Next Tory leader

[Busaholic]

Ladbrokes have announced their odds on the next Tory leader who could, of course, become de facto Prime Minister, with or without the encumbrance of a General Election ('ANOTHER ONE??').

I won't quote their odds, as (a) I've not got them to hand and (b) why should I encourage gambling?, but I understand they have the following jockeying for position:-
Boris Johnson
Michael Gove
Andrea Leadsom
Amber Rudd
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Philip Hammond
David Davis
Gavin Williamson

Hope I've not left any out. Liam Fox presumably wasn't included because no trace of any support could be found, but that won't stop him putting his name forward, such is his ego.

The intensely ambitious R-M appears to be the early front runner, followed by the even more intensely ambitious Blond Buffoon. The Daily Telegraph are doing their damnedest to scupper Williamson on behalf of Boris, so they must fear him most!

So place your metaphorical bets please: in theory, a certain JC should be able to beat any of this lot in a national race, but he would, of course, be choosing to run with blinkers on, so might well not get the prize.

 

[Domh245]

Hammond would probably be the most sane choice of the lot, Rudd could be equally good but her seat is probably a bit too marginal to risk having the leader in. Williamson seems very ambitious but massively inexperienced. The rest don't bare thinking about!

Unfortunately if May were to resign, it'd be down to the Tory MPs and then the membership to decide the new leader, so sense may not come into it!

 

[muddythefish]

All of them are hopeless. Not one of them inspires or gives hope for the future.

Time for an election and real change

 

[edwin_m]

Looking at that list Theresa May doesn't seem quite so bad after all.

 

[Up_Tilt_390]

I wouldn't particularly be bothered about any of them becoming Conservative leader except perhaps being a bit weary of Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg, who quite honestly, if he were a character in Harry Potter, would probably be one of those pure-blood supremacists who sees muggle-borns and muggles as scum who don't deserve acknowledgement in his world and are little more than farm animals to be stepped on. But of course there is one individual on that list who I certainly don't want near Number 10, and I would be outraged if he was anywhere near it. Yes, we all know I'm on about Boris Johnson. The man would be a total national embarrassment and would guarantee a terrible deal for the UK when leaving the EU. Those five black fire engines from Germany are probably the only things we'd be getting if he was in power, and that's if the EU decides to be generous.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Why is Sir Graham Brady not deemed worthy of addition to the list?

 

[Confused147]

Boris would be my bet. But id rather my pet hamster be in charge of this country than any of them in that list.

 

[Qwerty133]

I wouldn't particularly be bothered about any of them becoming Conservative leader except perhaps being a bit weary of Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg, who quite honestly, if he were a character in Harry Potter, would probably be one of those pure-blood supremacists who sees muggle-borns and muggles as scum who don't deserve acknowledgement in his world and are little more than farm animals to be stepped on. But of course there is one individual on that list who I certainly don't want near Number 10, and I would be outraged if he was anywhere near it. Yes, we all know I'm on about Boris Johnson. The man would be a total national embarrassment and would guarantee a terrible deal for the UK when leaving the EU. Those five black fire engines from Germany are probably the only things we'd be getting if he was in power, and that's if the EU decides to be generous.

and if Corbyn was in charge we'd end up with 500,000 net migrants per year and a deal that involved us paying ludicrous amounts for limited access to the single market on terms we have no say in.

 

[Alistair G.]

im backing Alberto Costa. Great local MP, very keen and im sure would be an excellent choice

 

[Kite159]

Maybe it is time for a change, any MPs over 60 getting pensioned off at the next election to allow some of the younger MPs to rise through the ranks to give the country fresh ideas.

That list of names being rumoured for May's replacement makes sad reading, as does the horror of Momentum getting into power

 

[Up_Tilt_390]

and if Corbyn was in charge we'd end up with 500,000 net migrants per year and a deal that involved us paying ludicrous amounts for limited access to the single market on terms we have no say in.

Yet there are some people who still try to tell me there is hope left in this world...

 

[Casey Jones125]

The thugs of Momentum. Can anyone remember what Socialist in history had thugs deployed to gain him power?

 

[SwindonBert]

The MPs reduce the field to 2, which is put to the membership of the party.
I suspect that there will be 1 overt brexiter (either Boris or JRM) & 1 other

Personally, from that list, Philip Hammond is my choice - although I was much more of a Major & Cameron fan than Thatcher

If any of the more right wing candidates or those who are good at self promotion get it, with Momentum running Labour - the LDs must have their best change in numerous generations

 

[gordonthemoron]

Can't we just have some sensible politicians for a change?

 

[Casey Jones125]

Like who?

 

[Up_Tilt_390]

Can't we just have some sensible politicians for a change?

No, I'm afraid we can't...

 

[northwichcat]

in theory, a certain JC should be able to beat any of this lot in a national race, but he would, of course, be choosing to run with blinkers on, so might well not get the prize.

Unless the Tories choose Anna Soubry or Heidi Allen I don't think they'll be getting the votes of anyone who voted Labour or Lib Dem at the last election. It seems the most right wing MPs are in control of the Conservative Party and the most left wing MPs are in control of the Labour party.

 

[northwichcat]

Why is Sir Graham Brady not deemed worthy of addition to the list?

Brady didn't have the sense to put himself in front of the TV cameras yesterday, choosing to send Charles Walker instead to deny any knowledge of the 1922 Committee getting complaints about Theresa May, who went to make the ludicrous comment "For all we know there's no complaints and the moon is made of cheese." :roll:

 

[3141]

Ladbroke's have announced their odds on the next Tory leader who could, of course, become de facto Prime Minister, with or without the encumbrance of a General Election ('ANOTHER ONE??').

There's no law, and not even a convention, that a new party leader who succeeds one who is Prime Minister should seek to have a General Election.

But when Cameron went and May took over, the Conservatives had a majority in the House of Commons. Now they don't, and all the potential candidates would want to check whether the UDP would continue to support them if they took over the leadership. If they didn't, the new leader might find it necessary to go to the country. He/she might be very reluctant to do that, since the outcome could mean losing power. With that possibility in view, the Conservative Party should be thinking very hard whether they want to change leader at this time.

That won't necessarily keep May safe. Ambition, impatience, and the hope of seeing the kind of brexit that each one wants, may precipitate a leadership battle. The brexit negotiations are much more important to the country's future. The Tories may be too divided to be able to reach a satisfactory conclusion. It doesn't follow that Labour can do better.

 

[Macwomble]

and if Corbyn was in charge we'd end up with 500,000 net migrants per year and a deal that involved us paying ludicrous amounts for limited access to the single market on terms we have no say in.

God help us if Corbyn gets anywhere near No 10.

 

[Macwomble]

Can't we just have some sensible politicians for a change?

Where the h**l are you going to find them?

 

[SilentGrade]

That won't necessarily keep May safe. Ambition, impatience, and the hope of seeing the kind of brexit that each one wants, may precipitate a leadership battle. The brexit negotiations are much more important to the country's future. The Tories may be too divided to be able to reach a satisfactory conclusion. It doesn't follow that Labour can do better.

Mainly because most Brexit Tory MPs have backed themselves into a corner. They've been so vocal in supporting a Hard Brexit agenda that they will have to follow through at some point to not lose face and actually follow through on their words. It's most likely to come when May inevitably caves over the transition deal.

But then equally I doubt anyone actually wants the job at the moment because everything can be blamed on May without anyone actually sticking their head above the parapet.

 

[bramling]

Ladbroke's have announced their odds on the next Tory leader who could, of course, become de facto Prime Minister, with or without the encumbrance of a General Election ('ANOTHER ONE??').

I won't quote their odds, as (a) I've not got them to hand and (b) why should I encourage gambling?, but I understand they have the following jockeying for position:-
Boris Johnson
Michael Gove
Andrea Leadsom
Amber Rudd
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Philip Hammond
David Davis
Gavin Williamson

Hope I've not left any out. Liam Fox presumably wasn't included because no trace of any support could be found, but that won't stop him putting his name forward, such is his ego.

The intensely ambitious R-M appears to be the early front runner, followed by the even more intensely ambitious Blond Buffoon. The Daily Telegraph are doing their damnedest to scupper Williamson on behalf of Boris, so they must fear him most!

So place your metaphorical bets please: in theory, a certain JC should be able to beat any of this lot in a national race, but he would, of course, be choosing to run with blinkers on, so might well not get the prize.

A pretty depressing line-up, and we are of course in the situation where Labour are no better.

Out of that lot I'd say Hammond might well be the most sensible choice overall, although he hardly inspires enthusiasm -- another "none of the above" candidate. It may well turn sour quickly unless he can find a unifying Brexit position.

Leadsom and Rudd are too weak for different reasons, Williamson isn't well known enough, and for some reason I just can't see Davis or Gove in the job.

Personally I'd be quite happy with Rees-Mogg simply because I think it would be a case of what you see is what you get, although I don't necessarily think that would be the best choice electorally.

Pity we can't have Cameron back! Actually I'd have been quite happy for him to have stayed on and delivered Brexit.

I think May will hang on for the time being. Labour are still not really a credible opposition force - too many soundbites and not enough detail - and still no serious Conservative leader-in-waiting.

 

[trash80]

Interesting some people are so sure what Corbyn would do in power, despite being a labour party member i'm unsure what any of the policies are. Corbyn must have splinters on his arse after all the fence sitting.

As for the Tories i hope its Boris or JRM, both would ensure the final destruction of the Tory party for ever.

 

[greyman42]

All of them are hopeless. Not one of them inspires or gives hope for the future.

Time for an election and real change

Any of them are better than Corbyn and Mc Donnell.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What is needed is a slightly left of centre Labour leader. Perhaps not a cheesy-grinned liar, but someone at that kind of political level.

 

[greyman42]

What is needed is a slightly left of centre Labour leader. Perhaps not a cheesy-grinned liar, but someone at that kind of political level.

That cheesy-grinned liar wiped the floor with Conservatives three times weather you like it or not.

 

[bramling]

That cheesy-grinned liar wiped the floor with Conservatives three times weather you like it or not.

I'm not sure the electorate would wear it again in quite the same way. Look at just how utterly toxic Blair is now considered to be, and it's not all down to Iraq.

I think a Cameron figure is actually what the country would support at the moment. Someone who gets on with the job without too much fuss.

 

[simonw]

The thugs of Momentum. Can anyone remember what Socialist in history had thugs deployed to gain him power?

I do know of quite a few right wingers who have.......

 

[yorkie]

...Personally I'd be quite happy with Rees-Mogg simply because I think it would be a case of what you see is what you get, although I don't necessarily think that would be the best choice electorally....

His views are completely incompatible with the 21st century. That's the nicest possibly way I could put it. The fact that someone of his poor character and dubious social views could even be considered as a possible candidate is quite frankly bizarre and a bit worrying.

He needs a one-way time machine to the 19th century.