• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Theresa May Resigns & Conservative Leader Election Discussion

Status
Not open for further replies.

Esker-pades

Established Member
Joined
23 Jul 2015
Messages
3,766
Location
Beds, Bucks, or somewhere else
May has announced that she will resign on the 7th of June, and the process of electing a new leader will start the following week.

Both a "whooo, yey!" moment, and one of trepidation. The main thing is who replaces her, as I really don't know who actually has the ability. My biggest fear would be one who is happy to leave with no deal, because no deal would be pretty awful.

Source (like you needed confirmation):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-48394091

  • Theresa May announced she would step down as Conservative Party leader on 7 June
  • She broke down in tears as she said serving as prime minister was "the honour of my life"
  • Mrs May will continue to serve as prime minister while a Conservative leadership contest takes place
  • Tories confirmed a new leader will be in place before the end of July, says BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg
  • Jeremy Hunt joined those announcing their bids to become new party leader
  • The PM was under pressure to quit after a backlash from her own MPs against her Brexit plan
 
Last edited:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

nlogax

Established Member
Joined
29 May 2011
Messages
5,352
Location
Mostly Glasgow-ish. Mostly.
May had a difficult job and at some point earlier in her premiership I felt sorry for her. But she wanted the position of PM in spite of knowing about the entrenched views of many in her party. This wasn't ever going to work out well for her.

Who'll replace her... who knows? British politics is out of options, out of ideas, almost out of time.
 

bramling

Veteran Member
Joined
5 Mar 2012
Messages
17,685
Location
Hertfordshire / Teesdale
May had a difficult job and at some point earlier in her premiership I felt sorry for her. But she wanted the position of PM in spite of knowing about the entrenched views of many in her party. This wasn't ever going to work out well for her.

Who'll replace her... who knows? British politics is out of options, out of ideas, almost out of time.

I felt sorry for TM early on, however even her resignation speech just didn’t really sound statesmanlike, instead came across as even a little threatening, and she had to get the bit in there about being the second female prime minister - it almost seems as if her main raison d’etre for becoming PM was to prove a point. Even now it’s hard to think of *any* actual agenda, policies or legacy besides Brexit.

I think the change is for the best, whilst it’s not ideal timing as regards the Brexit process, I think some fresh blood won’t go amiss. May simply hasn’t been able to get buy-in, and whilst Brexit was always going to be a tough task, the 2017 election should have been a given and she couldn’t even get people on board for that.

My biggest concern is there simply isn’t anyone else who obviously stands out as having the shine for the role. Going forward this is the bigger immediate problem.
 

61653 HTAFC

Veteran Member
Joined
18 Dec 2012
Messages
17,624
Location
Another planet...
In her resignation speech she said (on Brexit) "I tried, three times..." as if that's to be admired. What's the old saying about repeating the same actions and expecting different results?
 

Cowley

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
15 Apr 2016
Messages
15,688
Location
Devon
In her resignation speech she said (on Brexit) "I tried, three times..." as if that's to be admired. What's the old saying about repeating the same actions and expecting different results?
If at first you don’t succeed, say “I’ve been very clear” lots and lots of times?
 

Master29

Established Member
Joined
19 Feb 2015
Messages
1,967
May is not an unpleasant person but sadly those waiting in the wings seem to be. There`s something odious about the likes of Johnson and Raab. Let`s hope it`s neither of these.
 

AlterEgo

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Dec 2008
Messages
20,036
Location
No longer here
I hate the Tory party and their relentless self-interest at the expense of everyone, including it seems themselves. Awful. Bin the lot.
 

hexagon789

Veteran Member
Joined
2 Sep 2016
Messages
15,715
Location
Glasgow
their relentless self-interest at the expense of everyone, including it seems themselves.

In my experience that applies to any and every political party since their creation. It is the very essence of a political party to look out for itself and it's members.
 

Typhoon

Established Member
Joined
2 Nov 2017
Messages
3,488
Location
Kent
May is not an unpleasant person but sadly those waiting in the wings seem to be. There`s something odious about the likes of Johnson and Raab. Let`s hope it`s neither of these.
Totally agree. You can add McVey to your list. I look at the supposed contenders, few of them have been more than mediocre in office.
 

edwin_m

Veteran Member
Joined
21 Apr 2013
Messages
24,793
Location
Nottingham
Do any of the current lot actually have a concrete achievement to their names?

The only bright side I can see is that Graying isn't standing. Yet.
 

Master29

Established Member
Joined
19 Feb 2015
Messages
1,967
Totally agree. You can add McVey to your list. I look at the supposed contenders, few of them have been more than mediocre in office.
I actually forgot McVile. She must be the worst of the lot.
 

greyman42

Established Member
Joined
14 Aug 2017
Messages
4,894
May is not an unpleasant person but sadly those waiting in the wings seem to be. There`s something odious about the likes of Johnson and Raab. Let`s hope it`s neither of these.
As long as its someone who can keep Corbyn out then I will be happy.
 

Ianno87

Veteran Member
Joined
3 May 2015
Messages
15,215
May is not an unpleasant person but sadly those waiting in the wings seem to be. There`s something odious about the likes of Johnson and Raab. Let`s hope it`s neither of these.

So we'll either get someone seemingly prepared to crash us straight out of the EU regardless of the consequences, and/or waste precious time betwen now and October with a protracted leadership content.

All because May's position had become untenable due to some with the Tory party having a misguided belief that somehow a better deal is somehow deliverable (or, more likely, leaving the EU benefitting self-interests pure and simple)
 

Bald Rick

Veteran Member
Joined
28 Sep 2010
Messages
29,070
Boris is odds on. Raab and Gove a distant 2nd and 3rd place in the running.
 

Groningen

Established Member
Joined
14 Jan 2015
Messages
2,866
Theresa May said that people after her must compromize to make the Brexit a success. Such a shame that compromize was not her cup of tea. Waiting with talks with Jeremy Corbyn for more than 2 years. Lets hope that Boris Johnson becomes PM so that we on the mainland can laugh about the clown.
 

Typhoon

Established Member
Joined
2 Nov 2017
Messages
3,488
Location
Kent
Lets hope that Boris Johnson becomes PM so that we on the mainland can laugh about the clown.
Careful! Trump in the White House threatening anyone and everyone (Iran, China, Syria, Mexico, I'm not certain about North Korea these days), Boris in number 10, buttering up to him. The world is starting to feel a lot less safe.
 

DanDaDriver

Member
Joined
5 May 2018
Messages
338
May is not an unpleasant person...

On 18 Mar 2002:Theresa May voted no on Hunting with Dogs: Ban

On 26 May 2016:Theresa May voted in favour of repealing the Human Rights Act 1998; against plans to save the steel industry including fast-tracking infrastructure projects requiring large amounts of steel.

On 16 Apr 2013:Theresa May voted to remove the duty on the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to work to support the development of a society where people's ability to achieve their potential is not limited by prejudice or discrimination and there is respect for human rights.

On 16 Apr 2013:Theresa May voted against making it illegal to discriminate on the basis of caste.

On 6 Jan 2016:Theresa May voted in favour of cutting universal credit benefits for many people in paid work

On 18 Nov 2015:Theresa May voted for proposed cuts to tax credits and against investment aimed at growing a productive economy focused on science, technology and green jobs

On 27 Oct 2015:Theresa May voted in favour of reducing the amount people are paid in tax credits.

On 4 Jun 2015:Theresa May voted in favour of proposed spending cuts and changes to the welfare system and in favour of spending on new nuclear weapons.

On 21 Jan 2013:Theresa May voted to set the rate of increase of certain benefits, payments and tax credits at 1% rather than in line with prices at 2.2% for 2014 and 2015

On 21 Jan 2013:Theresa May voted to cap any increase in specified benefits payments and tax credits at 1% rather allow them to be increased by 2.2% in line with prices.

On 21 Jan 2013:Theresa May voted to cap any increase in specified benefits payments and tax credits at 1% rather than allow them to increase by 2.2% in line with prices.

On 8 Jan 2013:Theresa May voted to cap any increase discretionary working age benefits and tax credits at 1% in 2014-15 and 2015-16

On 7 Jun 2016:Theresa May voted for the mass retention of information on people's internet usage.

On 7 Jun 2016:Theresa May voted to allow the bulk interception of communications, equipment interference, and the retention and examination of bulk personal datasets, subject to certain safeguards.

On 15 Mar 2016:Theresa May voted to allow the bulk interception of communications, equipment interference, and the retention and examination of bulk personal datasets, subject to certain safeguards.

On 14 Mar 2016:Theresa May voted against requiring a strategy for carbon capture and storage for the energy industry


On 2 Feb 2011:Theresa May voted in favour of the sale of England's public forest estate.

On 5 Sep 2012:Theresa May voted against capping annual rail fair increases at 1% above inflation and not to ban increases in excess of that limit.

On 13 May 2014:Theresa May voted not to ban letting agents charging tenants, or prospective tenants, fees.

On 14 May 2013:Theresa May voted against calling on the Government to take real action on jobs, affordable accommodation, rising energy and water bills, the costs of travel to work.
 

433N

Guest
Joined
20 Jun 2017
Messages
752
Lets hope that Boris Johnson becomes PM so that we on the mainland can laugh about the clown.

That's exactly what people in Britain thought when Mussolini, and probably Hitler, came to power. :(

I'm sincerely hoping that we have learnt the lessons of history and that failed cabinet minister Johnson gets nowhere near power.

Please, please, please can everyone stop calling him 'Boris' like they know him or he's a lovable rogue - this is purely a media fabrication to endear him to you. Show that you recognise this, and are not fooled, by referring to him by his name which is Boris Johnson.
 

edwin_m

Veteran Member
Joined
21 Apr 2013
Messages
24,793
Location
Nottingham
I'm sincerely hoping that we have learnt the lessons of history and that failed cabinet minister Johnson gets nowhere near power.

Please, please, please can everyone stop calling him 'Boris' like they know him or he's a lovable rogue - this is purely a media fabrication to endear him to you. Show that you recognise this, and are not fooled, by referring to him by his name which is Boris Johnson.
I'm going to call him Boris so anyone who gets on one of those wretched buses will forever remember who was responsible...

Having said that, I'm beginning to think he would be the least bad option for those of us that aren't on the hard right of the Tory party. He appears to have some degree of pragmatism, chiefly employed to date in ensuring the advancement of one B Johnson, and he ought to be intelligent enough to realise the horrendous consequences of the post-Brexit period particularly for whoever is PM at the time. This might make him more able to change tack once he's paid the necessary homage to the headbangers in the membership, and he might not be too unhappy if Parliament forces a referendum and Brexit is cancelled. Raab and friends (if he has any) actually appear to believe in it, and a moderate, in the unlikely event they win, is going to waste even more time chasing a dead-in-the-water compromise.
 

Senex

Established Member
Joined
1 Apr 2014
Messages
2,752
Location
York
That's exactly what people in Britain thought when Mussolini, and probably Hitler, came to power. :(

I'm sincerely hoping that we have learnt the lessons of history and that failed cabinet minister Johnson gets nowhere near power.

Please, please, please can everyone stop calling him 'Boris' like they know him or he's a lovable rogue - this is purely a media fabrication to endear him to you. Show that you recognise this, and are not fooled, by referring to him by his name which is Boris Johnson.

But it's unfortunately not a question of whether "we have learnt the lessons of history" but rather whether enough Tory MPs and any of the 100,000-odd members of the party who will have a vote have learnt those lessons—and that seems very much less likely. The prospect of such a man coming to be prime minister because of the choice of party members of a party which does not have a parliamentary majority is an appalling comment on our "democracy" (and is it so far from the way in which those men of the 1930s came to power?).
 

Typhoon

Established Member
Joined
2 Nov 2017
Messages
3,488
Location
Kent
Please, please, please can everyone stop calling him 'Boris' like they know him or he's a lovable rogue - this is purely a media fabrication to endear him to you. Show that you recognise this, and are not fooled, by referring to him by his name which is Boris Johnson.
Sorry! At least I didn't call him BoJo. I would say 'Johnson' but I haven't dismissed the possibility of Jo Johnson putting in an appearance.
 

trainmania100

Established Member
Joined
8 Nov 2015
Messages
2,566
Location
Newhaven
I'm interested to know what happens with brexit from now on, will the new PMs brexit package be turned down or approved, who knows :lol:
 

433N

Guest
Joined
20 Jun 2017
Messages
752
My apologies if I came over a bit strong there. I'm not a moderator, please call Boris Johnson what you like but I will continue to bristle every time he is referred to as 'Boris'.

But it's unfortunately not a question of whether "we have learnt the lessons of history" but rather whether enough Tory MPs and any of the 100,000-odd members of the party who will have a vote have learnt those lessons—and that seems very much less likely. The prospect of such a man coming to be prime minister because of the choice of party members of a party which does not have a parliamentary majority is an appalling comment on our "democracy" (and is it so far from the way in which those men of the 1930s came to power?).

I am hoping that Boris Johnson has enough enemies in the parliamentary party that he is not one of the 2 candidates selected to be put to the general membership otherwise I fear he will win. The office is well beyond his ability.

I have been thinking that the recent state of affairs is not dissimilar to the situation in the Weimar Republic with a weak minority government ruling by decree. I can't help thinking that these are dangerous times.

Sorry! At least I didn't call him BoJo. I would say 'Johnson' but I haven't dismissed the possibility of Jo Johnson putting in an appearance.

Or, if we are lucky, Rachel.
 

Adsy125

Member
Joined
22 Dec 2016
Messages
421
I’ve spoken with a few people in Boris’ constituency, who have never voted for anyone other than a Tory in their life. They. Didn’t mind him as mayor, but not so much as an MP, I suspect he would lose if there was a by election there.
 

thenorthern

Established Member
Joined
27 May 2013
Messages
4,102
Another Conservative Prime Minister defeated by policy towards the European Union, it seems to be the Achilles Heel of every Conservative Prime Minister.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top