In background, theres no ideal one anymore. Recent uber privileged background leaders having appeal with the working classes shows that. The public dont care if they like you, they'll only care if already opposed.
Its journalists who care. A 'compelling' narrative is more interesting.
It's way too soon to write about Brexit legacies. Legacy is a term about the past and it's only 18 months since we left.
Most of us think Brexit is an almighty fuck up. You don't, which is fair enough. But neither side of this debate can know how it will pan out for 5, 15, probably 25 years. Then the 'legacy' will become clear.
I wouldn’t argue with that
But it wasn’t my point. The interesting thing is that it’s the NYT being balanced about Brexit. Their normal angle is shrieking contempt
Mr. xP, worth noting that America was recently led by Donald Trump, and Germany's lauded Merkel made some bloody stupid calls on nuclear and immigration.
I think Sajid Javid is the best option for PM, but I doubt he’ll get it.
Too boring.
Could this be the key dimension? Truss may be the least boring of the current runners.
At that rate, Boris might stand and win. I wouldn’t put it past him. The Tories looked into the abyss, saw a bunch of nobodies and went back to big dog.
I was thinking the same. Can you imagine if they'd allowed Trump to stay on for two months? This could be as bad. He Carrie nd the hopeless Guto will be scheming as we speak....They've left him with too many cards and it's not like he's got any boundaries.
If Sunak's denounced by Dorries and Mogg that might prove rather helpful.
In the short term. Idiots attacking colleagues are just writing Labour lines come the next election, but realising that would, of course, require a modicum of restraint and foresight.
In background, theres no ideal one anymore. Recent uber privileged background leaders having appeal with the working classes shows that. The public dont care if they like you, they'll only care if already opposed.
Its journalists who care. A 'compelling' narrative is more interesting.
Perhaps.
Sunak rose with the public in part with the "Dishy Rishi" rhyme.
The problem for him to overcome now is that his name rhymes just as well with Richie Rich.
I think Sajid Javid is the best option for PM, but I doubt he’ll get it.
Too boring.
Could this be the key dimension? Truss may be the least boring of the current runners.
At that rate, Boris might stand and win. I wouldn’t put it past him. The Tories looked into the abyss, saw a bunch of nobodies and went back to big dog.
I'd laugh my head off but the mechanisms mean he can't. You need to be backed by sufficient MPs and then win through to the final two. He wouldn't now get past the first round of voting among his own MPs.
I am 5 foot six; or at least I was until I started shrinking due to old age! I've never regarded myself as particularly short although I did once have to do some work in Newmarket and was rather pleased find myself taller than a large number of the men around.
I also enjoy going to Thailand for the same reason (among others) and I don't get knocked off motorcycle taxis there as people who are 6 foot+ tend to do!
I am about 6 foot 2. I have never thought of myself as particularly tall; especially as one of my best friends is a good few inches taller.
But twelve or so years ago, I went into a small cake shop in Romsey one morning to look at getting a wedding cake. The shop was busy, and filled with ladies. I was much taller than all of them, and I realised how much of a dominating presence I was in the shop.
It's about the only time I've ever felt that way, and it was an odd feeling.
As I wish for a moment to represent the superficiality of the British electorate, we've mentioned follicly challenged but have we mentioned vertically challenged?
The last bald man to be elected in this country was Clement Attlee in 1950, although you could make a case for Winston Churchill in 1952 although he was 78 and not entirely bald either.
But who is the shortest ever male British PM to be elected? I'm genuinely curious. Do we like Napolean figures in this country?
Rishi Sunak says is apparently 5ft 6"
I wish to make clear that I don't approve of this kind of superficiality but it's pertinent IF the electorate are swayed by such things, which they might be?
Naturally no individual is ever found acting on baldism, heightism, racism or any other ism. However though no individual so acts, other individuals do, as we all know.
This is the same phenomenon as 'the wrong crowd', which as every mother knows threatens all teenage boys, but can never be identified as the son of any particular mother.
(For various reasons I have had the 'wrong crowd' conversation loads of times, and have never met a single person who thinks their son might constitute and instantiate 'the wrong crowd'.)
Bet accordingly WRT: Wallace, Rishi.
The fact that Tories seem fairly free of racism in this sense (look at the list) is one of the major miracles of modern times. Labour needs to look out.
The Left's problem is that such people are supporting the Conservatives and they seem them as traitors to the cause.
They see identities as entirely political and you can only truly be "gay" or "black" if you support radical socialism.
The death of overt racism in British politics and in the Conservative party in particular is a major piece of social progress over my adult lifetime. Certainly racism still exists in British life, but it is either much more marginal or unconscious.
Ditto homophobia, which has also become anathema to respectable parties.
It's sadly certainly NOT marginal or unconscious at all.
As the public at Edgbaston discovered last week and as everyone who goes to a football match is well aware. It's thoroughly alive and kicking.
Better than 30 yrs ago? Definitely. But let's not pat ourselves on the back with false news.
I wish it were not so Foxy.
And as for transphobia ... that's the new homophobia with many of the same tired old 'it's not natural' tropes, even on here sadly.
There's a great shot of the new EDUCATION Minister giving the finger to the crowd on Downing Street. She's surely got to stand! It sums up this dying administration perfectly
I've no doubt that Tony Blair's height, good looks and telegenic smile played a huge part in 1997.
I didn't personally like him but many found him winsome.
I saw Blair speak at a Labour party event in the mid nineties. At that time he had real charisma, and New Labour was a very slick operation. It was becoming a kissarse to Dubya that did for him.
Blair was an absolute giant as Leader of the Opposition. Major’s ministers were absolutely terrified. Classic bunnies in headlights.
Starmer is a total lightweight in comparison. And his frontbench team is just laughable compared to Blair’s in the pre-1997 period.
You set a high bar, but it's still nonsense. Starmer is anything but a lightweight and has ended up with a pretty decent front bench team.
Anyway, on the subject of lightweights, you need look no further than the trecherous Sunak. Imagine him as a failed Chancellor taking over as PM just as businesses and households really start to feel the economic pain in the Autumn, with the economic cycle now totally out of kilter with the political one.
If Sunak's denounced by Dorries and Mogg that might prove rather helpful.
In the short term. Idiots attacking colleagues are just writing Labour lines come the next election, but realising that would, of course, require a modicum of restraint and foresight.
I think they’re mostly a sensible-enough bunch to avoid slagging each other off in public.
The worry is more what stories people are going to pass to the Sundays about the candidates.
Oh, and some policy discussion would be welcome. The next year or two will be brutal economically, what do the candidates have by way of a plan to deal with the world in 2023 and beyond.
I may have made reference previously, to one particular tax, the promise of a suspension of which on the first day in office might go some way to endearing a particular candidate to the membership.
The idea that Boris is in a position to feel "anger" against anyone for a lack of loyalty is risible, Having said this had it not been for Javid and Sunak we might still be staggering on in the same maelstrom of chaos. So thank you to both of them for finally bringing this to a head.
For me, Rishi is the most articulate and probably brightest of the runners and riders. I want to hear more about his vision that he is promising to set out. I particularly want to hear if he is brave enough to spell out the really tough choices that are coming down the track. The OBR were very clear: cuts in spending AND tax increases are needed to get our borrowing back on track. The price of carrying all this debt in very low interest times is coming home to roost.
I'm pretty sure my interview went really well. I liked the owner, a Kiwi chap, and the lady who I'd be working under, and they seemed to like me. I've got to wait until Tuesday to see if they liked me enough, and I'm trying not to think about it too much in the meantime.
The idea that Boris is in a position to feel "anger" against anyone for a lack of loyalty is risible, Having said this had it not been for Javid and Sunak we might still be staggering on in the same maelstrom of chaos. So thank you to both of them for finally bringing this to a head.
For me, Rishi is the most articulate and probably brightest of the runners and riders. I want to hear more about his vision that he is promising to set out. I particularly want to hear if he is brave enough to spell out the really tough choices that are coming down the track. The OBR were very clear: cuts in spending AND tax increases are needed to get our borrowing back on track. The price of carrying all this debt in very low interest times is coming home to roost.
Why would he be brave enough to spell out the tough choices. Keeping it vague allows all the groups in the Tory membership to think the axe is landing on someone else that's not them.
Comments
Its journalists who care. A 'compelling' narrative is more interesting.
But it wasn’t my point. The interesting thing is that it’s the NYT being balanced about Brexit. Their normal angle is shrieking contempt
But what will Wallace and Mordaunt do?
Close allies of Johnson said there was “huge anger” in Downing Street over Sunak’s resignation.
One senior No10 official called Sunak “a treacherous bastard”
https://www.ft.com/content/ea706ae0-284c-43f3-adb8-55c3ad8bc250
Liz Truss: The risk is that Liz looks quite sane next to Suella, in the way that Marilyn Manson would look like a 10 next to the Demogorgon.
In the short term. Idiots attacking colleagues are just writing Labour lines come the next election, but realising that would, of course, require a modicum of restraint and foresight.
Sunak rose with the public in part with the "Dishy Rishi" rhyme.
The problem for him to overcome now is that his name rhymes just as well with Richie Rich.
So it ain't gonna happen.
But twelve or so years ago, I went into a small cake shop in Romsey one morning to look at getting a wedding cake. The shop was busy, and filled with ladies. I was much taller than all of them, and I realised how much of a dominating presence I was in the shop.
It's about the only time I've ever felt that way, and it was an odd feeling.
As the public at Edgbaston discovered last week and as everyone who goes to a football match is well aware. It's thoroughly alive and kicking.
Better than 30 yrs ago? Definitely. But let's not pat ourselves on the back with false news.
I wish it were not so Foxy.
And as for transphobia ... that's the new homophobia with many of the same tired old 'it's not natural' tropes, even on here sadly.
Anyway, on the subject of lightweights, you need look no further than the trecherous Sunak. Imagine him as a failed Chancellor taking over as PM just as businesses and households really start to feel the economic pain in the Autumn, with the economic cycle now totally out of kilter with the political one.
The worry is more what stories people are going to pass to the Sundays about the candidates.
Oh, and some policy discussion would be welcome. The next year or two will be brutal economically, what do the candidates have by way of a plan to deal with the world in 2023 and beyond.
I may have made reference previously, to one particular tax, the promise of a suspension of which on the first day in office might go some way to endearing a particular candidate to the membership.
For me, Rishi is the most articulate and probably brightest of the runners and riders. I want to hear more about his vision that he is promising to set out. I particularly want to hear if he is brave enough to spell out the really tough choices that are coming down the track. The OBR were very clear: cuts in spending AND tax increases are needed to get our borrowing back on track. The price of carrying all this debt in very low interest times is coming home to roost.
Plus well done Rishi's parents. From NHS doctor and pharmacist to paying school fees at Winchester. No small achievement.
Truss or Mordaunt for me; I want a pause from men in suits and they both seem interesting and competent enough without the batshit crazy bit.