To show you where we're at with politics these days, Theresa Mays campaign tagline is from an Ed Miliband speech at the party conference in 2013.
And just because this isn't ever not funny
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To show you where we're at with politics these days, Theresa Mays campaign tagline is from an Ed Miliband speech at the party conference in 2013.
And just because this isn't ever not funny
![]()
Guido reckons Leadsom is about to quit.
Thank Christ for that.
Well done to the Tory MPs who voted for her over Gove though. That was worthwhile.
The best part about this is that Angela Eagle's event has been completely overshadowed. Apparently there was an exodus of journalists from her event when the news of Leadsom's impending announcement.
There's some discussion over whether the 1922 Committee are obliged to find a second candidate to put to the membership, or whether May just automatically becomes party leader. Cameron could be gone by the end of the day, or he could be here until 9 September anyway. There's a suggestion that if the 1922 Committee need another candidate, they'd have to put forward Gove - but the question is whether he'd really want to or not.
It's probably best we all get behind Prime Minister May now.
The question is whether he would accept a place on the ticket in those circumstances.
Gove has four years at education, one year at justice and one year as Chief Whip. He clearly has a range of experience across cabinet, and he had a pivotal role in the Leave campaign. One can at least make a strong argument to say that he could do the job. Leadsom evidently couldn't, and her candidature was embarrassing.
The issue I have with the Tory MPs is that it was evident throughout that Leadsom wasn't up to it, but they still put her forward anyway solely on the back of her supporting Brexit rather than because she could do the job. She'd have been Corbyn for Conservatives, and we've avoided a massive issue here, thankfully.
Good day to find out Theresa May is a communist as well.
I think it's quite clever from May, actually. I reckon there's a real chance she'll call a general election and go after the northern Brexit vote massively. Tory landslide.![]()
Has she made any comments regarding calling an election? Leadsom said she wouldn't.
May said she wouldn't as well, but this would change things. Get a Trident vote out of the way, and capitalise whilst Labour don't even have a fucking leader and UKIP are in leadership limbo too. They can then attack the northern UKIP vote strongly on a 'we can deliver Brexit' pledge.
Leadsom is literally reading a letter out - she can't actually be trusted to speak without it. Fucking hell, what a state.
Where did I read the other day that Dave was looking to spin his exit out so he could go to one last international summit? Get him out this afternoon.
I've thought ever since Friday 24th that there has to be a new general election if not this year, then early next.
Handbag in Downing Street by tonight, please.
If no-one challenges May then I don't see how you can't not have one.
I've read that too - he wants to have a 'farewell' conference with Barry Obama, because that's his last conference too.
I agree, mind - get him the fuck out immediately and let's crack on.
Fairly magnanimous statement from Leadsom, actually. She's clearly bottled it because of the ABUSE, but it's still a sound reason to pull out when you've only got about a quarter of the MPs.
They have no mandate though. The government that was voted in was for remain, and breaking even by 2020 that bloke and his mandate has now been pushed off a roof.
You can't have 300 people choose who runs the country for 4 years in a country of 60,000,000. I can't believe Mr. EU IS STEALING MY DEMOCRACY is the one arguing this.
It's parliamentary democracy - the Tories won a mandate for five years. You vote for a party, not a person. This isn't a presidential system.
They didn't have a load of asterisks through their manifesto saying *on condition we vote Remain.
We crack on now. Sterling has rocketed on the removal of uncertainty here - the last thing we need is another election now. Stability is required.
Constitutionally there is no need for an election, but in practice she will have to call one. She'd win it handsomely, too.
Angela's Ashes is starting her leadership bid now as well.
I reckon she'll prove to be quite popular with the electorate.
Good to see you've learnt how to engage in sensible grown-up debate.
You're right. Lib Dem landslide. Tim Farron rides into Downing Street on a huge yellow dildo.
Gove has confirmed he wouldn't want to replace Leadsom. The 1922 committee have organised an urgent meeting, presumably to make sure they can confirm May as the new leader asap.
You know, when people talk about the patronising smugness of the left wing, they're talking about people like you Phonics.
May's cabinet will certainly be interesting - I'd assume you need a Brexit foreign secretary, at the very least. I wouldn't be surprised to see Liam Fox get it.
How she handles Gove and Boris will also be interesting.
I was more referring to your 'if you knew anything you'd know May isn't well liked' in your first point.
Yeah the police and fire fighters probably aren't fans but she'll get a lot of support from people that idolize Thatcher and Labour supporters that feel Labour isn't the party of the working class anymore.
The "she's a woman" comment is just bizarre.
I think May would be electoral suicide if Labour weren't in such shit. They desperately need Corbyn not to be on the ballot.
An early election would be a total wipeout in favour of May's Tories. She'd have an early incumbent honeymoon boost, and Labour would have a total shambles dip.
The later it is, the more chance of her honeymoon wearing off and/or Labour getting their act together.
Does she have a mandate to govern?
UKIP are also in transition, which would make it difficult for them to eat into the Labour seats in the north. However, if the Tories went in with a clear "Brexit means Brexit" manifesto, with commitments on ending free movement and a "look at the state of Labour, lads" campaign policy, they could do much better than they've done for decades in the north. One assumes they'll continue to sweep their heartlands. The Lib Dems being pro-EU will shaft them everywhere they wouldn't be competitive anyway, I expect.
Scotland would be interesting to see. I assume the SNP would win all 59 seats.
Outstanding.
Was it Peter Mannion or Nicola Murray giving a speech in The Thick of It when the PM announced he was going and all the journalists fucked off? I like to think that's where Leadsom found her inspiration.
The latest ICM poll has it CON 38 LAB 30. Polls almost always overestimate the Labour vote, or at least the gap between the two parties in Labour's favour. Thats before an election campaign begins (and so Corbyn/Eagle are exposed to the electorate at large) and with more Labour infighting to come.
May would have to be mental not to call an election. It would guarantee ten more years of Tory government. If she leaves it, we go into recession and Labour elect a good leader she could end up guaranteeing ten years of Labour government from 2020.
It's Peter Mannion, I believe. That poll should frighten the life out of Labour. If they can't get above 30% in the current climate, what's even the point? Leadsom has done the Tories a huge favour as well, because it makes the Tories look united in the national interest over Labour's continued internal wrangling and attempts to purge itself of ideological impurity.
The left calling for an election is basically inviting self-destruction at this stage. I don't understand it at all. I assume they're calling for an election with the assumption there won't be one. The irony of the Lib Dems demanding one - the party responsible for the FTPA - is a laugh too.
The timetable is apparently for Cameron to do PMQs on Wednesday, with May to take over the leadership that evening or the following day. The Queen is on her way back to London too. Could May call one on Thursday or would that be premature?
Given the brutality with which the Tories have just dealt with their idiot fringe (especially compared to Labour), I think we could be looking at fifteen or twenty.
It's strange most of the 'best' things that the Tory party could have done that were mentioned on here by different members since BREXIT they've almost followed it to the letter.
The Tories like winning. No matter what else, they know how to win elections.
It's all a bit House of Cards-ish. Would be absolutely incredible behind the scenes.