Britain's next leader

[ProfessorDavey]

Yeah, I get that it is the common approach but it doesn't stop it being quite bizarre when you think about it. And given the situation we are in makes it even worse.

I can't see what the alternative would be - you need to have a PM as there are things that require a PM all the time (not least the visit of Trump in a couple of weeks time).

However whichever way this could be sorted (continue as PM until successor is found, or drop in deputy as interim) the nominal PM will have no authority to act in any meaningful political manner until the new leader is found.

I think the question now is whether the Tory parliamentary party hold their nerve and put forward tow candidates to their membership, or blink and settle on a single successor (as per May and Brown) without reference to the membership. If the latter then a new PM could be in place by mid June - if the former it might not be completed until September, allowing time for hustings, debates and voting by the membership.

[Nearly Sane]

Why can't an outgoing PM remain as party leader while any search for their successor takes place?

[ProfessorDavey]

Why can't an outgoing PM remain as party leader while any search for their successor takes place?

I guess they could, but I don't think the issue is who is Tory party leader (that's up to them) but who is PM.

[Nearly Sane]

But in not being the leader of the party, their authority as PM , if they have any, is undermined.

[ProfessorDavey]

But in not being the leader of the party, their authority as PM , if they have any, is undermined.

I think the key words there are if they have any

[Harrowby Hall]

But in not being the leader of the party, their authority as PM , if they have any, is undermined.

It is not unheard of. Neville Chamberlain remained leader of the Conservative Party until his death in November 1940. Winston Churchill had become Prime Minister in May.

[Nearly Sane]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/24/theresa-may-tory-downing-street-leadership-contest

[Harrowby Hall]

From the New Statesman :

Clearly the chief cheerleader from the Boris Johnson Fan Club.

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2019/05/repellent-chaotic-and-serial-liar-boris-johnson-would-be-catastrophic-prime

[SteveH]

There's a new film, provisionally called 'A Clout', in pre-production, but they won't be choosing the cast until July.

[Roses]

Gove has joined the other motley crew to become PM. He wrecked the education system, as PM he would make the country into an even worse mess than it is at present, with the threat of Brexit hanging over it.

[jeremyp]

Gove has joined the other motley crew to become PM. He wrecked the education system, as PM he would make the country into an even worse mess than it is at present, with the threat of Brexit hanging over it.

Are there any candidates who wouldn't  make the country even worse?

May has gone, but she is likely to be replaced with something much worse.

[Roses]

Are there any candidates who wouldn't  make the country even worse?

May has gone, but she is likely to be replaced with something much worse.

Agreed.

[Dicky Underpants]

Are there any candidates who wouldn't  make the country even worse?

May has gone, but she is likely to be replaced with something much worse.

Rory Stewart. Very intelligent, and a lot tougher than he looks. His CV is extraordinary (if true). I don't know if the Tory politicians (or the country's Tories in general) would consider him "their sort of chap", though.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Dicky,

Rory Stewart. Very intelligent, and a lot tougher than he looks. His CV is extraordinary (if true). I don't know if the Tory politicians (or the country's Tories in general) would consider him "their sort of chap", though.

By co-incidence I just came here to post something about Rory Stewart. From a field of extremists, half-wits and serial liars he seems to that rare thing - an intelligent, honest and nuanced tory. I have to say that though I'd never vote tory I do like the cut of his jib. (My son was telling yesterday that Brad Pitt's production company has bought the rights to his story by the way!).

What do people think? He seems to me to be by a mile the best of an exceptional ill-equipped bunch. 

[Udayana]

Stewart is Ok but stands no chance - even if voted leader, he wouldn't be any better than May at selling the Withdrawal Deal.

The rest are terrible. I suppose if Johnson got in there is just a possibility of revoking A50 - after all I doubt he really cares as long as he is on top.

[Walter]

Hi Dicky,

By co-incidence I just came here to post something about Rory Stewart. From a field of extremists, half-wits and serial liars he seems to that rare thing - an intelligent, honest and nuanced tory. I have to say that though I'd never vote tory I do like the cut of his jib. (My son was telling yesterday that Brad Pitt's production company has bought the rights to his story by the way!).

What do people think? He seems to me to be by a mile the best of an exceptional ill-equipped bunch.

he seems like a nice chap but how long will it be before some wag likens his appearance to Wallace from Wallace and Gromit when he speaks .
A superficial problem to overcome? 

[SusanDoris]

Hi Dicky,

By co-incidence I just came here to post something about Rory Stewart. From a field of extremists, half-wits and serial liars he seems to that rare thing - an intelligent, honest and nuanced tory. I have to say that though I'd never vote tory I do like the cut of his jib. (My son was telling yesterday that Brad Pitt's production company has bought the rights to his story by the way!).

What do people think? He seems to me to be by a mile the best of an exceptional ill-equipped bunch.

I have been finding out more about him, and all I have read and hear I like. As a member of the Conservative Party, I shall have a vote and if he is in the final two, he will most certainly get my vote. He seems to have a natural calm authority and is hard-working.

ETA He doesn't sound like the sort of person who wavers if people don't like the sound of his voice or make comments on that.

[ProfessorDavey]

Rory Stewart. Very intelligent, and a lot tougher than he looks. His CV is extraordinary (if true). I don't know if the Tory politicians (or the country's Tories in general) would consider him "their sort of chap", though.

Do you:

1. Get asked to tutor Princes William and Harry in the summer holidays when at university
2. Get appointed as deputy governor of a province in iraq at a ridiculously young age
3. Get asked personally by Prince Charles and the Afghan president to set up a charity

Because:

A. You are the most supremely talented guy around or
B. Because you went to Eton and your father was number two in MI6 providing you with the most astonishingly good network of top establishment people that you (or Daddy) can call up

Discuss.

[Walter]

Do you:

1. Get asked to tutor Princes William and Harry in the summer holidays when at university
2. Get appointed as deputy governor of a province in iraq at a ridiculously young age
3. Get asked personally by Prince Charles and the Afghan president to set up a charity

Because:

A. You are the most supremely talented guy around or
B. Because you went to Eton and your father was number two in MI6 providing you with the most astonishingly good network of top establishment people that you (or Daddy) can call up

Discuss.

well I was asked Prof but turned it down , wasn't  you?   

[ProfessorDavey]

well I was asked Prof but turned it down , wasn't  you?   

Of course ...

[Roses]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48445430

Boris is to appear in court charged with misconduct in  public office by lying during the referendum campaign in 2016 by saying the UK was giving £350,000,000 per week to the EU. If guilty, I hope he is banged to rights.

[SteveH]

Me too!

[Christine]

Do you:

1. Get asked to tutor Princes William and Harry in the summer holidays when at university
2. Get appointed as deputy governor of a province in iraq at a ridiculously young age
3. Get asked personally by Prince Charles and the Afghan president to set up a charity

Because:

A. You are the most supremely talented guy around or
B. Because you went to Eton and your father was number two in MI6 providing you with the most astonishingly good network of top establishment people that you (or Daddy) can call up

Discuss.

I’d say B was quite likely in this case.  On the other hand, Raab, Johnson, McVey. Hunt. Gove.  Stewart seems like a decent person.  I hope he’s got a plan though, because if by some strange circumstance he wins, he’ll need something to keep the right wing at bay.

I’m finding it hard to envisage a happy outcome to this crisis we’ve created. (I say ‘we’, I didn’t vote for any of this!)

[Roses]

I’d say B was quite likely in this case.  On the other hand, Raab, Johnson, McVey. Hunt. Gove.  Stewart seems like a decent person.  I hope he’s got a plan though, because if by some strange circumstance he wins, he’ll need something to keep the right wing at bay.

I’m finding it hard to envisage a happy outcome to this crisis we’ve created. (I say ‘we’, I didn’t vote for any of this!)

Boris might not be quite so popular now he has this court case hanging over him.

[Spud]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48445430

Boris is to appear in court charged with misconduct in  public office by lying during the referendum campaign in 2016 by saying the UK was giving £350,000,000 per week to the EU. If guilty, I hope he is banged to rights.

His point was that we would take back control of that amount, so potentially it could be spent on the NHS.