Thinking further about it, running a minority government is very tricky thing which requires someone of almost exactly the opposite character to Theresa May's: it needs someone very flexible, subtle, good at cajoling, good at making two people with opposite interests think you are on both their sides.
A 'bloody difficult woman' would actually have been fine for different circumstances, but now we need a Harold Wilson or George Osborne. Not sure who that would be, though.
One of the good things about the Tory party has been their ability to be ruthless when it comes to leaders who have become a liability. I hope this is not going to be an exception.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
It is the law of the land and we should abide by it. It is shameful that you should suggest otherwise.
Jonathan Powell making great point on BBC News that government no longer neutral in NI negotiations if it coalesces with DUP.
I think that's a bit silly as Gentleman John had a similar arrangement with the UUP when his majority got eroded, although that era is probably not a happy precedent.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
Thanks to whichever eagle-eyed punter spotted the WIlliam HIll bet for over 9.5 Scottish Tory seats. I got in at 6/1 and made a nice profit.
In fact, the commentary here overall has been superb - enough straws in the wind were being reported here to make me doubt that the Tories had it in the bag, whereas the impression given by the media very much was that we were headed for a landslide. Well done everyone. With Mrs May not far from her political deathbed, PB Tories should be approached by CCHQ on bended knee to take over the government of the country.
Jonathan Powell making great point on BBC News that government no longer neutral in NI negotiations if it coalesces with DUP.
I think that's a bit silly as Gentleman John had a similar arrangement with the UUP when his majority got eroded, although that era is probably not a happy precedent.
One of the good things about the Tory party has been their ability to be ruthless when it comes to leaders who have become a liability. I hope this is not going to be an exception.
I think by Sunday morning there will be a fully formed plot to remove her. It looks as if Boris is already on it.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
You are swearing allegiance to the head of state and as such to the British people. The fact that it is the Queen is immaterial. And it is not the Queen they are objecting to but the very idea of swearing allegiance to the head of the British state.
Like I said it is stunning and shameful that you should think otherwise.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
One of the good things about the Tory party has been their ability to be ruthless when it comes to leaders who have become a liability. I hope this is not going to be an exception.
I think by Sunday morning there will be a fully formed plot to remove her. It looks as if Boris is already on it.
Do you think Osborne regrets stepping down as an MP now?
I don't see her not announcing her resignation within the week and I hope Graham Brady is trying to call for calm so to buy the various runners and riders some time.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
They shouldn't have to swear allegiance to that either. They have been democratically elected. We don't insist on that nonsense at Stormont, so why at Westminster?
There is a big question for moderate Labour MPs. Did you hate Corbyn because you genuinely thought him dangerous and wrongheaded or because you simply thought he wouldn't win? If the former, Corbyn has now thoroughly captured the Party. So are you going to split from Labour? If so, would a moderate New Social Democrat Party work with the Tories in the national interest to get through Brexit? There are several ex-cabinet ministers who could serve again in a National Government that pursued a 'soft Brexit'. As a Tory member, that would be far preferable to me than a DUP deal. It would kill your career in Labour, but if you don't believe in Corbyn anyway, why not put country above Party? And for the Tories, if May won't do the deal, find someone that can.....
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
You are swearing allegiance to the head of state and as such to the British people. The fact that it is the Queen is immaterial. And it is not the Queen they are objecting to but the very idea of swearing allegiance to the head of the British state.
Like I said it is stunning and shameful that you should think otherwise.
One of the good things about the Tory party has been their ability to be ruthless when it comes to leaders who have become a liability. I hope this is not going to be an exception.
I think by Sunday morning there will be a fully formed plot to remove her. It looks as if Boris is already on it.
Do you think Osborne regrets stepping down as an MP now?
Yep. He would have been in by Monday morning, as PM, had he stayed on.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
They shouldn't have to swear allegiance to that either. They have been democratically elected. We don't insist on that nonsense at Stormont, so why at Westminster?
the reason they dont at Stormont is it stops them shooting people
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
TMay should step aside - she has fundamentally failed in what she set out to do.
Although I supported her (vs Corbyn) she was not very impressive with how she handled the election.
I thought when she called it that she must have prepared her plans, her attack lines, and was up for the fight (e.g. over debates). It never occurred to me she couldn't cope with those, and I have no idea why she called the election given that weakness.
One of the good things about the Tory party has been their ability to be ruthless when it comes to leaders who have become a liability. I hope this is not going to be an exception.
Who would want to take a poisoned chalice? Keep your head down, position yourself, let her do Brexit then sweep in as the shining new hope
One of the good things about the Tory party has been their ability to be ruthless when it comes to leaders who have become a liability. I hope this is not going to be an exception.
I think by Sunday morning there will be a fully formed plot to remove her. It looks as if Boris is already on it.
Do you think Osborne regrets stepping down as an MP now?
It is extraordinary that the 4 most powerful politicians in the country at the start of May 2015 - all of them very young in political terms - have all now left the stage. And there are 3 of them I'd take as PM today instead of what we got.
The hollowing out of political talent in the UK is appalling; too many are put off before they start, so many others leave early.
Graham Brady just on R5, he supports the PM staying on. Surely she will last until the next crisis, no reason for challengers to jump in prematurely.
Any sensible person in Brady's position would hold that line until the very moment he'd hammered out a fait accompli with colleagues for what happens next.
Doing anything else invites a "what next?" question you can't answer. So you say, "Full support. Full support. Full support. *BANG!*".
Holding this GE was the morally correct thing to do IMO, even though I don't think that's why TM called it. Dave left the country in a hole. If only he had been man enough to put his ego to one side in the national interest. If she is replaced, we will be back to square one, a PM without a mandate
We had a post about A Level Politics questions about direct democracy and how wise it is to use it. I think if a government is going to do it, they should set out how they would govern in the event of either outcome. That didn't happen last year and it's a big reason why we are where we are.
Remarkable that a PM would allow a referendum and make no plans for one of the results other than to fuck off! He has damaged the country so much.
And gave his sidekick something to laugh about. Bullingdon boys = toxic all the way through. Doing a Trump in reverse - senior statesman to rich smug media buffoon.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
It is the law of the land and we should abide by it. It is shameful that you should suggest otherwise.
That's a bit much, Richard, saying it is shameful. I am offering another POV and you for one I would expect to debate that. We don't insist on such measures in Stormont, so why in Westminster?
I get why they won't commit regicide right now, if there wasn't Brexit negotiations in 10 days time it would have happened. Have to put the country first right now.
Because a Tory leadership contest takes 2-3 months.
Well it doesn't have to take that long?
If it is a coronation, no. But the membership really, REALLY need to vote for the next Leader/Prime Minister.
I do hope so.....the £350 for the NHS would be hung around his neck from here to eternity....
If he hadn't been Goved and had won the party members' support, I genuinely think he would have implemented it. (I read somewhere, I think from Dominic Cummings but maybe someone else involved in the Leave campaign, that he viewed committing to 350m for the NHS as a Day One priority in a Boris administration.)
It's a shame that they weren't able to make speaking to people who might stand against him or might back him a day 1 priority for his leadership campaign.
This morning, Theresa May walked back into Downing Street after delivering a speech from a parallel universe. One in which she had just won a solid majority, where she could happily knuckle down to the task – “over the next five years” – of delivering Brexit and containing extremism.
Until now, I thought that David Cameron’s response to the Scottish independence referendum – the one where he immediately called for a fair deal for the rest of the UK too, instantly crystallising the resentment of the losing Nats – was the most tone-deaf speech from the prime ministerial lectern. But now we have a new winner. There was no hint of humility. No remorse. No acknowledgement that the voters had just told her, in no uncertain terms, that they weren’t buying what she was selling.
Graham Brady just on R5, he supports the PM staying on. Surely she will last until the next crisis, no reason for challengers to jump in prematurely.
Any sensible person in Brady's position would hold that line until the very moment he'd hammered out a fait accompli with colleagues for what happens next.
Doing anything else invites a "what next?" question you can't answer. So you say, "Full support. Full support. Full support. *BANG!*".
Okay, I have come to the view that May deserves pity. She is a broken woman. Someone needs to exact a mercy killing here. She can't go on.
She looks broken yes. Phillip will be talking to her tonight I'd suggest.
Yes, that would the kind and decent thing to do. She does look totally distraught and shot emotionally. That latest No 10 interview was painful to watch.
TMay should step aside - she has fundamentally failed in what she set out to do.
Although I supported her (vs Corbyn) she was not very impressive with how she handled the election.
I thought when she called it that she must have prepared her plans, her attack lines, and was up for the fight (e.g. over debates). It never occurred to me she couldn't cope with those, and I have no idea why she called the election given that weakness.
It's as though she thought all she had to do was show up. The thing is, she had an opportunity to be radical, but they needed to the politics bit of framing their vision. They did none of that.
I get why they won't commit regicide right now, if there wasn't Brexit negotiations in 10 days time it would have happened. Have to put the country first right now.
Because a Tory leadership contest takes 2-3 months.
Well it doesn't have to take that long?
If it is a coronation, no. But the membership really, REALLY need to vote for the next Leader/Prime Minister.
I don't see why the members need to vote. The members will vote Tory anyway and last time they would have picked Theresa.
Okay, I have come to the view that May deserves pity. She is a broken woman. Someone needs to exact a mercy killing here. She can't go on.
She looks broken yes. Phillip will be talking to her tonight I'd suggest.
Yes, that would the kind and decent thing to do. She does look totally distraught and shot emotionally. That latest No 10 interview was painful to watch.
I wonder if he's not sitting there waiting till they are alone. It must break his heart to see her crushed like this.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
They shouldn't have to swear allegiance to that either. They have been democratically elected. We don't insist on that nonsense at Stormont, so why at Westminster?
Because when MPs swear allegiance to the Queen they are swearing allegiance to the head of state rather than to a particular Government. It is exactly the same as the Police and Armed Forces who also swear allegiance to the Queen and through her to the State and the people. It means that in the unlikely event of a Government turning against the people, the armed forces, police and our representatives have sworn to stand by the people not the Government.
I get why they won't commit regicide right now, if there wasn't Brexit negotiations in 10 days time it would have happened. Have to put the country first right now.
Same, I'm really confused at what the Con MP gameplan is. I think the the MPs are just scared and confused right now.
They've tried a referendum and an election, but both of those only made things worse.
Maybe they could try a war next. Nothing dramatic, just a small one they're bound to win. Actually, considering Theresa May's track record, better make it a _very_ small one. Can we persuade Liechtenstein to invade Sark or something?
@tnewtondunn: Breaking: Theresa May to ask her top five Cabinet ministers to all stay in post - Hammond, Boris, Rudd, Fallon and David Davis stay.
Knock that smirk off your face, Hammond......
Now if he had been savaging Labour's economic offering during the election, rather than sulking over losing his job after the election, then the Tories would have perhaps got a dozen more seats over the line. And a majority Govt. again. Then May could have sacked h..... ah, I see the problem there.....
May obviously has to go, but priority 1, 2 and 3 for every Conservative mp should be protecting people from a scenario where the nutters across the street get control, so they need to tread very carefully while doing this.
I get why they won't commit regicide right now, if there wasn't Brexit negotiations in 10 days time it would have happened. Have to put the country first right now.
Because a Tory leadership contest takes 2-3 months.
Well it doesn't have to take that long?
If it is a coronation, no. But the membership really, REALLY need to vote for the next Leader/Prime Minister.
I don't agree. The membership by and large don't recognise the nightmarish position the new leader is in on doing a Brexit deal and will tend to vote for one offering the deal they personally want but cannot have because, y'know, maths.
As far as I can see, one route through this is a boring compromiser who will work with Starmer, Labour backbench moderates, and Lib Dems like Lamb and Cable to do a soft Brexit deal. Someone who serves two years, then steps down for a wider contest. Someone like Hammond.
I get why they won't commit regicide right now, if there wasn't Brexit negotiations in 10 days time it would have happened. Have to put the country first right now.
Same, I'm really confused at what the Con MP gameplan is. I think the the MPs are just scared and confused right now.
They've tried a referendum and an election, but both of those only made things worse.
Maybe they could try a war next. Nothing dramatic, just a small one they're bound to win. Actually, considering Theresa May's track record, better make it a _very_ small one. Can we persuade Liechtenstein to invade Sark or something?
Can't we find an excuse to use Trident before Corbyn bins it? At least get our monies worth from them...
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
They shouldn't have to swear allegiance to that either. They have been democratically elected. We don't insist on that nonsense at Stormont, so why at Westminster?
Because when MPs swear allegiance to the Queen they are swearing allegiance to the head of state rather than to a particular Government. It is exactly the same as the Police and Armed Forces who also swear allegiance to the Queen and through her to the State and the people. It means that in the unlikely event of a Government turning against the people, the armed forces, police and our representatives have sworn to stand by the people not the Government.
I am sure that we could find a form of words that would be mutually acceptable, it's not beyond the wit of man.
A 'bloody difficult woman' would actually have been fine for different circumstances
Being "bloody difficult" is fine in no circumstances. I avoid doing business with "bloody difficult" people. It's absurd that this was made a selling point. Are we children?
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
They shouldn't have to swear allegiance to that either. They have been democratically elected. We don't insist on that nonsense at Stormont, so why at Westminster?
Because when MPs swear allegiance to the Queen they are swearing allegiance to the head of state rather than to a particular Government. It is exactly the same as the Police and Armed Forces who also swear allegiance to the Queen and through her to the State and the people. It means that in the unlikely event of a Government turning against the people, the armed forces, police and our representatives have sworn to stand by the people not the Government.
I am sure that we could find a form of words that would be mutually acceptable, it's not beyond the wit of man.
Then it should have been done before, not as an excuse to try and get Corbyn (the loser of the election!) into power.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
It is the law of the land and we should abide by it. It is shameful that you should suggest otherwise.
That's a bit much, Richard, saying it is shameful. I am offering another POV and you for one I would expect to debate that. We don't insist on such measures in Stormont, so why in Westminster?
I have explained why. Read my other post and argue against it if you can. There are reasons for these seemingly archaic traditions and they have nothing to do with privilege or monarchy.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
They shouldn't have to swear allegiance to that either. They have been democratically elected. We don't insist on that nonsense at Stormont, so why at Westminster?
Because when MPs swear allegiance to the Queen they are swearing allegiance to the head of state rather than to a particular Government. It is exactly the same as the Police and Armed Forces who also swear allegiance to the Queen and through her to the State and the people. It means that in the unlikely event of a Government turning against the people, the armed forces, police and our representatives have sworn to stand by the people not the Government.
I am sure that we could find a form of words that would be mutually acceptable, it's not beyond the wit of man.
I swear to represent all the constituents of x in this parliament of the United Kingdom to the best of my ability and without prejudice to their political allegiance and act within the rules and laws of this place for the term of this parliament.
By the by, the state of two-party politics in England is demonstrated by the astonishing number of seats where the Conservatives polled over 40% - sometimes, well over 40% - and still lost.
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
since when has lying ever bothered Sinn Fein
Why should they be forced to lie? The idea you have to sycophantically swear your allegiance to the royals is completely unacceptable.
you could change the allegiance to the state and they still wouldnt swear in
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
They shouldn't have to swear allegiance to that either. They have been democratically elected. We don't insist on that nonsense at Stormont, so why at Westminster?
Because when MPs swear allegiance to the Queen they are swearing allegiance to the head of state rather than to a particular Government. It is exactly the same as the Police and Armed Forces who also swear allegiance to the Queen and through her to the State and the people. It means that in the unlikely event of a Government turning against the people, the armed forces, police and our representatives have sworn to stand by the people not the Government.
I am sure that we could find a form of words that would be mutually acceptable, it's not beyond the wit of man.
Why should we? We are currently a monarchy and our head of state is the embodiment of the people. Were we a republic it would be the same. But the important point is that were we a republic the position of head of state would be politicised and as such the oath could be undermined. A non political head of state is an important part of real control of Government.
By the by, the state of two-party politics in England is demonstrated by the astonishing number of seats where the Conservatives polled over 40% - sometimes, well over 40% - and still lost.
It was a reverse 1983 - the Left amalgamated rather than splitting.
@tnewtondunn: Breaking: Theresa May to ask her top five Cabinet ministers to all stay in post - Hammond, Boris, Rudd, Fallon and David Davis stay.
Knock that smirk off your face, Hammond......
Now if he had been savaging Labour's economic offering during the election, rather than sulking over losing his job after the election, then the Tories would have perhaps got a dozen more seats over the line. And a majority Govt. again. Then May could have sacked h..... ah, I see the problem there.....
Oh come on. The reason it was a Presidential campaign which sidelined Hammond is that May wanted a personal mandate, and to sack him later at her leisure. Was he missing interviews? Or refusing to lead on the topic of the day?
The truth is she personally got it wrong. There wasn't some kind of nefarious scheme by Hammond to deprive her of the three figure majority she felt she'd definitely get. It's utterly ludicrous to blame anyone but May herself. Her judgment, her hubris, her performance.
Any Tory Remainer voting Labour should thank their lucky stars that the Scottish Tories came good.
After Toppings feedback, it's to be hoped this was a one-off protest vote by these London remainer areas thinking Corbyn was nowhere near power so they could safely do so.... no guarantee though and I suggest a Boris or DD as new Tory leader would make it less likely it will be.
IMO, this encapsulates why the Northern and Welsh working-class stayed Labour, against all expectations:
Back in 2015, we found a focus group “projective” technique very revealing. It involved asking voters what each party would cook if it were hosting Come Dine With Me. The Labour party, people said, would cook salmon en croute with craft beer – emblematic of a metropolitan Labour elite out of touch with its traditional roots. Now, voters choose more “ordinary” meals: spaghetti bolognese or egg and chips. Labour seems more authentically working-class than it has for a while: “It’s what they were founded on really, so they want to try and keep that tradition going.” On the other hand, despite May’s bid to represent “Jams” [just about managing], the Conservative brand is as resolutely “upper-class” as it was under Old Etonian David Cameron. Voters’ answer to the Come Dine With Me Tory question? “They’d cook game pie, having shot the pheasant themselves in their free time.”
Allen said the UK should seek to “buy ourselves some time” before starting Brexit talks with the EU, and that this could decide how long May stayed as prime minister. But she said May should not stay longer than six months.
"It depends on how those conversations go, but certainly I don’t see any more than six months."
Allen said she would like to see “an entirely new Conservative party”. Asked about the role of May’s key advisors, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, Allen blamed the prime minister directly:
"Frankly, if the leader picks people who advise her so badly and cannot see that they’re being advised badly then that tells me, I’m afraid, that that’s not the leader we need."
If SF want to take their seats but refuse to swear an oath to the Queen they should be allowed to do so. The idea that you have to lick the arse of the monarchy to exercise your democratic right is bonkers. I wouldn't want to do it.
It is the law of the land and we should abide by it. It is shameful that you should suggest otherwise.
An absurd answer often given when reasons dry up. Obviously the point Bobabjob is making is that it shouldn't be the law. Replying that it is is like a child replying "Because."
"Frankly, if the leader picks people who advise her so badly and cannot see that they’re being advised badly then that tells me, I’m afraid, that that’s not the leader we need."
By the by, the state of two-party politics in England is demonstrated by the astonishing number of seats where the Conservatives polled over 40% - sometimes, well over 40% - and still lost.
It was a reverse 1983 - the Left amalgamated rather than splitting.
Along those lines, if you're a LibDem isn't now exactly they moment to start to look like a soft right alternative to the Tories? Come to terms with soft Brexit and plant a flag on the vacant Cameroon/Blair forums. Shame for them they used up Clegg, he'd have been perfect right now.
Comments
Oh well, just as well Sinn Fein is slow to take offense....
A 'bloody difficult woman' would actually have been fine for different circumstances, but now we need a Harold Wilson or George Osborne. Not sure who that would be, though.
Been obvious since last night.
In fact, the commentary here overall has been superb - enough straws in the wind were being reported here to make me doubt that the Tories had it in the bag, whereas the impression given by the media very much was that we were headed for a landslide. Well done everyone. With Mrs May not far from her political deathbed, PB Tories should be approached by CCHQ on bended knee to take over the government of the country.
Like I said it is stunning and shameful that you should think otherwise.
they wouldnt swear allegiance to the RoI either for the first 70+ years of its existence
get real
Can she even pull together a cabinet? No-one in their right mind will surely want to serve under her, and destroy their reputation in the party.
TMay should step aside - she has fundamentally failed in what she set out to do.
Although I supported her (vs Corbyn) she was not very impressive with how she handled the election.
I thought when she called it that she must have prepared her plans, her attack lines, and was up for the fight (e.g. over debates). It never occurred to me she couldn't cope with those, and I have no idea why she called the election given that weakness.
The hollowing out of political talent in the UK is appalling; too many are put off before they start, so many others leave early.
Doing anything else invites a "what next?" question you can't answer. So you say, "Full support. Full support. Full support. *BANG!*".
Until now, I thought that David Cameron’s response to the Scottish independence referendum – the one where he immediately called for a fair deal for the rest of the UK too, instantly crystallising the resentment of the losing Nats – was the most tone-deaf speech from the prime ministerial lectern. But now we have a new winner. There was no hint of humility. No remorse. No acknowledgement that the voters had just told her, in no uncertain terms, that they weren’t buying what she was selling.
https://capx.co/may-cant-go-back-to-government-as-usual/
Yes, that would the kind and decent thing to do. She does look totally distraught and shot emotionally. That latest No 10 interview was painful to watch.
I am making a debating point and you are resorting to insults.
Not like you.
They got 2,3,4,5,7 for starters - including Kensington at 2.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/20-mps-remain-campaigners-hit-10290367
Maybe they could try a war next. Nothing dramatic, just a small one they're bound to win. Actually, considering Theresa May's track record, better make it a _very_ small one. Can we persuade Liechtenstein to invade Sark or something?
Now if he had been savaging Labour's economic offering during the election, rather than sulking over losing his job after the election, then the Tories would have perhaps got a dozen more seats over the line. And a majority Govt. again. Then May could have sacked h..... ah, I see the problem there.....
She probably wouldn't have been able to believe her luck and hung on until 2020.
As far as I can see, one route through this is a boring compromiser who will work with Starmer, Labour backbench moderates, and Lib Dems like Lamb and Cable to do a soft Brexit deal. Someone who serves two years, then steps down for a wider contest. Someone like Hammond.
This would be hilarious if it weren't criminal
Loose confidence and supply. Not going to be a formal coalition. It would seem.
Then it should have been done before, not as an excuse to try and get Corbyn (the loser of the election!) into power.
@BBCandrewkerr: Lib Dem sources say they're seriously considering going to court to challenge @StephenGethins 2 vote SNP majority in North East Fife.
@bbclaurak: Fallon, Davis, Rudd, Hammond, Johnson, all confirmed - top five stay in place
It was a reverse 1983 - the Left amalgamated rather than splitting.
The truth is she personally got it wrong. There wasn't some kind of nefarious scheme by Hammond to deprive her of the three figure majority she felt she'd definitely get. It's utterly ludicrous to blame anyone but May herself. Her judgment, her hubris, her performance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_by-election,_1997
1 term
1 year
1 month
1 week
Back in 2015, we found a focus group “projective” technique very revealing. It involved asking voters what each party would cook if it were hosting Come Dine With Me. The Labour party, people said, would cook salmon en croute with craft beer – emblematic of a metropolitan Labour elite out of touch with its traditional roots. Now, voters choose more “ordinary” meals: spaghetti bolognese or egg and chips. Labour seems more authentically working-class than it has for a while: “It’s what they were founded on really, so they want to try and keep that tradition going.” On the other hand, despite May’s bid to represent “Jams” [just about managing], the Conservative brand is as resolutely “upper-class” as it was under Old Etonian David Cameron. Voters’ answer to the Come Dine With Me Tory question? “They’d cook game pie, having shot the pheasant themselves in their free time.”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/08/labour-egg-and-chips-the-tories-game-pie-what-our-focus-groups-said-voices-and-votes
Allen said the UK should seek to “buy ourselves some time” before starting Brexit talks with the EU, and that this could decide how long May stayed as prime minister. But she said May should not stay longer than six months.
"It depends on how those conversations go, but certainly I don’t see any more than six months."
Allen said she would like to see “an entirely new Conservative party”. Asked about the role of May’s key advisors, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, Allen blamed the prime minister directly:
"Frankly, if the leader picks people who advise her so badly and cannot see that they’re being advised badly then that tells me, I’m afraid, that that’s not the leader we need."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/jun/09/election-2017-theresa-may-speaks-outside-downing-street-after-shock-result-hunh-parliament-live
17:09