Theresa May, the Conservative party's Gordon Brown. Gets a reputation for being competent by staying in a top job for a long time despite mediocre performance, gets to be PM without a real fight.
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
This does not look like a cake walk premiership for Mrs May. She will start out with 100+ of her MPs not wanting her there and another group within her supporters, watching her carefully for what she does on Brexit and this "drift to the centre". Added to that are the rabid spreaders of poison, which Boles and Soubry rank amongst the worst (rank being the smell involved). If those folk feature in the new Govt, Mrs May will hardly be encouraging unity.
It's odd isn't that you avoid mentioning Duncan-Smith et al in relation to your penultimate sentence. It's almost as if you're not being entirely impartial.
I had no noticed any attack from IDS on Mrs May (please link to that if available), but IDS is not expected to feature in the new Govt. IDS's attacks were on Osborne and Cameron at the time of his resignation. Soubry has a long list of fellow MPs that she has attacked as has Boles.
What was significant about Leadsom’s statement was not just that she said she was withdrawing, but that she said that as a candidate with so little support amongst Tory MP she would not have been able to run a strong government.
As I write Iain Duncan Smith, a Leadsom supporter and former Tory leader, is saying he agrees. He says he wants to see May become PM as soon as possible.
After this is it hard to see how the 1922 committee could reopen the contest. Leadsom had the backing of 84 Tory MPs - 25% of the total. Michael Gove, who was in third place, got just 46 - or 14%.
For the ultra-Eurosceptic leave Tories, this has been a disaster. A majority of Tory members backed leave, three of the five original candidates were Brexiteer, but their champion has now backed out after just three days on the final shortlist.
Leadsom’s statement did not include anything about the pressure she has been under, which has reflected her relative inexperience. But it did not need to; it is clear that what she said about the importance of support amongst the parliamentary party, and about a nine-week campaign being too long (on Friday her team were saying nine weeks was just right) is at least in part just cover for the fact she did not want to go on.
"@LabourEoin Theresa May's speech & now ascent to PM are great news for Jeremy Corbyn. Shifts the entire UK political trajectory significantly leftwards."
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
That's one reason, but there is another. As has been pointed out, if she goes to a GE having not triggered Article 50 UKIP could do very well indeed. I'd expect Farage to cancel his resignation again.
Theresa May, the Conservative party's Gordon Brown. Gets a reputation for being competent by staying in a top job for a long time despite mediocre performance, gets to be PM without a real fight.
If Theresa May proves to be shite at being PM, we have plenty of time to shove her out the door of 10 Downing Street and find someone better. Hopefully, one that the membership get to vote on when the atmosphere at large is rather less febrile.
But that said, I think she might be really rather good. We should get some steer from her choice of Cabinet. I hope she starts with a clean sheet of paper.
Well I suppose, she couldn't go any lower! What on earth was she thinking of standing. Surely the support of IDS should have told her she had no chance.
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
I suspect May is probably thinking more about what is in the interests of the nation at the moment, as anyone about to assume the highest office in the land should be, not about how to completely screw over the Labour Party...
Oh gods, why Leadsom?! A contest was a good thing for the party to have, and the country too as it happens - while the delay on a new PM was vexing, it was only a few months and would enable a debate to play out in the Tories about what Brexit type to go for. Were you not ready, like Umunna? Then why stand in the first place?
Mark Wallace @wallaceme Leadsom's departure still leaves quite a lot of Tory MPs with concerns about ensuring Brexit really happens. They'll be watching May closely
"@LabourEoin Theresa May's speech & now ascent to PM are great news for Jeremy Corbyn. Shifts the entire UK political trajectory significantly leftwards."
twitter.com/LabourEoin/status/752463990958202880
He is priceless... long may he be involved with the Labour party.
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
I suspect May is probably thinking more about what is in the interests of the nation at the moment, as anyone about to assume the highest office in the land should be, not about how to completely screw over the Labour Party...
Wonder if she could get the snap GE through the house with the 2/3rds majority - Tories unanimous, SNP probably in favour, Labour not - not sure about Lib Dems or various NI parties, or PC.
I do not think UKIP will benefit at all from this as regards the Tories - possibly from Labour but my feeling is the party will gradually fade away now.
Leadsom statement 12.15, 1922 Chair 12.30, May campaign chief 12.45, Tory MPs all pulling together and pledging support to Theresa - all feels rather well co-ordinated this.
Mark Wallace @wallaceme Leadsom's departure still leaves quite a lot of Tory MPs with concerns about ensuring Brexit really happens. They'll be watching May closely
Given how useless these Tory MPs have been at even organising a leadership bid, they should sit down and let the grown ups get on with running things rather than delude themselves into thinking that they could do better.
"Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least."
Perhaps, but what about the Queensbury Rules? No hitting when your opponent's on the floor. And someone will replace them - either Ukip (if Art 50 hasn't been invoked) or a new electable Labour Party?
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
The SNP have 56 of the 59 seats, there are none left for them to win so any mandate really wouldn't carry any more weight than it did before...
"@LabourEoin Theresa May's speech & now ascent to PM are great news for Jeremy Corbyn. Shifts the entire UK political trajectory significantly leftwards." twitter.com/LabourEoin/status/752463990958202880
Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB Leadson got a much greater percentage of CON MPs backing her than Corbyn has ever had from LAB MPs.
Oh gods, why Leadsom?! A contest was a good thing for the party to have, and the country too as it happens - while the delay on a new PM was vexing, it was only a few months and would enable a debate to play out in the Tories about what Brexit type to go for. Were you not ready, like Umunna? Then why stand in the first place?
Irritating for May as well - we know some people are paranoid Brexit will not happen, or not happen in the right way (the former highly implausible, the latter a matter of opinion) and now not having been beaten in a contest they'll just continue to snipe away at any hint of nuance or caution.
''I do not think UKIP will benefit at all from this as regards the Tories - possibly from Labour but my feeling is the party will gradually fade away now. ''
Oh gods, why Leadsom?! A contest was a good thing for the party to have, and the country too as it happens - while the delay on a new PM was vexing, it was only a few months and would enable a debate to play out in the Tories about what Brexit type to go for. Were you not ready, like Umunna? Then why stand in the first place?
Leadsom statement 12.15, 1922 Chair 12.30, May campaign chief 12.45, Tory MPs all pulling together and pledging support to Theresa - all feels rather well co-ordinated this.
Good on the Tories if so.
Tories do political manoeuvre properly, compared to the shower in Labour
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
I suspect May is probably thinking more about what is in the interests of the nation at the moment, as anyone about to assume the highest office in the land should be, not about how to completely screw over the Labour Party...
Wonder if she could get the snap GE through the house with the 2/3rds majority - Tories unanimous, SNP probably in favour, Labour not - not sure about Lib Dems or various NI parties, or PC.
Why would the SNP be in favour, they have nothing to gain. They may want to see how a May government deals with the fallout of Brexit.
PoliticsHome @politicshome NEW: 1922 C'ttee chair Graham Brady asked if any chance or reopening leadership contest: "None whatsoever." http://polho.me/29CD0U5
Theresa May, the Conservative party's Gordon Brown. Gets a reputation for being competent by staying in a top job for a long time despite mediocre performance, gets to be PM without a real fight.
Oh gods, why Leadsom?! A contest was a good thing for the party to have, and the country too as it happens - while the delay on a new PM was vexing, it was only a few months and would enable a debate to play out in the Tories about what Brexit type to go for. Were you not ready, like Umunna? Then why stand in the first place?
Irritating for May as well - we know some people are paranoid Brexit will not happen, or not happen in the right way (the former highly implausible, the latter a matter of opinion) and now not having been beaten in a contest they'll just continue to snipe away at any hint of nuance or caution.
And not having been beaten in a contest where, presumably, May would argue as she has done to delay article 50, they will be able to continually pressure her to do it and do it now. Why wait?
Theresa May, the Conservative party's Gordon Brown. Gets a reputation for being competent by staying in a top job for a long time despite mediocre performance, gets to be PM without a real fight.
I was very pleased to see Mr Brown achieve his ambition after so many years, and was grieved for him that it turned out to be the worst possible thing for him.
I don't think there is any parallel between that unopposed takeover and this open competition, even though Conservative members would have preferred to have had their say in the matter.
Leadsom statement 12.15, 1922 Chair 12.30, May campaign chief 12.45, Tory MPs all pulling together and pledging support to Theresa - all feels rather well co-ordinated this.
Good on the Tories if so.
Tories do political manoeuvre properly, compared to the shower in Labour
Leadsom statement 12.15, 1922 Chair 12.30, May campaign chief 12.45, Tory MPs all pulling together and pledging support to Theresa - all feels rather well co-ordinated this.
Good on the Tories if so.
Tories do political manoeuvre properly, compared to the shower in Labour
You missed one. Theresa's speech this morning which was a pitch to voters, not members.
I hope Michael Gove is sitting down, having a long hard look at how things panned out. And saying to himself "oooooops." Fox was always dead meat. Crabbe was along for the ride. Leadsom was never top two run-off material. Gove made the unilateral decision that Boris wasn't up to the job. But that should have been for the members to decide, after a 9 week campaign. Boris was a far stronger Brexit candidate than Leadsom, whatever his faults. Now we have a coronation of a Remainer (albeit, perhaps not a very committed one).
Mark Wallace @wallaceme Leadsom's departure still leaves quite a lot of Tory MPs with concerns about ensuring Brexit really happens. They'll be watching May closely
Given how useless these Tory MPs have been at even organising a leadership bid, they should sit down and let the grown ups get on with running things rather than delude themselves into thinking that they could do better.
Oh really? Is that an area that Labour MPs can give lessons in?
I'm so glad I subscribe to The Times, they made Leadsom's departure happen.
That subscription is worth every penny, I'm never cancelling my subscription.
Yes, they have once again proved the power of the press. Rachel Sylvester gave Leadsom just enough rope and well look at the results. Well worth the couple of quid per week.
''I do not think UKIP will benefit at all from this as regards the Tories - possibly from Labour but my feeling is the party will gradually fade away now. ''
LOL
Yes it would be a cause for celebrations and laughing out loud.
I hope Michael Gove is sitting down, having a long hard look at how things panned out. And saying to himself "oooooops." Fox was always dead meat. Crabbe was along for the ride. Leadsom was never top two run-off material. Gove made the unilateral decision that Boris wasn't up to the job. But that should have been for the members to decide, after a 9 week campaign. Boris was a far stronger Brexit candidate than Leadsom, whatever his faults. Now we have a coronation of a Remainer (albeit, perhaps not a very committed one).
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
I suspect May is probably thinking more about what is in the interests of the nation at the moment, as anyone about to assume the highest office in the land should be, not about how to completely screw over the Labour Party...
''I do not think UKIP will benefit at all from this as regards the Tories - possibly from Labour but my feeling is the party will gradually fade away now. ''
LOL
I've just bunged some money towards UKIP. Not at all impressed.
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
I suspect May is probably thinking more about what is in the interests of the nation at the moment, as anyone about to assume the highest office in the land should be, not about how to completely screw over the Labour Party...
Wonder if she could get the snap GE through the house with the 2/3rds majority - Tories unanimous, SNP probably in favour, Labour not - not sure about Lib Dems or various NI parties, or PC.
Why would the SNP be in favour, they have nothing to gain. They may want to see how a May government deals with the fallout of Brexit.
Because they have a chance to get rid of a Tory government.
I hope Michael Gove is sitting down, having a long hard look at how things panned out. And saying to himself "oooooops." Fox was always dead meat. Crabbe was along for the ride. Leadsom was never top two run-off material. Gove made the unilateral decision that Boris wasn't up to the job. But that should have been for the members to decide, after a 9 week campaign. Boris was a far stronger Brexit candidate than Leadsom, whatever his faults. Now we have a coronation of a Remainer (albeit, perhaps not a very committed one).
Way to go, Gove. Way to fucking go....
Mrs May will be coronated crowned because of Gove's vanity and Mrs Gove's ambition.
Oh gods, why Leadsom?! A contest was a good thing for the party to have, and the country too as it happens - while the delay on a new PM was vexing, it was only a few months and would enable a debate to play out in the Tories about what Brexit type to go for. Were you not ready, like Umunna? Then why stand in the first place?
Irritating for May as well - we know some people are paranoid Brexit will not happen, or not happen in the right way (the former highly implausible, the latter a matter of opinion) and now not having been beaten in a contest they'll just continue to snipe away at any hint of nuance or caution.
She can answer that by being elected on a manifesto containing whatever Brexit settlement she comes up with. The question is whether she can resolve that convincingly and quickly enough to take advantage of the relief that her leadership election will have in the post-referendum chaos.
I hope Michael Gove is sitting down, having a long hard look at how things panned out. And saying to himself "oooooops." Fox was always dead meat. Crabbe was along for the ride. Leadsom was never top two run-off material. Gove made the unilateral decision that Boris wasn't up to the job. But that should have been for the members to decide, after a 9 week campaign. Boris was a far stronger Brexit candidate than Leadsom, whatever his faults. Now we have a coronation of a Remainer (albeit, perhaps not a very committed one).
We'll see what she does but if Theresa thinks she can get away with not implementing Brexit the 17m who voted LEAVE will have no other choice than to take the UKIP route in 2020.
I hope Michael Gove is sitting down, having a long hard look at how things panned out. And saying to himself "oooooops." Fox was always dead meat. Crabbe was along for the ride. Leadsom was never top two run-off material. Gove made the unilateral decision that Boris wasn't up to the job. But that should have been for the members to decide, after a 9 week campaign. Boris was a far stronger Brexit candidate than Leadsom, whatever his faults. Now we have a coronation of a Remainer (albeit, perhaps not a very committed one).
Way to go, Gove. Way to fucking go....
Yes, Gove screwed up immensely.
I hope Gove and Johnson are excluded from the new government.
Wonder if she could get the snap GE through the house with the 2/3rds majority - Tories unanimous, SNP probably in favour, Labour not - not sure about Lib Dems or various NI parties, or PC.
Which parties have the money to fight a general election right now? Tories, obviously - they always have enough to overspend. The rest, no idea, but probably not.
So why would they help the Tories set aside the FTPA, just to let the Tories have a larger majority?
It all depends whether May gives the country change.
If we get Brexit that is indistinguishable from EU membership, and continued mass migration, then I think she will be seen as the Conservatives' Gordon Brown. If she plots a more radical path, then she may be another Thatcher.
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
I suspect May is probably thinking more about what is in the interests of the nation at the moment, as anyone about to assume the highest office in the land should be, not about how to completely screw over the Labour Party...
Wonder if she could get the snap GE through the house with the 2/3rds majority - Tories unanimous, SNP probably in favour, Labour not - not sure about Lib Dems or various NI parties, or PC.
Why would the SNP be in favour, they have nothing to gain. They may want to see how a May government deals with the fallout of Brexit.
Because they have a chance to get rid of a Tory government.
Why would they care about that? Their hope is to get rid of the uk, that doesn't require getting rid of a tory government.
We've been waiting for weeks for someone to step up and challenge Jeremy Corbyn, and when they finally do, it's a complete sideshow. Brilliant stuff, this!
Entirely predictable that there will be nobody around from Leave to be held accountable for their campaign and its consequences.
This is the real downside with a referendum, Boris, Farage, Gove, now Leadsom have all washed their hands of implementing Brexit. It's a bloody disgrace that people who never wanted us to leave the EU are now left having to make the best of it as all the Leavers walk away. It really makes me angry but, as I said, entirely predictable from Leave.
I suspect they will now go back to carping on the sidelines again and blame any problems on the poor sods landed with implementing it. Not on ounce of political guts or integrity between the lot of them..
"@LabourEoin Theresa May's speech & now ascent to PM are great news for Jeremy Corbyn. Shifts the entire UK political trajectory significantly leftwards." twitter.com/LabourEoin/status/752463990958202880
Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB Leadson got a much greater percentage of CON MPs backing her than Corbyn has ever had from LAB MPs.
"Nevertheless, this is less than 25% of the parliamentary party and after careful consideration I do not believe this is sufficient support to lead a strong and stable government should I win the leadership election."
Christ. What a mess. There was an excellent Matt a few days ago with 2 students saying they were studying politics and in particular the period from Thursday morning to Friday lunchtime.
My list of reasons to support Theresa has not got any longer. I am suspicious of her authoritarian tendencies, her belief in government action, her failure of delivery at the Home Office and her narrow outlook on life. Having had the government that was probably closest to my own political views in my adult life under Cameron and Osborne I feel at most a semi detached supporter of this new government.
I hope for the best but fear the worst in a situation where we have no effective opposition. The sheer self indulgence of those people who nominated and voted for Corbyn makes me sick.
The only reason May might not call an early GE is Scotland. The SNP would presumably win just about every seat on a mandate of a new independence referendum. That is possibly not something that she would want to deal with while negotiating Brexit. However, apart from that she would be mad not to do it. The Tories will get their biggest majority since WW2 and Labour will be torn asunder, in no position to oppose with a leader - adored by the membership - who has just led the party to its most catastrophic defeat ever and is despised by the party's remaining rump of MPs.
It's a no brainer isn't it? I agree Scotland is an issue, but Scotland is going to be an issue anyway whatever happens. Great chance to knock Labour out for the next 10 years at least.
I suspect May is probably thinking more about what is in the interests of the nation at the moment, as anyone about to assume the highest office in the land should be, not about how to completely screw over the Labour Party...
Wonder if she could get the snap GE through the house with the 2/3rds majority - Tories unanimous, SNP probably in favour, Labour not - not sure about Lib Dems or various NI parties, or PC.
Why would the SNP be in favour, they have nothing to gain. They may want to see how a May government deals with the fallout of Brexit.
Because they have a chance to get rid of a Tory government.
I'm not convinced. The SNP are smart operators. They will see that Theresa wants to capitalise on her honeymoon period and Labour's woes. The SNP currently have 56 of the 59 MPs in Scotland, they have little to gain and a lot to lose.
We'll see what she does but if Theresa thinks she can get away with not implementing Brexit the 17m who voted LEAVE will have no other choice than to take the UKIP route in 2020.
Which Is why she would never risk that even if she wanted to. With no contest it may be even harder to get a sort of Brexit lite option, as her feet will be held to the fire and she has no proven member backer.
Christ. What a mess. There was an excellent Matt a few days ago with 2 students saying they were studying politics and in particular the period from Thursday morning to Friday lunchtime.
My list of reasons to support Theresa has not got any longer. I am suspicious of her authoritarian tendencies, her belief in government action, her failure of delivery at the Home Office and her narrow outlook on life. Having had the government that was probably closest to my own political views in my adult life under Cameron and Osborne I feel at most a semi detached supporter of this new government.
I hope for the best but fear the worst in a situation where we have no effective opposition. The sheer self indulgence of those people who nominated and voted for Corbyn makes me sick.
You voted Leave. What did you think would happen to Cameron and Osborne and the more rational form of politics?
Entirely predictable that there will be nobody around from Leave to be held accountable for their campaign and its consequences.
This is the real downside with a referendum, Boris, Farage, Gove, now Leadsom have all washed their hands of implementing Brexit. It's a bloody disgrace that people who never wanted us to leave the EU are now left having to make the best of it as all the Leavers walk away. It really makes me angry but, as I said, entirely predictable from Leave.
I suspect they will now go back to carping on the sidelines again and blame any problems on the poor sods landed with implementing it. Not on ounce of political guts or integrity between the lot of them..
Somewhat scarily, the most senior Leaver left standing is Chris Grayling... (May's campaign manager - and clearly likely to get a promotion)
Entirely predictable that there will be nobody around from Leave to be held accountable for their campaign and its consequences. This is the real downside with a referendum, Boris, Farage, Gove, now Leadsom have all washed their hands of implementing Brexit. It's a bloody disgrace that people who never wanted us to leave the EU are now left having to make the best of it as all the Leavers walk away. It really makes me angry but, as I said, entirely predictable from Leave. I suspect they will now go back to carping on the sidelines again and blame any problems on the poor sods landed with implementing it. Not on ounce of political guts or integrity between the lot of them..
You seem to be overlooking Cameron and Osborne, who set the whole nonsense up in the first place with no regard for the consequences, and are now calmly walking away from the disaster, just like the rest of the top Tories.
Comments
Marquee Mark 7:51AM
I'm hoping that God might yet have a quiet word with Mother Superior - and gets her to stand down.
If He is a merciful God, it would spare us all two months more of this.
A bit unfitting, but hey ho...
Leadsom has gone up in my estimations. Gracious and in the overwhelming interests of the Party and the country.
Well done.
And congratulations to our new PM, Theresa May. I wish her well. I think she will do well.
Labour - this is how you sort out leadership issues. The Tories are (the IDS saga aside) rather good at this.
Go Boris!!!
UKIP will be doing handsprings.
Labour have AWS, Tories just go for it.
Labour on the other hand..
What was significant about Leadsom’s statement was not just that she said she was withdrawing, but that she said that as a candidate with so little support amongst Tory MP she would not have been able to run a strong government.
As I write Iain Duncan Smith, a Leadsom supporter and former Tory leader, is saying he agrees. He says he wants to see May become PM as soon as possible.
After this is it hard to see how the 1922 committee could reopen the contest. Leadsom had the backing of 84 Tory MPs - 25% of the total. Michael Gove, who was in third place, got just 46 - or 14%.
For the ultra-Eurosceptic leave Tories, this has been a disaster. A majority of Tory members backed leave, three of the five original candidates were Brexiteer, but their champion has now backed out after just three days on the final shortlist.
Leadsom’s statement did not include anything about the pressure she has been under, which has reflected her relative inexperience. But it did not need to; it is clear that what she said about the importance of support amongst the parliamentary party, and about a nine-week campaign being too long (on Friday her team were saying nine weeks was just right) is at least in part just cover for the fact she did not want to go on.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2016/jul/11/andrea-leadsom-apologises-to-theresa-may-politics-live?CMP=twt_a-politics_b-gdnukpolitics
Theresa May's speech & now ascent to PM are great news for Jeremy Corbyn. Shifts the entire UK political trajectory significantly leftwards."
twitter.com/LabourEoin/status/752463990958202880
But that said, I think she might be really rather good. We should get some steer from her choice of Cabinet. I hope she starts with a clean sheet of paper.
I'm so going to enjoy the tweets of Mensch, Richards et al..
Righteous fury to follow.
Well I suppose, she couldn't go any lower! What on earth was she thinking of standing. Surely the support of IDS should have told her she had no chance.
Tories couldn;t have arranged this better....for UKIP.
What an opportunity.
Leadsom's departure still leaves quite a lot of Tory MPs with concerns about ensuring Brexit really happens. They'll be watching May closely
The only interests Theresa May ever thinks about are those of one T. May.
Good on the Tories if so.
Perhaps, but what about the Queensbury Rules? No hitting when your opponent's on the floor. And someone will replace them - either Ukip (if Art 50 hasn't been invoked) or a new electable Labour Party?
Leadson got a much greater percentage of CON MPs backing her than Corbyn has ever had from LAB MPs.
LOL
Er, no - now BBC backtrack: "he needs to consult as to whether she is"!
WTF?
That subscription is worth every penny, I'm never cancelling my subscription.
They may want to see how a May government deals with the fallout of Brexit.
@politicshome
NEW: 1922 C'ttee chair Graham Brady asked if any chance or reopening leadership contest: "None whatsoever." http://polho.me/29CD0U5
I don't think there is any parallel between that unopposed takeover and this open competition, even though Conservative members would have preferred to have had their say in the matter.
(edited to add: good afternoon, everyone)
Way to go, Gove. Way to fucking go....
It was a bit gutter press, but Rachel Sylvester deserves an OBE for her services to the country...
The country wants change.
The tories gave them fudger May.
They will not be forgiven.
So why would they help the Tories set aside the FTPA, just to let the Tories have a larger majority?
If we get Brexit that is indistinguishable from EU membership, and continued mass migration, then I think she will be seen as the Conservatives' Gordon Brown. If she plots a more radical path, then she may be another Thatcher.
This is the real downside with a referendum, Boris, Farage, Gove, now Leadsom have all washed their hands of implementing Brexit. It's a bloody disgrace that people who never wanted us to leave the EU are now left having to make the best of it as all the Leavers walk away. It really makes me angry but, as I said, entirely predictable from Leave.
I suspect they will now go back to carping on the sidelines again and blame any problems on the poor sods landed with implementing it. Not on ounce of political guts or integrity between the lot of them..
If only Corbyn had said that.
My list of reasons to support Theresa has not got any longer. I am suspicious of her authoritarian tendencies, her belief in government action, her failure of delivery at the Home Office and her narrow outlook on life. Having had the government that was probably closest to my own political views in my adult life under Cameron and Osborne I feel at most a semi detached supporter of this new government.
I hope for the best but fear the worst in a situation where we have no effective opposition. The sheer self indulgence of those people who nominated and voted for Corbyn makes me sick.
Looking at her track record, I am not optimistic.
The SNP are smart operators. They will see that Theresa wants to capitalise on her honeymoon period and Labour's woes. The SNP currently have 56 of the 59 MPs in Scotland, they have little to gain and a lot to lose.