National News Boris or Jeremy?

[Gary Baldi]

I did some people raise an eyebrow that the Tories had 160k members - it was assumed the numbers were a lot, lot lower

 

[Gary Baldi]

And finally. This did make me laugh

https://twitter.com/x/status/1153643378187415555

 

[Gary Baldi]

It's fair to say, Jeremy Hunt looks quite relieved in this interview

https://twitter.com/x/status/1153643278534959106

 

[ZeroTheHero]

I'd imagine that 'relieved' is an understatement! If there was ever a poisoned chalice of a political job, this is it...

 

[bazzer9461]

How Bazzer, as they aren't in Govt?

No it was from there last general election campaign with all the money they were going to dish out

 

[PottersRightBoot]

Bet he does well.

 

[Marked Ox]

No it was from there last general election campaign with all the money they were going to dish out

At least they made an effort at costing their plan. Johnson hasn't a clue as he has offered tax cuts whilst introducing increased spending.

 

[m]

Bet he does well.

Bet some people say he does regardless.

 

[Gary Baldi]

Bet he does well.

The difference in tone from Europe recently has been interesting in the past week. They aren't sure (like we are) if Johnson will leave with No Deal or not, so there is an element of jeopardy that wouldn't have existed with May or Hunt as PM. In particular, the Irish are more concerned than they have been.

But. Johnson has to engage and move now. He has no time for florid words or buffoonery.

 

[tonyw]

the buffoon beat the spelling error by a landslide .... GE in September ?

I believe that, for a GE in September, the government would have to lose a No Confidence Vote tomorrow.

Parliament goes into recess on the 25th, and doesn't come back until 3rd September.
Then even if BoJo has steered us directly towards No Deal Brexit by then - if he lost a No Confidence Vote the following day, under the Fixed Term Parliament act, he'd still have another 14 days to change MP's minds. And then I believe it takes a minimum of 25 days to set up an election.

So mid-October is basically the earliest a GE could happen.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

Johnson has to engage and move now. He has no time for florid words or buffoonery.

Good luck with that!

 

[bashamwonderland]

I'm not sure how I feel about this one.

On the one hand, Boris is an unpleasant individual with questionable morals who fits the Tory stereotype perfectly, and is thus unelectable.

On the other hand, the members know the Conservatives are in a desparate state. None of the alternative candidates would have successfully "dealt with" Brexit (the meaning of which is personal to each individual) and none of them had the personality to pull the Tories back from the brink.

They've basically put their last £100 on green instead of red or black.

 

[tonyw]

On the one hand, Boris is an unpleasant individual with questionable morals who fits the Tory stereotype perfectly, and is thus unelectable.

True, but conventional wisdom would also suggest that Jeremy Corbyn, as an anti-Western, renationalizing, cardigan-wearing uber-socialist is equally unelectable.

Whenever we have a next General Election (and it seems likely to me to happen a whole lot sooner than 2022) someone has to win. Or at least be the head of the biggest party. And it seems unlikely to be Farage or Swinson!

 

[bashamwonderland]

True, but conventional wisdom would also suggest that Jeremy Corbyn, as an anti-Western, renationalizing, cardigan-wearing uber-socialist is equally unelectable.

Whenever we have a next General Election (and it seems likely to me to happen a whole lot sooner than 2022) someone has to win. Or at least be the head of the biggest party. And it seems unlikely to be Farage or Swinson!

Agreed! So it's either:

1. A terrible human being;
2. A far left lunatic (with an even more concerning team);
3. The most hated man in Britain; or
4. A nobody from a nothing party.

The stage is set for a genuinely charismatic and strong, radical leader (be they left or right).

 

[Gary Baldi]

Good luck with that!

The tea leaves from the 1922 Committee this evening are Boris was non-controversial today and on brand, so to speak. He seems to have the right team around him so far with the people from his time as London Mayor and the appointment of this chap is a good start.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1153695618457591808

I hear the reports of Frost are good.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

It's his first day, give him time...

 

[Gary Baldi]

Even in the hustings, he manage to somehow navigate it without using some epithets or falling out with people. Maybe the new partner is rubbing off on him?

When they aren't arguing. That hit job didn't work after all.

 

[bashamwonderland]

Cabinet rebuild is a welcome move.

 

[Whingit]

Sacking half the cabinet probably isn't the wisest move when you have the smallest of majorities, unless he's about to call an election.

 

[Marked Ox]

Cabinet rebuild is a welcome move.

Not with who he is rebuilding it with.