailed on the flat party not investigated and concluded on (Pippa and MPWest must be speaking together off record) so I make that AT LEAST 3 FPNs Boris will end up with.
But it’s not just Partygate not going away unless they remove Boris the MPs have to weigh up, but that government economic strategy and economic management isn’t working, fresh PM fresh government turned page on the economic ideas and plans would be really helpful to the Conservative party right now as well as they look to fight back at next election.
Disgraceful comments from Johnson re NI . Where fxck was he when Major and then Blair were sorting out the Good Friday Agreement .
What an utterly loathsome excuse for a human being .
Decades definitely takes us back to Major, Blair and all the others who worked hard and brought peace when it would have been easier to maintain the status quo. It is a significant part of why Major and Blair are still my two favourite PMs of my lifetime, despite various other faults.
Yet again Boris disgraces the office he holds in a way no other PM would have ever considered doing.
I understand the report came out today, but I still think the site overplays partygate, and underplays cost of living.
Looking at the economic runes, I don't see how the coming winter is not the winter from hell for the tories.
First a Rail strike then other sectors, including NHS. Welcome to the Seventies.
I dreaded this.
It’s partly why I moved to New York. Yes, there was a big pull (ie a job), but also a decent push.
I truly think the UK is buggered through the 2020s. This is on top of being quite buggered in the 2010s.
I know the cheap rejoinder is that the US is no better, or even worse, but at least I earn more, and my taxes are lower. I need to think about my protecting my income/wealth for retirement, which I hope to do in my 50s.
I understand the report came out today, but I still think the site overplays partygate, and underplays cost of living.
Looking at the economic runes, I don't see how the coming winter is not the winter from hell for the tories.
First a Rail strike then other sectors, including NHS. Welcome to the Seventies.
I dreaded this.
It’s partly why I moved to New York. Yes, there was a big pull (ie a job), but also a decent push.
I truly think the UK is buggered through the 2020s. This is on top of being quite buggered in the 2010s.
I know the cheap rejoinder is that the US is no better, or even worse, but at least I earn more, and my taxes are lower. I need to think about my protecting my income/wealth for retirement, which I hope to do in my 50s.
That's not much of a clue. Nor much of an indication of his seat under threat either. If it's a 1k majority, then Big Dog is back. And he'd be wise to be making plans anyways. If it's 9k then it's a big story.
The 50th most vulnerable Conservative seat right now is Watford (Maj 4433). I've gone with 50 to kludge a "new boundaries are more Conservative-friendly" factor.
I understand the report came out today, but I still think the site overplays partygate, and underplays cost of living.
Looking at the economic runes, I don't see how the coming winter is not the winter from hell for the tories.
First a Rail strike then other sectors, including NHS. Welcome to the Seventies.
I dreaded this.
It’s partly why I moved to New York. Yes, there was a big pull (ie a job), but also a decent push.
I truly think the UK is buggered through the 2020s. This is on top of being quite buggered in the 2010s.
I know the cheap rejoinder is that the US is no better, or even worse, but at least I earn more, and my taxes are lower. I need to think about my protecting my income/wealth for retirement, which I hope to do in my 50s.
Even when adjusting for healthcare costs?
So far, at least, it’s turned out to be a very modest levy taken from the payslip, and a similarly modest additional cost for certain treatment.
If I get cancer or something, Im afraid I’m heading back to London to “milk the system”. I think the stamp duty I paid in the UK alone more than covers potential health costs!
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
If there are 54 who wish to force all their fellow MPs to stare into the Untempered Schism that is Boris's continued leadership, then I think it would be brave to predict, even if those rebels don't have any confidence 180 are on their side today, that the majority will opt to be consumed by that madness.
I understand the report came out today, but I still think the site overplays partygate, and underplays cost of living.
Looking at the economic runes, I don't see how the coming winter is not the winter from hell for the tories.
First a Rail strike then other sectors, including NHS. Welcome to the Seventies.
I dreaded this.
It’s partly why I moved to New York. Yes, there was a big pull (ie a job), but also a decent push.
I truly think the UK is buggered through the 2020s. This is on top of being quite buggered in the 2010s.
I know the cheap rejoinder is that the US is no better, or even worse, but at least I earn more, and my taxes are lower. I need to think about my protecting my income/wealth for retirement, which I hope to do in my 50s.
Public services in the US are rubbish because taxes are low.
I understand the report came out today, but I still think the site overplays partygate, and underplays cost of living.
Looking at the economic runes, I don't see how the coming winter is not the winter from hell for the tories.
First a Rail strike then other sectors, including NHS. Welcome to the Seventies.
I dreaded this.
It’s partly why I moved to New York. Yes, there was a big pull (ie a job), but also a decent push.
I truly think the UK is buggered through the 2020s. This is on top of being quite buggered in the 2010s.
I know the cheap rejoinder is that the US is no better, or even worse, but at least I earn more, and my taxes are lower. I need to think about my protecting my income/wealth for retirement, which I hope to do in my 50s.
Public services in the US are rubbish because taxes are low.
True. It’s terrible. But I’m a flighty global capitalist so it affects me not.
I also note that UK public services have also turned shit-wards.
The phone ins are dreadful for the government. It is clearly an issue that seriously riles some people past the point of vote switching. How many? That is the question.
Is he safe? It doesn't need 54 letters to Brady at this stage, it could need a mere additional 6 or do. 'Safe' is the impression that there is no new groundswell against him, and that much is right, but a groundswell may not be needed.
180 + of his mps have to vote him out
The question is are there that number at present
If there are 54 who wish to force all their fellow MPs to stare into the Untempered Schism that is Boris's continued leadership, then I think it would be brave to predict, even if those rebels don't have any confidence 180 are on their side today, that the majority will opt to be consumed by that madness.
When you look at the differences in approach between Baker/Harper and (say) Chris Skidmore/Zac Goldsmith, the ousting of Johnson could create a vicious and profound policy civil war in the tory party.
Many tory MPs are I suspect absolutely terrified of having that conflict. And so they cling on.
Practically any four figure Tory majority (1,000 - 9,999) will be dicey after 14 years of a Tory government - with or without Partygates, buggered-up Brexits, Cost of Living crises or a decade of sleaze.
To be reasonably safe in the almost inevitable anti-government swing after a decade and a half in power, an MP needs a FIVE figure 2019 majority (>10,000). And I wouldn't bet my dodderer (majority: 17,000) will get back in
And even then: given Johnson's incompetence at actually running the economy he's so skilled at staying in control of, few businesses are likely to employ an ex-member of the gang that's done so much damage.
Johnson will survive. If he went, the The Tory membership would only choose another Brexiteer. Based on that criteria Johnson is about as good as it gets and I suspect that is what stays the hands of most of the MPs.
Not sure whether he can pull off an election win in 2024. He will need to convince the RedWall leavers that Brexit has improved their lot and hope that they feel that "levelling-up" wasn't just an empty slogan.
If these voters drift away then I think he loses because I cannot see those degree-educated, middle-class remainers that have deserted the Tories returning while Johnson is at the helm.
The Tories will probably run a very toxic culture-war campaign orchestrated by Crosby but I wouldn't bet on it not working. 2 years out I would say it is 50/50.
Johnson will survive. If he went, the The Tory membership would only choose another Brexiteer. Based on that criteria Johnson is about as good as it gets and I suspect that is what stays the hands of most of the MPs.
Not sure whether he can pull off an election win in 2024. He will need to convince the RedWall leavers that Brexit has improved their lot and hope that they feel that "levelling-up" wasn't just an empty slogan.
If these voters drift away then I think he loses because I cannot see those degree-educated, middle-class remainers that have deserted the Tories returning while Johnson is at the helm.
The Tories will probably run a very toxic culture-war campaign orchestrated by Crosby but I wouldn't bet on it not working. 2 years out I would say it is 50/50.
We still don’t know for sure what battle ground the next election will be fought on. Seems unlikely to be Brexit. Certainly won’t be covid. By spring 2024 stagflation may well be behind us. Many hope it will be “integrity” or some theme thereof. Could be I suppose.
But the winner is the one that manages to capture the zeitgeist and shape the election on their own terms. It’s still not obvious that Starmer has it in him to do this. As for culture wars, war on woke isn’t going to appeal broadly enough for a win, it won’t be tried. Might it be a foreign policy election? Hopefully not.
Comments
They are lucky that their mean core voter is senile and literally mistakes his daughter for his long deceased wife.
Sounds like an extremely successful day for Starmer.
Johnson remains until next GE.
Re Sign (for another five years as PM): 59%
Remain PM (for at least another five years): 30%
So, really it's 89% in favour of him staying.
Whereas this way, they get the kudos for their announcement (and the desired opposite reaction from opponents) multiple times without ever being able to fail. It is a kind of weird genius.
It's clear that for some, truth is secondary to being told what they want to hear, or to top bants. There have probably always been people thinking that way.
But anyone who ever strapped themselves to the Johnson bandwagon knew what they were getting.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/23/lithuania-calls-for-joint-effort-on-russia-black-sea-blockade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSfjtdnUsls
It is difficult to watch and his mps must be in turmoil
They know what he is going to say, and they know it will be bullshit.
Better off getting the pints in at the subsidised bar...
However, for the reasons indicated, I think a Tory majority at the next GE is about a 45% chance.
And, BTW, no-one seems to notice that we are not quite at the half way point of this parliament yet.
The question is are there that number at present
But as the Tory party has also sunk lower than ever before, they find it acceptable.
He's the bloody idiot whose broken it.
If anyone still has any respect for this lying ****, I feel sorry for them.
More front than Brighton!
Difference might be that Maggie soon recognised that a bare win under the rules wouldn't be enough. I don't see Johnson having a fraction of that class.
She walked. He will take it to full DRS, if not worse.
The man has no shame.
I have no idea how this plays out but the responsibility now is with his mps
"We fight on. We fight to win!"
Was her instinctive reaction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_the_United_Kingdom_by_length_of_tenure
Seems reconciled to losing his seat - but his big fear is being associated with a grubby government
(And yes, he's submitted a letter)
https://twitter.com/CatNeilan/status/1529460321156583424
Unbelievable.
Looking at the economic runes, I don't see how the coming winter is not the winter from hell for the tories.
If it's a 1k majority, then Big Dog is back. And he'd be wise to be making plans anyways.
If it's 9k then it's a big story.
And for quite a few others too.
If we get a severe winter which is long overdue, Christ alone knows.
1. Charlie Falconer to finish his speech - 100/1
2. Boris To Resign in 2022 - 5000/1
3. Elvis To Escape The B52 On The Moon - 7/2
4. "Leon" To Reincarnate As Sir Beer Karma - 2/5 Fav
5. Putin To Centrefold In Gay Times - 69/1
What an utterly loathsome excuse for a human being .
Grow up.
But there is a clear and obvious solution to partygate, the resignation of the PM, whereas there are only partial (still very necessary) plasters for the costing of living crisis.
And partygate could all have been avoided with a genuine apology six months ago, but the PM cannot say sorry until he is forced to say so.
But overall, the level of intel - especially taken as a whole - is better than what you’ll find in regular media channels.
A VONC is definitely likely in my opinion, I disagree with Mike Smithson, the mood of some of them is now call it and see who comes, they’ve nothing to lose now, winning the vonc merely a bonus in some minds now in this position the worst thing is not to try at all.
Although the conference was a car crash for Johnson, and he knew it he couldn’t wait to escape, that bizarre mix of acting humble with borderline contempt and anger made it compulsive viewing.
To go back to Big G post, what are his MPs thinking having endured today knowing their constituents watching same thing? The big take of today is Partygate isn’t over, press clearly got him nailed on the flat party not investigated and concluded on (Pippa and MPWest must be speaking together off record) so I make that AT LEAST 3 FPNs Boris will end up with.
But it’s not just Partygate not going away unless they remove Boris the MPs have to weigh up, but that government economic strategy and economic management isn’t working, fresh PM fresh government turned page on the economic ideas and plans would be really helpful to the Conservative party right now as well as they look to fight back at next election.
https://twitter.com/stephenkb/status/1529477310654685184
Yet again Boris disgraces the office he holds in a way no other PM would have ever considered doing.
It’s partly why I moved to New York.
Yes, there was a big pull (ie a job), but also a decent push.
I truly think the UK is buggered through the 2020s. This is on top of being quite buggered in the 2010s.
I know the cheap rejoinder is that the US is no better, or even worse, but at least I earn more, and my taxes are lower. I need to think about my protecting my income/wealth for retirement, which I hope to do in my 50s.
Biden in the US for example.
If I get cancer or something, Im afraid I’m heading back to London to “milk the system”.
I think the stamp duty I paid in the UK alone more than covers potential health costs!
That's really going to make the Great British Public warm to the government.
Steve is in SF.
Marc has gone to Paris.
Bryan is coming to NYC.
Fabian is in Berlin, but coming to NYC.
I feel like London is de-globalising.
It’s terrible.
But I’m a flighty global capitalist so it affects me not.
I also note that UK public services have also turned shit-wards.
It is clearly an issue that seriously riles some people past the point of vote switching. How many? That is the question.
Many tory MPs are I suspect absolutely terrified of having that conflict. And so they cling on.
The chances of something like that happening at my kids’ school is pretty much zero.
To be reasonably safe in the almost inevitable anti-government swing after a decade and a half in power, an MP needs a FIVE figure 2019 majority (>10,000). And I wouldn't bet my dodderer (majority: 17,000) will get back in
And even then: given Johnson's incompetence at actually running the economy he's so skilled at staying in control of, few businesses are likely to employ an ex-member of the gang that's done so much damage.
Not sure whether he can pull off an election win in 2024. He will need to convince the RedWall leavers that Brexit has improved their lot and hope that they feel that "levelling-up" wasn't just an empty slogan.
If these voters drift away then I think he loses because I cannot see those degree-educated, middle-class remainers that have deserted the Tories returning while Johnson is at the helm.
The Tories will probably run a very toxic culture-war campaign orchestrated by Crosby but I wouldn't bet on it not working. 2 years out I would say it is 50/50.
But the winner is the one that manages to capture the zeitgeist and shape the election on their own terms. It’s still not obvious that Starmer has it in him to do this. As for culture wars, war on woke isn’t going to appeal broadly enough for a win, it won’t be tried. Might it be a foreign policy election? Hopefully not.