Asked about the conduct described in the Sue Gray report, Boris Johnson told MPs: "I'd do it again."
Mind you, this might be one of those rare occasions where Boris is speaking the truth.
Yes indeed. One hopes that a few more MPs will pipe up to note that it means he was lying when he pretended contrition and humility, particularly given his defenders going on about how everyone likes to get pissed etc. So he has undermined his own justification for moving on, which involved accepting there was a problem.
But the tactic is clear - this is petty nonsense, leave me along to rule.
MPs, and the public, can focus on petty things, it is true. But the public still choose the MPs and the MPs choose their leader, if they want to go petty put up with it, don't whinge about it.
Big Dog's back legs have gone. And some in the party want to fit him with a set of wheels on those now useless back legs. "You see - he can still get about...."
For God's sake, do the decent thing and take him to the vets, Conservative Party.
Replacing Boris with an actual dog as PM would be a clear improvement.
The thing is, dogs are intelligent, faithful, brave and affectionate.
Boris Johnson isn't really much like a dog at all.
Apart from the wanting to have sex with everything in sight, including pieces of furniture.
Big Dog's back legs have gone. And some in the party want to fit him with a set of wheels on those now useless back legs. "You see - he can still get about...."
For God's sake, do the decent thing and take him to the vets, Conservative Party.
Replacing Boris with an actual dog as PM would be a clear improvement.
The thing is, dogs are intelligent, faithful, brave and affectionate.
Boris Johnson isn't really much like a dog at all.
Apart from the wanting to have sex with everything in sight, including pieces of furniture.
You wait. I give it six weeks of Starmer versus Hunt or Starmer versus Wallace and we will all be screaming with boredom - and, despite Johnson’s departure, neither side will be able to do anything about our various problems as so many are global and systemic and baked-in, and we won’t even have the Bozzmonstah to be our amusing panto villain, or just to be amusing. No more Sir Beer Korma
He is Sir John Falstaff, and we will miss the cakes and ale
Just need to reintroduce FOM, get rid of border checks and hey presto, sunny uplands.
FOM tied into residency eligibility for benefits (contribution based) and I'm with you.
Surely the rational thing to do would be to say you are supporting the PM but secretly vote against him.
It would be to say nothing. Say you support him and he loses, you may have a black mark. Say you vote for his removal and that fails, ditto.
one thing to remember re public disclosures. A lot of the Tory MPs are not only new to Parliament, they’re new to the whole politics game. They may not play things in the way normally expected.
Not surprised, I have not seen any Scottish Conservative MPs apart from Scotland Minister Alastair Jack come out in support of Boris today.
Crikey is Jack still alive, he must have the cushiest job in the world, 250K in his pocket a year for nothing. At least we hear Ross making a right tit of himself now and again.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 1m Mood update. Grimmer. Boris supporters feel his campaign is poorly organised. Insufficient organisation amongst whips and No.10. Wavering MPs not being called.
Can I just say that its days like this that make me absolutely fucking adore politics. There is no need to watch soap operas when we have reality to watch that is more gripping than any fiction.
Thanks so much to all of you - especially the people I disagree with - for being here making this forum what it is. And thanks to OGH, TSE, RCS for keeping it running.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 1m Mood update. Grimmer. Boris supporters feel his campaign is poorly organised. Insufficient organisation amongst whips and No.10. Wavering MPs not being called.
Dan, say "mood" one more time, I dare you, I double dare you...
Big Dog's back legs have gone. And some in the party want to fit him with a set of wheels on those now useless back legs. "You see - he can still get about...."
For God's sake, do the decent thing and take him to the vets, Conservative Party.
Replacing Boris with an actual dog as PM would be a clear improvement.
The thing is, dogs are intelligent, faithful, brave and affectionate.
Boris Johnson isn't really much like a dog at all.
Apart from the wanting to have sex with everything in sight, including pieces of furniture.
Untrue, I can also see him shitting on the carpet.
Surely now is the time for a big name to come out and say they aren't supporting Johnson.
I see Penny Mordaunt hasn't confirmed her support. Time for a resignation statement?
If Sunak wants this, he has about 50mins to try and seize the crown.
Too late. He cannot come out and say only now has he realised the PM must go.
"Having listened to this evening's 1922 debate I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the PM has not shown he has the contrition and humility to carry on. In particular, his comment, that he would do it all again, was for me a last straw. I have myself been fined for an event at Downing Street, and I am mortified by this fact and would certainly not do it all again. It is with a heavy heart therefore..."
Not surprised, I have not seen any Scottish Conservative MPs apart from Scotland Minister Alastair Jack come out in support of Boris today.
Crikey is Jack still alive, he must have the cushiest job in the world, 250K in his pocket a year for nothing. At least we hear Ross making a right tit of himself now and again.
It'd almost be worth Boris surviving comfortably to have Ross trying to work out how to reverse-reverse-ferret his position. "I wanted you out initially, then I retracted it, I didn't send a letter to Brady but then I voted against you, but now you're still here I think you're great, but please resign after Ukraine's solved".
Can I just say that its days like this that make me absolutely fucking adore politics. There is no need to watch soap operas when we have reality to watch that is more gripping than any fiction.
Thanks so much to all of you - especially the people I disagree with - for being here making this forum what it is. And thanks to OGH, TSE, RCS for keeping it running.
Yeah. It's ace isn't, it? There's something quite heady about being in the know as well. Don't think the general public has caught up with this yet.
Labour 38% (-1) Conservative 34% (+1) Liberal Democrat 11% (-1) Green 7% (+1) Scottish National Party 4% (–) Reform UK 4% (–) Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
Alexa, define 'irony'
56% for LLG though, which is in line with (in fact at the higher end of) the recent range. R&W just seem to uprate the Greens compared with other pollsters. Though high for REFUK too.
The Lib Dems have moved from around 7-8% last year to regularly 10-12% now.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 1m Mood update. Grimmer. Boris supporters feel his campaign is poorly organised. Insufficient organisation amongst whips and No.10. Wavering MPs not being called.
How does Hodges know? I doubt anyone of any significance talks to him.
Douglas Ross was the first MP to put his head above the parapet way back when. Withdrew his VONC due to Ukraine, but given that its happening anyway, will vote against Boris. Not that tortuous.
Labour 38% (-1) Conservative 34% (+1) Liberal Democrat 11% (-1) Green 7% (+1) Scottish National Party 4% (–) Reform UK 4% (–) Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
Alexa, define 'irony'
What it does show is Starmer has not sealed the deal and the conservatives can win the next GE if they make the right leader decisions in the next few weeks
Maybe deep down their heart isn't in it? Times was saying yesterday that the old Big Dog shadow whipping operation is not up and running and some have even been on holiday.
PM Raab will need to consider cabinet changes to steady the ship. The country can't wait for months whilst his party go about savaging each other. So hopefully he will fire nutjobs like Dorries, not cling onto them like the flapping great lummox he appears to be.
My MP. He said a couple of weeks ago something like "if there was a confidence vote it would be very difficult to support Boris", so this should have been pretty much priced in.
Today will be the first day since March 2020 that I have watched broadcast news.
Have been away from here for too long.
Whether tonight sees the end of Boris, I doubt. But it is the beginning of the end.
Last month, for the first time since 1999, I voted for a party other than the Conservatives.
I won't return to voting blue whilst Boris remains leader.
The end can't come soon enough
Hear hear.
I also refused to vote Tory last month.
I will review the situation with a new leader but I remain unconvinced any of the candidates have what it takes to turn things around. But I will give them a fair hearing at least.
MPs coming out of 1922 meeting are saying MPs want to "move on" and "forgive" and draw a line.
Tee hee hee. Election disaster in GE is heading their way. The public 'aint gonna forget what he has done imho.
Anything over 120 and they will cause chaos until Boris is gone
He will be gone by July if not before
I think that's right: more than a third of the parliamentary party voting for him to go is probably medium term terminal. Less than a quarter (i.e. 80 or less) and he's fine.
PM Raab will need to consider cabinet changes to steady the ship. The country can't wait for months whilst his party go about savaging each other. So hopefully he will fire nutjobs like Dorries, not cling onto them like the flapping great lummox he appears to be.
It is only Raab if he is not running for leadership. Otherwise Palace will expect someone else who has no skin in game to be caretaker.
But this only happens anyway if Johnson walks out in a hissy fit and bear in mind he would lose a couple of month's PM salary and several weekends shouting drunkenly at Chequers staff.
One Tory MP describes the No10 campaign to shore up the PM's position as a group of "headless chickens" ... adds they are "amazed they didn’t have people calling [wavering MPs] within minutes of the announcement" the vote was coming https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1533848634034372609
Can't say I'm enjoying this. Especially as it feels like Dominic Cummings's revenge is being played out by press and mps.
Screw DomCum. Its not about him.
If Boris goes, ironically Cummings will cease to be in any way relevant to anyone. And he’s proven he can’t be trusted to keep a confidence so his working future will look bleak.
My MP is the toadying lickspittle David Duguid. He did a tour of Jubly events this double weekend and I know he has been talking to constituents as I watched him do so in Turiff yesterday.
His tongue was so far up BJ's hole I assumed he would be quick out of the blocks with support. But nothing. He is tweeting! But not about the single biggest issue of the day/week/year.
Labour 38% (-1) Conservative 34% (+1) Liberal Democrat 11% (-1) Green 7% (+1) Scottish National Party 4% (–) Reform UK 4% (–) Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
Despite everything Labour only 4 points ahead.
Maybe BJ is more popular in the Country than he is on here
PB never forgave Boris for Brexit. A lot of hearts were broken on here on 23/06/16.
It looks like Con is about to get rid on the leader that's given them their biggest majority for 30 years when they are only 4% behind the main party of Opposition.
It feels like the Tories have taken leave of their senses, which does seem to happen often after an extended period in government... Which is why a long period in government will usually be followed by a long period on Opposition...
Labour 38% (-1) Conservative 34% (+1) Liberal Democrat 11% (-1) Green 7% (+1) Scottish National Party 4% (–) Reform UK 4% (–) Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
Despite everything Labour only 4 points ahead.
Maybe BJ is more popular in the Country than he is on here
Or a post-Boris world priced in?
Nope. Just an indication that Labour are hugely uninspiring and still tainted by the Corbyn years. If BJ goes the election is wide open.
Labour COULD win but Starmer will have to raise game and they absolutely must do everything possible to define the new Tory leader negatively as soon as he/she is in place. Tories need to bullet-proof the candidates, so whoever wins doesn't implode a la Rishi.
Labour 38% (-1) Conservative 34% (+1) Liberal Democrat 11% (-1) Green 7% (+1) Scottish National Party 4% (–) Reform UK 4% (–) Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
Those figures simply reflect the weakness of Labour under Starmer. A leader who isn't leading. A man without a vision. A better leader would be enjoying double digit leads in every poll.
But perhaps Durham Police will do everyone a favour and get rid of him.
There are MPs on the Labour benches who will be able to put together a more compelling reason to vote Red than Starmer will ever be able to conceive.
A ridiculous thread from Peston earlier, in which he says that Jeremy Hunt is one of this generation's "men in grey suits" rather than an obvious leadership rival.
@Peston In the days or yore, Tory PM's did the decent thing and retired to their offices with the bottle of whisky and the revolver, after the so-called "men in grey suits" discreetly told them that the game was up. Now, no Tory MP thinks Boris Johnson would ever resign were today's generation of Tory grandee to give him a gentle nudge. Nothing in his history suggests he gives a fig what the great and the good think of him. Which is why this generation's men in grey suits - such as Jeremy Hunt, Jesse Norman, Andrew Mitchell, John Penrose - have taken to Twitter and the airwaves to condemn his fitness to remain as PM in the most clinical and damning terms. Or to put it another way, Boris Johnson's survival or oblivion is simply a brutal numbers game
One Tory source close to PM claims he hadn't told anyone about Brady's call during the pageant: “He didn’t have the time to communicate it to even his closest advisers until after it was done. He sat there smiling at the performances for a couple of hours, wondering what to do." https://twitter.com/rowenamason/status/1533849144376365058
Labour 38% (-1) Conservative 34% (+1) Liberal Democrat 11% (-1) Green 7% (+1) Scottish National Party 4% (–) Reform UK 4% (–) Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
Despite everything Labour only 4 points ahead.
Maybe BJ is more popular in the Country than he is on here
PB never forgave Boris for Brexit. A lot of hearts were broken on here on 23/06/16.
It looks like Con is about to get rid on the leader that's given them their biggest majority for 30 years when they are only 4% behind the main party of Opposition.
It feels like the Tories have taken leave of their senses, which does seem to happen often after an extended period in government... Which is why a long period in government will usually be followed by a long period on Opposition...
This is the party that got rid of the blessed Margaret (PBUH).
My MP is the toadying lickspittle David Duguid. He did a tour of Jubly events this double weekend and I know he has been talking to constituents as I watched him do so in Turiff yesterday.
His tongue was so far up BJ's hole I assumed he would be quick out of the blocks with support. But nothing. He is tweeting! But not about the single biggest issue of the day/week/year.
He was sacked as junior minister wasn't he? Not sure that will drive him into Boris camp. And the Scottish Tories desperately need to see the back of BJ. I see Andrew Bowie has come out against Boris.
PM Raab will need to consider cabinet changes to steady the ship. The country can't wait for months whilst his party go about savaging each other. So hopefully he will fire nutjobs like Dorries, not cling onto them like the flapping great lummox he appears to be.
It is only Raab if he is not running for leadership. Otherwise Palace will expect someone else who has no skin in game to be caretaker.
But this only happens anyway if Johnson walks out in a hissy fit and bear in mind he would lose a couple of month's PM salary and several weekends shouting drunkenly at Chequers staff.
I know this. The scenario is: 1. Big Dog gets shot 2. Humiliated and alone he thinks "fuck this shit" and walks. There are bound to be rich friends / donors / ex KGB officers willing to look after him 3. Raaaaaaab is deputy PM. Someone has to be PM - thats the system. So running or not he gets the gig.
I think BJ loses tonight. I can see how he would flounce - his team clearly haven't even considered the need to lobby for votes so they definitely haven't scenario planned him losing. Which would put Raab up whether he wants it or not.
Its a low order probability, but the more the drums increase in volume the more its a scenario we need to consider.
PM Raab will need to consider cabinet changes to steady the ship. The country can't wait for months whilst his party go about savaging each other. So hopefully he will fire nutjobs like Dorries, not cling onto them like the flapping great lummox he appears to be.
The first thing PM Raab would have to do is find a new (safe) seat for himself... unless he wants to the first PM to be voted out by his constituents in goodness knows how long...
Labour 38% (-1) Conservative 34% (+1) Liberal Democrat 11% (-1) Green 7% (+1) Scottish National Party 4% (–) Reform UK 4% (–) Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
Despite everything Labour only 4 points ahead.
Maybe BJ is more popular in the Country than he is on here
PB never forgave Boris for Brexit. A lot of hearts were broken on here on 23/06/16.
It looks like Con is about to get rid on the leader that's given them their biggest majority for 30 years when they are only 4% behind the main party of Opposition.
It feels like the Tories have taken leave of their senses, which does seem to happen often after an extended period in government... Which is why a long period in government will usually be followed by a long period on Opposition...
Is it fair though just to back a leader on the basis that they won you a majority? What they do between now and the next election is fair game - even breaking the rules they made?
It feels to me like this is a little different even to getting rid of a PM because you don’t like their policies or you’re worried about their unpopularity- certainly I still believe it would have been better for the Tories, in hindsight, to go down with Maggie on the ship in 1992 (assuming she would have lost against Kinnock, which still is a matter for debate) and Labour should really have stuck with Blair until the 2010 election when he could’ve let Brown or AN Other successor fight it (again in hindsight they may have had a better chance).
But when it’s a scenario like this I think it’s perfectly justified.
One Tory MP describes the No10 campaign to shore up the PM's position as a group of "headless chickens" ... adds they are "amazed they didn’t have people calling [wavering MPs] within minutes of the announcement" the vote was coming https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1533848634034372609
They aren't exactly exuding confidence, are they? Getting excuses in early more like....
PM Raab will need to consider cabinet changes to steady the ship. The country can't wait for months whilst his party go about savaging each other. So hopefully he will fire nutjobs like Dorries, not cling onto them like the flapping great lummox he appears to be.
The first thing PM Raab would have to do is find a new (safe) seat for himself... unless he wants to the first PM to be voted out by his constituents in goodness knows how long...
Meh - he won't be PM for more than a few months. And when he leaves parliament his pension and pay packet potential is a lot higher.
Today will be the first day since March 2020 that I have watched broadcast news.
Have been away from here for too long.
Whether tonight sees the end of Boris, I doubt. But it is the beginning of the end.
Last month, for the first time since 1999, I voted for a party other than the Conservatives.
I won't return to voting blue whilst Boris remains leader.
The end can't come soon enough
Hear hear.
I also refused to vote Tory last month.
I will review the situation with a new leader but I remain unconvinced any of the candidates have what it takes to turn things around. But I will give them a fair hearing at least.
I voted Green. Which was, to be fair, on a very local issue. But the Tory candidate didn't canvas or reply to email. Green was round within an hour.
PM Raab will need to consider cabinet changes to steady the ship. The country can't wait for months whilst his party go about savaging each other. So hopefully he will fire nutjobs like Dorries, not cling onto them like the flapping great lummox he appears to be.
"Appears to be"? C'mon. He *is* a flapping great lummox. It's the only thing that makes me worried Johnson might be out on his ear. Well, I suppose we could have PM Dorries, but surely Tory MPS aren't *that* stupid?
PM Raab will need to consider cabinet changes to steady the ship. The country can't wait for months whilst his party go about savaging each other. So hopefully he will fire nutjobs like Dorries, not cling onto them like the flapping great lummox he appears to be.
It is only Raab if he is not running for leadership. Otherwise Palace will expect someone else who has no skin in game to be caretaker.
But this only happens anyway if Johnson walks out in a hissy fit and bear in mind he would lose a couple of month's PM salary and several weekends shouting drunkenly at Chequers staff.
I know this. The scenario is: 1. Big Dog gets shot 2. Humiliated and alone he thinks "fuck this shit" and walks. There are bound to be rich friends / donors / ex KGB officers willing to look after him 3. Raaaaaaab is deputy PM. Someone has to be PM - thats the system. So running or not he gets the gig.
I think BJ loses tonight. I can see how he would flounce - his team clearly haven't even considered the need to lobby for votes so they definitely haven't scenario planned him losing. Which would put Raab up whether he wants it or not.
Its a low order probability, but the more the drums increase in volume the more its a scenario we need to consider.
Comments
having said that, there’s a lot of first time Tory MPs in RW seats who will be thinking “if he goes, so do I”. That may save him.
Or outright lying. Especially if they have a Boris-inclined Red Wall electorate. "I was sorry to see him go, but it was the will of the Party...."
A one vote margin, less so.
But the tactic is clear - this is petty nonsense, leave me along to rule.
MPs, and the public, can focus on petty things, it is true. But the public still choose the MPs and the MPs choose their leader, if they want to go petty put up with it, don't whinge about it.
Boris Johnson isn't really much like a dog at all.
Apart from the wanting to have sex with everything in sight, including pieces of furniture.
I think he’s done for. Or at the very least there’s going to be a 10-20 vote margin in it which no matter what they say has exactly the same result.
Another year (maybe less) of abject misery.
one thing to remember re public disclosures. A lot of the Tory MPs are not only new to Parliament, they’re new to the whole politics game. They may not play things in the way normally expected.
At least we hear Ross making a right tit of himself now and again.
@DPJHodges
·
1m
Mood update. Grimmer. Boris supporters feel his campaign is poorly organised. Insufficient organisation amongst whips and No.10. Wavering MPs not being called.
Thanks so much to all of you - especially the people I disagree with - for being here making this forum what it is. And thanks to OGH, TSE, RCS for keeping it running.
https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1533844882955051008
@RedfieldWilton
·
1m
Westminster Voting Intention (5 June):
Labour 38% (-1)
Conservative 34% (+1)
Liberal Democrat 11% (-1)
Green 7% (+1)
Scottish National Party 4% (–)
Reform UK 4% (–)
Other 3% (+2)
Changes +/- 1 June
https://twitter.com/patrickkmaguire/status/1533838873909940224?s=21&t=9fcTwTP1dl_jZlN12IairA
Or is that Amber Heard?
Almost.
https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1533845941328945153
Unless he's even feeling kamikaze, and maintaining his ego and self-identity is paramount.
There's something quite heady about being in the know as well.
Don't think the general public has caught up with this yet.
The Lib Dems have moved from around 7-8% last year to regularly 10-12% now.
* Not of all them are paid.
Of this group
19 are Ministers
4 are whips
26 are PPSs (ministerial aides)
My view is that Johnson needs around 70% of this payroll vote to survive the vote - which means he can't have more than 40 not vote for him.
https://twitter.com/samfr/status/1533844316812193795
Maybe BJ is more popular in the Country than he is on here
Douglas Ross was the first MP to put his head above the parapet way back when. Withdrew his VONC due to Ukraine, but given that its happening anyway, will vote against Boris. Not that tortuous.
Have been away from here for too long.
Whether tonight sees the end of Boris, I doubt. But it is the beginning of the end.
Last month, for the first time since 1999, I voted for a party other than the Conservatives.
I won't return to voting blue whilst Boris remains leader.
The end can't come soon enough
Boris Johnson has demeaned his office and downgraded standards.
We are urging MPs of all parties to back a package of reforms to strengthen standards in public life.
It’s time to stop the rot.
https://twitter.com/AngelaRayner/status/1533846560097853440
So Tory MPs can vote to keep the lawbreaker BoZo tonight, and against cleaning up politics tomorrow.
The election leaflets are printing themselves...
https://twitter.com/paulwaugh/status/1533846717816356870
I also refused to vote Tory last month.
I will review the situation with a new leader but I remain unconvinced any of the candidates have what it takes to turn things around. But I will give them a fair hearing at least.
That sound you heard was 100 UKGov lawyers face-palming in unison as their client admitted liability on Twitter. 🤦🏻♂️
https://twitter.com/RoddyQC/status/1533818987645222914
the torture only ends when he does...
But this only happens anyway if Johnson walks out in a hissy fit and bear in mind he would lose a couple of month's PM salary and several weekends shouting drunkenly at Chequers staff.
New broom required
https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1533848634034372609
213 would be the equivalent of IDS, if my maths are correct.
His tongue was so far up BJ's hole I assumed he would be quick out of the blocks with support. But nothing. He is tweeting! But not about the single biggest issue of the day/week/year.
It looks like Con is about to get rid on the leader that's given them their biggest majority for 30 years when they are only 4% behind the main party of Opposition.
It feels like the Tories have taken leave of their senses, which does seem to happen often after an extended period in government... Which is why a long period in government will usually be followed by a long period on Opposition...
Labour COULD win but Starmer will have to raise game and they absolutely must do everything possible to define the new Tory leader negatively as soon as he/she is in place. Tories need to bullet-proof the candidates, so whoever wins doesn't implode a la Rishi.
But perhaps Durham Police will do everyone a favour and get rid of him.
There are MPs on the Labour benches who will be able to put together a more compelling reason to vote Red than Starmer will ever be able to conceive.
https://twitter.com/Peston/status/1533763013030944768
@Peston
In the days or yore, Tory PM's did the decent thing and retired to their offices with the bottle of whisky and the revolver, after the so-called "men in grey suits" discreetly told them that the game was up. Now, no Tory MP thinks Boris Johnson would ever resign were today's generation of Tory grandee to give him a gentle nudge. Nothing in his history suggests he gives a fig what the great and the good think of him. Which is why this generation's men in grey suits - such as Jeremy Hunt, Jesse Norman, Andrew Mitchell, John Penrose - have taken to Twitter and the airwaves to condemn his fitness to remain as PM in the most clinical and damning terms. Or to put it another way, Boris Johnson's survival or oblivion is simply a brutal numbers game
https://twitter.com/rowenamason/status/1533849144376365058
Ha!
1. Big Dog gets shot
2. Humiliated and alone he thinks "fuck this shit" and walks. There are bound to be rich friends / donors / ex KGB officers willing to look after him
3. Raaaaaaab is deputy PM. Someone has to be PM - thats the system. So running or not he gets the gig.
I think BJ loses tonight. I can see how he would flounce - his team clearly haven't even considered the need to lobby for votes so they definitely haven't scenario planned him losing. Which would put Raab up whether he wants it or not.
Its a low order probability, but the more the drums increase in volume the more its a scenario we need to consider.
It feels to me like this is a little different even to getting rid of a PM because you don’t like their policies or you’re worried about their unpopularity- certainly I still believe it would have been better for the Tories, in hindsight, to go down with Maggie on the ship in 1992 (assuming she would have lost against Kinnock, which still is a matter for debate) and Labour should really have stuck with Blair until the 2010 election when he could’ve let Brown or AN Other successor fight it (again in hindsight they may have had a better chance).
But when it’s a scenario like this I think it’s perfectly justified.
Politics is a lot about effort.
Laziness loses elections.
Oh.
“Case dismissed”.