Sunak is obviously bright, has had a successful career and his willingness to go in to politics is really impressive.It is the same with Starmer. We need to think how the next generation of Sunaks and Starmers can come forward, as a lot of people that go in to Parliament are just not in the same league. 10 years ago the problem was that it was 'professional politicians' coming forward only, who had never done a real job and only worked in think tanks etc. Now the problem is that a lot of the people we get coming in to Parliament are just activists with mid ranking, unimpressive careers who seem to stumble in to the place by accident.
Short and sweet . I really don’t care he gave a one minute statement , we don’t need half an hour of vacuous guff , he’s not Bozo.
Still I’ll give him a chance unless he puts the stain on humanity as HS.
We so need a liberally minded, independent thinker at the Home Office which has not quite recovered from Theresa May's baleful influence. I would love to see what someone like Gove could do with it.
I can't think of any liberally minded, independent thinkers at the Home Office any time I've been following politics.
Straw and Blunkett etc were major authoritarians in the job too.
Who was the last liberally minded Home Secretary do you think?
Ken Clarke
Rory Stewart was great as Prisons Minister, a real breath of fresh air, but he didn't have long.
He isn't PM until tomorrow and any change in polling will take time
Let's see where we are next April/ May
The nation gave Truss 40 days. Things move quickly these days. I can't recall you asking for more time for Truss.
Truss behaviour and mini budget condemned her in days
Sunak/ Hunt combination has steadied the markets and been welcomed especially the bond market
Next Monday is Hunt's statement produced alongside the OBR which will be responsible and I expect substantial energy and bank windfall taxes
Johnson is gone and my relief is palpable, and I expect a very different government going forward
You do realise Sunak worked quite happily for Johnson and presided over the creation of the economic problems we now face. You can blame Truss for many things, but she just lit the touch paper on the charges that Sunak had laid before she entered no10.
A misunderstanding. Sunak said you can't borrow to pay for tax cuts. Liz did that. That's what caused the meltdown.
Sunak borrowed to pay for Covid, energy bills, and his leadership ambitions. The difference is he did it earlier, when interest rates were on the floor. Sunak 2: The Cutter is going to look starkly different to Sunak 1: The Spender.
Yes. Not to pay for ideologically driven tax cuts.
What are the odds, that some of the more questionable (to put it mildly) selections for Boris Johnson's DisHonours List will NOT get their unjust payoffs?
AND also that Liz Truss will get no list at all for her 15 minutes of infamy as badly-acting Prime Minister?
Since every sycophantic MP given a peerage will create a potential by-election defeat, quite possibly Rishi will exercise his blue pencil.
First, congratulations to Rishi Sunak and it would be churlish of me not to wish him well as our Prime Minister. In the end, as I ventured last evening, he was the last one standing on the battlefield.
The obviously self-serving displays of unity and loyalty notwithstanding, the Conservative backbenchers, apart from the irreconcilable Johnson fans, have realised hanging together is vastly preferable to hanging separately though the polling numbers continue to suggest a huge challenge for the new administration.
The last three months of self-indulgent inertia won't be quickly forgiven or forgotten no matter how much some of the Conservative-inclined may wish it otherwise.
Sunak now faces the ultimate test of any politician - being a Cabinet Minister is one thing but as we've seen not all take the ascent to being primus inter pares in their stride. I genuinely don't know what kind of Prime Minister Sunak will be - to this observer, he needs to relax and try to find "the common touch" or at least empathy with those in dire financial straits.
We'll know more after we see the senior appointments - I imagine Javid will get a big job as might Mordaunt - Hunt will remain I would guess but there will be a tension as there always is when a former Chancellor moves next door. Prime Ministers who come via the Home or Foreign Offices don't have the same issues.
The Parliamentary Conservative Party can do displays of unity - the same happened with Hague as I recall - but the first crisis or problem will expose whether this unity is real or a chimera. It may be Sunak will enjoy a longer or shorter honeymoon or he may not - events, dear boy, events - but I'm sure the Conservative poll rating will perk up slightly for all Labour's prospects of regaining some of the seats lost in 2019 have probably improved.
So in accelerating growth, I have three priorities. Priorities that I believe will foster a new culture of enterprise and deliver a higher growth rate. The first is to encourage greater levels of capital investment by our businesses. Second, we need to improve the technical skills of the tens of millions of people already in work. And third, we want to make this the most innovative economy in the world by driving up business investment in research and development.
Capital. People. Ideas. Three priorities to deliver higher productivity, tied with one golden thread: that what government does is far less important than creating the conditions for private businesses and individuals to thrive. Let me take each priority in turn.
Excoriates unfunded tax cuts “which DON’T pay for themselves”.
Worth a read.
They have just asked why Sunak unlike all his colleagues from the City supported Brexit. Apparently the reason is that though the City were all for Remain the hedge fund group to which Rishi belonged would do very well out of Brexit.....
So he's basically a speculator. Just what we don't need.......
Calling Moonrabbit..... You've got your first convert
Since you’ve not read the speech, perhaps you’d prefer to not watch the video?
Delivered the day Russia invaded Ukraine - so got no attention.
Interesting. Though it better answers Moonrabbits questions than mine on Brexit. Actually it answers MR's concerns very well indeed. If she hasn't already she should listen to it.
More high level calls between Russia and Western officials:
@DefenceHQ A statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov
Interestingly I don't think Macron has spoken to Putin lately. Hopefully the Russian military is looking for a way out. They must surely know that Putin is the obstacle.
There seems to be a blithe assumption that whatever follows VVP will be more favourable.
Russia does not have an unlimited number of young men to sacrifice.
He isn't PM until tomorrow and any change in polling will take time
Let's see where we are next April/ May
The nation gave Truss 40 days. Things move quickly these days. I can't recall you asking for more time for Truss.
Truss behaviour and mini budget condemned her in days
Sunak/ Hunt combination has steadied the markets and been welcomed especially the bond market
Next Monday is Hunt's statement produced alongside the OBR which will be responsible and I expect substantial energy and bank windfall taxes
Johnson is gone and my relief is palpable, and I expect a very different government going forward
You do realise Sunak worked quite happily for Johnson and presided over the creation of the economic problems we now face. You can blame Truss for many things, but she just lit the touch paper on the charges that Sunak had laid before she entered no10.
Sunak was the architect of the hugely successful furlough scheme and in case you have forgotten introduced a windfall tax on energy
You clearly do not like him but maybe opposition supporters protest too much, as they see a very different decent and honest PM taking the fight to labour
I just think you are glad that you got anyone but Boris. I don't blame you. But dig a little deeper and there are a few question marks over Sunak.
Silly, a few question marks is as good as it gets with any politician. Boris and Liz, there were no question marks at all. Just !s.
You are butt hurt because SKS is going to have to work a lot harder. Me, I am rejoicing not as a Tory, W*k*h*m*st, or Oxford man but as a citoyen du Royaume Uni that Borliz iz history.
Just watched it, it was a little strange reading sincerity straight off the autocue. He'll need to work on that. Boris is a hard act to follow on the comms side of the job.
No one could do sincerity like Blair tbf.
As Michael Flanders once said: “always be sincere, especially when you don’t mean it.”
"So lie to me/But do it with sincerity" - Depeche Mode ("Lie to Me").
Which idiots wasted money on polling around the CURRENT Government over the last week? The only purpose of those data points is to make any upswing in the graph more pronounced.
Don't know (or care) what Twitsphere is tweeting, but am certain that selection of Rishi Sunak as next Prime Minister will be boost UK's standing with American public as well as key opinion leaders in DC, NYC and LA - the three great capitals of America with respect to government, economics, culture and ultimately politics.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
More high level calls between Russia and Western officials:
@DefenceHQ A statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov
Interestingly I don't think Macron has spoken to Putin lately. Hopefully the Russian military is looking for a way out. They must surely know that Putin is the obstacle.
There seems to be a blithe assumption that whatever follows VVP will be more favourable.
Russia does not have an unlimited number of young men to sacrifice.
Well Stalin, for one, had a policy of testing that theory and he never did find the limit.
Quite a sweet vibe imo from Sunak in that speech - which I've now seen. He looks like the 'delighted, but slightly overwhelmed by events' young man that he is.
Rishi's a lucky man. Following such an unpopular duo as Johnson and his pupil Truss was a Godsend. It's difficut to remember now how loathed Johnson was in his last months. To the point that apart from a few oddball disciples he repelled people.
By contrast there's something quietly reassuring about Sunak which can't be faked. I think he is what he appears to be. A sophisticated and intelligent man with pretty decent values. But I might be wrong. I await his choice for Home Secretary
Just watched it, it was a little strange reading sincerity straight off the autocue. He'll need to work on that. Boris is a hard act to follow on the comms side of the job.
No one could do sincerity like Blair tbf.
As Michael Flanders once said: “always be sincere, especially when you don’t mean it.”
"So lie to me/But do it with sincerity" - Depeche Mode ("Lie to Me").
“The key to success is sincerity. If you can fake that you've got it made.” George Burns.
I've been watching the TV and seeing that people in the 'red wall' are complaining about how hard it is, cost of living crisis, how things are desperate etc, going to food banks etc. However, the minimum wage is £9.50 and there is something close to full employment. Both things that this 'tory' government have done. £9.50 an hour is a take home pay of £1384 per month.... after tax. Thats for 37.5 hours per week. If you have a double income of £2700 per month (ie two people on the minimum wage) how can anyone in this position seriously regard themselves as poor? That is before you add on tax breaks etc. You don't really pay much tax at this level anyway. And housing in the 'red wall' is not generally expensive anyway as we all know because of oversupply and historic depopulation. This is something that I have to say that I really struggle with. The media keep going to the 'red wall' to find evidence of hardship and poverty but, in my experience, it is actually the people in the south east are the ones who are really in trouble. Can't buy housing, rents are going up massively, even if you earn over the minimum wage you are getting hit with tax and NI. Plus you are more susceptible to rising mortgage payments because mortgages are higher because house prices are higher etc.
He isn't PM until tomorrow and any change in polling will take time
Let's see where we are next April/ May
The nation gave Truss 40 days. Things move quickly these days. I can't recall you asking for more time for Truss.
Truss behaviour and mini budget condemned her in days
Sunak/ Hunt combination has steadied the markets and been welcomed especially the bond market
Next Monday is Hunt's statement produced alongside the OBR which will be responsible and I expect substantial energy and bank windfall taxes
Johnson is gone and my relief is palpable, and I expect a very different government going forward
You do realise Sunak worked quite happily for Johnson and presided over the creation of the economic problems we now face. You can blame Truss for many things, but she just lit the touch paper on the charges that Sunak had laid before she entered no10.
A misunderstanding. Sunak said you can't borrow to pay for tax cuts. Liz did that. That's what caused the meltdown.
Sunak borrowed to pay for Covid, energy bills, and his leadership ambitions. The difference is he did it earlier, when interest rates were on the floor. Sunak 2: The Cutter is going to look starkly different to Sunak 1: The Spender.
Certainly expect "Tory Cuts" to dominate political discussion from now right up to the next election.
Don't know (or care) what Twitsphere is tweeting, but am certain that selection of Rishi Sunak as next Prime Minister will be boost UK's standing with American public as well as key opinion leaders in DC, NYC and LA - the three great capitals of America with respect to government, economics, culture and ultimately politics.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
The problem with this kind of take, welcome as it is, is the fact that it’s looking likely he won’t be PM after the next GE. Then we’ll get the op-eds implying we voted him out because of his ethnicity. A similar tale to Meghan, who didn’t seem to realise that being in the Royal Family meant a lifetime of opening roads and not saying anything particularly interesting about anything. And when she left…
More high level calls between Russia and Western officials:
@DefenceHQ A statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov
Interestingly I don't think Macron has spoken to Putin lately. Hopefully the Russian military is looking for a way out. They must surely know that Putin is the obstacle.
There seems to be a blithe assumption that whatever follows VVP will be more favourable.
Russia does not have an unlimited number of young men to sacrifice.
Well Stalin, for one, had a policy of testing that theory and he never did find the limit.
Even in Russia the people are likely less willing to test it out now.
He isn't PM until tomorrow and any change in polling will take time
Let's see where we are next April/ May
The nation gave Truss 40 days. Things move quickly these days. I can't recall you asking for more time for Truss.
Truss behaviour and mini budget condemned her in days
Sunak/ Hunt combination has steadied the markets and been welcomed especially the bond market
Next Monday is Hunt's statement produced alongside the OBR which will be responsible and I expect substantial energy and bank windfall taxes
Johnson is gone and my relief is palpable, and I expect a very different government going forward
You do realise Sunak worked quite happily for Johnson and presided over the creation of the economic problems we now face. You can blame Truss for many things, but she just lit the touch paper on the charges that Sunak had laid before she entered no10.
Sunak was the architect of the hugely successful furlough scheme and in case you have forgotten introduced a windfall tax on energy
You clearly do not like him but maybe opposition supporters protest too much, as they see a very different decent and honest PM taking the fight to labour
I just think you are glad that you got anyone but Boris. I don't blame you. But dig a little deeper and there are a few question marks over Sunak.
Silly, a few question marks is as good as it gets with any politician. Boris and Liz, there were no question marks at all. Just !s.
You are butt hurt because SKS is going to have to work a lot harder. Me, I am rejoicing not as a Tory, W*k*h*m*st, or Oxford man but as a citoyen du Royaume Uni that Borliz iz history.
My butt is just peachy, no germaloids required. SKS was always going to have to work harder than the past month. That's fine.
Forgive my understatement, but Sunak's questions are serious. He was very happy as Boris number two and presided over the debt mountain and inflation that now suffocates us. He is not a fresh start.
Are we better off than BorLiz? Probably. Can Sunak take the UK to where it needs to be? No.
Just watched it, it was a little strange reading sincerity straight off the autocue. He'll need to work on that. Boris is a hard act to follow on the comms side of the job.
No one could do sincerity like Blair tbf.
As Michael Flanders once said: “always be sincere, especially when you don’t mean it.”
"So lie to me/But do it with sincerity" - Depeche Mode ("Lie to Me").
I've been watching the TV and seeing that people in the 'red wall' are complaining about how hard it is, cost of living crisis, how things are desperate etc, going to food banks etc. However, the minimum wage is £9.50 and there is something close to full employment. Both things that this 'tory' government have done. £9.50 an hour is a take home pay of £1384 per month.... after tax. Thats for 37.5 hours per week. If you have a double income of £2700 per month (ie two people on the minimum wage) how can anyone in this position seriously regard themselves as poor? That is before you add on tax breaks etc. You don't really pay much tax at this level anyway.
You're rather stacking the deck there... Not everybody is in a two-person family. Not everybody in employment is in full-time employment. Not everybody without a job is counted in the official "unemployment rate" stat (check the 'economic inactivity rate' in these official stats, for instance: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9366/ ).
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
More high level calls between Russia and Western officials:
@DefenceHQ A statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov
Interestingly I don't think Macron has spoken to Putin lately. Hopefully the Russian military is looking for a way out. They must surely know that Putin is the obstacle.
There seems to be a blithe assumption that whatever follows VVP will be more favourable.
Russia does not have an unlimited number of young men to sacrifice.
Well Stalin, for one, had a policy of testing that theory and he never did find the limit.
Even in Russia the people are likely less willing to test it out now.
Sadly though, if they say that then their chances of a window related accident exponentially increase.
Don't know (or care) what Twitsphere is tweeting, but am certain that selection of Rishi Sunak as next Prime Minister will be boost UK's standing with American public as well as key opinion leaders in DC, NYC and LA - the three great capitals of America with respect to government, economics, culture and ultimately politics.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
Excellent post. There's also been some surprise on the left in Europe. It changes Britain's image in the world again, for another time.
I cannot see any Putin replacement forcing the war harder - because if they wanted that, they'd just keep Putin in place. I really don't see Putin being as a roadblock in Russian barbarity.
The only significant political pressure on VVP inside Russia with regard to the SMO is from those who consider that it's being executed incompetently and with insufficient aggression.
If there is regime change he'll be replaced by somebody prepared to act with less restraint. Unless the whole Russian Federation gets tipped into civil war which is not impossible and also not ideal.
He isn't PM until tomorrow and any change in polling will take time
Let's see where we are next April/ May
The nation gave Truss 40 days. Things move quickly these days. I can't recall you asking for more time for Truss.
Truss behaviour and mini budget condemned her in days
Sunak/ Hunt combination has steadied the markets and been welcomed especially the bond market
Next Monday is Hunt's statement produced alongside the OBR which will be responsible and I expect substantial energy and bank windfall taxes
Johnson is gone and my relief is palpable, and I expect a very different government going forward
You do realise Sunak worked quite happily for Johnson and presided over the creation of the economic problems we now face. You can blame Truss for many things, but she just lit the touch paper on the charges that Sunak had laid before she entered no10.
Sunak was the architect of the hugely successful furlough scheme and in case you have forgotten introduced a windfall tax on energy
You clearly do not like him but maybe opposition supporters protest too much, as they see a very different decent and honest PM taking the fight to labour
I just think you are glad that you got anyone but Boris. I don't blame you. But dig a little deeper and there are a few question marks over Sunak.
Silly, a few question marks is as good as it gets with any politician. Boris and Liz, there were no question marks at all. Just !s.
You are butt hurt because SKS is going to have to work a lot harder. Me, I am rejoicing not as a Tory, W*k*h*m*st, or Oxford man but as a citoyen du Royaume Uni that Borliz iz history.
Sunak is obviously bright, has had a successful career and his willingness to go in to politics is really impressive.It is the same with Starmer. We need to think how the next generation of Sunaks and Starmers can come forward, as a lot of people that go in to Parliament are just not in the same league. 10 years ago the problem was that it was 'professional politicians' coming forward only, who had never done a real job and only worked in think tanks etc. Now the problem is that a lot of the people we get coming in to Parliament are just activists with mid ranking, unimpressive careers who seem to stumble in to the place by accident.
There's a ceiling on the attractiveness of a job where your outcomes have next to nothing to do with your ability. You keep or lose your job based on random economic factors, other people's performance in ministerial office, and the whim of local party members in safe seats on a particular day years before. Edited to remind, Sunak is a quasi-billionaire so these don't affect him.
I've been watching the TV and seeing that people in the 'red wall' are complaining about how hard it is, cost of living crisis, how things are desperate etc, going to food banks etc. However, the minimum wage is £9.50 and there is something close to full employment. Both things that this 'tory' government have done. £9.50 an hour is a take home pay of £1384 per month.... after tax. Thats for 37.5 hours per week. If you have a double income of £2700 per month (ie two people on the minimum wage) how can anyone in this position seriously regard themselves as poor? That is before you add on tax breaks etc. You don't really pay much tax at this level anyway. And housing in the 'red wall' is not generally expensive anyway as we all know because of oversupply and historic depopulation. This is something that I have to say that I really struggle with. The media keep going to the 'red wall' to find evidence of hardship and poverty but, in my experience, it is actually the people in the south east are the ones who are really in trouble. Can't buy housing, rents are going up massively, even if you earn over the minimum wage you are getting hit with tax and NI. Plus you are more susceptible to rising mortgage payments because mortgages are higher because house prices are higher etc.
I'd have thought lack of development/investment would be the bigger issue in the red wall rather than cost of living but of course energy bills are a big concern.
Those YouGov constituencies give us a baseline for the starting position. In the red wall what stands out to me is Hartlepool looks to have hone back hard to Lab, relatively competitive at this stage Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Middlesborough South and, surprisingly for me, Redcar with second tier Sedgefield and NW Durham. Sunderland has gone back towards Labour it seems. Of the rest keep that eye on Leicester East, sticking out like a sore thumb with a very small Starmer lead on a low score. Scotland and Wales 'unconvinced'! The Saxon shore of EA looks pretty solid
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
It will be interesting to see whether the tone on social media reflects the new era of boring politics. It would be good if journalists acted like journalists again instead of activists.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Geoffrey Clinton-Brown (member of 1922 Committee) said on camera on Sky News (about 20 mins ago) that Boris did have the 100 nominations required and voluntarily withdrew.
Don't know (or care) what Twitsphere is tweeting, but am certain that selection of Rishi Sunak as next Prime Minister will be boost UK's standing with American public as well as key opinion leaders in DC, NYC and LA - the three great capitals of America with respect to government, economics, culture and ultimately politics.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
The problem with this kind of take, welcome as it is, is the fact that it’s looking likely he won’t be PM after the next GE. Then we’ll get the op-eds implying we voted him out because of his ethnicity. A similar tale to Meghan, who didn’t seem to realise that being in the Royal Family meant a lifetime of opening roads and not saying anything particularly interesting about anything. And when she left…
Don't agree. Sure, that will be the take of some, but certainly NOT most Americans.
We do understand that there are other factors, such as the economy, Putin, etc., etc. So if (or when) Rishi loses the next election, only fringe commentators will chalk it up to racist backlash.
As for Meghan, she is MUCH less of a deal, one way or another, in US than in UK. Here she's just another celebrity, a tea-party (in British sense!) Kim Kardashian
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
He isn't PM until tomorrow and any change in polling will take time
Let's see where we are next April/ May
The nation gave Truss 40 days. Things move quickly these days. I can't recall you asking for more time for Truss.
Truss behaviour and mini budget condemned her in days
Sunak/ Hunt combination has steadied the markets and been welcomed especially the bond market
Next Monday is Hunt's statement produced alongside the OBR which will be responsible and I expect substantial energy and bank windfall taxes
Johnson is gone and my relief is palpable, and I expect a very different government going forward
You do realise Sunak worked quite happily for Johnson and presided over the creation of the economic problems we now face. You can blame Truss for many things, but she just lit the touch paper on the charges that Sunak had laid before she entered no10.
Sunak was the architect of the hugely successful furlough scheme and in case you have forgotten introduced a windfall tax on energy
You clearly do not like him but maybe opposition supporters protest too much, as they see a very different decent and honest PM taking the fight to labour
I just think you are glad that you got anyone but Boris. I don't blame you. But dig a little deeper and there are a few question marks over Sunak.
Silly, a few question marks is as good as it gets with any politician. Boris and Liz, there were no question marks at all. Just !s.
You are butt hurt because SKS is going to have to work a lot harder. Me, I am rejoicing not as a Tory, W*k*h*m*st, or Oxford man but as a citoyen du Royaume Uni that Borliz iz history.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
Two polls out today show DeWine leading the Ohio governor race by 13 pts and 24 pts respectively.
However in the Ohio Senate race JD Vance leads by 1pt and 0pts respectively.
Now, in reality there is no way ticket splitting will be that high but hot damn, that is some shit numbers by Vance.
EDIT: Although I now see one of those polls is registered not likely voters so straight in the bin it goes.
There are a number of Senatorial candidates (Masters and Vance spring to mind) who are extremely fortunate that there are popular Gubernatorial candidates standing for their party, who will result in them almost certainly outperforming their polls.
The exception is Pennsylvania, where the Republican's candidate for Governor is genuinely batshit crazy.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
I dont understand this procedure whereby one justice makes at least temporary calls about cases. Shouldn't it be at least 2 in concert, just to avoid potential errors?
He isn't PM until tomorrow and any change in polling will take time
Let's see where we are next April/ May
The nation gave Truss 40 days. Things move quickly these days. I can't recall you asking for more time for Truss.
Truss behaviour and mini budget condemned her in days
Sunak/ Hunt combination has steadied the markets and been welcomed especially the bond market
Next Monday is Hunt's statement produced alongside the OBR which will be responsible and I expect substantial energy and bank windfall taxes
Johnson is gone and my relief is palpable, and I expect a very different government going forward
You do realise Sunak worked quite happily for Johnson and presided over the creation of the economic problems we now face. You can blame Truss for many things, but she just lit the touch paper on the charges that Sunak had laid before she entered no10.
They boxed themselves in horribly, not being able to raise income tax, stuck with the triple lock - commitments they still have.
Don't know (or care) what Twitsphere is tweeting, but am certain that selection of Rishi Sunak as next Prime Minister will be boost UK's standing with American public as well as key opinion leaders in DC, NYC and LA - the three great capitals of America with respect to government, economics, culture and ultimately politics.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
The problem with this kind of take, welcome as it is, is the fact that it’s looking likely he won’t be PM after the next GE. Then we’ll get the op-eds implying we voted him out because of his ethnicity. A similar tale to Meghan, who didn’t seem to realise that being in the Royal Family meant a lifetime of opening roads and not saying anything particularly interesting about anything. And when she left…
Don't agree. Sure, that will be the take of some, but certainly NOT most Americans.
We do understand that there are other factors, such as the economy, Putin, etc., etc. So if (or when) Rishi loses the next election, only fringe commentators will chalk it up to racist backlash.
As for Meghan, she is MUCH less of a deal, one way or another, in US than in UK. Here she's just another celebrity, a tea-party (in British sense!) Kim Kardashian
I agree on a lot of that, but I think Meghan has become a kind of totem on parts of the US left. There's reams and reams of american partisan support fo her on twitter, usually interspersed with an anti-colonialist narrative. Britain=racism=monarchy=colonialism. This is another area where I think Sunak changes things, and makes it harder to sustain a simple narrative about Britain, of the kind you said - not just the benchmark white and stratified society to compare yourself to.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
Only an hour to prep for PMQs?
Edit: This feels like a long week already...
Its the following day
Indeed. But tomorrow will see a Cabinet meeting, a quick change in Prime Ministers, followed, one imagines, by appointment of a new Cabinet. It really does look as if Number 10 and Buckingham Palace were both expecting a contested election that would run until Friday.
I dont understand this procedure whereby one justice makes at least temporary calls about cases. Shouldn't it be at least 2 in concert, just to avoid potential errors?
The American Supreme Court is a completely bonkers instituition from top to bottom.
I would nuke it from orbit and start again, I think it is basically unreformable.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
Only an hour to prep for PMQs?
Edit: This feels like a long week already...
Its the following day
Indeed. But tomorrow will see a Cabinet meeting, a quick change in Prime Ministers, followed, one imagines, by appointment of a new Cabinet. It really does look as if Number 10 and Buckingham Palace were both expecting a contested election that would run until Friday.
To be honest Charles should have been in London from this morning no matter
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
Only an hour to prep for PMQs?
Edit: This feels like a long week already...
Its the following day
Indeed. But tomorrow will see a Cabinet meeting, a quick change in Prime Ministers, followed, one imagines, by appointment of a new Cabinet. It really does look as if Number 10 and Buckingham Palace were both expecting a contested election that would run until Friday.
To be honest Charles should have been in London from this morning no matter
He was only at Sandringham
I was here when everyone on PB was getting pissy at the Queen for not coming down from Balmoral. The woman was at death's door.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
The partial solar eclipse will peak at 10.59 in London. Very inauspicious...
I dont understand this procedure whereby one justice makes at least temporary calls about cases. Shouldn't it be at least 2 in concert, just to avoid potential errors?
The American Supreme Court is a completely bonkers instituition from top to bottom.
I would nuke it from orbit and start again, I think it is basically unreformable.
The cheek not to recuse yourself from that decision.
Think that PBers under-estimate the actuality and potential for ticket-splitting in American elections.
Factors encouraging this divergence in partisan races on the same ballot include
> multiplicity of different races on ballots which encourages differentation based on candidates, offices, geography, demography
> widespread decline of "straight party" voting as legal option AND as voter practice.
> desire of many voters to split their tickets deliberately, as in wanting to vote for at least ONE candidate from the party that is NOT their usual option.
> late breaking developments that significant impact one race or candidate, but have no direct connection (other than perhaps party affiliation) with other races.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
Only an hour to prep for PMQs?
Edit: This feels like a long week already...
Its the following day
Indeed. But tomorrow will see a Cabinet meeting, a quick change in Prime Ministers, followed, one imagines, by appointment of a new Cabinet. It really does look as if Number 10 and Buckingham Palace were both expecting a contested election that would run until Friday.
To be honest Charles should have been in London from this morning no matter
He was only at Sandringham
I doubt this was the King's call (and indeed going to Sandringham would have been no faff for the current and next PM).
A few hours makes no difference at all, and indeed buys Sunak a bit more time to make Cabinet plans etc.
Been out all day and have just caught up. Saw the speech and was pretty underwhelmed but that's okay.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Rishi is not yet Prime Minister. That might explain a certain diffidence in public speaking. The King was not at home today. Appointing the new Prime Minister might happen tonight, tomorrow, or possibly even Wednesday. Until then, Liz Truss remains Prime Minister, our bets remain unsettled, and tomorrow's Cabinet will have a slightly odd feel.
Tomorrow morning, apparently, so presumably before that Cabinet (if indeed it happens at all).
Hmm, BBC News tells me I am wrong. That will be a bizarre meeting.
Only an hour to prep for PMQs?
Edit: This feels like a long week already...
Its the following day
Indeed. But tomorrow will see a Cabinet meeting, a quick change in Prime Ministers, followed, one imagines, by appointment of a new Cabinet. It really does look as if Number 10 and Buckingham Palace were both expecting a contested election that would run until Friday.
To be honest Charles should have been in London from this morning no matter
He was only at Sandringham
I was here when everyone on PB was getting pissy at the Queen for not coming down from Balmoral. The woman was at death's door.
What's the rush anyway?
Not everyone. That was pretend outrage on the misconception it was a requirement it happen in London.
Theres no rush as such, but it was a good chance it'd be done today so why not travel just in case?
I know everything might still fall apart very quickly and they deserve a whole lot of opprobrium for the shit show of 2022 to date but it does feel like the Tory party took a collective decision to at least try and grow up, govern and help us all get through this this week. A million miles to go but it is something of an initial relief
Don't know (or care) what Twitsphere is tweeting, but am certain that selection of Rishi Sunak as next Prime Minister will be boost UK's standing with American public as well as key opinion leaders in DC, NYC and LA - the three great capitals of America with respect to government, economics, culture and ultimately politics.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
The problem with this kind of take, welcome as it is, is the fact that it’s looking likely he won’t be PM after the next GE. Then we’ll get the op-eds implying we voted him out because of his ethnicity. A similar tale to Meghan, who didn’t seem to realise that being in the Royal Family meant a lifetime of opening roads and not saying anything particularly interesting about anything. And when she left…
Don't agree. Sure, that will be the take of some, but certainly NOT most Americans.
We do understand that there are other factors, such as the economy, Putin, etc., etc. So if (or when) Rishi loses the next election, only fringe commentators will chalk it up to racist backlash.
As for Meghan, she is MUCH less of a deal, one way or another, in US than in UK. Here she's just another celebrity, a tea-party (in British sense!) Kim Kardashian
I agree on a lot of that, but I think Meghan has become a kind of totem on parts of the US left. There's reams and reams of american partisan support fo her on twitter, usually interspersed with an anti-colonialist narrative. Britain=racism=monarchy=colonialism. This is another area where I think Sunak changes things, and makes it harder to sustain a simple narrative about Britain, of the kind you said - not just the benchmark white and stratified society to compare yourself to.
To an extent, but I think the position of Indian-heritage people in the USA is also different to the position of African-heritage people, and something similar is true in the UK, to an extent that Sunak won't move the dial on people who fret about Meghan.
That's 516 in the forced choice, compared to the current 417 Lab + Con seats in parliament. You can whack 50 off Labour in Scotland. 339 Lab to 127 Con sounds not unreasonable.
Geoffrey Clinton-Brown (member of 1922 Committee) said on camera on Sky News (about 20 mins ago) that Boris did have the 100 nominations required and voluntarily withdrew.
Then Boris needs to show us the list.
Gary Gibbon on C4 News said the aggregate number of claimed nominations exceeded the total number of Tory MPs by 32.
Don't know (or care) what Twitsphere is tweeting, but am certain that selection of Rishi Sunak as next Prime Minister will be boost UK's standing with American public as well as key opinion leaders in DC, NYC and LA - the three great capitals of America with respect to government, economics, culture and ultimately politics.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
The problem with this kind of take, welcome as it is, is the fact that it’s looking likely he won’t be PM after the next GE. Then we’ll get the op-eds implying we voted him out because of his ethnicity. A similar tale to Meghan, who didn’t seem to realise that being in the Royal Family meant a lifetime of opening roads and not saying anything particularly interesting about anything. And when she left…
Don't agree. Sure, that will be the take of some, but certainly NOT most Americans.
We do understand that there are other factors, such as the economy, Putin, etc., etc. So if (or when) Rishi loses the next election, only fringe commentators will chalk it up to racist backlash.
As for Meghan, she is MUCH less of a deal, one way or another, in US than in UK. Here she's just another celebrity, a tea-party (in British sense!) Kim Kardashian
I agree on a lot of that, but I think Meghan has become a kind of totem on parts of the US left. There's reams and reams of american partisan support fo her on twitter, usually interspersed with an anti-colonialist narrative. Britain=racism=monarchy=colonialism. This is another area where I think Sunak changes things, and makes it harder to sustain a simple narrative about Britain, of the kind you said - not just the benchmark white and stratified society to compare yourself to.
Most of Meghan fervor (and opposite) is Flavor of the month stuff here in USA.
The anti-colonialist angle is mostly due IMHO to totally cack-handed management of whole situation by Palace No-Brains Brigade of Guards & Drone Squad.
As for anti-monarchism, will NEVER be a big deal in US, particularly with respect to British model which is the only one anyone over here who is NOT a pimp, gigolo or high-priced escort gives a damn about. Just too many fans of the Royal Soap Opera, as demonstrated by popularity of "documentaries" about it from Henry VIII onward on woke-as-folk PBS.
So anti-monarchism has little future in America PROVIDED nobody tries to foist monarchy Brit-styleon US!
Geoffrey Clinton-Brown (member of 1922 Committee) said on camera on Sky News (about 20 mins ago) that Boris did have the 100 nominations required and voluntarily withdrew.
Then Boris needs to show us the list.
Gary Gibbon on C4 News said the aggregate number of claimed nominations exceeded the total number of Tory MPs by 32.
List contained, J Duddridge, M Mouse....Dudders.....Dudders (Different to the others)...
Margaret Beckett on R4 PM - I thought she was dead.
Not a flicker of acknowledgment let alone guilt or shame from the old dinosaur for being personally responsible for all of this!
Didn't we resolve the other day that Kenny Dalglish was responsible for all of this?
Here was me thinking it was Ed Miliband.
You have to go back a few steps before that.
Kenny Dalglish > Dennis Canavan > Eric Joyce (Stuart Andrew) > Ed Miliband > Margaret Beckett > Jeremy Corbyn > David Cameron > Theresa May > Boris Johnson > Liz Truss > Rishi Sunak
Geoffrey Clinton-Brown (member of 1922 Committee) said on camera on Sky News (about 20 mins ago) that Boris did have the 100 nominations required and voluntarily withdrew.
Then Boris needs to show us the list.
Gary Gibbon on C4 News said the aggregate number of claimed nominations exceeded the total number of Tory MPs by 32.
Presumably when Boris said he was withdrawing some rushed to nominate Rishi instead? So it is possible.
Geoffrey Clinton-Brown (member of 1922 Committee) said on camera on Sky News (about 20 mins ago) that Boris did have the 100 nominations required and voluntarily withdrew.
Then Boris needs to show us the list.
Gary Gibbon on C4 News said the aggregate number of claimed nominations exceeded the total number of Tory MPs by 32.
Presumably when Boris said he was withdrawing some rushed to nominate Rishi instead? So it is possible.
It's possible, yes. And perhaps it is true. But maybe it is not true, given Boris lies about pretty much everything.
Geoffrey Clinton-Brown (member of 1922 Committee) said on camera on Sky News (about 20 mins ago) that Boris did have the 100 nominations required and voluntarily withdrew.
Gary Gibbon on C4 News said the aggregate number of claimed nominations exceeded the total number of Tory MPs by 32.
But we know many switched from Boris to Penny.
ie They were in the Boris 100 and then also in however many (approx 90?) Penny claimed today.
Commentators being harsh on Sunak I think for his stiff and short acceptance speech.
This is the moment the enormity of what they are taking on descends on the speech giver. Cut him some slack.
If its still crap next week we can always fit another contest in before Bonfire Night.
It is reported he will address the nation tomorrow in Downing Street after his trip to see Charles. An opportunity to give a better speech.
He isn't a great speaker. But Truss is a bad one, so that's an upgrade.
Truss poor communication skills were not even half the problem.
This marks the end of my theory that Liz Truss speaks in the French manner — short phrases with the stress at the end, and a slight pause before continuing with the sentence. It might be true but we shall not hear from her again.
Comments
A question long pondered by science.
Here is how bad he is.
Two polls out today show DeWine leading the Ohio governor race by 13 pts and 24 pts respectively.
However in the Ohio Senate race JD Vance leads by 1pt and 0pts respectively.
Now, in reality there is no way ticket splitting will be that high but hot damn, that is some shit numbers by Vance.
EDIT: Although I now see one of those polls is registered not likely voters so straight in the bin it goes.
First, congratulations to Rishi Sunak and it would be churlish of me not to wish him well as our Prime Minister. In the end, as I ventured last evening, he was the last one standing on the battlefield.
The obviously self-serving displays of unity and loyalty notwithstanding, the Conservative backbenchers, apart from the irreconcilable Johnson fans, have realised hanging together is vastly preferable to hanging separately though the polling numbers continue to suggest a huge challenge for the new administration.
The last three months of self-indulgent inertia won't be quickly forgiven or forgotten no matter how much some of the Conservative-inclined may wish it otherwise.
Sunak now faces the ultimate test of any politician - being a Cabinet Minister is one thing but as we've seen not all take the ascent to being primus inter pares in their stride. I genuinely don't know what kind of Prime Minister Sunak will be - to this observer, he needs to relax and try to find "the common touch" or at least empathy with those in dire financial straits.
We'll know more after we see the senior appointments - I imagine Javid will get a big job as might Mordaunt - Hunt will remain I would guess but there will be a tension as there always is when a former Chancellor moves next door. Prime Ministers who come via the Home or Foreign Offices don't have the same issues.
The Parliamentary Conservative Party can do displays of unity - the same happened with Hague as I recall - but the first crisis or problem will expose whether this unity is real or a chimera. It may be Sunak will enjoy a longer or shorter honeymoon or he may not - events, dear boy, events - but I'm sure the Conservative poll rating will perk up slightly for all Labour's prospects of regaining some of the seats lost in 2019 have probably improved.
You are butt hurt because SKS is going to have to work a lot harder. Me, I am rejoicing not as a Tory, W*k*h*m*st, or Oxford man but as a citoyen du Royaume Uni that Borliz iz history.
Thing that will be most obvious to Americans is the fact that the UK now has a Prime Minister of Color. Which will come as a surprise to most of us, who realize that there are plenty of non-White folks in today's UK, but had little to no clue that they were advancing so far up the social & electoral ladder. In a place we consider LESS diverse and MORE stratified than our own melting pot.
For every American who is turned off by rise of Rishi on basis of his ethnicity, there were be four - or more - favorably impressed. Including MANY who are not particularly "progressive" in their thinking. But who DO believe in equality of opportunity, and judging others (at least in theory) by the content of their character (and experience, actions, values, principles, merits) than the color of their skin.
Believe that Americans are inclined to regard the UK in a positive light whenever possible. No guarantees for the future, but out of the gate, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will confirm this view for tens of millions in the Unite States, from Maine to Maui.
By contrast there's something quietly reassuring about Sunak which can't be faked. I think he is what he appears to be. A sophisticated and intelligent man with pretty decent values. But I might be wrong. I await his choice for Home Secretary
Can Ed Davey get caught in a compromising position with an ostrich or something so we get another contest please?
However, the minimum wage is £9.50 and there is something close to full employment. Both things that this 'tory' government have done.
£9.50 an hour is a take home pay of £1384 per month.... after tax. Thats for 37.5 hours per week.
If you have a double income of £2700 per month (ie two people on the minimum wage) how can anyone in this position seriously regard themselves as poor? That is before you add on tax breaks etc. You don't really pay much tax at this level anyway.
And housing in the 'red wall' is not generally expensive anyway as we all know because of oversupply and historic depopulation.
This is something that I have to say that I really struggle with.
The media keep going to the 'red wall' to find evidence of hardship and poverty but, in my experience, it is actually the people in the south east are the ones who are really in trouble.
Can't buy housing, rents are going up massively, even if you earn over the minimum wage you are getting hit with tax and NI.
Plus you are more susceptible to rising mortgage payments because mortgages are higher because house prices are higher etc.
Forgive my understatement, but Sunak's questions are serious. He was very happy as Boris number two and presided over the debt mountain and inflation that now suffocates us. He is not a fresh start.
Are we better off than BorLiz? Probably. Can Sunak take the UK to where it needs to be? No.
But I hope our saner Tories enjoy the moment.
"You're lyin' to me! You're LYIN' to me!!!!"
"Yeah - but hear me out...."
This points to a Labour majority of about 100.
Rishi is going to be dull, and the General Election will be a borefest between two dull leaders which won't please Leondamus one bit.
But that's quite alright by me to be honest. I've had it with flamboyant liars and incompetents. So has the country. We need stability and good governance. We need to try and get through the colossal challenges we face. We may get some way towards achieving that with Rishi so let's give him a chance, and I write that as a leftie.
He should be fine.
Raab possibly back to Justice.
Gove to the Home Office maybe?
Shapps to Leader of the House or Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has to be kept at all.
Those are some obvious possibilities.
Of the rest keep that eye on Leicester East, sticking out like a sore thumb with a very small Starmer lead on a low score.
Scotland and Wales 'unconvinced'! The Saxon shore of EA looks pretty solid
* incumbent
President
Lyndon Johnson* (Dem) 779,881
Barry Goldwater (Rep) 470,366
other 8,309
Dem vs Rep margin +309,505
US Senator
Henry Jackson* (Dem) 875,950
Lloyd Andrews (Rep) 337,138
Dem vs Rep margin =538,812
Governor
Albert Rosselini* (Dem) 548,692
Daniel Evans (Rep) 697,256
other 4,326
Dem vs Rep margin -148,516
By which I mean, I would order her to go to her private house and stay there. Before anyone thinks I am blowing any dog whistles.
We do understand that there are other factors, such as the economy, Putin, etc., etc. So if (or when) Rishi loses the next election, only fringe commentators will chalk it up to racist backlash.
As for Meghan, she is MUCH less of a deal, one way or another, in US than in UK. Here she's just another celebrity, a tea-party (in British sense!) Kim Kardashian
Javid back to Health?
https://www.justice.gov/live
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/justice-clarence-thomas-temporarily-blocks-graham-testimony-georgia-el-rcna53723
Edit: This feels like a long week already...
The exception is Pennsylvania, where the Republican's candidate for Governor is genuinely batshit crazy.
I would nuke it from orbit and start again, I think it is basically unreformable.
He was only at Sandringham
What's the rush anyway?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2022/10/21/rare-eclipse-of-the-sun-could-throw-shade-on-uks-latest-prime-minister-next-week/
Factors encouraging this divergence in partisan races on the same ballot include
> multiplicity of different races on ballots which encourages differentation based on candidates, offices, geography, demography
> widespread decline of "straight party" voting as legal option AND as voter practice.
> desire of many voters to split their tickets deliberately, as in wanting to vote for at least ONE candidate from the party that is NOT their usual option.
> late breaking developments that significant impact one race or candidate, but have no direct connection (other than perhaps party affiliation) with other races.
A few hours makes no difference at all, and indeed buys Sunak a bit more time to make Cabinet plans etc.
Has anyone had a more inappropriate surname?
Theres no rush as such, but it was a good chance it'd be done today so why not travel just in case?
Not a flicker of acknowledgment let alone guilt or shame from the old dinosaur for being personally responsible for all of this!
Gary Gibbon on C4 News said the aggregate number of claimed nominations exceeded the total number of Tory MPs by 32.
This is the moment the enormity of what they are taking on descends on the speech giver. Cut him some slack.
If its still crap next week we can always fit another contest in before Bonfire Night.
The anti-colonialist angle is mostly due IMHO to totally cack-handed management of whole situation by Palace No-Brains Brigade of Guards & Drone Squad.
As for anti-monarchism, will NEVER be a big deal in US, particularly with respect to British model which is the only one anyone over here who is NOT a pimp, gigolo or high-priced escort gives a damn about. Just too many fans of the Royal Soap Opera, as demonstrated by popularity of "documentaries" about it from Henry VIII onward on woke-as-folk PBS.
So anti-monarchism has little future in America PROVIDED nobody tries to foist monarchy Brit-styleon US!
Kenny Dalglish > Dennis Canavan > Eric Joyce (Stuart Andrew) > Ed Miliband > Margaret Beckett > Jeremy Corbyn > David Cameron > Theresa May > Boris Johnson > Liz Truss > Rishi Sunak
(or something like that)
ie They were in the Boris 100 and then also in however many (approx 90?) Penny claimed today.
Sunak 200
Boris 100
Penny 90
Total 390
Say 50 switched from Boris to Penny, giving
340 MPs nominated someone out of 357 total MPs.