The die was cast for Crossrail when some sycophantic monarchist quarterwit decided to rebrand it the 'Elizabeth Line'. It's all been downhill from there.
Would the membership vote for her over a crazy person? I mean, I know in theory the MPs can stitch things up to keep a crazy person off the ballot, but right now the parliamentary party seems too fractious to accomplish the stitch-up.
On topic, I would agree Davidson probably looks like the best of a bad bunch for the Tories' next leader. Let's face it, presentation and charisma is half the battle for a politician these days, and she and Boris are the only Tory politicians who are clearly better than May in the presentational stakes (whenever people say the likes of Hunt or Gove will wow the public with their charm, I always wonder what they've been smoking).
Whether she'd actually be any good at running the country is another question altogether.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She can, at least, hopefully work out what are the Twitter accounts of her political opponents, and which are spoof ones.
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
Thats the problem every leader has when leading a broad church.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She can, at least, hopefully work out what are the Twitter accounts of her political opponents, and which are spoof ones.
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)
On what planet would anyone possibly think that was Ruth Davidson's twitter account, and that she'd be highlighting her own tendency to duck difficult questions? That's the fecking point you tumshie!
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
Of course, her offence to you is that she’s an obstacle to Scottish independence.
Would the membership vote for her over a crazy person? I mean, I know in theory the MPs can stitch things up to keep a crazy person off the ballot, but right now the parliamentary party seems too fractious to accomplish the stitch-up.
Yes. Ideological “soundness” isn’t as much of a factor amongst the membership as you might think.
They also love a winner, better still one that brickbats the opposition, and does it with a wry sense of humour. Her achievements in holding the Union together will also count.
Jones is getting the wrong message from this. If he thinks the abuse people on the left gets, then he should feel equally when it occurs against the right. Or even one leftist faction against another.
And sadly, Jones' own comments often don't show tolerance and understanding of other peoples' perspective. And in fact, can help breed such comments.
It would be interesting if Frank Field goes for a by-election.
I admit that I would vote for him, even if I'm no longer a labour Loyalist. He represents what Labour used to be and I suspect he'd have good support in Birkenhead.
It would be a tricky election for Labour. Who would they select? A shouty student Corbynite, or a Mrs Rochester candidate? it was a narrow Leave victory there too.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
Of course, her offence to you is that she’s an obstacle to Scottish independence.
Thanks for sparing time from your no doubt very busy schedule to Yoonsplain what I'm offended by.
Get yourself a peerage, get elected leader, renounce your Peerage (presumably this would happen before a by-election), win a by-election. A convoluted set of circumstances to say the least. What happens in the interregnum when she is neither Peer nor MP? Can she be leader and PM as a member of neither House? Would it be accepted or acceptable to be a completely unelected PM ?
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
Of course, her offence to you is that she’s an obstacle to Scottish independence.
Thanks for sparing time from your no doubt very busy schedule to Yoonsplain what I'm offended by.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
Of course, her offence to you is that she’s an obstacle to Scottish independence.
If she ducked off to London and left Murdo Fraser in charge Scotland would be independent within the week.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
It’s her pragmatism, interest in good government, and patriotism that place her in the Conservative Party.
She is quite a darling of the activist base.
Would she be a darling g once she had to deliver on her contradictory promises?
Depending on her audience she's either in favour of the softest possible Brexit or she's in favour of diamond hard Brexit let's go to war to recover our fish.
It would be interesting if Frank Field goes for a by-election.
I admit that I would vote for him, even if I'm no longer a labour Loyalist. He represents what Labour used to be and I suspect he'd have good support in Birkenhead.
It would be a tricky election for Labour. Who would they select? A shouty student Corbynite, or a Mrs Rochester candidate? it was a narrow Leave victory there too.
Suspect he would attract a lot of the 8,000 conservative votes
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She can, at least, hopefully work out what are the Twitter accounts of her political opponents, and which are spoof ones.
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)
On what planet would anyone possibly think that was Ruth Davidson's twitter account, and that she'd be highlighting her own tendency to duck difficult questions? That's the fecking point you tumshie!
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She can, at least, hopefully work out what are the Twitter accounts of her political opponents, and which are spoof ones.
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)
On what planet would anyone possibly think that was Ruth Davidson's twitter account, and that she'd be highlighting her own tendency to duck difficult questions? That's the fecking point you tumshie!
Yeah, you got it wrong.
Do you reallllly think that? Divvie was pointing out the much commented on tenancy for Davidson to disappear from the media when any tough questions are being asked.
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
Would the membership vote for her over a crazy person? I mean, I know in theory the MPs can stitch things up to keep a crazy person off the ballot, but right now the parliamentary party seems too fractious to accomplish the stitch-up.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She can, at least, hopefully work out what are the Twitter accounts of her political opponents, and which are spoof ones.
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)
On what planet would anyone possibly think that was Ruth Davidson's twitter account, and that she'd be highlighting her own tendency to duck difficult questions? That's the fecking point you tumshie!
Yeah, you got it wrong.
Do you reallllly think that? Divvie was pointing out the much commented on tenancy for Davidson to disappear from the media when any tough questions are being asked.
JJ thinks he's a very clever lad, that involves never getting anything wrong.
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
And what stops Westminster deciding that adopting permanent summer time is right for the UK?
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
And what stops Westminster deciding that adopting permanent summer time is right for the UK?
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
Reports are slightly confusing around whether the commission is thinking of permanent summer time or permanent standard (winter) time. But if the main problem is the change, then either would solve that problem. According to the BBC, Juncker said summer time but EU reports favoured standard time.
It would be interesting if Frank Field goes for a by-election.
I admit that I would vote for him, even if I'm no longer a labour Loyalist. He represents what Labour used to be and I suspect he'd have good support in Birkenhead.
It would be a tricky election for Labour. Who would they select? A shouty student Corbynite, or a Mrs Rochester candidate? it was a narrow Leave victory there too.
Suspect he would attract a lot of the 8,000 conservative votes
He would need all 8000 plus 13000 Labour defectors to win,
You are in dreamland Big G
Birkenhead is deep OHHHHHHH JEEEERRRRREMY COOOORRRRBBBYN territory.
What manifesto will Frank have voting with the Tories on BREXIT
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
And what stops Westminster deciding that adopting permanent summer time is right for the UK?
Scottish children going to school in the dark.
Had the indyref gone the other way, we'd be on GMT+1 all year round by now.
You'll all be delighted to know I've got 3 (three) Scottish themed threads coming up in the next week.
You'll be delighted to know I'll annoy every Scot across those three pieces, I think there's a danger I might patronise the Scottish Nats to within an inch of their lives.
It would be interesting if Frank Field goes for a by-election.
I admit that I would vote for him, even if I'm no longer a labour Loyalist. He represents what Labour used to be and I suspect he'd have good support in Birkenhead.
It would be a tricky election for Labour. Who would they select? A shouty student Corbynite, or a Mrs Rochester candidate? it was a narrow Leave victory there too.
Suspect he would attract a lot of the 8,000 conservative votes
Best thing the Tories and LDs can do is stand aside, they have no chance of winning the seat but every chance to seriously embarrass Labour.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She is Queen of Dog Shit Politics north of the border but her very limited range is going to be exposed in Westminster. She's also insufficiently enthused by the folly of Brexit for the Jambon Jihadis of the tory membership.
Labour 33,558 76.9% Conservative 8,044 8.4% Liberal Dem. 1,118 2.6% Green 943 1.8%
Good luck with the By Election Frank
Oh your not calling one
Surprise Surprise
Field will look stupidly and cowardly if he fails to call one now. If he wasn't 100% sure he was going to call one, he ought not have floated the idea.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She is Queen of Dog Shit Politics north of the border but her very limited range is going to be exposed in Westminster. She's also insufficiently enthused by the folly of Brexit for the Jambon Jihadis of the tory membership.
So just maybe she's the one to tell those Tories who think that the ship can cleave right through the iceberg that maybe steering to port is the better option?
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
It’s her pragmatism, interest in good government, and patriotism that place her in the Conservative Party.
But these are very far from being the characteristics of Mrs May`s Conservative Government. If these are Davidson`s main characteristics, then she is indeed in the wrong party.
Given the majority of the public know the cube root of sod all about what each of those options entails I would gently advise you to ignore such surveys.
Given the majority of the public know the cube root of sod all about what each of those options entails I would gently advise you to ignore such surveys.
'But Canada is lovely. I don't like Norway - too cold. I don't know what Chequers is, but it sounds complicated, and who needs that? Customs Union is what my Grandad fought in the war to prevent.'
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
And what stops Westminster deciding that adopting permanent summer time is right for the UK?
Given the majority of the public know the cube root of sod all about what each of those options entails I would gently advise you to ignore such surveys.
They know they want to regain sovereignty and reduce immigration and they know they also want some sort of trade deal with the EU, so Canada it is
You'll all be delighted to know I've got 3 (three) Scottish themed threads coming up in the next week.
You'll be delighted to know I'll annoy every Scot across those three pieces, I think there's a danger I might patronise the Scottish Nats to within an inch of their lives.
The most astonishing act of life-chance-destroying apartheid against their own young, for the sake of a slogan - the sort of thing one used to think happened under Chairman Mao. This is the biggest scandal in UK politics today.
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
And what stops Westminster deciding that adopting permanent summer time is right for the UK?
Scottish children going to school in the dark.
Had the indyref gone the other way, we'd be on GMT+1 all year round by now.
It may be the abrupt change of an hour that is responsible for the supposedly adverse effects of GMT. Suddenly drivers used to daylight for the last several months are driving home in the dark with no time to adjust. The BBC says that EU research found no proof that DST reduces accidents or saves energy.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She can, at least, hopefully work out what are the Twitter accounts of her political opponents, and which are spoof ones.
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)
On what planet would anyone possibly think that was Ruth Davidson's twitter account, and that she'd be highlighting her own tendency to duck difficult questions? That's the fecking point you tumshie!
Yeah, you got it wrong.
Do you reallllly think that? Divvie was pointing out the much commented on tenancy for Davidson to disappear from the media when any tough questions are being asked.
JJ thinks he's a very clever lad, that involves never getting anything wrong.
If you actually read my comment, you would see that I said: "(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)"
Hence I admitted in that very post that I sometimes get things wrong.
Yet when you're caught out getting something wrong - or worse - knowingly misrepresenting something, you get rather insulty.
... What manifesto will Frank have voting with the Tories on BREXIT
With UKIP on Immigration...
Yes, and with Labour on welfare and the NHS, and his own man on decency and integrity.
Should be a winning combination.
Doesn't add up though. You can't spend a lot of money on Brexit AND the NHS, which will be properly staffed - but all the foreign staff will be sent back home.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She is Queen of Dog Shit Politics north of the border but her very limited range is going to be exposed in Westminster. She's also insufficiently enthused by the folly of Brexit for the Jambon Jihadis of the tory membership.
You should see her in front of Aberdeen fishermen. You'll not see a more enthusiastic Hard Brexiter than her in that situation.
It has never been clear to me what Tory principles Davidson holds dear. She always strikes me as a liberal social democrat, not a conservative.
Her not inconsiderable trick is to manage to triangulate between Tories in general, right wing fruitcakes, loonies & closet racists (to the point of having them as elected members), and dewy eyed, progressive media types in London. I'm not sure that trick can be sustained while having to string together some coherent policies or bearing the responsibilities of government.
She can, at least, hopefully work out what are the Twitter accounts of her political opponents, and which are spoof ones.
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)
On what planet would anyone possibly think that was Ruth Davidson's twitter account, and that she'd be highlighting her own tendency to duck difficult questions? That's the fecking point you tumshie!
Yeah, you got it wrong.
Do you reallllly think that? Divvie was pointing out the much commented on tenancy for Davidson to disappear from the media when any tough questions are being asked.
Yes, I do think he got it wrong. Besides, I'm unsure it is 'much commented on' aside by some silly Conservative-hating people north of the border.
Frank Field has for many years been every Conservative's absolute favourite Labour MP. I wonder who will assume that now vacant position? Contenders must (i) be white working class and (ii) be strongly in favour of Brexit and (iii) be a Conservative.
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
And what stops Westminster deciding that adopting permanent summer time is right for the UK?
Orkney?
Yes, I forget they don't have electric lighting north of Hadrian's Wall....
You can't renounce a life peerage (for that matter, you can only renounce a hereditary peerage within the first year after inheriting it). It is possible to resign from the House of Lords but does this make the person eligible to stand for the Commons? I didn't think it did (but stand to be corrected).
If Davidson is to move to Westminster, it needs to be as an MP - which means awaiting a vacancy. Of course, the PM could give one of the sitting MPs a peerage and hope Davidson won the ensuing by-election but it's a risky strategy.
Frank Field has for many years been every Conservative's absolute favourite Labour MP. I wonder who will assume that now vacant position? Contenders must (i) be white working class and (ii) be strongly in favour of Brexit and (iii) be a Conservative.
I like Mike Gapes, though he's a Remainer. He's not afraid to call a spade a spade when he's being lambasted by Corbynites on Twitter.
... What manifesto will Frank have voting with the Tories on BREXIT
With UKIP on Immigration...
Yes, and with Labour on welfare and the NHS, and his own man on decency and integrity.
Should be a winning combination.
Doesn't add up though. You can't spend a lot of money on Brexit AND the NHS, which will be properly staffed - but all the foreign staff will be sent back home.
My dear boy, you surely don't think it matters whether it adds up?
Comments
She would be a fantastic choice for leader, but the logistical hurdles are considerable, even if she does want the job.
https://twitter.com/RuthDav16384736/status/1035406566961360896
Mercedes-Benz will be the title sponsor of the 2019 German GP. Suzuka gets a new three-year deal with F1, keeping it on the calendar through 2021.
Whether she'd actually be any good at running the country is another question altogether.
Unaddressed antisemitism and our toxic culture has divided this great party. We must find a solution – without splitting
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/31/labour-frank-field-resignation-antisemitism-toxic-culture-party
https://twitter.com/RuthDavidsonMSP
It's quite a useful trick for politicians to have. Or people who comment on politics.
(And yes, I've done the same in the past...)
They also love a winner, better still one that brickbats the opposition, and does it with a wry sense of humour. Her achievements in holding the Union together will also count.
So, I wouldn’t rule it out.
And sadly, Jones' own comments often don't show tolerance and understanding of other peoples' perspective. And in fact, can help breed such comments.
But that's kind-of his job.
I admit that I would vote for him, even if I'm no longer a labour Loyalist. He represents what Labour used to be and I suspect he'd have good support in Birkenhead.
It would be a tricky election for Labour. Who would they select? A shouty student Corbynite, or a Mrs Rochester candidate? it was a narrow Leave victory there too.
However if May gets a Deal she could remain leader for some time to come
What happens in the interregnum when she is neither Peer nor MP? Can she be leader and PM as a member of neither House?
Would it be accepted or acceptable to be a completely unelected PM ?
Can I join
Depending on her audience she's either in favour of the softest possible Brexit or she's in favour of diamond hard Brexit let's go to war to recover our fish.
A Canada type deal also came first in an ICM poll mentioned in the link
http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/libleave_brexit_spectrum.html
It would have been worth staying in for that alone. Important not to underestimate how much practical nuts and bolts stuff like this, and free mobile roaming across the EU, affects the quality of life.
Labour 33,558 76.9%
Conservative 8,044 8.4%
Liberal Dem. 1,118 2.6%
Green 943 1.8%
Good luck with the By Election Frank
Oh your not calling one
Surprise Surprise
May leads as 35% to 23% as best PM.
Con 39 (-1) Lab 37 (nc) LD (+1) 10 UKIP 5 (-1)
Fieldwork Tues/Wed
https://yougov.co.uk/news/2018/08/31/voting-intention-conservatives-39-labour-37-28-29-/?utm_source=website_article&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=vi_2829_august_2018
You are in dreamland Big G
Birkenhead is deep OHHHHHHH JEEEERRRRREMY COOOORRRRBBBYN territory.
What manifesto will Frank have voting with the Tories on BREXIT
With UKIP on Immigration
and with JHB on Musllim matters
Had the indyref gone the other way, we'd be on GMT+1 all year round by now.
You'll be delighted to know I'll annoy every Scot across those three pieces, I think there's a danger I might patronise the Scottish Nats to within an inch of their lives.
Given the majority of the public know the cube root of sod all about what each of those options entails I would gently advise you to ignore such surveys.
(I think she is more likely Ted Heath)
Should be a winning combination.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9476004/Scottish-universities-offer-places-to-fee-paying-foreigners-only.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/27/poor-scots-squeezed-out-of-university-by-snp-cap-on-places/
The most astonishing act of life-chance-destroying apartheid against their own young, for the sake of a slogan - the sort of thing one used to think happened under Chairman Mao. This is the biggest scandal in UK politics today.
I think it's been a good morning for India personally.
Hence I admitted in that very post that I sometimes get things wrong.
Yet when you're caught out getting something wrong - or worse - knowingly misrepresenting something, you get rather insulty.
He got it wrong.
This site should report naught but the Scottish subsample.
You can't renounce a life peerage (for that matter, you can only renounce a hereditary peerage within the first year after inheriting it). It is possible to resign from the House of Lords but does this make the person eligible to stand for the Commons? I didn't think it did (but stand to be corrected).
If Davidson is to move to Westminster, it needs to be as an MP - which means awaiting a vacancy. Of course, the PM could give one of the sitting MPs a peerage and hope Davidson won the ensuing by-election but it's a risky strategy.
If they de-select Frank, he will probably go ahead with a by-election and they will lose the seat, and that is the reality they face.
Basically, he's called their bluff. He holds the ace, and they have an idealistic two of clubs.